Fender Precision 1975 - Price?

[stefanb]

1975 Fender Precision Bass

That one there has been for sale for months and I played it a few weeks ago and it's in pretty darn good condition if you ask me and it plays very well and is light, but is still for sale. I don't have the links to back it up right now but I recall seeing some ~75 p basses on reverb listed for less than that one when I was considering purchasing it.

That bass has been for sale for literal years, I've made an offer on it. The seller clearly doesn't want to sell it nor is the store motivated to help him.

As for this bass; Olympic white commands a premium and it has aged out beautifully. They sell from $2000-$3500 based on colour and condition - just check sold listings on Reverb, it's the best guide since they are actual transactions.

 

[Durham52]

If the seller is saying the bass is essentially stock, apart from the jack, then I think you're justified in asking to see a bit more to verify. Certainly you need to know the truss rod works and I'd like to look under the pickguard if it was me, just to be sure the controls are OK and no hack job has been done to the control cavity. It also gives you a chance to check date stamps etc.

If you end up getting it, I hope it makes you happy. Good luck.

 

[truand85]

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.

If the neck was reshaped that bass doesn't have much value anymore. Don't pay more than $1500.

 

[BrassedOn]

When I see a vinatagy bass played a lot, even on the edge of abuse, I think someone liked to play it. So I want to try it.

I have zero qualms about asking to loosen and remove the neck to test and adjust the truss rod. [LOOSEN FIRST]. Best is have the owner do the initial removal and loosen for you so you’re not accused of breaking it.

My ‘77 P has old pup replacements. I bought from the original owner, who changed them in the ‘70s due to low ish output. Battered neck and finish. I had an uninvited $1100 offer at a guitar repair shop. So I think that might be a reasonable starting point. I’d still ask the owner to price it. As they say on the antique picker show (not plectrum related), “I can’t buy it AND sell it.”

 

[J_Bass]

Thank you guys.

I asked if there is a price yet, and asked if I can inspect the bass with my luthier. I'm going there next Tuesday anyway.

I talked to my wife about my moral dilemma.
This is an older gentleman, in his 70s, that is selling the bass. He doesn't use it anymore, so he's selling. Apparently he has more vintage gear, I'll see if can take a look at those, too.

After I check it out properly, if everything checks out, I will make an offer. It will be a low offer, because I just bought another bass and I mostly play DB nowadays.
But I will explain the gentleman that he probably can get a higher price. But in Portugal it will be difficult, as I have seen from previous examples. Higher priced gear doesn't sell, vintage or not.
I will explain him that if he wants to get "top dollar", he will have to list it online, deal with all that, and ship it abroad.

If he doesn't want to do that, then maybe he will accept my offer.

I think this is fair, and I prefer not to have the bass, than to buy it for a reasonable lesser value, without the seller knowing it.

 

[rtslinger]

Without knowing if the truss rod is working I would not put a price on it.

 

[mongo2]

This is probably meaningless but the excellent condition with case '75 sunburst P with a rosewood "A" neck I bought at a local shop about 10 years ago cost me $325.

 

[2thAche]

Thank you guys.

I asked if there is a price yet, and asked if I can inspect the bass with my luthier. I'm going there next Tuesday anyway.

I talked to my wife about my moral dylema.
This is an older gentleman, in his 70s, that is selling the bass. He doesn't use it anymore, so he's selling. Apparently he has more vintage gear, I'll see if can take a look at those, too.

After I check it out properly, if everything checks out, I will make an offer. It will be a low offer, because I just bought another bass and I mostly play DB nowadays.
But I will explain the gentleman that he probably can get a higher price. But in Portugal it will be difficult, as I have seen from previous examples. Higher priced gear doesn't sell, vintage or not.
I will explain him that if he wants to get "top dollar", he will have to list it online, deal with all that, and ship it abroad.

If he doesn't want to do that, then maybe he will accept my offer.

I think this is fair, and I prefer not to have the bass, than to buy it for a reasonable lesser value, without the seller knowing it.

Good plan. It's definitely got question marks. Straight neck, truss works, original PUPs and it plays and sounds great, between 2000-2500? If luthier says it needs work, gotta drop that price.

 

[Scarysharkface]

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. View attachment 4874315 View attachment 4874317 View attachment 4874318 View attachment 4874319 View attachment 4874320 View attachment 4874321 View attachment 4874322 View attachment 4874323 View attachment 4874325 View attachment 4874326 View attachment 4874327 View attachment 4874328

I don't mean to rain on anyone's particular parade, but back in the mid-'70s the talk was all about how far Fender's quality control had fallen and a large percentage of basses from that era had awful neck issues, like high spots at the 5-7 frets and such, and how the truss rod couldn't really fix that.

That said, if you've found one that does it for you, It's probably a $1500 or more (possibly way more) bass, given the crazy prices Fender basses pull these days.

I sold my Precision Bass about a year ago. It was by far my worst instrument, but I kind of miss it.

John

 

[lug]

FYI, this is the original nut on my 75 Pbass....

It seems to be the only thing on a 70's Pbass that DOESN'T age.

As far as price, I was offered $1500 for mine at a guitar store ...... over 20 years ago!

