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52 Precision

#22
Engle said:
My drummer who plays in a community big band messaged last night to say one of the elderly members of that band has a 52 Precision Bass they want to sell.

I immediately asked if it was an actual 1952 or a re-issue and it turns out its an original.

A quick google search later, I see this bass could be worth upwards of 10K. I wouldn't want it for my collection - I'd be afraid of it getting damaged and/or stolen!

However I feel like I should help this elderly musician to make sure they don't get ripped off. (And I wouldn't mind playing it for a few minutes....)

If I go to see it, is there anything in particular I should be looking for? I don't know specifics of early fenders - guess it's time to do some research!
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Seems presumptuous to think the owner of the bass might be getting ripped of because he is "elderly". Is there a reason you think you might be sharper than him other than the fact that you are younger?
 
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#23
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#26
Bflat said:
Tbone76,
Mr bflat here, would love to see pics of this great piece of history!! would like to see the serial number, and controls cavity, etc.
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Hey there, Bflat, I'm not the OP, but I was hoping you'd see the thread and be able to help impart your knowledge. Hopefully he'll put some pics up to help. Thanks!
 
#29
Chico Ruger said:
Seems presumptuous to think the owner of the bass might be getting ripped of because he is "elderly". Is there a reason you think you might be sharper than him other than the fact that you are younger?
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Fair enough - but it sounds like the old guy is looking for help -probably because he doesn't know lots about he guitar market - if he' the original owner and this is his only bass he hasn't bought an instrument in over 60 years!
More importantly, if it's the originl owner, he'd have to be 77 (and that's if he bought it when he was 12!) so, he probably isn't as sharp as he once was - that's a but likely reality.
 
#34
So cool.
A guy in my HS told me his dad had an old bass he was thinking of selling. Turns out it was a beautiful old Fender Jazz. Probably mid 60's, but I don't remember all of the details. I think it was LPB with a matching headstock, original covers and case. I offered him $500 but he declined. I wish he would have taken my offer!!!
 
#35
johnson79 said:
So cool.
A guy in my HS told me his dad had an old bass he was thinking of selling. Turns out it was a beautiful old Fender Jazz. Probably mid 60's, but I don't remember all of the details. I think it was LPB with a matching headstock, original covers and case. I offered him $500 but he declined. I wish he would have taken my offer!!!
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To be fair, most people playing bass would turn down an offer of 500 bucks for a 60's Fender Jazz. If it's pre-CBS it's worth a lot more, and even if it's post-CBS it should go for double or triple your offer depending on it's state.
 
#36
johnson79 said:
So cool.
A guy in my HS told me his dad had an old bass he was thinking of selling. Turns out it was a beautiful old Fender Jazz. Probably mid 60's, but I don't remember all of the details. I think it was LPB with a matching headstock, original covers and case. I offered him $500 but he declined. I wish he would have taken my offer!!!
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Just one zero short
 
#38
Klonk said:
To be fair, most people playing bass would turn down an offer of 500 bucks for a 60's Fender Jazz. If it's pre-CBS it's worth a lot more, and even if it's post-CBS it should go for double or triple your offer depending on it's state.
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Absolutely. This was 20 years ago and the guy had it under his bed for years. Neither of us knew what it was worth. It was more of a casual "Hey my dad has this old bass, wanna look at it?"
 
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#40
Maybe it was presumptuous on my part to assume the elderly gentleman might not be aware of the market value of that instrument, but people do take advantage of seniors and if I can stop such a rip off by respectfully advising caution, I'll do it every time.

I talked to my drummer last night and he says the gentleman thought he would get $1500 for it!

He will ask the owner to bring it to the next community band rehearsal so I can take a look at it and take pictures. That's next Tuesday night.
I will take some detailed pictures and ask to plug into an amp. I don't think it's appropriate to ask to remove the control plate at this point.

I will offer to do a more detailed appraisal and let him know about the Talkbass community. Hopefully this bass can find its way to a player, not just a collector.
 
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