Prices of 70s basses

[Gervais Cote]

Seems like you're describing everything. Fender/CBS was building in numbers probably never seen before so it stands to reason that it seemed like there were more "clunkers" out there. It's impossible to know but I bet they didn't statistically produce more "crap" than anyone else. Or not.

Do you know what year the pre CBS ended ? ………..………..just in case I become suddenly rich and want to buy a vintage good sounding bass !

 

[Gluvhand]

Do you know what year the pre CBS ended ? ………..………..just in case I become suddenly rich and want to buy a vintage good sounding bass !

IIRC, CBS bought the company in January 1965. I'm happy with my 1972 Precision.

 

[Jefenator]

They can make reissues & relics all week long, but they haven't been able to make more actual '70s Fenders for almost 45 years, now.
Having tried a real-deal '69 P and '76 J, I'm thinking the collectors can go ahead & have 'em.

 

[denton57]

I’m not pooping on 70’s Fenders…I like them. My issue is perceived value of said instruments for someone who actually would gig them (not a collector). There just isn’t any magic to them IMO. The designs are tried and true, so you have to look at materials and construction. The neck shapes I love, so that’s a positive. The thick poly, the pickups, the iffy bridge alignments, ski jump necks in 69 era, the weight on some with the northern ash…I just don’t see the benefits on a tried and true design compared to an AVRI, an AV2, RI, Nash, etc. Sure, great music was made with them in the 70’s. They were new instruments at that time. Put a new Fender from today in those hands, and it wouldn’t have changed the tones or quality of music.

So now we’re left again with the tried and true P and J design. Is it worth paying 5K for a 74 J or P with the paint, wood, pickups, and iffy construction on some. To some, yes. To me, no way at these prices. I do love the 71-72 era…I think those were the best ones. I would totally be into a P or J from that year range in the $2K-$3K range.

Pre 67? Whole different story IMO. I wish I would have bought the primo 66 P in 2018 I was eyeing and almost pulled the card out for $5200.

Just one man’s opinion that really means nothing other than I have owned a few and can only comment on my experience after looking back at what I’ve owned and bought.

 

[pepj]

My last 2 Fenders were not great so I have Jazzes made by all manner of people, and without fail...all better.

I keep my eyes out for an Elite J5 but it would have to be a very good one.
Thats ok... it is possible

 

[denton57]

I actually don’t own a Fender at the moment either but own a Moollon JV and a Nash PB63. I’d like to try an AV2 P though.

 

[MrAB4003]

I remember a new Rickenbacker 4001 was selling for around $600.00 U.S. dollars in 1977. And if I remember correctly, a new Fender Precision Bass was selling for around $450.00 U.S. dollars.

Prices have quadrupled since 1977.

I owned a 1972 Jazz Bass that I later found out had it's finish stripped and poorly repainted in clear coat. GC offered me $1,400 for my bass a few years ago and I declined. That told me that my bass was worth around double that ($2,800). I ended up trading it for my current 2022 Satin Autumnglo Ric 4003, which I can get more than $2,800 for if I sold it.