Lets talk about 'Mint'

[GBassNorth]

I really just want to keep the thread going even though the issue is resolved with the OP and seller.

I see a lot of threads of guys wanting to return their bass because it came with a tiny chip, or some who are afraid to buy used instruments because it might have a TEENY-TINY scratch on it when it arrives - even if it looks like a great score (to me).

I guess I just look at an instrument as a tool and not a collectors item or a piece of artwork. I gig all three of my pre-CBS Fender basses, and my 1975 P is my trusty workhorse. So a new wear mark or a scuff is like a badge of honor to a guy like me who plays out a lot.

What do you guys do when the back of the neck starts to show player wear or the back of the body - just from normal, every day playing. Do you stop using that instrument all together? Go get it repaired/refinished?

Thanks for not going where I thought you were planning on going with your question!

I don't have any preCBS Fenders right now (wish I had one, much less three). The really neat thing about Fenders is that because they've always been the go to work horse of the bass world its accepted and to a large degree preferred to have a well worn in Jazz or P bass. As you noted, on Fenders battle scars are a kind of badge of honor and within reason aren't frowned upon at all by collectors. Not as true with other brands like Gibson or Alembic. The "rat rod" look on a Ford hot rod is cool to a lot of people (me included), just like a worn out finish is cool on a Fender - its the mojo! But its not typically what people would expect to see on a vintage Porsche.

I have a 1968 Fender Precision that I typically refer to as in near mint condition for its age. But if I were to put it up for sale and classify its condition and highlight all its finish and other issues I would probably refer to it as in very good condition. It certainly doesn't look as nice as the bass the OP bought, which I would classify as almost excellent condition (EC-) but not excellent or mint. Mine has scuffs and finish wear thru and even a cigarette burn on the headstock. When I was gigging regularly I would occasionally use it and as a result did put a few of those light battle scars on myself.

 

[Mosfed]

Ok - its not mint.

But I have seen MANY 1975s and that one is clearly one of the cleanest. But ok, not mint.

How much did you pay? If it is over $2500 send it back. I paid $1500 for a very clean 1975 P about 18 months ago.

One thing - most of the 1975 Ps I have seen have black pickguards. Not that I have seen more than 5 or so...

EDIT: Holy crap - you didn't pay $3800 plus shipping did you? Seriously?

 

[okcrum]

Satisfaction guaranteed!

All in good fun; there's enough bad fun out here on the net.

 

[electracoyote]

I'm curious - I need a point of view from some of you guys who are into 'mint' stuff...are you really gonna play it or just hang it on a wall?

What happens if you bump the headstock into a cymbol, or the straplock comes loose and the bass goes crashing to the floor? Do you then sell the instrument because it is no longer mint condition?

I think to address all your questions, we'd have to delve into the mental outlook of the bass player (and the bass purchased to be played), the bass collector (and the bass purchased for collector's purposes, as a financial investment to be stored and handled rarely), and all points in between.

Obviously, collectors don't approach or use their instruments the way you do, and flaws that could diminish the collector value of the bass would be much more concerning.

I did get the impression OP bought his '75 Precision to play and enjoy. Which might lead one to wonder why he would get hung up on relatively small flaws.

But that is beside the original point of the thread, which is the perceived condition of the instrument in the description versus the reality that OP only realized upon receiving and inspecting the bass. Even if he did buy it to play and enjoy, he was hoping for more consistency between the two and felt cheated when they didn't match up.

Even though I buy basses to be played and enjoyed, I can still relate to the unpleasant feeling of thinking I was buying one thing, and having it turn out quite different. I prefer to either know about all flaws in advance or be the one who put them there. No one likes to be sandbagged, no matter what you plan on doing with the instrument.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I did get the impression OP bought his '75 Precision to play and enjoy. Which might lead one to wonder why he would get hung up on relatively small flaws.

But that is beside the original point of the thread, which is the perceived condition of the instrument in the description versus the reality that OP only realized upon receiving and inspecting the bass. Even if he did buy it to play and enjoy, he was hoping for more consistency between the two and felt cheated when they didn't match up.

The second statement answers the first. The buyer likes the instrument, and has kept the instrument after being partially refunded.

I take issue with the "lynch mob" rhetoric -- which comes from a seller (surprise, surprise). Fact is, most of us have been non-partisan and acknowledged that an experienced buyer would have done more research. Here's a concept: sellers should be as honest as possible, rather than using double-talk to trick inexperienced buyers into paying more for an instrument than it's actually worth, and then providing partial rebate if and only if a buyer realizes his mistake. If it's "lynch mob" mentality to call BS on double-talk, then thank goddess for lynch mobs.

 

[Big Brother]

With only the buyers half of the story and no link to the sellers ad a "well informed" TB lynch mob quickly forms and proceeds to verbally rip the seller a new one.

That is every complaint here, it is expected.

The circumstances are irrelevant.

