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70s Fender, what should I look for?

StarscreamG1

StarscreamG1

Dec 17, 2007
1,860
16
#1
EDIT Pictures of the P have been added on page 4



As if I don't have enough basses already, a neighbor came to me today to tell me his uncle just moved in the immediate area and has a bass and rig he wants to part with. From what my neighbor said this guy was a bass player in the 70s and supposedly played with some big country names at the time. Regardless, I was the first one everyone thought of to come to about this bass. Its a 70s Fender -- I have no idea P or J but I would guess P probably and the rig that goes with it will "Blow windows out in a heartbeat" so Ive been told...all of it (as I was told) is 70s equipment... I'm not saying how much it is but its in the moderately low 3 digit range....Im looking at it about this time next week. I don't know older Fenders, I barely know Fenders :p..is there anything in particular I should keep an eye for markings wise? Any special style of headstock logo that might be unusual? Any off colors from the 70s? I have no idea what Im going to be looking at, I don't have eyes trained for vintage Fenders here. And its not something I can post pics of right away. I told my neighbor I was already committed to paying for a Fender in the next few short weeks that is on hold for me already -- this deal, if I mesh with the bass wont be finalized till around the end of the year, if he will wait. I was told he'd wait so thats cool... actually Im going to see if I can take some pics of it when I look at it next week.

Anyway, just thought Id ask about anything in particular I should keep an eye out on thats odd or rare for back then.
 
#2
Depending on what bass and amp he has, there could be a lot of things to look for. First thing that comes to mind is the large logo on the headstock of the 70's Fenders. Like this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If he has a 60's Fender by chance, it would be more like this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#3
Thankie for the visuals! Im not sure exactly what part of the 70s this guy played and such but my neighbor was trying to name drop on the country artist he played with...meant diddly to me as Im so NOT into the country music scene though I did recognize the name LOL I didn't care who he played with, all I cared about was /what/ he played. I can't wait to see it, play it and man I hope I like the neck. Aren't the 60s-70s Fender necks a bit thick? Are the serial numbers on the back of the headstock or on the bottom of the neck 'heel'? I don't want to take this thing apart to find out a serial # and I doubt he would let me anyway.
 
#4
StarscreamG1 said:
Thankie for the visuals! Im not sure exactly what part of the 70s this guy played and such but my neighbor was trying to name drop on the country artist he played with...meant diddly to me as Im so NOT into the country music scene though I did recognize the name LOL I didn't care who he played with, all I cared about was /what/ he played. I can't wait to see it, play it and man I hope I like the neck. Aren't the 60s-70s Fender necks a bit thick? Are the serial numbers on the back of the headstock or on the bottom of the neck 'heel'? I don't want to take this thing apart to find out a serial # and I doubt he would let me anyway.
Click to expand...

SN's are usually on the neck plate. 70's Fender necks were all over the place. Some were a bit thicker and some thinner. Just depends on the bass.
 
#6
Oh joy ^_^ No telling what Im going to be looking at. LOL AS long as it doesn't have that thick U/baseball bat neck Im ok. I can't wait to check it out. And wow, if someone would have told me last year I'd be owning two Fenders (well about to own #2) and chomping at the bits to have a shot at a '70s Fender I never would never believed them LOL
 
#8
I am prepared for it not being a legit Fender but thats what my neighbor swore it was. Fender bass and an amp (brand unknown right now) from the 70s that is suppose to be pretty tight and moderately low 3 digit price. Price is actually pretty darn good for a supposed Vintage Fender and amp as a package. We shall see. And I am not familiar with gruhns? Who are they?
 
#9
Link Removed George Grughn and his shop are the defacto standard for authentication of vintage gear. They will do an appraisal for $50. You just have to send them pics. I think if you want a more thorough appraisal, they charge more. For a 70's Fender...the standard one is fine. Good luck!
 
#10
There's a black maple neck '77 Precision in Orlando GC for $2999. That is clearly high, but any seventies Fender for under a grand is a great deal, and sounds like your neighbor is just trying to do you a favor. Jump on it. BTW, if the amp is either an Acoustic, Ampeg, or Fender from the seventies you can easily make your money back selling just the amp. Be wary, and make sure it really is a Fender, but if it's real go for it. As for rare colors, an Antigua is probably the most desireable late seventies color, the most common were sunburst, natural, and Black. White and mocha were also fairly common.
 
#11
I saw a '78 Fender P burst/maple on the bay go for like $2200 (opening bid was $1500). It was identical to the '78 Memphis [lawsuit] P I had as my first bass and I did say If I ever ran across a Memphis like that or a Fender like that I'd try and jump on it but it went way more then I thought it would. And then I ended up with a natural lawsuit memphis P so its all good. After 8 months of looking getting one complete and with the lawsuit headstock won out over the color....

Anyway, I think the guy is just trying to dump it. He has arthritis real bad in his hands and he simply can't play anymore. :( That is sad and scary at the same time. There is a possibility that I might have RA starting in my hands (I so hope its not that) but oddly enough when whatever it is flares up, if I grab one of my basses and play it the swelling and stiffness is gone within 20 minutes. I should consider myself one of the lucky ones I guess. So I pretty much consider it not a problem and Im rocking on :bassist:

And I have no idea if this guy knows how much the bass and /or amp is worth but maybe trying to give me a break is part of it too. Who knows :p

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a black/rosewood or burst P with one of the thinner necks. But I think it won't matter in the long run (though with my luck it will probably be red :help:). I want this baby to clean up and keep playable and just hold onto it for a while. And I will pay the $50 to have it authenticated for sure.

