Fender '72 p bass help!

YDN · #1 01-07-2012, 01:32 AM

Hey,
I've been offered an original '72 p bass for $1000 aud and I just wanted some help. Firstly was this a good or bad period for fender? and I'm pretty sure the price is great too but some expertise an knowledge of the instrument would be good.

Cheers.

Dubista · #2 01-07-2012, 01:36 AM

Let me be the first to tell you that to say that an entire year of basses will be bad or good is a silly blanket statement.

The best thing you can do is get your hands on it and play it. Every production year of basses, from the first and even until today, will have keepers and lemons

If it's legit and all original and you're in Australia that is an AWESOME price. MIM standards go for about $900

PS. No pics, No bass.

Stumbo · #3 01-07-2012, 01:40 AM

Great price if everything is original. Why is it for sale so cheap?
Pics would be nice...what condition is it in? Case?

YDN · #4 01-07-2012, 01:46 AM

I'm in a different state so I can't play it I can get pictures and my drummer is the one who found and played it. As far as I've been told it's been sitting in the back of a pawn shop for a year and is all original but missing tone and volume knobs and has a little buckle rash. It has a case too.

Dubista · #5 01-07-2012, 01:52 AM

I'll take it if you don't want it, mate.

Stumbo · #6 01-07-2012, 01:53 AM

Ask him what the serial number is and then look it up on Fender's website.

YDN · #7 01-07-2012, 02:16 AM

I will do that. I thought there was a period through the 70's where fenders were quite poor quality in general. Is this not true?

Dubista · #8 01-07-2012, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YDN

I will do that. I thought there was a period through the 70's where fenders were quite poor quality in general. Is this not true?

Some people say there are certain years, others will say the entirety of the 70s was poor quality, heck, some people even say Fender has been nothing but down hill since Leo sold the company.

So, take everything with a grain of salt. I maintain the stance that each year will have some good and some bad.

YDN · #9 01-07-2012, 02:39 AM

Yea cool. You make sense saying that. I've noticed that there are still winners and lemons in the top line fenders. Thanks for clearing that up though.

johnk_10 · #10 01-07-2012, 02:49 AM

IMO, the early 70's fenders were generally great basses. they were still using lightweight alder and it's before they started with the really thick poly finishes. for me, the cutoff point is about late '74, but there were still some really good ones made then too. IMO, by '76 they were really going downhill, (as was Norlin owned Gibson), and were using very heavy ash for their bodies.

i have both a '72 jazz bass and a '73 P and they're both excellent basses.

Johnny Alien · #11 01-07-2012, 06:55 AM

Yeah the early 70's was still regarded as OK. There is little quality wise that is different between a 68/69 and a 71. It is the mid to late 70's that gets the worst rap and it does seem like there was more junk produced during that period.

Moe Monsarrat · #12 01-07-2012, 08:32 AM

I find that some Fenders, especially the old ones with the nitrocellulose finishes, vibrate in a way that lets you feel it in your chest while playing. Some of the newer ones encased in a thick shell of polyurethane feel kind of "dead" in the hand, but still sound pretty good. You just have to play it & see which category it falls into. IMHO some of the newer Fenders sound great, but you want one you can FEEL.

YDN · #13 01-07-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

I find that some Fenders, especially the old ones with the nitrocellulose finishes, vibrate in a way that lets you feel it in your chest while playing. Some of the newer ones encased in a thick shell of polyurethane feel kind of "dead" in the hand, but still sound pretty good. You just have to play it & see which category it falls into. IMHO some of the newer Fenders sound great, but you want one you can FEEL.

True, There is no 'feel' like a vintage guitar. . Thanks for the input!

ksandvik · #14 01-07-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

I find that some Fenders, especially the old ones with the nitrocellulose finishes, vibrate in a way that lets you feel it in your chest while playing. Some of the newer ones encased in a thick shell of polyurethane feel kind of "dead" in the hand, but still sound pretty good. You just have to play it & see which category it falls into. IMHO some of the newer Fenders sound great, but you want one you can FEEL.

The Highway One models also have the thin nitro finish (alas no longer manufactured.) Yes, you could indeed feel the bass in the body.