From TalkBass Wiki
Typically low to mid mid heavy, warm, unrefined, inclined to exhibit some degree of noise, lacking clarity to varying degrees. "Vintage" refers to the tone typical of older instruments and amplifiers from the 1950s, '60s, or '70s. The quintessential "Vintage" tone is an older Fender electric bass (Precision or Jazz model) through an Ampeg SVT amplifier. Ironically, vintage instruments sell for many thousands of dollars above their inflation-adjusted expected value because of their unique tone and the difficulty modern bassmakers have in replicating it. "Vintage" tone is considered by many bassists to be a very desirable thing.
