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80's Jazz Specials-Why haven't they held value?

Road-Dog

Road-Dog

Apr 7, 2009
114
26
Roan Mountain,TN
www.stevehayesandthehurricanes.com
#1
I bought my 1986 Jazz Special (MIJ) back around 88 or 89. It is black, unlined fretless with the matching black neck and head stock. Great playing and sounding bass (been strung with flats since the day I bought) and looks good on top of it all.
I thought maybe I would finally sell as I have not used it in years, but have been shocked by how little they seem to be selling for now days.
I probably paid around $400 for it back then (been a few years, so am not positive on price), much to my dismay, I looked around before putting it on market and it does not look like they are selling for anymore than that now. I thought for sure they might be a little more valued, so what is the deal?
Did they make a huge number of them or do others not think they are that good of bass?
I guess I will just put it back in the closest, because in my opinion, I can not buy another bass of the same quality for $400 today. Any thoughts?
 

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#3
Different years have different values. The earlier ones with black painted necks get more, and often times they have missing knobs or other mods. White gets the most with black next. The other colors less. Also, there is a more limited market for fretless basses. If that was a fretted model and it's in the condition you say, then you'd be able to get well more than $400. Ebay might be the place to find the most buyers though. I've seen them go for $500-700 on there. TB has more careful buyers.
 
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#6
Winfred said:
It's a buyer's market. And it is flooded with more music gear than we've ever seen.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I have one of these basses. It a great player, sounds good, and is light. However, it doesn't have anything special - no iconic player that used one or anything else to set it apart from the thousands of other models of basses (or hundreds of models of Fenders) that have been released since 1980. There are just so many instruments that have been built from the 80's forward that I just don't see many that very many instruments will appreciate at a rate that even keeps up with inflation. The "basses are tools" thread got it right, because they sure aren't investments.
 
#10
It looks like a really nice P/J Fender bass. Especially an unlined fretless and everything else black - very stealthy. Not for everyone, but to the right player - that all adds up to something they would want. Just have to find that player, but I agree that the market is flooded w/gear in every price range so no profit other than breaking even on your initial cost. Since it's not likely to appreciate further, and if you aren't going to play it - it would be a shame to have it sit in a closet. Someone who would buy it for $400 will play it. I hate to see decent instruments sit unplayed - but that's just my opinion.
 
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#12
SanDiegoHarry said:
He bought a fender, the hive has decided that any fender more than 10 years old is "Vintage" and so he wants to know why he's not rich.

He should "Relic it" or make it "Roadworn". Then someone will think that it has "Mojo" and pay more.
Click to expand...

You really need to stop randomly jabbing at roadworns, because it is uncalled for, especially in threads like this where that is not the subject. You seem like a decent guy with lots to contribute, but these OT jabs at roadworns make you look bad.

On the other hand, this was kind of funny and you might just be right. :facepalm:
 
#14
These are going to see a rise quickly I have already seen it. 7-8 years ago you could get a primo white one for under $400 , not that easy now. I sold a decent condition white one for $600 cash on CL 3 months ago and a sold red one with black neck for $500 cash on CL , both were in good shape and fretted.

There value rises slowly but it does rise and additionally its not a traditional looking Fender and anything Fender and not traditional looking suffers on value a bit.
 
#16
wvbass said:
You really need to stop randomly jabbing at roadworns, because it is uncalled for, especially in threads like this where that is not the subject. You seem like a decent guy with lots to contribute, but these OT jabs at roadworns make you look bad.

On the other hand, this was kind of funny and you might just be right. :facepalm:
Click to expand...

I gots to call out silly when I sees it. :smug:
 
#18
The original JBS was a step outside of the norm for Fender back then (appearance and design).

Yamaha and Ibanez were doing similar things in that era, and others have as well through to modern times.

I'm glad I kept my all black 1985 model.

I installed Seymour Duncan SPB-1 and STK-J2 pickups in the 90s, but kept all the original parts.

A new Fender TBX went in recently, and it has a much smoother tone shift than the original TBX.
 
#19
I bought several for $400 +/- and sold them for $600ish. The mintier the better plus it's nice to have the little "F" caps on the knobs. Seriously, how hard is it to not lose them?
 

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