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late 70's fender's

#121
BigOldHarry said:
I disagree. We, who have actually *owned* these basses have some perspective; Those who have not...
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I've owned at least a dozen 70s Fenders over the years, and a few 60 models too. I have worked on and played many more of them while working in a music store in the 80s. Remind me again which Fender bass you owned and why you didn't like it? Also remind me why your specific example is representative of the entire population of 70s Fenders.

btw, I own two great ones now, check my profile.
 
#123
My 70's are just fine, better than a few mid 60s i've played in the past (by the way, my '72 j sounds better than my '69 j) and definitely prefer them over any 90s-2000s fender, however I own a nice '95 j, a 2002 MIM j (also pretty nice sounding bass) and an excellent 2009 S.Bailey 6 string j.
 
#124
Lowbrow said:
Sorry, but KB bought your opposing opinions up back in post #101. This will not die as the the argument changes with each new post.
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Really, my point that 70s Fenders should be judged bass by bass and not as as a stereotyped population has changed. My opinion that one should look for a lightweight bass with a straight neck has changed? My position that your statement that spending $1100 for a late 70s P is riskier than 10k plus for a 60s model is ridicules has changed? Clearly my dirty hippie comment has struck a chord with you... :)
 
#126
Mrdak said:
Don't buy it unless you can play it first "period".
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Excellent advice for any used instrument and especially any used vintage instrument -- which dovetails nicely with my position that each instrument should be judged individually. I'll add that the op should probably take an experienced friend with him who can give the bass an objective assessment.
 
#128
king_biscuit said:
A late 70s Fender for $1100 dollars is a riskier purchase than a 10k plus 40+ year old 60s Fender. Whatever :rolleyes: Again proving my point that not all poster's opinions should be treated equally!
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You're right - there is an apples/oranges flaw in my assertion as we are talking about two widely varying price points.

I'll say this: if ordering over the internet with around $1,100 to spend, I'd say ordering a new American Standard or even a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision would put you in better stead of receiving a great instrument for the money. Heck, vintage frets aside, with its gloss-finished neck, the CV bears more than a passing comparison to the best late-70s Precisions.
 
#129
king_biscuit said:
Excellent advice for any used instrument and especially any used vintage instrument -- which dovetails nicely with my position that each instrument should be judged individually. I'll add that the op should probably take an experienced friend with him who can give the bass an objective assessment.
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While I do agree with you here, I don't think that it's unreasonable to put eras of manufacture or a companie's situation into play as a factor in judging quality; To be sure, there were some fine instruments made by Fender & Gibson in the '70s... but they were *not* at their best as companies, either one. That could be said about a great many companies in the US at the time (hence my repeated use of the auto industry as a parallel example).

I also believe that without question, we now live in the golden age of bass gear - and that includes Fender, which by all appearances is building its best gear ever. There is more selection of high quality equipment available for both the hobbyist and working musician than ever before, so this urge to enshrine the mediocre past is just... Odd. The gear I used in the '70s/'80s is no where near as well made as the kit I have now - and I had what *was* pretty good stuff back then...

We're also living in the absolute golden age of US Beer - but that's a different topic altogether...

My overarching point is that the "good old days" may have had some good things to them, but they weren't all that "Good"... Heck, looking back, the best thing about "The good old days" is that a working stiff could afford to buy a house! (not so much anymore!)
 
#131
Lowbrow said:
You're right - there is an apples/oranges flaw in my assertion as we are talking about two widely varying price points.

I'll say this: if ordering over the internet with around $1,100 to spend, I'd say ordering a new American Standard or even a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision would put you in better stead of receiving a great instrument for the money. Heck, vintage frets aside, with its gloss-finished neck, the CV bears more than a passing comparison to the best late-70s Precisions.
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I have a CV 50s P that is a wonderful instrument for the coin!
 
#135
I've owned over 20 1995 and newer P and J basses. My mexi classic 70s is the only keeper. So by a lot of the logiic I've read in this thread 95 and newer Fenders are all junk stiff lifeless dull and gawdafull playing. I can't count the number of 70s fenders Ive owned but well over 100 not all great basses and not all dawgs. I still own a 72 Tele,73P,74P,74J and a 75P. But owning over 100 to find 5? I'd have to say the 70s Basses are right on par with the modern Fenders. JMHO,YMMV.
 

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