• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

70s jazz bass - what do you think?

#62
The price may well be fair - all the US folk commenting here should keep in mind that new US-brand instruments are usually much more expensive in other markets, and vintage instruments equally so. That would probably be a decent price in Australia even given the condition.

If the neck is nice then that would be the determinant for me - though the lack of original pickups is a bit of a turn-off. The Fender Pure Vintage '74s are a great repro of the era - I used them in an actual '74 for a while and they were very close to the sound of the originals.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k
#63
Old Fenders are very expensive in Europe. Anywhere outside of North America if we are honest. They are hard to find and this is not something OP will see often. Basically someone has to bring one over and sell it in the country. Understand this is not Austin Texas or Los Angeles.
Buy it if you love it. It's not a stock portfolio, it's a guitar. You will almost always get your money back on good gear. Sometimes you will do better but that is not why we play.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k, Fun Size Nick and saabfender
#66
Yuck. I would not touch it with. 10 foot pole. I would spend less on a new one that is better on every way. But I really dislike vintage so my dislike is probably an indication that the bass is just the sort of thing a vintage buff would love.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k
#67
darwin-bass said:
Yuck. I would not touch it with. 10 foot pole. I would spend less on a new one that is better on every way. But I really dislike vintage so my dislike is probably an indication that the bass is just the sort of thing a vintage buff would love.
Click to expand...

No, there has been too much stuff replaced for a vintage buff. Now, for someone willing to restore it, this may be a great opportunity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TVbass and thanos k
#69
iammr2 said:
I thought about that this afternoon, Bassist30. That's old(er) grown wood, which cannot be found today. There is value in that, but...how much, I can't tell you.
Click to expand...

Lammr2 I know how it feels when you want the bass so much but there this little voice saying no. I feel bad for you as gas can take over your mind. The wood is old and to tell you the truth I don't find it looking bad. I like a bass with tons of mojo. But you can find a 73 easier than a 63. Keep in mind older does not guarantee a great sounding bass. Its always best to play before you pay. The fun can be part of the search.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k
#70
I just purchased a '71 jazz for myself. It was a refinish but most of the original parts were there. Did I over pay? Most likely BUT for me it felt right, and I love it. added to the fact that it is dated to my birth week so I pulled the trigger on her.
Basically I guess what I'm trying to say is if you like it roll with it. and like others have pointed out and I agree with the location in which you and this bass is at is a consideration as well. Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k
#71
Bassist30 said:
... The wood is old and to tell you the truth I don't find it looking bad. I like a bass with tons of mojo. But you can find a 73 easier than a 63. Keep in mind older does not guarantee a great sounding bass...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure we're on the same page, B30. When I said "older grown", I meant "old growth" wood. Back before the 80's, wood products were made with "old growth" wood, meaning natural trees harvested from a forest. Todays wood products are made from new trees, planted to replace the "old growth" trees. A good example would be Brazilin Rosewood, commercially harvested almost to the point of extinction. Some feel the older woods are more resonant and part of the reason instruments made before the 70's sounded so good. Like you said though, it is not guaranteed to sound better.

I still think the bass in the OP looks like it has been in a fire. Between that and all the replaced parts, I wouldn't give much at all for it.
 
Last edited:
#72
To the EU people - why not have the shipper declare a value for customs of $500? Unless the customs agent is a collector, how would he know otherwise? That way your VAT would be $120. Better yet, why not have the shipper send the body and neck in 2 different packages? Declare the value at $100 each?
 
#73
The price seems a little steep with replacement pickups. Those are common mods for a bass of that era (I've seen more 70s Fenders with BadAss bridges than original bridges). As to weight, that is up to you. I have a 70s mutt (76 J body, 73 P neck) that I have played for over 30 years. For 20 of them, the weight was never an issue. I can't tell by the photos, but many 70s Jazz basses, especially ash bodies, were extremely heavy since they switched from swamp ash to northern ash. Then I got older, and also started reading here, so found out that I could find lighter basses. The original case is not relevant to value.

It's not a collector. It may be a good player's bass, with some relic "mojo" if that is your thing. Only you can decide if it is worth that price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k
#74
smcd said:
To the EU people - why not have the shipper declare a value for customs of $500? Unless the customs agent is a collector, how would he know otherwise? That way your VAT would be $120. Better yet, why not have the shipper send the body and neck in 2 different packages? Declare the value at $100 each?
Click to expand...

Because it isn't the truth...
 
  • Like
Reactions: saabfender and thanos k
#75
smcd said:
To the EU people - why not have the shipper declare a value for customs of $500? Unless the customs agent is a collector, how would he know otherwise? That way your VAT would be $120. Better yet, why not have the shipper send the body and neck in 2 different packages? Declare the value at $100 each?
Click to expand...

Then if one of the packages is lost, you can try to get reimbursed for declared value of...$100?
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k
#77
Custom employees are more suspicious and powerful than you think!!! They can keep your stuff there as long as they want to ... then you have to pay a lot of expenses for Import, export and fees plus V.A.T...

It's not like it used to be... everything is checked and you can't fool them ...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back