Fender P-Bass "Lyte"

IPA · #1 06-22-2010, 02:41 PM

Caught my eye at the pawn shop today. I had seen some that I guess were later years that always looked "ok" but this one was nice--sort of a root beer burst with matching burst headstock, Japanese with N serial number and gold hardware.

It played nice enough, needed intonation badly, was in decent shape, control plate on the back was held on with tape. But they had it marked at $600 and being fairly new on the floor I don't think they would come down on the price much. Anyone have one of these? Pics! How much did you spend on it? I really liked the light weight of it, it had a very good feel overall.

Spleenface92 · #2 06-22-2010, 02:44 PM

I haven't heard much about these.

IPA · #3 06-22-2010, 02:47 PM

It's very much like this one : P/J series fender basses?

except that the burst looks different some how, more like an antigua-type burst. maybe just faded or that one got flashed to a different color.

Mike151 · #4 06-22-2010, 02:59 PM

I own two Lyte basses. Just received my second one of an ebay auction today. I paid 280.00 for the first one (RED) and 307.00 for the second one (Black).
IMO they have that overpriced. You can get them all day long on ebay for between 250.00 and 500.00. The wood grain ones are nice also.
As far as comfort, I put down my heavy P bass to gig with the Lyte instead. My back no longer hurts after a 4+ hour gig.

deekay911 · #5 06-22-2010, 03:01 PM

I have a graphite grey Lyte which I paid $320 for (ebay) and Lyte deluxe which cost $380 - also on ebay. $600 is waaaay too much for a regular Lyte, even if pristine. By the way - Lytes rock!!

rollerberg2000 · #6 06-22-2010, 03:01 PM

that sounds pretty high, I payed that for one brand new back in '93 or so. Very good bass IMO though.

IPA · #7 06-22-2010, 03:09 PM

Yeah after a quick browse on eBay that price is way out of whack. Someone keeps buying their stuff at the high prices though, saw a Mustang bass and an original Coronado I go out of there with high prices and without too long on the floor as well. Maybe it's college kids with dad's credit card.

bassplayer8953 · #8 06-24-2010, 03:57 PM

Used Lyte in anything but factory new condition: 300 - 350. Lyte Deluxe (mahogany body, humbucker in the bridge position) go 100 - 150 more. Hard case offered might up the numbers a bit, but I wouldn't pay more than that. They go up f/s, & sell at those prices all the time.

12stringbassist · #9 06-24-2010, 04:55 PM

I've owned two and stupidly sold one, to justify the purchase of something else.

They really are great basses, light as the name suggests, lovely thin jazz style necks, active pickups, cut down body size.
I own all sorts of basses, Rics, Warwicks, etc and still come back to my toffeeburst Lyte.
I still have this one and will never sell it:

I still have first refusal on the one I sold and could actually ask for it back.

BigOldHarry · #10 06-24-2010, 05:12 PM

These are good basses. Not way great... but good. Some of Fender's first off-shore work in Japan. And they are light.

Rocky McD · #11 06-24-2010, 05:31 PM

I have had two. They are great basses. One that I sold was a 1993 Mint, as new, rare color, mint case with fresh TI jazz flats and pro setup. It brought $750 from a collector.
Rocky

IPA · #12 06-24-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12stringbassist

I've owned two and stupidly sold one, to justify the purchase of something else.

They really are great basses, light as the name suggests, lovely thin jazz style necks, active pickups, cut down body size.
I own all sorts of basses, Rics, Warwicks, etc and still come back to my toffeeburst Lyte.
I still have this one and will never sell it:

I still have first refusal on the one I sold and could actually ask for it back.

that's very similar to the one I saw. 600 dollar basses usually sit a while at the pawn shop and 'ripen'... maybe i'll pick it if they will half the price

JimmyM · #13 06-24-2010, 05:45 PM

i have a white one. had to replace the crap pickups, but other than that, it's a killer little bass. but never would i pay $600 for one.

BIGmackie · #14 07-21-2010, 08:36 PM

HOLY CRAP! I bought mine new when I was like 17 (1998?) for $250!! The guitar store it was at had it on the shelf forever and nobody wanted it because it was fiesta red that look like pink, so they sold it to me for less than cost.

Sorry to bring up a really old thread, but I didn't know I got that good of a deal on my bass.

This was my first bass ever and is still by far my favorite. Plays like a dream, setup is PERFECT, and sounds great. It's also the only bass that I haven't had to modify in some way.