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1966 P-Bass Overpriced?
- Thread starter selowitch
- Start date
Yup. We all want to believe the story of a bass being stashed under Grandpa's bed after he bought it, plucked it a few times, then lost interest. But that's a rare story these days.
People who buy seemingly outrageously priced sports cars are not typically race car drivers by trade. People who buy seemingly outrageously priced musical instruments are typically not musicians by trade. There are collectors / investors in both arenas and that is who will ultimately own this bass me thinks. So IMO the price is within market for the intended audience.
Yes, it is overpriced, imo. I honestly do not understand how or why instruments can get so pricey. It is wood, metal and plastic. Are they of the best quality? Maybe, I dunno. It's a production-level instrument, made a long time ago. I agree that it is beautiful, and it may sound and play wonderfully, ok. But I think for 1/10th of that price one could have a more recently made version that is superior in all these categories. I feel that any sense of history and mojo are sentimental musings, personal infusions. And that's cool, too, I just don't get it...
Assuming it is actually a 1966, how is this bass a "pre-CBS" Fender? Wouldn't it be a "CBS Fender"?
I realize it probably took a while after the sale of the company to CBS for CBS to take over the manufacturing, but not that long. Or am I missing something?
Trying to apply the practical to the collectors market is tough. Stamps are just paper, ink and glue and a new Toyota will be more efficient and reliable than a vintage Corvette...
Gorgeous. A P bass in great condition. I can buy a brand new one in better condition that was better-built for less than $2k.
Clearly I'm not the one to ask about vintage instruments
Clearly I'm not the one to ask about vintage instruments
3 pages late with my thoughts...it's all about the finish, not the sound or playability. As some people claim, the cleaner the example the less it got played, maybe because it was a dog 
It's LPB in uber clean condition that hasn't turned green yet, that's why it's so high priced. Lucky it isn't seafoam, burgundy mist or shell pink
It's LPB in uber clean condition that hasn't turned green yet, that's why it's so high priced. Lucky it isn't seafoam, burgundy mist or shell pink
I admire folks that can tell the difference between a well kept vintage fender and a recent one. I've been poisoned by my budget. Since I can't tell the difference, they all look like squiers to me.
Well said. And while I am not without sentimental attachments, I guess I'm no collector. Cheers to all!
Whatever the genuine-ness, at least the seller has shoes on.
True. I saw some pre-CBS solid color Fenders at Songbirds Guitar Museum (RIP) that looked like they just came off a 1960s showroom floor. It's rare but it can happen.
It's a rare and custom color, and if all original, is in wonderful shape, but I wouldn't buy it, even if I had stupid money to throw at it. If it were a Jazz with a matching headstock . . . still a bit out of my comfort zone.
Yeah, just gotten too valuable. Too much money to have tied up in an instrument for me - why I like refins! Also ones that are that clean are outside of my comfort zone as well. One advantage with even originals which are beat is that while it's painful if you put a ding in it, pretty much only you will know. I've mentioned it on here before but I had a '63 blonde Jazz Bass which was virtually brand new - no checking at all - zero, no yellowing to the lacquer - even the maple of the neck still looked totally 'white', not a single bump, ding or scratch. Case was similarly clean, had the original strings, case key, etc, etc. I sold it on and was relieved. It was too clean to even play at home much less to gig.
