Let's be completely honest here about vintage basses...

[jd56hawk]

Sure, plenty of people here don't like artificially aged basses.
Yet women can get their hair done and put on makeup to make themselves look younger.

 

[40Hz]

i know, but that EW 8 year is quite drinkable. the regular EW is horrible indeed!

I'll think I'll stick with the stuff those gents with the kilts distill and age so beautifully.

 

[Bass Viking]

But that whole "relic-ed" thing is something I'll personally never understand.
To me they always stuck me the same way as some little kid who paints on a moustache because he thinks it'll make himself look "older."

I get a kick out of people who say they like relics because they don't have to worry about them getting scratched, dinged, etc. C'mon, man up!!!

 

[GretschWretch]

I've got no proof, but I suspect that in many cases the pristine vintage instruments that are available in many cases are the worst of the breed. Fortunately for vintage dealers and buyers, most of these will not see heavy use at this point because of fear of damage and collectibility.

Or, sadly, these instruments belonged to guys who went to 'nam. And did not come back.

 

[Baird6869]

I get a kick out of people who say they like relics because they don't have to worry about them getting scratched, dinged, etc. C'mon, man up!!!

IMO, relics were super cool at first... before literally EVERYONE started pumping them out. Now I am bored with the whole thing.

I do think Fender Roadworns sound/play killer though and I would play one of those over a Nash, Bluesman or any other relic-ed bass.

 

[40Hz]

I get a kick out of people who say they like relics because they don't have to worry about them getting scratched, dinged, etc. C'mon, man up!!!

Yeah really. It's like saying you are looking forward to the next Resident Evil movie purely because you really think it's a great series instead of admitting it's a way to get your dose of Milla Jovovich. (I'll man up. She's welcome to drop by and kick my sorry butt into next week any time she feels like it.)

 

[LT131]

The vintage basses are:
1. heavier
2. have more mojo

They may or may not be better than the modern equivalent, it depends on the specific bass.

1. Not true
2. True

 

[bluesblaster]

Sure, plenty of people here don't like artificially aged basses.
Yet women can get their hair done and put on makeup to make themselves look younger.

Yes but the majority don't go out of there way to try to look old and worn, quite the opposite

 

[Baird6869]

1. Not true

Absolutely. There are lots of boat anchor basses out there, but mostly 1975-present. I don't recall seeing very many 60's to 1974 basses that were that heavy.

 

[Flaked Beans]

I'll think I'll stick with the stuff those gents with the kilts distill and age so beautifully.

Ah, single malts are my favorite too! recently enjoyed a few glasses of 18yr laphroaig mmmm

 

[PortlandBass77]

1. Not true
2. True

Ok, I'll bite, give me one example. I can give you many:

1970's Fenders vs modern Fenders
Any vintage Peavey vs modern Peaveys
Vintage Kramers vs modern Kramers

if you want more I'm happy to oblige.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Let's put aside mojo, collectability, value, colour, quality of tort, etc...

Regardless if it's a Fender, Gibson, or a Rickenbacker... are the vintage basses inherently better quality than newer stuff?

Allow me to narrow down to this example (just to get things started, obviously we can talk about anything that's on a bass) Pre-CBS Kluson tuners, better, worse, equal to the Gotoh/Hipshot replacements?

How about Pre-CBS Klusons vs. In-house Fender tuners?

Discuss.

No.

 

[LT131]

I think the heart of any electric bass is a magnet wrapped in wire. You can add more magnets wrapped in wire, split them, put them out of phase, add amplification, etc. So do you want your magnet wrapped in wire to look old or new? Shiny or beat up? Modern or traditional? Naturally aged or not? Cause that's the difference in vintage and new.

My player for 30 years was a 66 P. My player now is a Frankenbass. I like 55 Chevys and Porsche Caymans. I like Elvis and Ed Sheeran. None is better or worse. It's all good.

That being said I do think new basses are way more consistent than old.

 

[LT131]

Ok, I'll bite, give me one example. I can give you many:

1970's Fenders vs modern Fenders
Any vintage Peavey vs modern Peaveys
Vintage Kramers vs modern Kramers

if you want more I'm happy to oblige.

Based on your experience that's probably true. Based on mine, not so finite. Are you insisting that wood is lighter now?

 

[Bone]

Come back in 50 years, then we'll know.

 

[2saddleslab]

Definitive statements are always wrong, period.

 

[hintz]

Sure, plenty of people here don't like artificially aged basses.
Yet women can get their hair done and put on makeup to make themselves look younger.

Hmmm, if I could afford it id get my 76 eagle resprayed/restored to a "like new" state

if I look at just the right angle I can see the outline of a fish sticker, kinda bugs me, but ill deal with it!!

That being said I prefer unworn basses, I don't get "relic-ing" , and who would want women to *not* try to look younger??

 

[000_Unknown]

Just out of curiosity, why is that? (I'm a big fan of those old Arias so I'm very interested in any info I can get about them.)

Im suppose the fire at the factory had something to do with it. Now you can pay $4K+ for a reissue black n gold, but you wont get the same electronics that the old ones had. They dont even give you correct the looking knobs for heavens sake.. I mean if you are going to reissue such a legendary bass guitar, DO IT RIGHT!!

 

[bassstrangler]

I'm not into vintage, I prefer to make my own basses vintage with my own use. Used gear, cars, furniture, clothes, shoes, they belonged to someone else. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy a new house or rent a new apartment. The only used things I buy are CD's and DVD's if I can't buy them new.

My point is I like new things and I like to keep them that way. Vintage is fine for others, but I don't quite get it. Especially the prices people want for stuff.

 

[hintz]

I'm not into vintage, I prefer to make my own basses vintage with my own use. Used gear, cars, furniture, clothes, shoes, they belonged to someone else. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy a new house or rent a new apartment. The only used things I buy are CD's and DVD's if I can't buy them new.

My point is I like new things and I like to keep them that way. Vintage is fine for others, but I don't quite get it. Especially the prices people want for stuff.

I agree, *unless* its cheaper used!!