Vintage Question

[ryco]

How old does an electric bass have to be before it's considered vintage?
60's 70's 80's early 90's ?

Opinions?

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by ryco

How old does an electric bass have to be before it's considered vintage?
60's 70's 80's early 90's ?

Opinions?

Vintage usually means 20-25 years.

[deaf pea]

I would think that a Fender bass from the '50's or early '60's ("pre-CBS") would qualify as "vintage" . . . it really depends on the make and model. A MMSR (NOT Ernie Ball) is vintage. A G & L made while Leo Fender was there is vintage. and so on . . . . .

[JimmyM]

"Vintage" is just high-falutin' speak for "old." For example, I now refer to myself as "vintage."

[The Golden Boy]

There is such a problem because people confuse the word "vintage" with "old."

A vintage instrument is one that has qualities that make it desirable. Fender stopped using nitrocellulose lacquer in 1968-69. Jazz basses started having block fret markers in 1966. Prior to 1965, rosewood fretboards were made of Brazillian Rosewood. Fender changed ownership in 1964-5. What would make a 1974 Precision "vintage?" The thick poly finish? The 13 pound weight? While a 1974 P is old, and a 1964 P is old- only one is consindered "vintage" just because of it's age and it's proximity in time to another.

*I'm not saying that every 1974 P is a dog or anything, but any high prices are based mainly on age, not on the inherent qualities of a bass made in 1974.

[johnbegone]

For automobiles, 20 years is the point when something becomes vintage. I generally don't think of stuff in the 80's as vintage though, 70s and before.... so vintage.

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Vintage usually means 20-25 years.

As a dumbed-down generalization, this is correct.

[Mojo-Man]

I believe it 30 years.