• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Jamerson's '62 Precision - Most Valuable Electric Ever?

basslinejam

basslinejam

Mar 21, 2005
841
15
New York City
#1
If the Funk Machine was ever found, miraculously intact, I have to believe it would be the most valuable bass ever (at an auction). I mean, it was practically his only bass and he played on literally dozens and dozens of classic cuts. Not to mention he was one of the founding players of our instrument and a flat out genius whose influence is everywhere.

Can anyone think of another electric in history that could match the funk machine myth?

That is all.
 
#4
basslinejam said:
If the Funk Machine was ever found, miraculously intact, I have to believe it would be the most valuable bass ever (at an auction). I mean, it was practically his only bass and he played on literally dozens and dozens of classic cuts. Not to mention he was one of the founding players of our instrument and a flat out genius whose influence is everywhere.

Can anyone think of another electric in history that could match the funk machine myth?

That is all.
Click to expand...

:hmm: Who could authenticate that bass if it did turn up? James Jamerson Jr., perhaps!?

I dunno, I think I'd be pretty sceptical if "The Funk Machine" suddenly surfaced now. Especially if it had a 7-figure price tag :p!
 
#5
Fender32 said:
:hmm: Who could authenticate that bass if it did turn up? James Jamerson Jr., perhaps!?

I dunno, I think I'd be pretty sceptical if "The Funk Machine" suddenly surfaced now. Especially if it had a 7-figure price tag :p!
Click to expand...

I don't know of any pictures of the carved, blue dye filled "Funk" in the heel of the neck. Maybe someone's still alive who could OK it?

Or DNA test on the fingerboard funk?
 
#6
If its found someday it should be put up in a museum or something instead of being sold; that thing is history! Either that or pass it onto the jamerson family.

I imagine Jamerson Jr. oughta recognize it when he sees it. I'm sure he'll feel a certain vibe if it's the actual funk machine.
 
#11
GianGian said:
Wouldn't Jaco's bass be more valuable?? I believe it was already found.
Click to expand...

The funk machine has got to be on more no. 1 records than the bass of doom, so that alone is certainly going to give that bass more value than the bass of doom. Not to mention the funk machine was THE breakthrough bass and really showed the world a new way of playing bass, to which its influence is certainly felt today.
 
#12
basslinejam said:
I don't know of any pictures of the carved, blue dye filled "Funk" in the heel of the neck. Maybe someone's still alive who could OK it?

Or DNA test on the fingerboard funk?
Click to expand...

True! That's probably the first thing that would happen to it anyway. Then, once it's confirmed as JJ's, the police could concentrate on trying to identify the sleezeball who stole it from him :p.
 
#15
GianGian said:
Wouldn't Jaco's bass be more valuable??
Click to expand...

Seriously doubt it, only bass players knew who Jaco was. Really, someone from the general public would have to be a jazz/fusion fan to know about Jaco.
But Jamerson's bass...is still being heard by millions of people everyday on the radio...I'll hear 20-30 songs a day featuring Jamerson, but the only song with Jaco I ever hear on the radio is Birdland about once a week. The general public would 'get it' if they were told who the Funk Machine belonged to, seriously doubt they would 'get it' about the Bass of Doom.
 
#20
Jeff K said:
Paul McCartney's Hofner would probably fetch a lot of money too.
Click to expand...

I was also thinking about Paul's bass. I believe people would pay more for this one than the funk machine. The funk machine may be a monument here, but to the large public it's not that big of a deal. Pauls hofner is to all sorts of people around the whole world a big deal.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back