I think I found a 58 P Bass

[Dark Horse]

I can see those as asking prices, but I'd be surprised (and I've been surprised more than once) that they'd actually sell at that price.

Here's a recent example of a "sold" price for a 58 Jazz Master guitar, which *IMO* would run about the same or similar (probably a little more so) on the desirability meter as a Precion in the open market. The Strats are Tele's always going to fetch highest prices, with the Basses, and second tier Fenders guitars behind them.

$2500

http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-FENDER-JAZ...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3efb857c84

Jazzmasters historically sell for a lot less than P Basses and Jazz basses.

For instance, a 62 Jazzmaster in its' typical Sunburst is a $4k-$4.5k guitar. OTOH, a 62 P Bass in Sunburst will fetch from $7k-$11k. Both of these depend on condition of course, but Jazzmasters and Jaguars are really "third tier" guitars as far as Fender collectibility.

A quick look at GBase, the Vintage Guitar Buyers Guide, or Vintage Guitar magazine will verify this.

 

[unbridled]

One advantage you have that helps you out is it sounds like you trust this guy and he will have some info about the history of this bass. It's hard to quantify that knowledge to other people, but the point is that YOU are confident in the bass. You are the one that has to be happy with it unless you are buying it as an investment or to sale it later.

 

[Thor]

Based on all this, would restoring this bass to Nitro sunburst
even really make any sense?

 

[mikeswals]

The aluminum annodized (goldish coloured) pickguard were used from 57 to early 59.
The original guards have a different surface texture than the reissues, as well as the colouring and thickness.

 

[Dark Horse]

I can see those as asking prices, but I'd be surprised (and I've been surprised more than once) that they'd actually sell at that price.

Here's a recent example of a "sold" price for a 58 Jazz Master guitar, which *IMO* would run about the same or similar (probably a little more so) on the desirability meter as a Precion in the open market. The Strats are Tele's always going to fetch highest prices, with the Basses, and second tier Fenders guitars behind them.

$2500

http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-FENDER-JAZ...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3efb857c84

BTW - here's a "straight" 59 P Bass that closed at $11,377.77
http://cgi.ebay.com/1959-Fender-Precision-Bass_W0QQitemZ320463752566


And heres a REFIN 59 that closed at $4k ...it doesn't have the original pickguard either...or the original case...and the solder leads were cut

http://cgi.ebay.com/1959-59-Fender-...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3efb7f5e27

 

[Thor]

One advantage you have that helps you out is it sounds like you trust this guy and he will have some info about the history of this bass. It's hard to quantify that knowledge to other people, but the point is that YOU are confident in the bass. You are the one that has to be happy with it unless you are buying it as an investment or to sale it later.

Well, yeah, I do have a lot of faith in him. We have played
together since 1977. That's a lot of notes played together
over the years. I leave a few basses at his house just so he
can record, and I don't have to haul gear.

But I have no idea who he got it from or when, or what
was done to it, so I will do the due diligence.

I never buy anything that I actually plan on parting with,
but after this last year I feel that it would be prudent to
examine resale value. You never know if your job closes
up, gets outsourced or company goes through restructuring
and all of a sudden this becomes a very expendable asset.
Hate to think that way, but I have to be pragmatic about it.

 

[Dan55]

I think a nitro sunburst refinish would make perfect sense for this bass. It's already been refinished once, so it takes that depreciation hit. Doing a quality refin in nitro sunburst would likely increase it's value somewhat.

Dan

 

[savit260]

BTW - here's a "straight" 59 P Bass that closed at $11,377.77
http://cgi.ebay.com/1959-Fender-Precision-Bass_W0QQitemZ320463752566


And heres a REFIN 59 that closed at $4k ...it doesn't have the original pickguard either...or the original case...and the solder leads were cut

http://cgi.ebay.com/1959-59-Fender-...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3efb7f5e27

First I would say that "all the money" for the first one, and it has quite a bit going for it. Not sunburst(that adds a few bucks) , very good + condition for it's age, complete minus the bridge cover, original case in good condition. Those factors add up to a big price tag. (IMO)

The second one is a very nice looking, and well done refin. Again this is going to bring a bit of a premium over a "strip job". IMO, homebrew stirp jobs make it take a nose dive in price , even over a good quality refinish.

Maybe I was a bit low, but I still think $3500 would be ALL THE MONEY for a strip job 58 with some changed parts, and I still think that's a bit optimistic.

 

[Dark Horse]

First I would say that "all the money" for the first one, and it has quite a bit going for it. Not sunburst(that adds a few bucks) , very good + condition for it's age, complete minus the bridge cover, original case in good condition. Those factors add up to a big price tag. (IMO)

The second one is a very nice looking, and well done refin. Again this is going to bring a bit of a premium over a "strip job".

Maybe I was a bit low, but I still think $3500 would be ALL THE MONEY for a strip job 58 with some changed parts, and I still think that's a bit optimistic.