Oh and this is the name my neighbor kept dropping that this guy played this bass with; Merl Haggard. That might possibly narrow down which part of the decade of the 70s this bass might be from.
 
#12
I HOPE you recognize the name Merle Haggard! He was one of the top country artists of that time period, and is a very respected musician. Haggard was big all through that decade.

You need to do some research at: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/feature.html and learn about headstock decals, colors, serial numbers, etc.

All I can say is that if you get a shot at just about any completely original, unmodified Fender guitar or bass from the early 70's for under $1000, you should have a checkbook in your pocket ready for action.
 
#13
StarscreamG1 said:
I saw a '78 Fender P burst/maple on the bay go for like $2200 (opening bid was $1500). It was identical to the '78 Memphis [lawsuit] P I had as my first bass and I did say If I ever ran across a Memphis like that or a Fender like that I'd try and jump on it but it went way more then I thought it would. And then I ended up with a natural lawsuit memphis P so its all good. After 8 months of looking getting one complete and with the lawsuit headstock won out over the color....

Anyway, I think the guy is just trying to dump it. He has arthritis real bad in his hands and he simply can't play anymore. :( That is sad and scary at the same time. There is a possibility that I might have RA starting in my hands (I so hope its not that) but oddly enough when whatever it is flares up, if I grab one of my basses and play it the swelling and stiffness is gone within 20 minutes. I should consider myself one of the lucky ones I guess. So I pretty much consider it not a problem and Im rocking on :bassist:

And I have no idea if this guy knows how much the bass and /or amp is worth but maybe trying to give me a break is part of it too. Who knows :p

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a black/rosewood or burst P with one of the thinner necks. But I think it won't matter in the long run (though with my luck it will probably be red :help:). I want this baby to clean up and keep playable and just hold onto it for a while. And I will pay the $50 to have it authenticated for sure.

Oh and this is the name my neighbor kept dropping that this guy played this bass with; Merl Haggard. That might possibly narrow down which part of the decade of the 70s this bass might be from.
Click to expand...


For the most part, if it is a Jazz or P from the 70's it is more than worth the money. Regardless of what condition it is in. Normal P's from the era easily go for upwards of $2K or so. Jazzes are going for $2500 to $3K. You will see some for more and some for less. Either way, it is a win/win for you. Especially with the amp too. Chances are the amp may need a little TLC if it has not been used but still would be worth it.
 
#14
From what I can tell Jerry Ward played with Merle up till 1970ish then Dennis Hromek joined around 1970 and played for 25 years with Haggard's band, the Strangers. Hromek is credited for playing bass on a new Willie Nelson album so I assume he is still playing. Three weeks ago he posted on You Tube that he was living in Sonoma California.

I found an old picture of Ward playing a "sparkly" glitter p-bass from the 60's.

If the facts you are getting are right...its more than likely Jerry Ward. I can't find anything he has done in quite a while. Best of luck..
 
#15
rodneyat said:
For the most part, if it is a Jazz or P from the 70's it is more than worth the money. Regardless of what condition it is in. Normal P's from the era easily go for upwards of $2K or so. Jazzes are going for $2500 to $3K. You will see some for more and some for less. Either way, it is a win/win for you. Especially with the amp too. Chances are the amp may need a little TLC if it has not been used but still would be worth it.
Click to expand...

Only if it's all original and doesn't have any replacement parts or been refinished. That will drastically reduce the price.
 
#16
EagleMoon said:
Only if it's all original and doesn't have any replacement parts or been refinished. That will drastically reduce the price.
Click to expand...

Very true...probably the point that I did not make real clear. Even if it has been refinished, parts replaced etc. It will still be worth what he is looking to pay for it. Obviously, just not as much as if it were original. It is all even more so when you factor in the amp, as well.
 
#19
EagleMoon said:
Only if it's all original and doesn't have any replacement parts or been refinished. That will drastically reduce the price.
Click to expand...

C'mon - she said she was buying it for a "moderately low 3 digit price". Heck, I've seen vintage BODIES sell in that range with no electronics and no neck!

The biggest caveat is that this bass is from the CBS era, when Fender's quality was all over the place. However, if a pro played it (in Merle Haggard's band, no less) it is probably one of the "good" ones.

One piece of advice: Get the back story documented. If possible, ask the original owner to dictate a short statement about where and when he bought it, who he played with and when he played it. Even a few examples of what tours he was on, what major venues he played, etc. would be helpful. Have him sign and date the statement. If you can't get the original owner's statement, get a signed and dated statement from the person selling it to you with as much information as he can remember about the bass.
 
#20
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!! And yes, I may not be into country but I recognized the name right off (though nothing of his comes to mind at all hehe-- well I don't do country). But I am reserving judgment about any truth behind the boast from my neighbor until I see it and get to talk to the man. I /almost/ went over to his house today with the digital camera in hand to ask to see it and take pics but decided to wait until hes got it all unpacked and set up for me next week.

I am hoping its all original and a Fender as was promised (though I suppose the logo on the headstock would be hard to confuse for something else). I am not sure which way I will go if its been refinished or had pup changes or whatever. Im sure some of you might be really curious what the price of this bass and amp is.. *ahem*... $550...... I read about killer deals like this here all the time and have always wondered when/if I'd ever get one...and then when it was the farthest thing from my mind, one was laid at my feet. But there is NOTHING I can do for a good month and a half $$ wise. :crying: I told my neighbor that and he said he was in no hurry to let it go so it was fine with him.

Now to just hope its truly the vintage Fender its claimed to be!!
 

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