Opinions on this '85 P Bass?

[Dan Bass]

Background: I have only owned active 5 strings for my whole life (currently a MM Bongo and Sterling). So I don't have any experience with passives, 4 strings, or P basses other than noodling around at GC.

I've been thinking about this bass primarily because my birth year is 1985 and it'd be cool to have (plus my musical tastes are becoming more mainstream nowadays). But I'd like to play it as well, not just sit around as an investment. So if it's not going to be a good quality bass that's fun to play then I'd pass. The description sounds like it's obviously been played a ton, which may or may not be a good thing.

Also for you Fender gurus: the S/N starts with E3 which from the little research I've done could have various parts from 83-85 and was assembled in the Fullerton factory right before it closed. Sound correct?

Finally, does $950 seem too high for this? I could get a 2010 or newer in excellent condition for less.

Thanks, and here's the link: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Sweet Bass, I think around $700 - $800 would be a great deal for that Bass. They sound awesome too, put some brand new round wound strings on it and it will sound just like that song "Wayward Son" by Kansas, AWESOME BASS SOUND!!!!

 

[lfmn16]

Really? US P-basses from the 80's sell for 500-600$???

Not in the real world. Everybody has a story about what a great deal they got, but there are far more stories than real deals.

If the OP really wants to know what it's worth, check eBay, Reverb.com, base.com, and craigslist.

 

[Mr. Business]

It's a beaut, but I'm a p bass addict. I think it's slightly overpriced, but you should be able to negotiate a fair price if you want it. First thing I would do is put that d string under the tree.

 

[DLemos]

Make sure it's a post-CBS bass, don't want one of those!

 

[The Ryantist]

put that d string under the tree.

lol yeah I don't know how they missed that

 

[The Ryantist]

The only value at this price is that it is your birth year, otherwise I wouldn't touch it at these $$$.

A new one goes for $1350 or MUCH newer (and better spec'ed) second hand at this or cheaper.

Yeah and I'm thinking the year is cool, but not essential. A good bass is more important to me than just the nostalgia.

 

[The Ryantist]

Possibly, or someone just changed the covers.

Easy enough to toss a stock Fender pup in there if you want. To me, the first thing is the body and neck. With that bass, you get a Fullerton made body and neck, and that makes a big difference - to me at least, I can feel it.

I actually like the look of the pickups, pickguard and knobs that are on it. It doesn't matter to me much that they aren't original.

 

[arbiterusa]

It's not American made if it's being claimed as an 85. 1984 the Fullerton plant stopped production (it was longer before they actually legally closed) and all Fenders were imported from Japan. We tried to get the last of the US production at the store I was working at but there wasn't much.

I'd want to see a neck date. Probably an 84.

 

[JMacBass65]

I don't think a 1995 Fender P qualifies as a "Fullerton" AVS with requisite Fullerton hand crafted body contours, etc. By 1995 the new factory had opened and bodies were CNC'd. Different logo decal on the headstock too. Here's what a legit Fullerton P looks like (it's an '83 '57 AVS). The '83 that the last post linked to also looks like a regular (non Fullerton AVS) Fender P. It may be Fullerton era, but it's not a Fullerton AVS.

Edit: And yes, the necks are deliciously wide.

View attachment 806424

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I don't recall anyone saying it was an AVS. Same for the linked one. Neither is an AVS. Both are stand American made PBasses, produces at the same time and same plant as the earlie AVS basses. That is all that was said.

It's not American made if it's being claimed as an 85. 1984 the Fullerton plant stopped production (it was longer before they actually legally closed) and all Fenders were imported from Japan. We tried to get the last of the US production at the store I was working at but there wasn't much.

I'd want to see a neck date. Probably an 84.

OP ball parked the dare based on SN. Yes, 84 is likely, could even be 83.

 

[The Ryantist]

OP ball parked the dare based on SN. Yes, 84 is likely, could even be 83.

I did call the shop and they said the S/N dates it 82-85. The pots are dated 83, which narrows it to 83-85. That's all they know so they probably did not remove the neck. But he said it could have been assembled as late as 85 even if all the parts were from 83-84, and he said they err as late as possible based on all this information, which is why they have labeled it as 85.

 

[mophead]

Says right there in the ad, Make an Offer.

All they can say is no. I do like the part of "Was $1495".

 

[JMacBass65]

I did call the shop and they said the S/N dates it 82-85. The pots are dated 83, which narrows it to 83-85. That's all they know so they probably did not remove the neck. But he said it could have been assembled as late as 85 even if all the parts were from 83-84, and he said they err as late as possible based on all this information, which is why they have labeled it as 85.

Sounds about right. As others have pointed out, in 85 the factory had shut down, but they were still rolling some out with remaining parts. That said, I think the latest date stamp I have ever seen on one of these was 1984.

But there you have it, it's and 83-85 American standard p, with a few cosmetic changes. These are nice basses and I'd buy one of these before anything rolling out of the Corona factory ever.

I'd also buy a classic 50s or Road worn (both Mexico made) before anything out of Corona.

As you can tell, I'm not a fan of anything that has rolled out of the corona plant.

And this is based on past ownership.

 

[The Ryantist]

I think the latest date stamp I have ever seen on one of these was 1984.

Well at least I was conceived in 84

 

[jcdcus23]

The seller has a place for you to make an offer. Offer $800 or $850, it can't hurt

 

[39-Bassist]

that price of 500-600 is more inline for the MIJ line...USA early 80's 800-1100 depending on condition....That bass you are looking at is between 800-900 (on average)
Be patient looking, BUT, if you wanted that bass send them an offer...800ish....what are they gonna say? NO? then tell them to keep you in mind if it isn't sellling...you just never know...