1966 P-Bass Overpriced?

[Iridescentone]

My only issue with it is that basses like that were obviously not played much, and there's most likely a reason for that. There's a reason all the big names have beat-to-hell p basses, and that's because the ones that sound the best are used the most.

People repeat this meme a lot on this forum. I can say from experience that it's a false narrative. It may "seem" to make sense to the uninitiated, but in order for it to have any bearing on reality (scary word, I know), it's necessary to ignore the fact that there have always been loads of great 'under-the-bed' guitars who's non-serious owners rarely played them, because....they were non-serious players.

Are there uber clean examples that escaped play wear because they were dogs?....yes. Do they represent any meaningful percentage?....no.

Are there beat up, well played examples that are dogs?....absolutely. Cheers.

 

[Killing Floor]

Missing some of the metal but this one is as good condition as I have seen. Listed at $8,500. I want this pretty badly but I've got a couple other basses coming so can't pull the trigger.
Store

 

[40Hz]

I've never seen a vintage case so clean

When is the last time you saw a 55 year old Fender with no paint issues, no cracks in the pickguard, clean case, etc.? Looks like the definition of a closet queen.

Hmm…

almost suspiciously clean )condition.

Very nice bass Margarette, but about where I am on it. Agree with whoever questioned the pickguard. Zero corrosion pitting on the chrome or even a hint of rust on the screws or pole pieces, and no ghosting on the finish - which argues against it being mostly left in a case for all that time. So how did it retain such a new looking blue if it wasn't. Left on a stand in cold storage maybe? I'd suspect at least a very professional refinish and cleaning job somewhere in its history if it is the real deal.

I wonder if somebody with a reputation in the vintage market like Elderly, CME, or George Gruhn would bless off on it being factory original. If I were buying something at that price I'd definitely make it contingent on a professional appraisal signing off on its authenticity and replacement value for insurance purposes if nothing else.

But either way I could only see it appealing to a diehard collector at that price. I'd think a player looking to buy a bass of that vintage would prefer to see a little more "history" showing on it just to lend it more of an aura of authenticity.

All that said I'm not ashamed to admit I want it. Because c'mon - Precision Bass - right?

 

[Funk With Me]

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

Vintage instruments are also about all original parts/hardware. Replacement parts significantly reduce the value.

 

[sonic 7]

As far as I'm concerned, instruments like this one only have value to a collector / speculator. I can't see that bass to be worth anything near that amount of money as a "player". I think once you get past about the $4,000.00 point you're really not getting much value as far as tone and playability. And I'm sure many would argue that point to actually be much lower.

 

[GretschWretch]

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

Maybe the bass is a dog, or maybe the owner shipped out to 'nam and . . . . With basses of this era this has to be considered.

 

[Planespotter]

It's far too expensive to ever be on my own radar, but if it is legit I could see it fetching that price from a shop with high end clientele. It's a very desirable piece in excellent condition.

 

[Dynacord]

Missing some of the metal but this one is as good condition as I have seen. Listed at $8,500. I want this pretty badly but I've got a couple other basses coming so can't pull the trigger.
Store

Much better deal - assuming all original and unmolested.

Agree with whoever questioned the pickguard.

Keep in mind that '66 would have a plastic rather than celluloid pickguard and they shrink, crack and discolor much less.

 

[micguy]

You can buy a NOS Custom Shop instrument for less than one third of the price and it will sound nearly identical

Yeah, it's not about whether or not it's a decent musical instrument - it's supply and demand in an era where there are lots of folks (who are now old enough to have money) wanting to relive their youth by buying an early Fender bass and (presumably) not playing it.

I'm old enough to be in that group, but I'm still playing actively - I have instruments that play better (but aren't historically significant.)

 

[Ellery]

I spotted this bass on Facebook Marketplace. I have no doubts about its authenticity and superb condition but the price of $12,000 seems a bit exorbitant. I assume that it's not really a pre-CBS Fender (close, but not quite there).

Thoughts?

View attachment 3940564 View attachment 3940565 View attachment 3940566 View attachment 3940567 View attachment 3940568 View attachment 3940569

It's not worth 12 grand to me, but if it sells, it was worth that much to someone. Whatever the market will bear.

 

[bobyoung53]

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?

I think he did say it was a CBS Fender.

 

[MikeInSF]

Echoing others here: I smell a refin. At 12K, I would need to see the neck pocket, neck stamp, pots and pot codes (both should be dated 64-66 for something so "unused"), wiring, body w/o pick guard, etc. Highly suspicious that there doesn't appear to be any oxidation or checking, anywhere. Even something under grandpa's bed is going to show some finish differences under the pick guard, etc.

 

[bobyoung53]

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

That's what I've always thought of these very clean old Fenders, either someone bought it and lost interest and threw it in a closet or it's a dog.

 

[40Hz]

Keep in mind that '66 would have a plastic rather than celluloid pickguard and they shrink, crack and discolor much less.

^This. But even so there should be some ivory like yellowing I'd think.

 

[jdthebassman]

I have never understood why vintage fenders go for so much, to me they are machined blocks of wood with car paint. They are nice basses and have a great sound but for that kind money I feel there are better options.

 

[Bassamatic]

Yeah - WAY over priced. My friend has a fantastic '56 P (like Sting's) and having trouble getting $10K for it. The vintage market (especially now) is really down. As seen on Pawn Stars, all items have cycles. Art is down now and so are vintage instruments.

 

[logdrum]

As told above not pre-CBS and could even be a refin 66. Overpriced even for folks that make 40K a day and no ex-spouses claiming alimony.

And yeah, I would prefer to pay for a gnarly looking bass that has been used a lot and has more mojo than a closet queen.

 

[Dynacord]

^This. But even so there should be some ivory like yellowing I'd think.

Yes and no. Here's an original white guard from that time - that led a much tougher life than the bass in the OP: you can see it's had the tips repaired - there's some yellowing but very slight and still pretty white. Nothing like the 'green' guards:

Yeah - WAY over priced. My friend has a fantastic '56 P (like Sting's) and having trouble getting $10K for it. The vintage market (especially now) is really down. As seen on Pawn Stars, all items have cycles. Art is down now and so are vintage instruments.

Agreed. Still a lot of people asking high prices but tough to sell right now and I sure would not put big money into vintage gear currently.

 

[Altitude]

At that price point you're paying for rarity, not utility. There's nothing more to it.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi selowitch

Or am I missing something?

No you are missing nothing! This bass is not a pre CBS. Like I said before!

I think he did say it was a CBS Fender.

Yep!

It's a CBS Fender. CBS bought Fender on Jan 3 1965.

You can buy a NOS Custom Shop instrument for less than one third of the price and it will sound nearly identical ..

Plug them both into a crappy amp and both will sound like crap. (= identical)

Even a japanese reissue will sound better when you have the better amp!

Building a P bass is not rocket science! A collector doesn't pay for sound.

A collector pays for history.

Open her up. Lets see the guts.

This! I would love to have a closer look and find out if it's real or not.

Can someone just buy it and ask me?

Keep in mind that '66 would have a vinyl rather than celluloid pickguard

Fixed that for ya! White black white was used for custom colours, tort for the average hack

And yes they shrink less than celluloid!


greetings all

Wise(b)ass