A fair price?

[Boombass76]

Hey, I may get the opportunity to buy a 64 P bass. It appears to be all-original, and there is also an original case. The price should be around $6k. Would you say that's a fair price?

ADDED FROM A LATER POST:

Hi all, Thanks for all your inputs so far!

It appears that I should have explained the context a little better in the OP. Sorry about that.

Well, first of all, the vintage prices are a little higher in Europe. My guess is that it's due to the supply. Less vintage basses are floating around, and the chances of finding a cheap one on a flea market or on a local craiglist is slim to none.

Also, the price i somewhat misleading as I would have to pay shipping and import taxes if I bought one form the US, where the prices are more moderate.

So a rough estimate would be that it should be compared to around $4100 in the US.

Also, I intend to play it. Not put it under glass :-) In fact, I have already tried it - and it's a great bass, so no issues there.

I am not a rich person in any way, but I could afford this bass at the time, and the idea - apart from getting a great bass - would be to play and enjoy it, and then pass it on to my kids in the hope that it will in fact gain more value over the next 40 than 6k would have done in the bank. It may not be worth it financially, but if I could have a great bass that would enjoy more than 6k in the bank, that could maybe make the difference in the end :-)

[SurferJoe46]

Since the 1964 Fender Bass isn't going to be made any more and they are somewhat rare in the condition you've stated and an original case and all - the only consideration you have to make is: "Is it worth it to you?"

Have you played it or if not are you just going to keep it under glass and not play it, but just 'own' it?

As a hedge against inflation - it might've been a good investment in years past, but as a hedge against recession/depression (maybe the world's AND yours) it won't be of much resale value.

Bragging rights? Yup - lots of them.

Intrinsic value is only what someone is willing to pay for something - I wouldn't pay that much. But then again, I am not a collector NOR would I pay that much for a bass no matter what brand - or who played it.

Consider too that you aren't in the US and these may be more valuable in your neck of the woods.

[iriegnome]

Buying a bass for an investment is always risky. $6k is crazy priced for me, but not for some. +1 on if it is worth it to you then it is cool. However, if you intend on it going under glass, it is probably not going to bring returns $6k+ for a long time. Passing it on to your kids or something like that. If you are looking for a player, again $6k is just crazy to me, but if you have the dough to drop, good for you.

[Spinal Tapper]

Definitely PLAY the bass first. You never know, it could have a twisted neck, or just not feel right...and do your research to make sure it is indeed 100% original.

$6k seems a bit steep IMO for a Precision...Jazz basses from that period can fetch that much, but I always see Precisions go much cheaper than Jazzes.

Take advantage of this market right now - it's a buyers market. Check some completed listings on Ebay to give you an idea of what an original 64 P is ACTUALLY selling for, not what someone is asking for it.

Best of luck to you. I have a 62 P that I snagged for a steal, and it's the nicest Precision I've ever laid my hands on.

[vstring3]

If you are a collector, investing in it and are looking for a return on your money - good luck finding another sucker who would drop more than 6k on a bass. If you are looking for a good player, you can find a vintage bass (if you are looking for that) at a fraction of that price or you could buy several reissues at once for that price.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

Definitely PLAY the bass first. You never know, it could have a twisted neck, or just not feel right...and do your research to make sure it is indeed 100% original.

$6k seems a bit steep IMO for a Precision...Jazz basses from that period can fetch that much, but I always see Precisions go much cheaper than Jazzes.

Take advantage of this market right now - it's a buyers market. Check some completed listings on Ebay to give you an idea of what an original 64 P is ACTUALLY selling for, not what someone is asking for it.

+1, you could also take a look at the Blue Book of Guitars and see what price they give that bass.

Again, it would be good for us to know if you are buying it for the purposes of investment (guitars and basses can be very hard to re-sell as an investment) or just as an instrument to play.

If it is just for playing, but you still want to spend 6k (or even 4k), I would recommend spending your money on a bass made by an individual builder. A boutique bass would probably be designed better (i.e. improved balance and playability, lighter instrument, etc. as compared to the Precision) and many builders allow for a high degree of customization to your instrument, beyond what you could get with any manufactured bass.

You could even spend 2k on a manufactured bass and probably get one that plays and sounds just as good, if not better, than the Precision you are looking at.

[koobie]

If it's all original, that price doesn't sound out of line to me, especially for Europe. How much does a Fender Pino P bass sell for in Europe?

[Boombass76]

Hi all, Thanks for all your inputs so far!

It appears that I should have explained the context a little better in the OP. Sorry about that.

Well, first of all, the vintage prices are a little higher in Europe. My guess is that it's due to the supply. Less vintage basses are floating around, and the chances of finding a cheap one on a flea market or on a local craiglist is slim to none.

Also, the price i somewhat misleading as I would have to pay shipping and import taxes if I bought one form the US, where the prices are more moderate.

So a rough estimate would be that it should be compared to around $4100 in the US.

Also, I intend to play it. Not put it under glass :-) In fact, I have already tried it - and it's a great bass, so no issues there.

I am not a rich person in any way, but I could afford this bass at the time, and the idea - apart from getting a great bass - would be to play and enjoy it, and then pass it on to my kids in the hope that it will in fact gain more value over the next 40 than 6k would have done in the bank. It may not be worth it financially, but if I could have a great bass that would enjoy more than 6k in the bank, that could maybe make the difference in the end :-)

[Spinal Tapper]

Sounds like you know what you want...$4100 is more reasonable for that year bass, assuming its 100% original down to the finish and wiring.

Honestly, a lot of people here will tell you to get a botique bass, custom built parts bass, or a Fender reissue and save some money...and that may cure your GAS, for a moment...but I'll tell you from experience, there's nothing that satisfies a craving for a vintage bass more than just owning the real thing.

I say go for it. If it speaks to you, go for it.

[Boombass76]

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

Sounds like you know what you want...$4100 is more reasonable for that year bass, assuming its 100% original down to the finish and wiring.

Honestly, a lot of people here will tell you to get a botique bass, custom built parts bass, or a Fender reissue and save some money...and that may cure your GAS, for a moment...but I'll tell you from experience, there's nothing that satisfies a craving for a vintage bass more than just owning the real thing.

I say go for it. If it speaks to you, go for it.

Yeah, I have already been around most of the boutique/custom basses you could think of (well, many of them anyway...). And they are great, and I still have a few, so I know what that game is all about.

The thing is that I have a couple of 70's basses already that are the best ones I have ever owned, and that has triggered the vintage GAS :-)

Oh, and the seller has agreed that I can take the bass apart before deciding, so I can check pot codes, pickup date and the neck heel, so it should be pretty safe.

And just one more thing. The main difference here is that even if I could find a $4100 bass similar to tis one in the US, I wouldn't have the chance to try it before buying, and that is a major issue as I don't intend to just look at it! ;-)

[Boombass76]

Originally Posted by koobie

If it's all original, that price doesn't sound out of line to me, especially for Europe. How much does a Fender Pino P bass sell for in Europe?

A Pino is around $4k in Europe...