'76 Ibanez P - worth asking price?

Flatpicker · #1 03-20-2011, 04:51 PM

1976 Ibanez Precision Bass

Just spotted this. I bought a new bass recently but at this price I'm thinking I should go buy this thing, possibly to flip or just hang on to for a while. Any input would be appreciated. Did Ibanez make good Fender copies, mid 70's? If so I'd have to go snag it at this price... but if they're cheapies I'll just let it pass.

I am very close to this location so if any of you are interested in it - pm me.

the art guy · #2 03-20-2011, 07:25 PM

Those are cool basses - I'd consider checking it out if I were you. If it's a good player, it's worth the asking price. Probably not a great opportunity to flip for profit though, if that's your motive.

BigOldHarry · #3 03-20-2011, 07:27 PM

that's insane - these are not collector's items, and this is MUCH more than what it sold for new.

Electra Player · #4 03-20-2011, 07:28 PM

I dunno, I'm a big collector at Japanese basses and guitars, and I've gone thorugh a few. I've never seen them priced this high, honestly.

Flatpicker · #5 03-20-2011, 07:52 PM

thanks y'all, I appreciate the feedback... the more i've looked around via the google it doesn't look like a super buy or anything. might be a nice player, though.

BigOldHarry · #6 03-20-2011, 07:54 PM

The thing is - these used to sell dirt cheap new - they were trying to sell to folks who couldn't afford the $300 for a new P-bass. They weren't as nice as a P-bass, but they weren't terrible (other clones were out there at the time which were... eh... Firewood. Hondo leaps to mind...). $120 - this is a deal. $300+??? Unless they've suddenly become collectible, I say *no*.

smcd · #7 03-20-2011, 08:13 PM

$365 is way too much for that bass. Those things are usually priced sub-$200.

bassobrutto · #8 03-20-2011, 11:14 PM

I think it's actually quite a reasonable price these days, right around average for a later clone by a better "lawsuit" brand (e.g., Ibanez, Aria, Greco, Tokai). I believe it was around '76 that Ibanez made their first serious original designs, which are well respected and now pretty pricey. P-basses copies made in the same year by the same company should be worth at least a fifth of the value of a Fender from that year, surely? More to the point, easily worth 3/5 of the price of a new MIM today, and way more mojo.

**garmenteros** · #9 03-22-2011, 01:32 PM

I have 4 lawsuit japanese ibanez. That same exact p you posted, a j, a rick 4001 and a gibson ripper. All excellent basses that give the originals a run for their money and I've had the originals to A/B them. I paid about 350 plus shipping for the precision and jazz each with a hardcase. I payed about 500 for the rick and the ripper each. Great basses and underrated. I think the price is about right and I've seen them go for much higher as well.

Din Of Win · #10 03-22-2011, 01:37 PM

Yeah, that's on the lower end of Ibby lawsuits i've seen as of late.

I've been trying to get my hands on a lawsuit Jazz or the P/J with Jazz body... any time they DO pop up they've been over $600...

**garmenteros** · #11 03-22-2011, 01:37 PM

My favorite and the rarest,
gibson ripper copy

Jazz bass lawsuit, the best playing

Precision Bass lawsuit just like you posted

Rick 4001 lawsuit

fenderhutz · #12 03-22-2011, 01:38 PM

No such thing as a lawsuit Ibanez (or any other Matsumoku brand) Fender copies. Just pointing it out. They got sued for copies of Gibson headstocks, then decided just quit making the other USA copies. The other lawsuit was Rickenbacker.

People usually use "lawsuit" to make a reference to a Fender clone.

Not being picky, just throwing out facts.

Other than that the dark circle above the nut look like truss rod abuse (Looks like the finish was scraped by a wrench and dirt then took hold). Be careful the truss nut isn't stripped.

**garmenteros** · #13 03-22-2011, 01:41 PM

Grecos are my second favorite lawsuit basses, my friend owns a couple and they are excellent as well. Don't hesitate to get one, some grecos such as the thunderbirds have gone as high as 800 900 dollars.

Din Of Win · #14 03-22-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garmenteros

Jazz bass lawsuit, the best playing

yeah...

FenderRick · #15 03-31-2011, 01:58 PM

well here is my Ibanez 1971 Jazz Bass

and i wouldnt trade it for anything

i compared it to some 70's fender jazz basses,and i gotta admit the TONE is equal to theirs (although i got Bartolini pickups),and the bass has some serious MOJO.

Fender jazz bass had a better neck though.felt more comfortable with one F jazz bass from 1976 i tried,but other than that this bass is precious!
they are totally worth the money people are asking for them,if not even more than that