NBD - My Birth Year Bass!

[fhm555]

I was gonna buy me a birth year Harley, but discovered i predated the internal combustion engine by a few years.
Jokes aside, i did buy a birth year Harley but not for that reason. I’ve never understood the significance of birth year items.

 

[Peteyboy]

I'm holding out for a '68 myself. Plus a woman to throw down for it. Figure I've waited 50 years, I can wait another 50.

 

[Peteyboy]

I was gonna buy mea birth year Harley, but discovered i predates the internal combustion engine by a few years.
Jokes aside, i did buy a birth year Harley but not for that reason. I’ve never understood the significance of birth year items.

I'll speak for myself & say that it's about possessing a symbol of where the world was at when you came into it. Maybe add to that some nostalgia for when things were well-built and thoughtfully designed. I know that every P bass is a product of mass production. But so is a 67 Ford Mustang.

 

[rtslinger]

Yeah mine would rough 1958

 

[Charlzm]

The idea of a "birth year bass" is cool in theory, but I have no interest whatsoever in basses from the same year I'm from.

 

[mikeoso]

Hmmm...I think the only way I can have a birthyear bass guitar is a guitarron or a Tutmarc...was anyone making anything else in 1949?

 

[turcmic]

Nice bass! Good for you!

Considering the number of old bassists who posted here, should I consider myself lucky for being born in 1966???

Actually, there's a 66 P for sale in the classified for 5k$...

 

[firetec05]

Nice find! I have a 75 P bass too, see avatar. I bought one brand new in 1975, but being young and dumb, I traded it for something else. I found one exactly like the one I traded at a shop in Manassas VA. in 1992 and snatched it up for $699.00 with the original case in excellent condition. Needless to say, this one will be with me until I check out of this life! I was using it as my main player until I acquired a G&L L2000, that's my go to bass now. Enjoy it!

 

[7dollarbologna]

Some people search for a Fender that has a neck stamp of the exact day of birth. 'Birth Bass'

 

[grillman]

Congrats ! Found my birthyear bass last December. It’s a great feeling

1982 Fender Precision Bass JV PB62 95

 

[SteveC]

Nice bass. Birth year is easier for some than others. 1966 for me. That means expensive basses, Mustangs, anything really. Enjoy yours. Don't think I'll ever have mine - bass or car.

 

[nonohmic]

Sick! I'm still wanting an 82 57 Fullerton ri but man are they getting spendy.

 

[Nephilymbass]

As many of us do, I have been keeping my eye out for a good deal on a birth year bass, and for me that would be a 1975 Precision.

About a week ago, I came across an ad for a 1975 Precision in natural finish at a below average price, so I asked my wife what she thought, telling her it was okay to say no. Instead, she said, “Sure, why not? In fact, if you can talk them down some, I’ll buy it for you.”

And so I did talk them down, and she did buy it. I am a lucky, lucky man.

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Nice find. I’ve been wanting a birth year bass (1981) but I rarely see anything interesting. Occasionally a G&L but mostly stuff like Gibson victory basses, tokai hard puncher, and weird bc rich type stuff. When I do find an 81 fender they seem way over priced for what they are, never see anyone making a big deal out of early 80s fenders here on TB, I don’t get the impression that it was a collectible era but you’d think the people selling them thought they had a 50s bass or something.

 

[Hevy T]

Great score on both the bass and more importantly your wife

I would have to look for a 69. Unfortunately I can't see that being in te cards, unless it was a Sears Silvertone

 

[fhm555]

I'll speak for myself & say that it's about possessing a symbol of where the world was at when you came into it. Maybe add to that some nostalgia for when things were well-built and thoughtfully designed. I know that every P bass is a product of mass production. But so is a 67 Ford Mustang.

I can maybe see a symbol thingy, but what about a coin proof set. Has the year stamped on every coin and even at todays prices would be considerably less than a “vintage” bass.
As for things from back then being better, I’d call that a strictly subjective opinion and in so many cases would be outright wrong. I own several plain jane MIM jazz basses and the worst one of the lot is head and shoulders above any of the “vintage” Fenders I’ve owned over the years. TBH, more of the older basses were lacking than not so buying a bass just because it’s old is a better chance you will get a clinker than a winner.
Please understand, i am in no way trying to influnce your choice or decision, i’m just expressing an opinion based on life experiences.

 

[RaniBrandt]

Nice find. I’ve been wanting a birth year bass (1981) but I rarely see anything interesting. Occasionally a G&L but mostly stuff like Gibson victory basses, tokai hard puncher, and weird bc rich type stuff. When I do find an 81 fender they seem way over priced for what they are, never see anyone making a big deal out of early 80s fenders here on TB, I don’t get the impression that it was a collectible era but you’d think the people selling them thought they had a 50s bass or something.

A Tokai from that year wouldn't be a bad thing. They were consistently outperforming Fender USA in that era.

 

[4SG]

Beautiful, congrats. My prize bass is a '77-'78 USA Precision that's similar but with a rosewood board. Don't listen to people bashing mid-70's Fenders here on TB; I love mine and you'll love yours. Now if only my wife would buy me a birth year bass. A nice 1963 wouldn't cost too much...

 

[macmanlou]

I was born in '51, so this is all I could afford. 1/8 scale

 

[RaniBrandt]

I can maybe see a symbol thingy, but what about a coin proof set. Has the year stamped on every coin and even at todays prices would be considerably less than a “vintage” bass.
As for things from back then being better, I’d call that a strictly subjective opinion and in so many cases would be outright wrong. I own several plain jane MIM jazz basses and the worst one of the lot is head and shoulders above any of the “vintage” Fenders I’ve owned over the years. TBH, more of the older basses were lacking than not so buying a bass just because it’s old is a better chance you will get a clinker than a winner.
Please understand, i am in no way trying to influnce your choice or decision, i’m just expressing an opinion based on life experiences.

Coins may be a good idea for some, but I am not very interested in coins. I'm sure that new Fenders are just as good and are often better players in many cases. But I like old instruments, they make me happy, and I have a few. All of my "newer" basses were made by me, and they are all (mostly) made with very old wood. My house is an old house. My pedalboard is made of a vintage suitcase. I just have a preference for objects with some history. If someone else prefers new basses, that's cool, too.

 

[covermego]

That's a beauty. Nice and clean.
1958 for me....... Maybe I'll get a fake ID so I can actually afford a birth year bass.