Lets talk about 'Mint'

[Jeff Scott]

The OP also subsequently specifically asked what others would pay.

With all due respect to Mr. Mow's buyer's remorse, he can't say ask us for a "what's it worth?" since he is not a Supporting Member.

 

[Mastermold]

You have to do some careful Googling if it's new, or you can Google the s/n if it's used. Elderly doesn't seem to often pull old descriptions and photos off of their servers.

For example, here's my Strat (you can see the bridge pickup poles are not beveled like the other ones are): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Or for a clearer example, first look at this guitar: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pay close attention to the condition.

Now if I Google image-search for "Elderly instruments E273" I get photos that aren't the same. If I view their webpage, they lead me here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This is clearly the same guitar, but in better condition and listed as "no longer available." Looks like the last guy bought it in nice shape, played the snot out of it (but took good care of it), and has recently consigned it again. More importantly, Elderly left the old page on their servers and we can access it.

Sorry if this is too research-y. I am a librarian.

Thanks--following your lead I was able to find my '64 P-bass I bought from them:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[StayLow]

With all due respect to Mr. Mow's buyer's remorse, he can't say ask us for a "what's it worth?" since he is not a Supporting Member.

Thanks. I wasn't aware.

 

[king_biscuit]

Uh huh, right... . Is that their subtle way of saying "You don't really want to reduce the value of this bass, do you?"

Whatever it was the photos were available.

 

[FranF]

$3900 is just starting to enter pre-CBS cash. Neither are mint, but my two '70s P's, were way under 4 grand. The '72 on the left was $1500, 2 weeks ago, and the 'early '74 on the right (which has the original tort guard in the case) , $1600 two years ago. Both with chrome, thumbrests and original cases.

 

[Jefff]

Thanks for all of your feedback guys, I appreciate it.

Yes I knew there were a couple of marks on it from their photos and descriptions but as described they sounded like fair genuine long term storage marks.. Acceptable to me.

However, the marks on the bass, no these are usage marks.

I can say I did not pay the $4k they were originally asking, but yes there was a premium.

Can I ask from you guys.. Considering it is in excellent condition in general, is very light weigh, plays very nicely.

What WOULD you pay (and I'm asking real world here).

Thanks

I have a 95 P bass that with a few mods weighs 8lbs and plays like a dream and has the tone of "a girl saying yes". I have 850.00 in it, including Fralin Pups.


So I suppose I'd go 900.00.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Customer satisfied?

Sounds like a happy ending. Glad to hear it OP!

 

[jim nolte]

I live in Seattle, where the seller is. I haven't heard of his shop before, or at least not that I can remember. They are in a part of Seattle that I don't get to very often, but I know the area pretty well. I had some work right in that area a few years ago and don't remember them being there, so I don't think they have been around that long. At any rate, if anybody is interested, I could go over there one day and just see what the place is all about.

Don't do what's in your avatar Jim

 

[CGremlin]

I'd call it "very good", but not "mint" by any means. I'm not a Fender historian, but did they ever ship Precisions with black flats? Having such unusual, non-original, not-even-Fender strings would imply to me that someone had owned it, played it, and decided they didn't like the factory strings. Perhaps it was sold and returned way back then?

 

[BassShark]

Bottom line. "MINT" means "AS NEW" and it does NOT mean "LOOKS GOOD FOR ITS AGE" or "EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN FOR 40 YEARS OLD."

Whether something is 1 or 100 years old, "MINT" means the SAME thing...UNBLEMISHED AS-NEW CONDITION REGARDLESS OF AGE.

Back in the day when I bought a lot of electronics and stuff off of ebay, I would ALWAYS get the seller to clarify the above. I would always ask: "Please describe any and all scuffs, marks, rubs, dings, scratches, dents, dings, marks, blemishes, indentations, or defects of ANY kind ANYWHERE on the item...front, back, bottom, edges, sides, etc. as I am only interested in truly mint condition as-new items, not an item that "looks good for its age." Some sellers responded honestly, but the vast majority who responded verifying that whatever I was purchasing was indeed "MINT" were lying. A great amount of stuff arrived in the condition of the bass above. In all cases, either I was refunded directly (rare) or I ended up returning the items due to them being "significantly not as described" and always got my money back via Paypal or via a chargeback regardless of what the seller's return policy was (EVERYTHING is returnable via a credit card purchase on ebay). I never lost a chargeback, and never got stuck with something I didn't want. But, it got worse, with most sellers overstating items' condition. So, I for the most part stopped ebaying a few years ago.

