I MISSED THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY!!!

Mesa XI · #1 07-06-2009, 10:17 AM

So I'm sitting here at work, and I get a call from my dad (who is also a bass player). He says that his friend was cruising some garage sales and happened upon a bass for $350. He talked to the old couple selling the bass. They said that they're moving to Arizona (we're in Chicago), and they were cleaning out their house before the move. While they were in the attic they found their sons old bass, their son died in Vietnam and the bass had been up there ever since. So what is this bass that they were selling for $350?

A mint 1968 Fender P-Bass. Some guy walked away with it about 5 minutes before I had my chance.

deekay911 · #2 07-06-2009, 10:27 AM

Shouldn't be long before we see a new thread 'DEAL OF THE CENTURY!!!'......

cnltb · #3 07-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Well... the one that got away.
I'm sure( or at least do I hope) the one that got it likes it and appreciates what he's got.

Mesa XI · #4 07-06-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

Well... the one that got away.
I'm sure( or at least do I hope) the one that got it likes it and appreciates what he's got.

Either that, or he's selling it for ten times what he payed

WRBass · #5 07-06-2009, 11:02 AM

If I was the lucky guy that bought that bass, I would find that soldier's grave and say a prayer, and thanks.

silverburst · #6 07-06-2009, 11:04 AM

There's nothing as nice as hearing about someone who is upset that they didn't get to screw some old people over on a deal.

nicfargo · #7 07-06-2009, 11:08 AM

no pic, no bass....er, wait...that's not right. That dude who got the bass is probably gonna have some bad mojo for awhile. Finding a good deal is one thing, ripping off unknowing parents of a child who died fighting for our country...sickening. My conscience would get the best of me if I were trying to buy that bass and I'd have to tell them "Hey guys, this bass is worth probably 10 times what you're asking. I might even know some folks who would pay that for it". If they were still cool with selling it for $350, then that's their problem, not mine.

CrUiSeR · #8 07-06-2009, 11:09 AM

lol.
but,
they got what they asked for!

cnltb · #9 07-06-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesa XI

Either that, or he's selling it for ten times what he payed

I'd ask for more.
If it is really is such good condition ,I'd ask for more...Lucky some!

T-MOST · #10 07-06-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesa XI

Either that, or he's selling it for ten times what he payed

That would be my move.

groooooove · #11 07-06-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverburst

There's nothing as nice as hearing about someone who is upset that they didn't get to screw some old people over on a deal.

a bass like that only has any value to..bass players.

although i think your right, that maybe it wouldve been nice to let them know its a highly prized, collectable thing theyve got there.

however im not sure i wouldve been able to do that...

mr.hughes · #12 07-06-2009, 11:28 AM

Morally the buyer hopefully explained what the bass was. Maybe the parents didn't believe him. If you're not into bass and this world of ours, would you believe it if someone told you that that thing your son used to play along to Hendrix records with was worth what it is?

I know a guy who was in the same situation. Friend of a friend said he knew a widow that was clearing out her husbands things and wanted rid of that old upright bass taking up space. Guy (an orchestral musician) went around to have a look. The widow was happy someone would help her get rid of the bass, and even offered to compensate the guy for his trouble. Guy took a look at the label and knew straight away this bass was worth at least £20,000 (and I heard this story ten years ago). He told the widow what the bass was worth and she genuinely didn't believe him.

She refused to take money for it but he insisted and left her something. Not £20k, but all that she would accept. And the upside is that he didn't flip the bass for a quick profit and still plays that bass today.

Mesa XI · #13 07-08-2009, 08:09 AM

The people seemed to know a little bit about the instrument. When my dads friend was talking to them the guy admitted that the neck was a bit warped (what neck wouldn't after 30+ years in an attic). I wouldn't feel bad taking that deal. It's the sellers responsibility to look into what they're selling before they get rid of it. I don't think they really cared about how much money they were getting, just trying to get rid of some old junk. They probably went to guitar center, saw a fender p on the wall, and put that price on their bass.

For the record, if I had bought that bass I would'nt have sold it, I would've played it until the day I died. My dad has had a 68 Fender P for 30 years now and still plays it every day.