• 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.

Lets talk about 'Mint'

#41
OP, it is silly not to have all of the information out there. Here is copy from the ebay ad (not my sale by the way, but a quick google search turned up the bass):

Naturally, this bass has existed for 39 years and while it is uncirculated, there are a few extremely faint signs that it has been pulled out of the case a time or two. When turned in the light there are a few very faint marks in the pick path and two or three light impressions in the back, smaller than the lead at the tip of a pencil. There is a 1" hairline spot of wear through the sunburst finish finish at the tail end of the belly contour on the back from rubbing against the interior case edge and a tiny mark near the rear strap button (both marks are clearly visible if you zoom in on photo #11). Otherwise, this is a stunningly clean and conservatively near mint example. In fact, we don't expect to ever see another this minty. It's a one in a million find!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jazz Ad
#42
I went and read his listing description and by that listing he was telling you a completely different bass in terms of condition!! I'm one to ask a lot of questions and ask for details, and that listing actually inspired confidence that you were getting a primo condition bass. I would have been expecting an instrument that was in perfect condition and truly was new old stock with a couple of marks from being handled like it was described. wear and scratches down to the bare wood, plus obvious fret leveling would make that bass worth about half as much to me!
That is TOTALLY a deal breaker for that kind of money!
they should know better and DO know better. That bass is "very good", NOT mint.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StayLow and Fuzzbass
#44
At any rate, it is clear from the ad this is not a "mint" bass as it is being defined here. You can see blemishes in the photos, and the seller describes blemishes. The issue is not whether the OP was lied to about it being "mint," he wasn't. The ad copy even describes it as near mint, which it certainly is. I think there may be some buyers remorse here.
 
#46
that's not even in that great of condition, even though "it seems to look great in the wide shot."
clearly, it's been treated roughly at points, and/or had some accidents.

My 1972 P with thousands and thousands of gigs and road miles on it is in better shape than that.
While the neck finish has been played thru, it doesn't have all the battle scars this one does.
I'd be pretty upset about that bass's reality versus the "never been played mint condition" description.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TalHaz, Dominic DeCosa and StayLow
#47
king_biscuit said:
OP, it is silly not to have all of the information out there. Here is copy from the ebay ad (not my sale by the way, but a quick google search turned up the bass):

Naturally, this bass has existed for 39 years and while it is uncirculated, there are a few extremely faint signs that it has been pulled out of the case a time or two. When turned in the light there are a few very faint marks in the pick path and two or three light impressions in the back, smaller than the lead at the tip of a pencil. There is a 1" hairline spot of wear through the sunburst finish finish at the tail end of the belly contour on the back from rubbing against the interior case edge and a tiny mark near the rear strap button (both marks are clearly visible if you zoom in on photo #11). Otherwise, this is a stunningly clean and conservatively near mint example. In fact, we don't expect to ever see another this minty. It's a one in a million find!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Pulled out a time or two? Look at the frets and how they've been levelled. Not to mention that someone failed to complete the job with a proper crowning.

Now...I wouldn't kick it out of bed, but it's no virgin...or even near virgin. This bass has had the snot played out of it. It's not been mistreated by any means, but I do think it was misrepresented.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ikkir, StayLow, jim nolte and 1 other person
#50
Nope, not mint. But I seriously doubt there's a real MINT 75 P bass anywhere in existence. This might be one of the closest I've seen. MINT is literally unplayed, basically untouched.

I wouldn't want a mint one, anyways. What's the point? Just buy a new bass. My vintage basses have wear, tear, and leave behind some amazing war stories.
 
  • Like
Reactions: electracoyote
#52
There are descriptors that vintage retailers use, that are more or less "an industry standard," not subjective or subject to interpretation.
You can find them with a google search.
Here's the set of standards Elderly Instruments publish:

Abbreviations used in our used listings
MC Mint Condition : when we say mint, we mean mint. No wear, like new out of the box.
EC Excellent Condition : Very clean, might have some minor wear, dings, scratches, or finish cracks, but otherwise very close to new condition.
VGC Very Good Condition : Basically clean, might have some deeper scratches, pick wear or missing finish. Nothing real serious, no cracks, unless otherwise stated.
GC Good Condition : Solid playing condition, may have one or more repaired cracks or other cosmetic flaws.
FC Fair Condition and PC = Poor Condition : Indicate that the instrument may have some problems, usually described.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fuzzbass
#53
quickfix said:
Pulled out a time or two? Look at the frets and how they've been levelled. Not to mention that someone failed to complete the job with a proper crowning.

Now...I wouldn't kick it out of bed, but it's no virgin...or even near virgin. This bass has had the snot played out of it. It's not been mistreated by any means, but I do think it was misrepresented.
Click to expand...


It does say in the ad that the bass was dealer stock -- not privately owned and under a bed. Can you imagine a bass sitting around a Guitar Center since 1975? I have seen new basses in worse condition at my local GC. As far as the frets, maybe the dealer leveled them because they weren't true -- would anyone be shocked if this bass came from the factory with unlevel frets? I don't remember the last time I saw a mid 70s Fender bass in better condition. The seller stated the bass had blemishes and some of his photos show them. The seller makes it clear this is not a "mint" bass in the photos and in his ad copy. The seller oversold the "misrepresented as mint" business a bit in the first post, IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Scott and gln1955
#54
Early 1970's Fenders in better condition; that I have;

IMG_1545.jpg


IMG_1340.jpg


IMG_1339.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: TalHaz, StayLow, FenderOli and 2 others
#56
Chef said:
Early 1970's Fenders in better condition; that I have;

IMG_1545.jpg


IMG_1340.jpg


IMG_1339.jpg
Click to expand...
No offense Chef, but your photos show nowhere near the level of detail we would need to judge condition -- as it's being thrown around in here. You basically have wide shots in low light. Check out the OPs first photo, it looks as good as any of your photos . What if that was the only photo we had.

The point is the OP knew or should have known from the ad (copy and photos) that the bass is not "mint" as understood by Elderly instruments. Therefore the bass was not misrepresented as "mint" as the OP argues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Scott and electracoyote
#58
king_biscuit said:
OP, it is silly not to have all of the information out there. Here is copy from the ebay ad (not my sale by the way, but a quick google search turned up the bass):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

That description, where the seller confesses flaws, and a couple of the seller's pics where I see flaws, would have raised red flags for me. The seller tipped his hand, and though he surely exaggerated a bit and tried to whitewash it with flowery language, I still would have gotten the distinct impression that this bass is NOT mint.

If I were OP, I still might make a play for a discount on the total, but that bass was clearly not mint from the word "go."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Scott, StayLow and FenderOli
#59
That looks like it has been through some heavy gigs to me. That has not only been played it has been rocked out with! Although then again I wouldnt mind a few marks on a vintage guitar because it almost shows the scars of its past. I have not had my first gig yet but after gigging for a while if my bass does gain any marks i'd like to think of them as memories from past gigs in a way. But then again as the marks are caused by someone else it wouldnt work the same way.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back