TRADED 70s P-Bass Goodness

It pains me to do it, but I need a good 5 string for a project. I really love both basses. They each have their own sound, and I love em’ equally... Free cash is in short supply though, so I’m looking to deal on one of these beauties. I can’t decide which one to offer up, so I’ll offer up both and let you decide which one stays with me!

They both date to 1977 or 1978. I think the sunburst is very likely a 77, and the black one likely a 78.

A little bit about each bass :

The black bass weighs 9.5 lbs. I’m the second owner. Currently strung with DR High Beams 45-105. It had a hideous replacement pickguard, Leo Quan bridge and tuning keys when I got it. I went through Real Life Relics and got “relic’ed” replacements to try to restore it to a nearly original condition (I had to do a little work to get the profile of the G string tuning key plate to fit the headstock-see pic-works perfectly and looks fine IMHO). The pickups are not original. I’m 99.9% sure they are late 70s vintage Dimarzio’s and they are amazing - bright, clear and have so much output!!! They are the hottest passive pickups I’ve ever had. The original owner also wired in a series/parallel switch. This bass has as much high end as you want, but still all of the classic P-bass bump and growl. Plays great. No issues. Lots of little dings, scuffs and scratches as would be expected on a 42 y/o instrument. I’ve gigged it lots and it has always been a joy to play. Trade value - $1900.

The sunburst bass weighs 9.0 lbs. I’m the third owner. Currently strung with DR Legend Flats 45-105. As best as I can tell, this bass is completely stock/original. It sounds and plays great. Exactly what you would expect sound wise: fat, warm, woody and growly. Throw some round wounds on it and it snarls with the best of em’! No issues other than dings, nicks, scratches and checking as should be expected. There are a couple long checks in the finish on both front and back. They are not related only superficial and have never worsened in the years that I’ve owned it. Once again, I’ve gigged this bass a lot and it has always been a champ. It has always given me exactly the sound I needed! Trade value - $1700.

Both basses feature standard mid seventies P-bass dimensions and profiles: 1.625” at the nut & 19mm string spacing.

As pictured, I’ve got a set of ashtray covers and a thumbrest (not original to either bass) and
I’ve got the original case to the sunburst. It is old but in working order. I can include this stuff in the deal if there is interest.

Lastly, what I’m looking for:
As I said earlier, I need a good 5 string. I could sell one of mine outright but a trade for the right 5er may be easier. I could do +/- a little cash but prefer to stick pretty close to this range price wise. I’m pretty open to offers. As far as instruments that could trip my trigger for my upcoming needs- I would really be interested in Dingwall/Keisel multi-scaleness, Spector(not Korean), Warwick(gotta be German), maybe even a EBMM? I’ve got plenty of Fenders so I’m not really interested in standard P or J bass type designs. I’m looking for something different.

I’m not super interested in 4 strings as I’ve got that area covered already, but the right Rickenbacker may be able to lure me as well.

I’m open to offers. Whatcha got?


...and now, the 77 sunburst.

 

Thanks BigDanT! I’m just north of Fort Wayne.

 

It’s definitely a rocker!

 

Wow! I can’t believe all the interest!! Things happened really fast and I’ve got a deal pending. I’ll keep you all posted.

Thanks for all of your interest!