Fender Precision 1975 - Price?

[J_Bass]

Hello,

I was asked if I wanted to buy this 1975 Fender Precision.

For what I read in TB over the years, and also the seller, I think the bass is all stock, with the exception of the output jack, and maybe the black plastic under the neck plate. I checked the serial number, 6 digits, and it matches 1975.

The bass is a little battered, I don't know if the truss rod works, the neck looks like someone shaved something of the bass side and the nut is strange. It's so white I don't know if it's original, and it's loose.

Also, I think it had a fret job?

Overall, the bass is sexy, I liked it instantly when I picked it up and played a little. Electronics seems to be working. Plays well, but it's not the best bass I ever played.



I was wondering what range of prices these basses go for?
The seller set no price, but I don't want any bad mojo on my side, and it's not how I am, also.

What would be a good fair price, considering I really don't know how much work I have to put in to it (my luthier, anyway).


Thank you all for the help.

 

[4SG]

Plastic neck plate "cushion" standard in mid-70's.

 

[Old Fart]

I see no evidence of removing material from the bass side of the neck. If material had been removed, it would have affected the fret marker dots located there.

Replacement nuts are common. Like putting new tires on a car. It can be glued down if it is loose. Or not. Not something I would worry about.

Truss rod MUST be functional. If the truss rod does not work, this bass has little value.

 

[J_Bass]

Thanks. I saw no evidence of the neck being reshaped, but I was told it was.


I would have to test the truss rod, but that means taking off (or loosening) the neck, I wouldn't want to so that unless I plan to buy it.


Assuming the truss rod is in order, I ask the knowledgeable TB'ers to suggest a price point.

 

[Philonius]

Might it have had fret sprout and someone did a sloppy job dressing down the frets? Or amateurish work finishing the fret ends if it had a fret job (?). Nice looking bass if the neck checks out. No solid idea on pricing from me.

 

[bobyoung53]

Thanks. I saw no evidence of the neck being reshaped, but I was told it was.


I would have to test the truss rod, but that means taking off (or loosening) the neck, I wouldn't want to so that unless I plan to buy it.


Assuming the truss rod is in order, I ask the knowledgeable TB'ers to suggest a price point.

I wouldn't even consider it unless I knew the truss rod was working, the pickguard is already nicked where the truss rod nut is, most people just used a slot head screwdriver to adjust those, I did for years. I never even heard of taking off a neck to adjust those things until I got here. Otherwise it looks pretty good to me, I'm wondering if it did have a nitro refinish many years ago though, the wear looks like how nitro wears not poly. Wild guess from me: $1500-$2000 area, if you check out the truss rod.

 

[80jazz]

Is that water damage on the neck or heavy use?

 

[2thAche]

Would the factory '75 finish wear like that?

 

[micguy]

Without a straight neck and a functioning truss rod, most any bass is worth very little. In the condition it’s in, it won’t ever be a collector’s piece, so the value is based on whether or not it’s a good musical instrument. Ya gotta play the thing, see if the action works for you, etc.

I won’t throw a value in the ring, as I’d probably undervalue it wrt the market - there’s a nostalgia factor for 70’s Fenders that inflates their price that I wouldn’t factor in. Given that, your decision should probably factor in if you think having a bass from that era is cool. If so, it may be a good buy for you. If what you’re looking for is a good value as a musical instrument, it’s probably not the bass for you.

 

[GregT]

I like seeing all the screws with a little bit of rust on an older bass.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

Well, assuming the truss rod was functional, I believe that in my local market (and Canada-wide for that matter) it would likely have an asking price around $3,000 CDN (~$2,200 USD)

 

[Wisebass]

Hi J

I think the bass is all stock, with the exception of the output jack, and maybe the black plastic under the neck plate. I checked the serial number, 6 digits, and it matches 1975.

I think? The serial number on a Fender gives you only an idea when it could have been built!

They did a horrible job documenting when an instrument actually left the factory!

There is no way to know if this bass is all stock without taking the neck off and looking at all the guts!

(pots, the cap, but also stamps in the cavities, on the neck and on the pups => lotsa things to know about!