 

[Lowbrow]

To my eye -- having seen it on another bass that was a confirmed specimen -- this body finish looks like aged Monaco Yellow of the International series circa '79.

 

[OnTheDownLow]

To my eye -- having seen it on another bass that was a confirmed specimen -- this body finish looks like aged Monaco Yellow of the International series circa '79.

The headstock decal is the pre '76 TV logo.

 

[BrassedOn]

Thank you guys.

I asked if there is a price yet, and asked if I can inspect the bass with my luthier. I'm going there next Tuesday anyway.

I talked to my wife about my moral dylema.
This is an older gentleman, in his 70s, that is selling the bass. He doesn't use it anymore, so he's selling. Apparently he has more vintage gear, I'll see if can take a look at those, too.

After I check it out properly, if everything checks out, I will make an offer. It will be a low offer, because I just bought another bass and I mostly play DB nowadays.
But I will explain the gentleman that he probably can get a higher price. But in Portugal it will be difficult, as I have seen from previous examples. Higher priced gear doesn't sell, vintage or not.
I will explain him that if he wants to get "top dollar", he will have to list it online, deal with all that, and ship it abroad.

If he doesn't want to do that, then maybe he will accept my offer.

I think this is fair, and I prefer not to have the bass, than to buy it for a reasonable lesser value, without the seller knowing it.

I understand the moral dilemma. And I try to stand up with my offers, in cash, or like many I offer what I can afford and let the seller know. I’ve gotten an honest good deal when I’m up front, and I’ve been declined. So you have no risk, really, as long as no mechanical issue. For the seller, A basic internet search for 1975 Fender Jazz bass shows one at GC better but similar condition, bad refinish, for $1800ish. A “very good” but fuzzy pics for $3k. So the seller could get some perspective. But I’d be way low compared to these, yet I love my ‘70s P. Someone pursuing a ‘70s jazz will pay up, someone casually looking will offer down.

 

[Mikey F]

For those saying $1200-1500.....if this was on talk bass for that price, it would be gone within minutes.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

For those saying $1200-1500.....if this was on talk bass for that price, it would be gone within minutes.

Agreed

The seller asked "what range of prices these basses go for"?

He's asking "what would this bass likely fetch in the current market", not "what would you personally pay for it".

 

[bobyoung53]

Factory wear....my '76&77 both Custom Color in Black.
and the Lacquer finish started to came off and you can see the poly undercoat.
Some poly sealer finish came off too.

I have a friend with a 77 fretless P bass he bought new and I think it has been pretty much his number 1 since new, the whole front of the bass is just about worn to the wood from his arm, he's a very good player.

 

[BassVibes]

I have a 76 P bass and it's my favourite bass to play. Overall I have probably had 5 or 6 70s P basses. The 2 best ones were the ones with plenty of player wear. The worst one was a case queen and immaculate - it sounded terrible. My philosophy is that if it has been played, it has been loved, and my bet is that it is because it's a good 'un.

Anyway the side of the neck looks similar to mine so I thought I'd share. I have always suspected it had a refret but on the higher frets there is no side wear which seems to contradict that notion.

Sorry picture quality isn't great but hopefully it helps...

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The truss rod has already been mentioned but to be honest I rarely find this to be a problem with 70s Fenders. The thing I would check first on ANY old Fender is playability in the upper frets. Can it handle normal action without buzzing above the 12th fret? Lots of old Fenders have developed the dreaded "ski jump" at the end of the fretboard. If it's not too bad it can sometimes be "fixed" by levelling the frets up there but in most cases it will require the frets to be removed and the fretboard levelled before re-installing the frets. This will of course require more work on a maple fretboard as it will need to be refinished.

I would also make sure the A-string can handle a correct nut slot height without buzzing in the nut when playing the open string. Lots of old Fender struggle with this. This can of course be fixed by installing a string retainer that includes the A-string but this will alter the look of the instrument.

In short: Make sure the bass not only plays nicely but plays nicely at all frets (and open strings) WHEN THE INSTRUMENT IS SET UP CORRECTLY, with acceptably low action.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I have a 76 P bass and it's my favourite bass to play. Overall I have probably had 5 or 6 70s P basses. The 2 best ones were the ones with plenty of player wear. The worst one was a case queen and immaculate - it sounded terrible. My philosophy is that if it has been played, it has been loved, and my bet is that it is because it's a good 'un.

Anyway the side of the neck looks similar to mine so I thought I'd share. I have always suspected it had a refret but on the higher frets there is no side wear which seems to contradict that notion.

Sorry picture quality isn't great but hopefully it helps...
View attachment 4875534
View attachment 4875527 View attachment 4875528 View attachment 4875529
View attachment 4875526

Maybe the fret ends have been filed over the years and they didn't bother with the highest frets where no-one will ever be bothered by sharp ends? Are the ends sharper up there?

 

[BassVibes]

Maybe the fret ends have been filed over the years and they didn't bother with the highest frets where no-one will ever be bothered by sharp ends? Are the ends sharper up there?

In the 11 years I have had the bass I never thought of that. Had a look and the last frets towards the body are sharper so it's probably not a refret, but previous owners filing fret ends down.