Feedback on price

[NYgiant]

Always looking for a good deal. Do I need another bass… well, we all know the answer to that question. However, I've come across something and I'm just not sure about the price. I wanted to ask to see if anybody can give some opinions.

It's a 1978 fender P bass. The condition looks like it's definitely from 1978 so I'm not sure if that plays a big role in how much something is worth.

For those that are good at pricing things out or know about older style instruments, what would be a good price for a bass like this?

 

[NYgiant]

Well……. no suggestions on a decent price?

Guess if any parts were replaced from original would affect price. Seems the tuners were changed at some point from looking at the pics.

Google says a range would be $2500 up to $7000 depending on model, condition and original parts.

 

[ajkula66]

Google says a range would be $2500 up to $7000 depending on model, condition and original parts.

Google is way off on this one.

In that condition - presuming that all the parts are original - it should be way under two grand.

For comparison purposes only, here are a couple of GC's online offerings of a similar vintage:

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[Pep]

Definitely not worth $2000, maybe $800 because of the changed tuners and the gross looking input jack. It would be interesting remove the pickguard and find out why that was done. It appears it was done by a "kitchen table genius".

 

[NYgiant]

Google is way off on this one.

In that condition - presuming that all the parts are original - it should be way under two grand.

For comparison purposes only, here are a couple of GC's online offerings of a similar vintage:

[This invalid link has been removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wow! Those ones you posted from guitar Center look like they're in mint condition compared to the one I posted.

I don't really know enough about the vintage fenders to know if anything from the 70s with original parts is worth chasing after.

My most recent acquisition is a squire classic vibe 70s P bass which I am pretty happy with. Got it for under $300. Just thought it would be cool to own something from the 70s that is original. That one you posted from 1975 looks heavy. I have no idea how much it weighs, but it just has that look to it.

 

[ajkula66]

Wow! Those ones you posted from guitar Center look like they're in mint condition compared to the one I posted.

I don't really know enough about the vintage fenders to know if anything from the 70s with original parts is worth chasing after.

Well...one can always learn but this particular school could get expensive...

There are way too many people playing "the vintage Fender game" already. You may want to specialise in a different field altogether...

My opinion on late '70s Fenders is not a particularly flattering one, and I was a young bass player back then.

That poor thing was abused, neglected and then some. There are much nicer basses from that era for not all that much money.

Good luck.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Well...one can always learn but this particular school could get expensive...

There are way too many people playing "the vintage Fender game" already. You may want to specialise in a different field altogether...

My opinion on late '70s Fenders is not a particularly flattering one, and I was a young bass player back then.

That poor thing was abused, neglected and then some. There are much nicer basses from that era for not all that much money.

Good luck.

Beat me to it.

Riis

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

If that bass is for sale I know of someone who may be interested:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/lo...ss-250-budget-possible.1679273/#post-29330617

 

[DrBnz]

Other than the tuner upgrade I kinda like it. It looks like a flood victim. Or left out on the beach. Is that Jaco's P-bass?

Is the neck straight??? If so, I'd play it "as is" .... no thats a lie..... I gotta get me some tuners that "look" the part and hide them holes.

I wouldn't give a lot for it ...... maybe $1600 if I start surfing Reverb under the influence on a Friday nite.

 

[shadven]

I kinda like the pantina But, for a 1978 it is still a bit on the rough side. $2000 is a little on the high side. If it can set-up really well, is not to heavy, I think around $1600 is a fair price.

 

[BaileyMan]

That bass would be a hard pass for me. It is funky and not in a good way.

I also wouldn't buy any fender without playing it first. I've had too many experiences with dead spots even on their higher end American made offerings.

 

[USAJO]

Pass.

 

[rasc2433]

Not gonna chime in on the price. But, to me, that is a killer looking bass.
Different strokes I guess.

 

[DuluthDank]

Just make sure you can play it, give it a setup, and check the truss rod before buying. I wouldn't buy that from Reverb.

 

[mikecd1]

My memories in the 70's playing Fenders is they were inconsistent, some had pickup problems and twisted necks and many were very heavy. Def want to play first and prob not pay top dollar (1000?), but it could have mojo. I'd have to replace that jack tho - lol.

 

[MtManiac]

Wow! Those ones you posted from guitar Center look like they're in mint condition compared to the one I posted.

I don't really know enough about the vintage fenders to know if anything from the 70s with original parts is worth chasing after.

My most recent acquisition is a squire classic vibe 70s P bass which I am pretty happy with. Got it for under $300. Just thought it would be cool to own something from the 70s that is original. That one you posted from 1975 looks heavy. I have no idea how much it weighs, but it just has that look to it.

The S8 and S9 serial number Fenders weren't necessarily made in '78 or '79. Those serials were used into the early 80s when CBS sold to FMIC. There are some good basses made with those serial numbers, but in general they're known to be Fender's lowest point in history from a quality perspective.

A '75 has a better chance of being ok, but no way would I buy any bass that old without playing it and inspecting it for an hour or so first, and the inspection would include the use of a couple of screwdrivers, plus an amp I know well and a good tuner. Take it apart, and also ensure it can intonate, but also watch for neck twists, high or low spots that the truss rod can't fix, make sure the pots, jack, tuners, and pickups work as expected. Close scrutiny is called for.

Ultimately it's worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. Personally I'd rather put my money into something much more recent from Fender.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I'll add that the back of the neck looks pretty rough in case you're of the type to feel every possible imperfection under your thumb. I know I'm that way . I can feel even the smallest of dents under my thumb and cannot live with that.

 

[Micha84]

Well……. no suggestions on a decent price?

How about 50 bucks?
I get the idea of a vintage bass, but that thing is just old and broken. Also I am pretty sure that I might catch some kind of nasty infection if I share a room with it for a few minutes.

 

[blastoff]

looks like a winner to me. with any bass and especially 70's fenders, it AAAALLLLLL depends on how the neck feels and the overall weight/ balance. i mean.. what else is there really. but anyways if the neck felt good and its not a boat anchor than i would buy that. looks like a similar neck to my 77.
if it feels good it is good.

 

[Clark W]

Well……. no suggestions on a decent price?

Guess if any parts were replaced from original would affect price. Seems the tuners were changed at some point from looking at the pics.

Google says a range would be $2500 up to $7000 depending on model, condition and original parts.

If you want to spend 2 grand on a bass go to Fender's website and order a bass through the mod shop and get ya a Invalid Link Removed or a Invalid Link Removed. Between colors, woods, necks and pups, they both have 80 options to choose from. That way you get to build a bass that while not complete custom, it's still going to be a bass built for you and kind of unique.

I definitely wouldn't be spending that kind of money on a bass that looks wore out. And not only that, back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s everyone complained how Fenders from the 70s were junk. Now people are falling all over themselves to buy one because they're "vintage".