Is a beat up 1973 Fender P Bass Worth $2399 if...

[FloridaThump]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Sanity is what I strive for.

What drives me crazy is when unthinking people inexperienced with these types of instruments make all sorts of crazy generalizations about their "awesummness" when the one thing that characterizes old instruments is their complete inconsistency prior to modern production techniques and technology.

If you subscribe to the belief than in 2013 one has to go through several new Fenders to find a really good one, then how on earth can you ascribe magical goodness to some forty-year-old bass that was markedly different from every other one produced?

It's just nonsense. The range in pickup specs and construction alone is truly startling, with DCRs varying as much as +/-30%.

I've had guys from FMIC tell me about their fruitless struggle to reintroduce "vintage" reissue instruments when their own professional bench analyses of dozens of the originals showed that there was no such thing as "vintage specs." They just fudged the whole RI concept based on averaging, cherrypicking and wishful thinking.

++1

[johng999]

Yes, I saw the same thing when I visited the Gibson Custom Shop. We were discussing '59 Les Pauls, and how each one has a different height and shape for the curvature of the cap. What they do is measure quite a few and then make a run based consensus of the measurements. They change these setups every so often but always within the range of what they have measured. And if they have a known "good one" they may make a run based upon that particular guitar. While I was there they had Jimmy Pages #2 in the shop doing measurements, that was pretty cool.

[johng999]

I would also add, that I love the feel of a vintage bass that has been played but taken care of. You can't buy that out of the box. My '69 Telecaster bass has the neck to die for - the finish is very worn, and it just has a feel that is special - and every bass player I know that has played it agrees.

[johng999]

Originally Posted by narud

if its in the condition you say it is, you could get the gc price.

I agree but want to hang on to it for a while. I don't play it - it's just too nice! I have a bunch of other Fenders that do the work!

[REMBO]

the price is high....the most i'd pay was $1500
and, it better play & sound awesome for that price!!!!

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by duderus

Is this legit?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:AAQ:US:1123

Originally Posted by Double E

That is bizarre...what happened to the headstock?

The same thing that happened to the body, drunken spray paint.

Legit? Who knows from those pictures?

Hilarious? YES.

[Tommygunn]

Hahaha I'm almost 100% positive there is a pbass of that era at my GC for $12k.

[f64]

Ironically of all the p-basses I've played my 72' beats them all. I agree that the 70's in general weren't that great but some great players do exist. Sit with it for some time and a/b it against one you consider to be a great player. The $2300. seems high but its about what the market was at one time. GC isn't going to budge much and if they do the salesman will take a big hit.
Last year the NYC store had a piece I was interested in. Knowing they weren't going to budge much on vintage pieces the salesman gave me a big clue. I brought in an amp I wasn't using much and was willing to spin. They offered me way more on the trade than I could get anywhere else. That brought the price way down and the salesman didn't get hurt on commission. Just food for thought.

[dlenaghan]

I think you could do waaaaay better on the TB classifieds.

[Munjibunga]

$2,300 for a used P Bass? You're kidding, right? I'd say $650 max. And see my sig.

[-=DanAtkinson=-]

If you know what you're doing, you can build yourself a Fender clone that is far superior to anything vintage. There is no magical fairy dust sprinkled on old guitars and basses.

Of course a new instrument won't have that broken-in feel. You gotta decide what that's worth to you. Personally I prefer to wear-in instruments myself. That way it's broken in based on my playing style, my hands, where I rest my arm, etc.

[Pilgrim]

I would say to the OP that I have a 1963 Precision (had it since 1967) and it's a nice bass, but no better than any of the newer basses I own. If I hadn't owned it since the 60's, I would not pay the cost to get a replacement from that era.

To me, the vintage market is priced only for collectors. I don't see good value in putting out more than $1000 for an old P or J when you can pick up a newer used one in much better condition for $1000. You can then modify that bass if you really need to, and do it with a clear conscience.

I should also comment that I don't buy into mojo, relicing, or any of the other terms for worn finishes or damage. I prefer instruments that have been well taken care of and show minimal if any finish wear that results only from hands-on playing - that tells me the owner has cared for them.

[narud]

imagine a thread like where people who are actually interested in vintage guitars who are aware of current market prices were commenting. id rather pay 2k for a 73 p than less money for dans allparts creations or a new fender with a 9.5 radius and posiflex rods in the neck.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by narud

imagine a thread like where people who are actually interested in vintage guitars who are aware of current market prices were commenting. id rather pay 2k for a 73 p than less money for dans allparts creations or a new fender with a 9.5 radius and posiflex rods in the neck.

Huge + 1!! I am trying to imagine that thread too

[-=DanAtkinson=-]

Originally Posted by narud

imagine a thread like where people who are actually interested in vintage guitars who are aware of current market prices were commenting. id rather pay 2k for a 73 p than less money for dans allparts creations or a new fender with a 9.5 radius and posiflex rods in the neck.

Imagine a TB thread where things didn't take a sour turn with snarky posts from insecure guys who insult others who don't think like they do. That would be nice.

Believe it or not, there are some people who are very familiar with vintage guitars and are aware of current market prices who much prefer something new and less expensive.

EDIT: I don't use AllParts. They make good stuff, but USA Custom Guitars is far superior. And they'll make you whatever kind of neck you want. Any radius, any thickness, any fret size. And graphite rods are a wonderful thing. Help prevent warping with zero change to tone.

[narud]

Originally Posted by -=DanAtkinson=-

Imagine a TB thread where things didn't take a sour turn with snarky posts from insecure guys who insult others who don't think like they do. That would be nice.

Believe it or not, there are some people who are very familiar with vintage guitars and are aware of current market prices who much prefer something new and less expensive.

you mean like was demonstrated in this thread? with prices that arent in line with the current market? its possible to propose a new bass without coming off as somehow more enlightened than others.

[autodidact]

there shouldn't be a Precision in the world worth over $1000.

[zfunkman]

Absolutely Not! In fact, most all vintage instruments are way overpriced. A couple of years ago I wanted to get a vintage Fender Jazz Bass. The prices were ridiculous. I ended up getting a brand new American Standard for $1050; over half of what I would of paid for a vintage. I'll just wear it out myself.

[MattyH]

$1700 at most. If it plays incredible. It's not a 60's P after all!

PS - Dan Atkinson is awesome.

[-=DanAtkinson=-]

Originally Posted by MattyH

$1700 at most. If it plays incredible. It's not a 60's P after all!

PS - Dan Atkinson is awesome.

Printing this out to show my wife. Maybe now she'll believe me.