Absolutely agreed on the first, but it was the most recent "sold" one I could find...I'm sure it fetched a couple thousand more than a similar condition burst....BUT... we don't know if the P Bass that the OP is looking at was an original custom color, which would add to the price, even though it has been stripped...all it takes in "remnants" of the original color.

The second one - the missing pickguard detracts a LOT from the price - AT LEAST $500-$700, probably closer to $1k . A nice refin vs a strip job means almost zero $$$ difference to a dealer. To a customer, perhaps...but A dealer would just send a stripped one to his guy for a refin, so no big deal.


But yeah, as I said, a dealer would be in the $4k-$6k range for a refin 99% correct 58 P...and yep, even in this economy people ARE buying.

 

[king_biscuit]

I've said it before, but if the dirty hippies had spent more time killing lice and bathing, and less time "luthiering," there would be a lot more all original fenders left! Still I can't wait for the photos!!

 

[savit260]

Absolutely agreed on the first, but it was the most recent "sold" one I could find...AND... we don't know if the P Bass that the OP is looking at was an original custom color, which would add to the price, even though it has been stripped...all it takes in "remnants" of the original color.

The second one - the missing pickguard detracts a LOT from the price - AT LEAST $500-$700, probably closer to $1k . A nice refin vs a strip job means almost zero $$$ difference to a dealer. To a customer, perhaps...but A dealer would just send a stripped one to his guy for a refin, so no big deal.


But yeah, as I said, a dealer would be in the $k-$6k range for a refin 99% correct 58 P...and yep, even in this economy people ARE buying.

I'm talking what a person (average customer) would be willing to pay. What a vintage dealer would pay vs. looking for a private sale consumer are a different ball of wax IMO.

I think (BIG required IMO) that a homebrew strip job, vs, high quality refin, at the actual consumer level, does make a pretty big difference.


I'd agree that the missing original pickguard subrtacts a good chunk o change, but $1k seems a bit high. $400-$600 would seem more in line. IMO. Probalby less as the finish isn't original. I'd agree to that if the rest of it was original though.

 

[eggfan]

I feel like I'm strolling with Reagan and Gorbachev.

 

[Dark Horse]

I'm talking what a person (average customer) would be willing to pay. What a vintage dealer would pay vs. looking for a private sale consumer are a different ball of wax IMO.

I think (BIG required IMO) that a homebrew strip job, vs, high quality refin, at the actual consumer level, does make a pretty big difference.


I'd agree that the missing original pickguard subrtacts a good chunk o change, but $1k seems a bit high. $400-$600 would seem more in line. IMO. Probalby less as the finish isn't original. I'd agree to that if the rest of it was original though.

As my links showed though, people are willing to buy them... we're probably splitting hairs over a $3.5k or $4k starting price though. In the range $500 +/- isn't much.

As for the pickguard, actually, they go for FAR more than a early 60's nitrate guard, which are currently in the $350 (for a messed une) to $500 or more range. The early anodized guards are extremely hard to find available, and thus the reason that they command a much higher price...that and the fact that many people ditched the anodized guards for a tortoiseshell when Fender change them...so a lot went in the trash. Like I said, more likely in the $500-$700 range for the anodized, but could be up to $1k for a really good example.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

It sucks buying from a friend that you don't want to rip off because you lose all of your bargaining power if it was just some guy you never met.

 

[funkytoe]

And heres a REFIN 59 that closed at $4k ...it doesn't have the original pickguard either...or the original case...and the solder leads were cut

http://cgi.ebay.com/1959-59-Fender-...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3efb7f5e27

That's my old bass!!! I logged on to see if there were some pictures posted of the 1959 and ran head-on into this EBAY add for my old P-Bass. I recognized the scratched out date stamp on the bass of the neck. I always thought it was a 1960 p-bass and sold it as such at a vintage guitar show back in 1995 or so. Funny, this person re-sold it as a 1959 based on pot codes? Oh well.

I think I still have the original 1960 tortoise pickguard somewhere. I put the replacement on it because the old guard was starting to crack at the input jack and I wanted to save wear and tear on it. It was a real nice orangish color, as opposed to red. When I sold it, the guy gave me such grief about the neck stamp, it decided to keep the original guard. Feel kind of bad about that now.....

Sorry to derail the thread. Still waiting for pics

 

[unbridled]

I know what you mean, Thor. I just meant that you can have more confidence than the average buyer in this bass.

BTW, Pot codes are generally key with vintage gear because folks rarely put older pots in their basses or guitas if they are looking to upgrade.

 

[svtb15]

I just saw a nice '58 P from Antuns collection in austin,tx bass emporium and they wanted 10k for it

 

[Thor]

Ok, here we go, I got a bunch of pics that just came in.

 

[Thor]

2 more

 

[Thor]

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