While to some this may not be the deal of a lifetime, to me it is
It started yesterday afternoon while sitting at my computer at work. Many times throughout the day I will check on craigslist for gear here in Kansas City. Last year I found a great deal on a T-40 for $100. As I scanned the newest posts yesterday there appeared (and now I wish I would have saved the ad before he took it down after purchase), "Fender bass $130". I figured it to be another black Squier, of which there seems to be an endless supply. I opened the ad and almost immediatly replied to the ad. The ad read, " '73 Fender Precision bass. Worn with use, but still plays good. $130 cash." I about fainted. It so happened that the ad had only been up for about 2 minutes by the time I replied. I sent replies from two seperate email accounts in case one didn't send right. I left my cell number and said I could deliver cash that night. I then noticed he had another ad for a knockoff les paul for $80 say that I would take both if the P-bass was in the deal. Then I waited.
I checked my email the rest of the day, it seemed like every 5 minutes. I didn't want to miss an email from the seller. The end of the work day came, so I went home thinking that someone else either had slid in front of me or had offered more money.
That night I was watching TV with my family and I got the call. He said he couldn't believe the response that he had received. I was the first email, so he was giving me the chance to see it first. I told him I would take it sight unseen (thinking even if it were a total beater or a knock-off $130 was worth the risk). He said it was in pretty rough shape and he wanted me to see it before I commited. No problem! He lived about 30 minutes away so I packed up the kids and made haste.
I arrived, he walked me to the basement, and there it was leaning against his amp. Sunburst, rosewood, bad ass. I have always wanted an older p-bass. He said again that he was amazed at the response. It wasn't pre-CBS, so he didn't see what the big deal was. He is a band teacher and the original owner of the bass. It was just a beater that he would allow students to take home and practice. It is far from a beater bass.
The bad: When it was new he tightened the neck screws too tightly and stripped out the neck. He just put in bigger screws and proceeded to play it that way for 33 years. The frets are worn, but still playable. He viewed the finish being worn down in spots as a negative, but I like it
The good: Its original. Everything except the strings and the neck screws came on the bass originally. It plays and sound GREAT. Neck is true. Headstock not beat up and decals still look sweet.
At the end he asked me if I thought it was worth $130 (meaning did I want to offer less), I told him yes. He had tried to sell it to a student two years before for $200, so he thought it had went down in value since then.
I contemplated selling it for about 1 second, but thought, "this is my bass."
Here are pics,
Oh yeah, I asked about the bridge and picup covers, "oh, do you want those? I've got them in the closet here." Why yes I do
Yes! (sorry for the poor quality photos)
It started yesterday afternoon while sitting at my computer at work. Many times throughout the day I will check on craigslist for gear here in Kansas City. Last year I found a great deal on a T-40 for $100. As I scanned the newest posts yesterday there appeared (and now I wish I would have saved the ad before he took it down after purchase), "Fender bass $130". I figured it to be another black Squier, of which there seems to be an endless supply. I opened the ad and almost immediatly replied to the ad. The ad read, " '73 Fender Precision bass. Worn with use, but still plays good. $130 cash." I about fainted. It so happened that the ad had only been up for about 2 minutes by the time I replied. I sent replies from two seperate email accounts in case one didn't send right. I left my cell number and said I could deliver cash that night. I then noticed he had another ad for a knockoff les paul for $80 say that I would take both if the P-bass was in the deal. Then I waited.
I checked my email the rest of the day, it seemed like every 5 minutes. I didn't want to miss an email from the seller. The end of the work day came, so I went home thinking that someone else either had slid in front of me or had offered more money.
That night I was watching TV with my family and I got the call. He said he couldn't believe the response that he had received. I was the first email, so he was giving me the chance to see it first. I told him I would take it sight unseen (thinking even if it were a total beater or a knock-off $130 was worth the risk). He said it was in pretty rough shape and he wanted me to see it before I commited. No problem! He lived about 30 minutes away so I packed up the kids and made haste.
I arrived, he walked me to the basement, and there it was leaning against his amp. Sunburst, rosewood, bad ass. I have always wanted an older p-bass. He said again that he was amazed at the response. It wasn't pre-CBS, so he didn't see what the big deal was. He is a band teacher and the original owner of the bass. It was just a beater that he would allow students to take home and practice. It is far from a beater bass.
The bad: When it was new he tightened the neck screws too tightly and stripped out the neck. He just put in bigger screws and proceeded to play it that way for 33 years. The frets are worn, but still playable. He viewed the finish being worn down in spots as a negative, but I like it
The good: Its original. Everything except the strings and the neck screws came on the bass originally. It plays and sound GREAT. Neck is true. Headstock not beat up and decals still look sweet.
At the end he asked me if I thought it was worth $130 (meaning did I want to offer less), I told him yes. He had tried to sell it to a student two years before for $200, so he thought it had went down in value since then.
I contemplated selling it for about 1 second, but thought, "this is my bass."
Here are pics,
Oh yeah, I asked about the bridge and picup covers, "oh, do you want those? I've got them in the closet here." Why yes I do
Yes! (sorry for the poor quality photos)
$130?!