Anyhoo..."MINT" means just that. MINT.

"Mint" means the condition the item was in when it was shipped from the factory. No ifs, ands, or buts. It comes from coin collectors, the condition the coin was in WHEN IT WAS MINTED. Period.

There are dealers who buy instruments in reasonably clean condition and then find the "case candy" for it to bolster the case for it being mint...

 

[BassShark]

"Mint" means the condition the item was in when it was shipped from the factory. No ifs, ands, or buts. It comes from coin collectors, the condition the coin was in WHEN IT WAS MINTED. Period.

There are dealers who buy instruments in reasonably clean condition and then find the "case candy" for it to bolster the case for it being mint...

Oh, regarding the flattened frets, that's typical of '70s Fenders. The Precision Bass I bought new in '75 was the same way. They didn't bother crowning the frets after leveling them in the '70s.

 

[Bret_Salyer]

If you work in a pawn shop and see junk everyday, when a decent piece comes along you might consider it mint. Like in "The Fisher King" when Robin Williams character finds the styrofoam cooler.

 

[osonu]

Interesting thread, I'm pretty surprised at some of the replies. Just for a refresher-

It was described as "1975 Fender Precision Bass Mint Collector Grade New Old Stock Sunburst w/ Case Candy & OHSC!"

Stated as "Mint Collector Grade" and "New Old Stock" and priced to match those claims when this bass is clearly neither. Regardless of what kind of CYA disclaimers followed (if you're claiming either of those conditions there shouldn't be any disclaimers) I, personally would not trust that dealer after seeing this and would not do business with them. I would love to be able to figure out a scenario where they aren't either incompetent or dishonest.

I used to collect knives (now I sell knives to buy basses ; ) and the "Collector Grade" just adds insult- Mint can be stretched to mean "as new" as opposed to the flawless condition usually expected, but Collector grade means that it is as perfect a specimen as a collector would want. In the knife world that means it will stand up to a bright light inspection.

I know the text in the body of the add puts the lie to the headline (while still overstating the condition and making a pretty blatant attempt to mislead), but the whole thing still stinks. OTOH, I'm glad the OP ended up with a deal he's happy with- all's well, etc.

 

[TonyP-]

I didn't read the whole thread...
But a question.

How does it play and sound?

If you didn't get hosed on the price then that's all I would be thinking about.

 

[Amrit Karki]

This looks great ....

 

[okcrum]

Please give me the Reader's Digest version.

Guy bought a bass.

 

[Root 5]

I don't think that's "excellent". Multiple chips down to the bare (photos 2 and 3) wood, and neck worn to the wood (6) kills that. Even more since they hid them.

But you have to bear in mind the age of the instrument. For a 1975 it is in excellent condition. And if I'm not mistaken, guides like 'Blue' books & The Vintage Guitar Price Guide do factor age into condition ratings.

 

[Larry V]

I read the whole thread...

Congrats and enjoy your bass!

...and I'm glad you received some relief on the price as I believe you were due.

 

[MegaSwing]

If 'Mint' doesn't mean 'Mint' at any age or vintage, there is no common ground between buyers and sellers on what the actual condition of an instrument is. Just because a rare, vintage instrument is in 'Very Good' condition, it doesn't mean that it can be deemed 'Mint' just because there aren't many examples of them to be found. Otherwise, ratings become arbitrary and meaningless instead of a unifying standard.

 

[Root 5]

If 'Mint' doesn't mean 'Mint' at any age or vintage, there is no common ground between buyers and sellers on what the actual condition of an instrument is. Just because a rare, vintage instrument is in 'Very Good' condition, it doesn't mean that it can be deemed 'Mint' just because there aren't many examples of them to be found. Otherwise, ratings become arbitrary and meaningless instead of a unifying standard.

I do believe mint is reserved for instruments that are in 'as new' condition, regardless of age. It's the other ratings that are murkier.