Need help pricing a 1960 P Bass for sale

[Jim C]

Have owned this bass since 1984 and have rarely used it as it has a wide flat neck that's a bit too much for my hands. I have never had it apart as the pick guard has shrunken and I'm afraid of breaking it.
I am reasonably sure that the decal was replaced during the refinish (before I got it) and have no reason to suspect that pups are anything but original.
It plays perfectly; currently set up with lowish action.
It records like a monster as the super light resonant body literally sings on tape. I would guess that this is in the 8 lb. range.
What's something like this worth as I may as well sell it since it NEVER gets played.

[Jim C]

More pics.

[GlennW]

I have no idea what it's worth, but am pretty sure you'll have to disassemble it and take detailed pics if you're going to get a decent price. Plus, once you've taken the pics the buyer can't try to scam you by saying he received something else.

[Jim C]

I understand documentation is necessary for a real buyer.
Assuming it's all there, what is a 1960 refinished P Bass worth?

[Mojo-Man]

Lets see a shot of the second decal ?
If everything is what you say. The bass is in the 5K range.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by GlennW

I have no idea what it's worth, but am pretty sure you'll have to disassemble it and take detailed pics if you're going to get a decent price. Plus, once you've taken the pics the buyer can't try to scam you by saying he received something else.

+1 after collecting vintage guitars for years I have reached the conclusion it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it but just looking at the pics and if everything matches I would have a reserve in the neighborhood of $5000-$6000 even with the refinish.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by Jim C

I understand documentation is necessary for a real buyer.
Assuming it's all there, what is a 1960 refinished P Bass worth?

What year? Earlier 60's are worth more. Give me an exact year and I can give you a realistic price at which it will actually sell. Also what year was it refinished in? How many owners before yourself?

$4k seems like the highest you would get, TBH. A refin 65 sold for 3k not to long ago. (given it wasn't 100% original) Everything else from the 60's hasn't really sold. a refin 65 with all orginal listed for 5k didn't sell. So I would guestimate you would be looking at 4.5k-4k

[mndean]

Since you bought it in 1984 and it's a refin, you can assume nothing about its originality. It could be a parts bass, with a 1960s neck and a nonmatching body with a non-Fender pickup and pots from the '80s. It could be all original, who knows? It's got be disassembled and photos taken. Let a pro do it if you can't. Nobody will take your word for its age and originality when cash is on the line.

[Spinal Tapper]

This would be a horrible time to sell a refinn'd 1960 P...but, if you have to...check Ebay right now to get an idea...I don't even want to post a number, it would seem insulting.

Lets just say I've seen a handful of pre-CBS refinished P basses on Ebay not getting much action for around $3500 (no reserve)

[funkytoe]

I had a 1960 refin in Olympic white that was documented original down to the pickguard screws. Put it up for sale in 2001 and only got $1,800 for it after several weeks on the market and just a few offers. Vintage guitars and basses took off in value after that but have since slid back down to more reasonable levels. I think your bass would bring between $3,800 and $4,500, assuming its otherwise all original and depending on what your photos show.

[chef wong]

If you consider yourself a bassist you really shouldn't sell such an important instrument.

If you do..you'll take a big loss. A refin and logo swipe will cost you. The quality of the bass is still there, though.

[MR PC]

About $2500 tops to a motivated player, much less to a dealer. You could possibly part it out for a little more, assuming it's all original. Lousy time to sell, when I sold my very worn but all original "64 P for $5k five years ago, I felt very lucky.

[jbiscuti]

Originally Posted by chef wong

If you consider yourself a bassist you really shouldn't sell such an important instrument.

[smcd]

With the body AND the headstock refinished, I'd have to agree with those pricing this in the $2,500 range, give or take. That is providing that the refin is the only issue.

[Webtroll]

Paid 2200 for my 63 refin here on TB about a year ago, electronics seem original but the HW looked like repro and the PG was not original according to JohnK (who set it up great and added a period correct decal). Sold pretty quick at that price, so I imagine a 60 refin with original HW and electronics shouldn't be more than 4K and possibly closer to 3-3.5K. Just guessin, mind you.

[MR PC]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Have owned this bass since 1984 and have rarely used it as it has a wide flat neck that's a bit too much for my hands. I have never had it apart as the pick guard has shrunken and I'm afraid of breaking it.

I sold my 64 for the same reason...as a player the neck wasn't right for me. To wide and flat, the only way it was comfy was to sit down and pull the bass down Jamerson style, and I didn't enjoy doing that either. And since it was 100% stock, I didn't want to change anything, including removing the nut.

You might try having a nut installed with a narrower string spacing, since the bass has already been changed a lot. Might make it more comfy.

[One Drop]

$3.5k-4.5k if all is original. You have a better chance of making more by selling international. Frets look pretty worn and thus filed down so a buyer might need a refret soon?

[MarthaSamira]

Neck plate looks odd...

[miles'tone]

Any ideas as to what it's refinished with? Very nice tint.

[Jim C]

Looks like semi gloss lacquer; I think this refinish is really old and does look very vintage
The back of the neck was not re-sprayed and is very smooth and comfy

From what I hear from you guys the non-original finish kills the value.