P-Bass: older vs newer.

[satjhmo]

The longer this thread goes on, the more all over the map the answers get, !

I think the camps are forming- new fenders suck, new fenders rule etc. It’s fun seeing what people think.

When people started flexing on social media, which I think is partly to do with this, I noticed prices skewing. 10-15 years ago there was a premium for earlier instruments, all else being equal, but it wasn't the 2x or 3x multiple it is today. 80s/90s guitars are even cheaper; I couldn't believe how cheap they were, £500 for a used early 90s American-made Strat. Then guitarists would go on the internet and say "I have this 72/78/69/82/79/etc Tele/Strat/JM that I really like and sounds fantastic but I'm told that all guitars from that era are junk. Should I sell it?"

I've got this great guitar that I love but a stranger has said it's no good. Should I sell it.

Just take a step back to consider the lunacy of that question for a moment. I've got something I love, but some other people I don't know, disagree. Should I ignore my own volition and experience and do what they say. You know what, sell up. More for me, you muppets.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So I have an ‘81 P bass. It’s natural ash/maple board. It’s in good shape. Thing sounds good. I was thinking about selling it and getting a new one, with a cool paint job, and modern features etc. Probably an American Professional II. The bass I have is great, but I don’t see it becoming particularly collectible, and I’m a player, not a collector anyway. What I’m asking whoever is interested is this- would selling it be a mistake in your estimation?

Re: Old vs New

To me that isn’t the question. Age to me isn’t a consideration so much as it is which is the better instrument which will allow for greater artistic expression experience.

I get the new vs the same ole same ole dynamic is definitely a pull. As for investment value on instruments, unless it is a rare limited addition, like Fender put the logo on it upside down and that is certified. there are better investments that offer more consistent returns.

 

[MtManiac]

CBS sold Fender in 1985.

Sure - and Schultz shut down US production of guitars in 1982. Which is why the Fullerton Reissues happened and why production moved to Japan.

For a "dark time" in its history, Fender made a hell of a lot of instruments that people like and sound really good.

Sure, they were - in Japan, plus the Fullerton reissues. Sure, there are lots of people who like Fenders from the late 70s and up to 81 - but there is a far greater number, especially at the time, who recognized that much of the Fender output of the time was (understatement) not good. That's why pre-CBS was such a big deal. That's why the Fullerton Reissues were such a big deal. That's why production moved to Japan. That's why CBS sold in 1985. They'd been getting their rear ends handed to them for years by the Asian lawsuit copies, which were better Fenders than the new Fenders at the time. This is all historical fact.

None of that means that *your* late 70s-early 80s Fender is a POS, but by and large the rest of them were.

 

[MtManiac]

Some of us still do.

Sure, but they're objectively much higher value compared to a Sunburst of the same year.

 

[MtManiac]

Agreed, as long as you’re comfortable with a 5 piece body that has gears, bridges, and hardware that’s ( I believe) cast in Mexico.

I don't have a problem with any of that - Fender's QC is up across the board, and has been since about 2007 or so, from the cheapest Squiers to the most expensive Custom Shops. I've owned quite a few MIM Fenders as well as MIA. 5-piece bodies are stronger than 3-piece bodies, but I haven't seen one of those since the early 90s.

 

[MtManiac]

No it was 1985 (responding to a post in which it was claimed CBS had sold Fender to the employees by 1981).

I said 81 was "around" the time CBS sold to FMIC.

 

[JRA]

(didn't read the whole thread!)

would selling it be a mistake in your estimation?

I’m a player, not a collector

as a fellow player (non-collector) i'd advise getting and playing the best feeling, best sounding ax that you can get your hands on. period. dot.

there is no substitute, ever, for a great playing instrument. sale/resale values are for wishful/wistful folks with stars in their eyes instead of skills in their hands! and you're right: today's axes are better in so many ways than the boat anchors of the past. good luck with your decision(s)!

 

[bobyoung53]

Sure, but they're objectively much higher value compared to a Sunburst of the same year.

Oh yeah, I think most custom colors are. I had a nice 68 CAR P bass with a 66 J neck I stupidly sold in 1995 for peanuts.

 

[bassliner50]

Same here. Nothing can replace it, although it's a bit of an anchor!

Yes its heavy but that has never been a handicap.

 

[bassliner50]

Oh yeah, I think most custom colors are. I had a nice 68 CAR P bass with a 66 J neck I stupidly sold in 1995 for peanuts.

Ah yes, a big mistake made by many of us. Learn from it.

 

[bobyoung53]

Ah yes, a big mistake made by many of us. Learn from it.

I got divorced about 12 years ago and sold a lot of nice collectible basses. Never again. The funny part is that we got remarried but the basses never came back.

 

[JoshS]

Good advice, everybody. I think I’m gonna list it for a pretty high price, and if someone buys it, great. If they don’t, I’ll keep it.

I occasionally work on Hellboy, and I have a book called Sea of Stars at Image Comics.

Nice! I was thinking I'd try a comixology sub on an upcoming vacation, and I see it is there. Will check it out.

 

[joel the bass player]

If you want a new P bass get a new P bass. Just make sure you keep the old one too.

 

[satjhmo]

Sure - and Schultz shut down US production of guitars in 1982. Which is why the Fullerton Reissues happened and why production moved to Japan.

Sure, they were - in Japan, plus the Fullerton reissues. Sure, there are lots of people who like Fenders from the late 70s and up to 81 - but there is a far greater number, especially at the time, who recognized that much of the Fender output of the time was (understatement) not good. That's why pre-CBS was such a big deal. That's why the Fullerton Reissues were such a big deal. That's why production moved to Japan. That's why CBS sold in 1985. They'd been getting their rear ends handed to them for years by the Asian lawsuit copies, which were better Fenders than the new Fenders at the time. This is all historical fact.

None of that means that *your* late 70s-early 80s Fender is a POS, but by and large the rest of them were.

I'm also fully aware of the circumstances. Of course, you have your opinion, but I'm just tripping up here over the volume of posts from people who've owned, or tried, Fenders from The Bad Age and find they can get on with them, really like the sound. In fact it's the most surprising thing about this forum.

But like I said in the other post, the more people who talk them down, the more there are for others. I've played enough mid 70s-onwards guitars and basses to get a feel, and occasionally apart from the weight, there ain't nothing wrong with them. (That's partly because the ones that are still around get looked after.) For the most part, they sound pretty growly to me, and that's good enough

 

[satjhmo]

Yes its heavy but that has never been a handicap.

It's funny, it was only a handicap when I realised that other basses were always generally lighter! As it was, an 11+ lb bass was never a problem for my neck, shoulders or back but I understand they aren't for everyone.