How old?!?!?

[Asylum-49]

Hey everyone,

Quick question, how old does a bass have to be before it's classed as 'vintage'?

A-49

 

[lunarpollen]

Vintage isn't really a proper adjective... A bass made last year is 2009 vintage...

 

[stranded horse]

I'd say at least sixty years. All that stuff made after 1950 are toys for children.

 

[JohnMCA72]

Depends whether you're selling or buying!

 

[LEntless]

The term vintage can be used so loosely it's not funny.

From 1990 and earlier. All depends on age too. I'm 20.

 

[fdeck]

Depends on how long the warranty is.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

A subject like this will yield funny answers, but I believe lunarpollen nails it:

Vintage isn't really a proper adjective... A bass made last year is 2009 vintage...

I personally judge the items age related value to it's competition and/or place in the timeline of the product/company.

For example, my 1928 F Harley is vintage for me, and my friends Panheads, Shovels and God forbid Evos, ain't. Then again, Ironhead sportsters of the 60's and 70's (80's too )are vintage for me. Logic=none .

Regards
Sam

 

[ericw]

I think ebay has a vintage category of something and defines it as 1980 or older.

EDIT: in ebay categories: Musical Instruments > Guitar > Vintage (pre-1980)... for whatever thats worth

 

[Awesomenaut]

I believe some car collector organization says 25 years or more is the standard.

Personally I think the word "vintage" is a silly buzzword.

 

[Phalex]

I think ebay has a vintage category of something and defines it as 1980 or older.

IME anything on E-bay that's broken or just beat to hell is sold as "Vintage".

 

[kalle74]

VINT (vingt - french for twenty, vint= old french), AGE (age).

So, 20+ years.

 

[MonetBass]

VINT (vingt - french for twenty, vint= old french), AGE (age).

So, 20+ years.

Whoa, a logical answer. Good job!

This has always been my understanding as well. Although the term 'classic' is used more for automobiles.

 

[bassteban]

Whoa, a logical answer. Get out of here!

Fixed for TB snarkiness/sarcasm content requirements.

A seriously abused term to sure, especially in ebay/CL circles.

 

[GoesThump]

VINT (vingt - french for twenty, vint= old french), AGE (age).

So, 20+ years.

Hah! I love it! Good answer. Not quite etymologically true though.

"Vintage" in French comes from the same root as vine (and "vin", wine.) Originally it meant "product of a vinyard." Wow. All those years of school in French a lifetime ago finally pay off!

That said, 20-25 years seems to be the common usage.

GT