 

[electracoyote]

Here's a concept: sellers should be as honest as possible, rather than using double-talk to trick inexperienced buyers into paying more for an instrument than it's actually worth, and then providing partial rebate if and only if a buyer realizes his mistake.

I think you would get a lot of agreement to this. And we can all gather ourselves together and go scream it from the highest mountaintop until we can scream no more...

...and it won't change the reality that unscrupulous vendors exist, always have, always will, and buyers have to be smart enough to read between the lines, cut through the crap, and scrutinize both the vendor and the item.

Putting the onus for justice on the unjust never works.

 

[NWB]

Mint tastes "minty" because of menthol. Menthol is an organic compound which is a waxy or crystalline, and is solid at room temperature. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is the (1R,2S,5R) configuration. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities. Menthol also acts as a weak kappa opioid receptor agonist.

Thank you for that. My son experiences stomach irritation and I've found mints to help that but I had no idea why until your post.

 

[mr.mow]

it's a very nice bass, giving it a proper setup and clean down last night revealed all sorts of things that were wrong with the description.. But I'm not going to detail these things as its all settled now and the seller in my opinion did right.

For those that cared.. Pickups are grey bottom serial 183174, pot numbers are 03236 137-740 (both had a blob of solder covering what may have been another number?).

There is screen wire under the Jack to stop it coming loose, guess someone has done that at some stage.

 

[Neon Blues]

Ok - its not mint.

But I have seen MANY 1975s and that one is clearly one of the cleanest. But ok, not mint.

How much did you pay? If it is over $2500 send it back. I paid $1500 for a very clean 1975 P about 18 months ago.

One thing - most of the 1975 Ps I have seen have black pickguards. Not that I have seen more than 5 or so...

EDIT: Holy crap - you didn't pay $3800 plus shipping did you? Seriously?

There was a guy selling a Black 1975 Precision in Australia a while back. He was asking $2500 and it was completely mint. It was played for occasional studio work and lived in a case. It was crazy. The condition was beyond amazing.

 

[rodl2005]

How're you liking it now you've got yr face Fender flats on Mow?

 

[Milo Spleen]

I personally consider my 76 Ric in good condition since they don't have a "Medium Hammered" rating. It is a tool after all.

 

[king_biscuit]

Judging by the additional photos, that bass has had very little play time. No way it was played enough to wear through the neck finish or wear the frets down to the point of needing a fret job.

 

[electracoyote]

I personally consider my 76 Ric in good condition since they don't have a "Medium Hammered" rating. It is a tool after all.

I have a few medium-hammered basses too.

And I like to play them when I get medium-hammered.

 

[Turock]

That's a nice bass. I'd be proud to own it.

 

[electracoyote]

That's a nice bass. I'd be proud to own it.

It's stunning if you ask me. Three steps backward and you can't see anything wrong with it at all.

I had a chocolate brown '75 (I think they call that finish walnut). Stupidly sold it for something not nearly as lasting or iconic. I have no idea how or when I'll ever have another Fender of that era.

Congrats to the OP, and thanks for putting up with the hardcore-reality posters on this thread.

Anyone able to accurately date or verify the numbers stamped under the pickups?

 

[GBassNorth]

Judging by the additional photos, that bass has had very little play time. No way it was played enough to wear through the neck finish or wear the frets down to the point of needing a fret job.

I'm no P bass expert but didn't the 74 have a black pickguard? The close up of the tort pickguard looks like it has a screening or pixilation effect going on in the pattern, did they look like that in the 70's or is this a newer replacement? Also, might just be the way the photo was taken but a number of the tuning machine phillips screws look like they've been in and out a few times, a couple look almost stripped. Those two items seem kinda odd for a bass that was hardly played.

All that said, it really is nice looking! If it plays half as good as it looks its a gem.

 

[king_biscuit]

I'm no P bass expert but didn't the 74 have a black pickguard? The close up of the tort pickguard looks like it has a screening or pixilation effect going on in the pattern, did they look like that in the 70's or is this a newer replacement? Also, might just be the way the photo was taken but a number of the tuning machine phillips screws look like they've been in and out a few times, a couple look almost stripped. Those two items seem kinda odd for a bass that was hardly played.

All that said, it really is nice looking! If it plays half as good as it looks its a gem.

I think it's just oxidation on the tuner screws. As far as the pickguard, I think early 74 still had tort. The pots and pickup date to 74, so maybe it's a 74 instead of 75.

 

[Larry V]

You'd definitely find pots from '74 in a '75 bass but not '75 pots in a '74 bass.

 

[king_biscuit]

You'd definitely find pots from '74 in a '75 bass but not '75 pots in a '74 bass.

This has been a long thread, why again do we think it's a 75? AFAIK, the neck has never been off of the bass. What is the serial number op? The combination of 74 pots, 74 pickup and factory tort guard makes it look more like a 74 than a 75.