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$17,000 1958 P-Bass
- Thread starter quilanthegreat
- Start date
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- 1958 precision bass
That's too nice to play out with. If I were ever going to get a pre-CBS bass, I'd get something that looked like any old POS that played and sounded good and save about 12,000.00.
Markets do fluctuate. However, I have a friend who plays and collects all sorts of stuff- vintage, Custom Shop, relatively cheap Replica/Tribute guitars... and lots of each. Certain guitars are just like works of fine art to collectors. There are LOTS of people with LOTS of money (think doctors and businessmen- not to mention music industry gazillionaires- a lot of them with serious passion for this stuff, not just a game) who will always be there to collect art/preserve history, in this case (no pun intended), guitars. It amazes me but it's true. It's quite like the housing crash- the instrument market got crushed and weeded out a big chunk of regular guys who got in over their heads speculating for profit (like amateur house flippers) and then the market largely fixed itself when the rich guys came in and swooped in for bargains and they will hold that shtick FOREVER if necessary, thereby reducing supply on the market, particularly in the high-end, well-regarded markets (SF, NYC- likewise, Vintage Fender, Gibson). Based on what I've watched him do for the past 20 years, and I'm being totally unbiased and not at all in the game... markets fluctuate but the general trend will be up unless its the end of the world when nothing really matters anyway. Same logic as the stock market, I suppose.
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Any bass that looks that pretty after 60 years of existence runs the risk of being a lousy player, and I don't buy basses not to play them.
I bet it's everything Chad says it is. I once played a '59 P at Emerald City Guitars, and that wide, thin, thin nut felt better to me than pretty much any other bass ever.
I disagree, vintage guitars are just another sub genre of arts and antiques. You cannot compare arts and antiques to real estate, very different market forces going on there. The market for arts and antiques fluctuates wildly based on "what's hot right now"; its a catch phrase in the industry. Just watch any episode of Antiques Roadshow and you will hear one of the appraisers say, "....these are very hot right now."
Anyway, the point is, vintage Fenders are very hot right now. In a few years, they may not be. Personally, I think the market is a little over valued and will be corrected soon, if it isn't already. I think the top dollar for this instrument is closer to 12 than 17.
If it were at an auction, that is what I think it would pull.
When I was a young man 70's Fenders were universally derided. Now they bring big bucks from all the folks who wanted one as kids. The Market for 50's Fender Basses is literally dying out.
Now is the time to sell, before all the 70 year olds are dead or broke.
Now is the time to sell, before all the 70 year olds are dead or broke.
I'm surprised it took 4 whole posts before someone presented this pearl of wisdom.
You're slipping, TB!
Is that in Seattle? I played a '59 PBass there that blew my mind. Then I saw the asking price: $15k (gulp)
My main bass is an AVRI '58, absolutely love it. Got it used for $1100. Love the look and mystique of the real thing but at $17,000 it just seems like a bass for either a wealthy collector who does not plan to play it or a rock star to use in the studio.
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Hmmmm...not sure where the mindset that vintage guitars will die out soon with baby boomers passing.
Guitars are still alive and well folks imo.....plus there are LOTS more millionaires and billionaires than ever.
I mean cmon, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and many others that are at the top of modern pop music still feature guitars in their music and videos...the attraction will still be there 30 years from now and the real deal like this 59 P bass will still be highly coveted imo.
But hey, I would rather play a bunch of "players grade" P basses and choose one that "fits me" and one that I would like to play out with over this particular bass.
But then, my attraction to "solid players grade" guitars and amps in general for a fraction of what a "10 out of 10" seem to be the story of my life!
From what I gather, sales of 'specific vintage guitars' in general have been fairly brisk the past year and lots of continued interest from a few vintage dealers I know personally.
Guitars are still alive and well folks imo.....plus there are LOTS more millionaires and billionaires than ever.
I mean cmon, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and many others that are at the top of modern pop music still feature guitars in their music and videos...the attraction will still be there 30 years from now and the real deal like this 59 P bass will still be highly coveted imo.
But hey, I would rather play a bunch of "players grade" P basses and choose one that "fits me" and one that I would like to play out with over this particular bass.
But then, my attraction to "solid players grade" guitars and amps in general for a fraction of what a "10 out of 10" seem to be the story of my life!
From what I gather, sales of 'specific vintage guitars' in general have been fairly brisk the past year and lots of continued interest from a few vintage dealers I know personally.
Or this... [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] from the same site. Gently used fridge times 28.3 so a 226x10" rig. You'd need an nice amp though.
