You know, I’ve come to the conclusion in my 60 some odd years that there are good instruments, and not so good ones, and that fact transcends the years regardless of when they were made. What I find increadible is how consistently the Fender Musical Equipment Company has kept their price points consistent based on average wages. A P-Bass still costs about a week’s pay for the average worker. The Jazz a little more. Been that way since forever.
I’ll agree, the basic engineering hasn’t changed much, however amps are much better, lighter, don’t require as much maintenance, and show off the nuances of different instrument manufacturers better than ever.
Lower manufacturing costs abroad, has allowed for even broader pricing points still with high level of quality that truly makes playing music within the reach of everybody. Unfortunately with the advent of computerized recording programs, and streaming music, music writers and arrangers not coming up with songs meant to be played live, the need for vast numbers of musicians in the USA has shrunk dramatically. At the same time, cut backs in art programs in our schools has also reduced the numbers of available players.
So all in all, its a great time to be a player if you can find decent players to play with, or fortunate to have come across a great song writer to work with. If you are gigging a lot, congrats and keep that flag waiving. Us old folks can’t play forever, and are counting on you to mentor the younger musician whenever you have a chance so live music (other than classical standards) doesn’t go the way of the Dodo.