I was wondering what range of prices these basses go for?
The seller set no price, but I don't want any bad mojo on my side, and it's not how I am, also.

Nobody will pay a crazy vintage collector price without checking the bass (guts, stamps, trussrod...)

A seller should know this! No cash for fantasy! (the jack has been changed, what else?)

Not all jacks fit in CBS cavities

I needed to find the original (the crappy one they used in the 70s), when I changed mine.

The cavity wasn't deep enough for something more modern!

Was the cavity carved out in any way?

Questions over questions!!!

No bad mojo making an offer on what you know (and this is not a lot!!!!!)

=> don't offer too much!

So far with the info you have, it's just a used bass! (not more not less!)

Electronics seems to be working. Plays well, but it's not the best bass I ever played.

In this case offer a fair price for a used "player" that is not the best you ever played!

This bass is certainly not something a collector would buy (maybe for some parts?)

Personally I wouldn't go over 1200 to 1500!

With a working truss rod, body- and neck- stamps original, 1500 max!!! with all guts original? => check, because this really makes the difference!

=> that price would be higher. Up to you to decide how much!


greetings


Wise

 

[ChickenFingers]

Like the previous post says, $1200-$1500 sounds about right. Personally I’d be leaning more towards the lower end of that without opening it up, checking the truss rod, checking the neck pocket etc.

Personally, I absolutely LOVE how grimey that thing looks and if it has the fatter profile neck that I’ve experienced on a lot of 70’s P’s Yes please

 

[J_Bass]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

Yeah, I love that neck. A chunky neck, but the nut is not too wide. It's like my Yamaha Pulser, which is probably a copy of this Fender neck.

I don't need another bass (who does?), but I liked it as soon as I picked it up. It's a cool bass.

 

[OnTheDownLow]

This is a white body and maple neck, white was a custom color at that point in time along with maple being the more expensive neck option. This was the most expensive color/wood combo during the 70s.

Truss rod along with making the sure the neck is straight and not severely warped is the most important thing to look for here.

Lucky you for finding someone who is open on the price, one in that condition would go for at least 2500 on Reverb even with replaced parts.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Wow - I'd jump on this if I were you. As long as it plays and sounds good, and no dead spots (some people don't care and just play around them but it's a deal breaker for me.)

 

[Bpb]

If the neck is in good shape and the truss rod works…I’d put it in the $1500 neighborhood. People charge a lot for their 70’s fenders, but they’ve gotta be mint to be worth much more than $2000. Honestly, brand new American fenders probably are made to better standards than they were in the 70’s. The wood won’t be as dry and settled…pickups are debatable.

I overpaid for my 1975. I traded a first generation 5 string Ibanez btb plus $700 for mine back in like 2012. I’ve dumped another probably $300 in repairs to it as well. I’ve paid far more than it is worth, but I absolutely love it. The neck feels amazing. It’s super thick, but narrow like a jazz bass and has a fairly round 7.5” radius. I prefer that feel over the wide flat necks found on most other p basses. I had to replace the electronics on mine but kept the original pickup. It sounds and plays amazing.

honestly. If the neck is true, any cosmetic issues found on a 70’s basses isn’t a big deal. If it’s not a lemon you’ll love playing it. My appreciation of mine has grown tremendously over the years owning it

 

[N4860]

To help with the comparison, I just tried a 1975 Fender P bass, all original a couple of weeks ago and it's in excellent condition considering how old it is and it is not selling at ~$2000 usd so I definitely would offer considerably less than that. Maybe ~$1300 USD.

 

[Runnerman]

In my opinion the neck is just honest wear. The treble side is ring rash which is caused by a wedding ring running up and down and the bass side possibly someone used their thumb to fret the E string regularly and/or do slides. Its common when you use a full grip style instead of "correct" thumb on the back of the neck technique.

Also possible some of the damage was done during refret as someone mentioned. But I think its mainly honest wear. I love the bass and if you can get it for a reasonable price go for it.

 

[Jackcrow]

I dont remember seeing a 70s Fender bass for anywhere near $1500 or less unless there was something severely wrong with it. I’m not necessarily saying it’s actually worth more than that without seeing/playing it but anything $2000 or less I would consider a great deal in todays market.