I need some help with a hard decision

[TMARK]

An American Pro/Standard would get you that same money for less of an investment. Just saying.

I disagree here. The 63 AVRI is a completely different bass. They share a pickup type and position, and that's it.

 

[Teddy Trap]

70s Jazz Bass all the way! drool

 

[AngelCrusher]

An American Pro/Standard would get you that same money for less of an investment. Just saying.

Not the same pickup or neck. Not what I wanted and prefer to play. So i disagree.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Neither is going to be a "collector". Play the '74. Unless it speaks to you, get the other one - sounds like it is exactly what you want.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I am in the market for a new bass and had my eye on two basses that are for sale here locally and I just cannot make up my mind.

The first is a Fender Custom Shop '57 P Bass. Heavy relic, tangerine orange, gold anodized pick guard, hand wound pickups, rosewood fingerboard, custom case, brand new with the warranty.

Second is a 74 Fender Jazz bass that the guy bought, played for a little bit and then stuck in his closet for the past 40 years. 100% stock, 3 tone sunburst, blocks, binding, ash tray covers, 3 bolt neck, original case, everything. Essentially in like new condition.

Both are roughly the same price. Which one would you pick?

Unless you really like P-basses, the Jazz sounds like a no-brainer to me. Of course, I have a Jazz too and I love it. Be aware there will be a night and day difference between the necks of the two. I like the thin Jazz bass neck with the narrow nut. The P-bass will feel like a baseball bat compared to it, though some of the 70's Jazz bass necks were not nearly as thin as mine is.

 

[lefty1979]

There is no way to predict that a '74 Jazz bass, from the generally agreed upon worst era for Fender instruments. will appreciate over time. As someone old enough to have played Fenders from the '50's forward, I don't understand why anyone would refer to a '70's Fender as a vintage piece. A '64 is NOTHING like a '74, which is not near as good as an '80's '62 Reissue, for example.

I respectfully disagree. The simple laws of supply and demand have driven up prices on a lot of "vintage" instruments you could hardly give away 20 or 30 years ago. There aren't many unmolested 50's and 60's fenders sitting in closets waiting to be found. For the most part the really good ones have been flushed out. As a result clean examples like that 74 Jazz bass are going up in value. It doesn't make them better instruments necessarily, but the vast majority of vintage collectors value rarity and originality over playability and tone. Before I get flamed let me clarify that I'm talking about vintage collectors, NOT players who buy vintage instruments. That's who drives that market, and affect the prices for better or worse. I'd guess that a mid 70's Jazz bass in immaculate, closet classic condition is worth $500-1000 more now than it was 10 or 15 years ago. And I've never been able to figure out why, but basses seem to get a pass from a lot of vintage guys on that whole "70's fenders are garbage" mentality.

 

[tminus10]

I'd pick my Fender 60's Hot Rod Precision that I have for sale. Problem solved. Glad I could help.

 

[smtp4me]

I am in the market for a new bass and had my eye on two basses that are for sale here locally and I just cannot make up my mind.

The first is a Fender Custom Shop '57 P Bass. Heavy relic, tangerine orange, gold anodized pick guard, hand wound pickups, rosewood fingerboard, custom case, brand new with the warranty.

Second is a 74 Fender Jazz bass that the guy bought, played for a little bit and then stuck in his closet for the past 40 years. 100% stock, 3 tone sunburst, blocks, binding, ash tray covers, 3 bolt neck, original case, everything. Essentially in like new condition.

Both are roughly the same price. Which one would you pick?

If you decide not to buy the 74 Jazz, let me know the name of the seller. Seriously.

 

[prowla]

I would try the 70s one and see what it's like; if it is overly cheap then perhaps some of the comments about build quality from that era may be relevant. Otoh, if you like it, go for it.

 

[ashtray]

P

 

[swafran]

I'm resisting just saying "are you f... kididing me?" lol. But wow, 70s jazz bass been sleeping in a closet this whole time... sounds pretty good. Like finding a 57 Chevy with no miles on it yeah?

I have a 70s jazz and I do think there's something to their sound, beyond just hype and collectability. And there's a limited number of them, whereas you know there will always be more overpriced custom shop creations with false dings added on.

I'll be upfront about my biases: although I like Ps I prefer Js, and I don't like false wear and tear, or anything false. So for me, that would factor in too.

 

[kerrycares]

I love jazz basses.
I do not like precision basses.
Easy pick.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I would say the P but orange?

 

[Tom Bomb]

Get that Jazz and start saving

 

[Jay2U]

Those basses are so different, that you first might have to ask yourself, whether you need a Jazz or a Precision.

 

[stringthrough]

Fender CS P basses are way easier to find than real closet classic 74 J basses. So you might be better off with that J. That said, I'd personally go for the P. It looks pretty darn irresistible.

 

[JoeWPgh]

A Jazz bass from that era could be great, or a total dog. Sight unseen, I would lean toward dog, as Fender turned out a lot of dogs in that era. But play it, if it's a good one, that's the one you want

 

[ZAR14]

I personally have never played a P bass and have always gravitated towards a Jazz. I'd go with the Jazz, however, sounds like either one would be a good grab...

 

[JGbassman]

I'd say the jazz as well. A closet classic like that is hard to come by, the reissue will be around in numbers.

I'd definitely play the jazz first if possible, but that's the one I'd go for

 

[Polfuste]

If the J is sweet to your ears and feel, not a boat anchor, go for it. You can easily sell it later and find a good P to replace.