Understanding all the aspects that have been mentioned here and are well intended. I do know when you bond with an instrument and many things fly out the window and there sometimes there is no price ( or there is) on that. Also check for for dead spots. Try some other new Fenders, see how they fit and respond with you. Go back to the shop in question here, sit down with that bass and if you still can't shake it, go in with what cash you want to spend lay it on the table. You take it or leave it.
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Buy the bass if you want, no one here will give a second thought about it lol. However, most here are trying to give you sound advice. After buying several dozen basses over the past 12 years, I have learned a little about what can be sold as break even or for a profit and what can cost you hundreds of dollars when it comes time to sell. An original 71 J is worth some serious $$$ if it's neck is good. A parts bass (which is the one you are looking at), is worth the sum of parts. That body, pickups, bridge, and pickguard do not equate to a whole lot. MJT can build and finish a white J body that blows that one away cosmetically for $375. So maybe there is $500 or so value in everything except the neck. Maybe.
The neck is the prize. I am like everyone else here...the neck makes the bass and I love early to mid 70's necks. Let's say the truss is in great shape and there's no twists or ski jumps. $900-1000?
Value of parts is far less than $2500. I still would consider it at $1300. But your comment about them putting it on Reverb and getting $2300...it could happen but it would have to be someone who doesn't know better.
If you could get it for $1300, I'd play it as is or start to slowly piece together a '71 from parts.
The neck is the prize. I am like everyone else here...the neck makes the bass and I love early to mid 70's necks. Let's say the truss is in great shape and there's no twists or ski jumps. $900-1000?
Value of parts is far less than $2500. I still would consider it at $1300. But your comment about them putting it on Reverb and getting $2300...it could happen but it would have to be someone who doesn't know better.
If you could get it for $1300, I'd play it as is or start to slowly piece together a '71 from parts.
Excellent idea, but don't CALL and offer 1400...SHOW UP with 1400 in your hand!
The reason you may feel as if you are not a good negotiator is because you don't want to walk away! That gives them a very strong position.
Perhaps tell them the reason for only 1400 dollars (refinish, non original electronics), and show them what other basses have SOLD FOR, not what sellers have listed them.
I think you have a good chance.
Do not decide by emotion, entirely.
The best thing about that bass is you playing it. Alone, it is only wood.
Thank you so much man!
And thanks to everyone I really appreciate it
There have been times when I have overpaid (maybe $100 - $200) on an instrument, if there was something really special about it to me or I knew it would be difficult to find another. I don't know if this applies to the OP being a new bassist -- you need to decide, but I think most of us agree that it is not worth anywhere near $2300.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
Sure? I've no experience with Fender, but with other guitars and basses I found older one from specific periods to be better; maybe the aging (or drying) of the wood? Or the choice of wood? Who knows. Just saying, I wouldn't easily compare an old with a new instrument just money-wise; there's much more happening in 46 years than a change in price, IMO. Might be '71 was a splendid period for Fenders - for certain players.
3 bolt micro tilt for jazz bass started full time in 1975. Precision bass has always been 4 bolt
Have you tried a flea MIM jazz? They're about $1200 IIRC and they feel and play amazingly! Real vintage vibe too.
It depends how awesome it plays but from the description and pictures I'd say it's probably worth around $1,200. But if you're happy, you're happy. Don't let price get in the way of that.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
Hey man, been reading a lot of the posts and I agree with most of them. I would definitely try to pay way less than $2,000 given the many non-original things about the bass, however if it speaks to you like no other has, then you might regret not purchasing it. That's happened to me before and boy do I regret it. On the other hand I have gone into a store, picked up a bass that sounded incredible, and then come back played the same bass a month later and it just didn't do much for me at all. Might sound weird but I think our ears hear different things on different days. Anyways that's just my two cents, but the guys are right, make sure to authenticate it in terms especially of the body and neck so that you know you're not getting ripped off. $1,600 U.S. dollars cash on the counter would probably speak loudly to the seller. You could keep an extra hundo in your pocket just in case they won't let it go for that, if you really want it that bad.
But two things going on here.
1st - there aren't ALOT of people in the 70's market with $2500 disposable that are willing to spend it on a non-collectible instrument. Those that are in that market are buying vintage - not player. This bass is a player. You have felt it and can attest to it. Me looking at the pictures am saying to myself No - I don't think so.
2nd - it looks like crap. Sorry - I know you like it. Most people wont. The wear is fake looking. The whole is less than the sum of its parts.
This bass isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Make a cheap offer. $1000. That way when you discover some other ugly thing about it you won't feel too bad. Tell them you'll be looking while you're in town for the next 10 days and they can call you if they really want to sell it.
It IS a buyers market right now. You hold all the cards. There are tons of basses better than this on for sale right now.
I just bought TWO Musicman basses for under $1800 combined. Nice stuff. If I had need for a Jazz Bass, I would immediately grab this:
For Sale/Trade - Valenti #33 w/ Nordstrand dual coils
I have NO DOUBT this Valenti would blow away ANYTHING 1970's Fender. For half of the asking price of the parts pup.
Including my 72 MM bass? I didnt know anyone used poly in this era.
If so, i have no regrets refinning it in Rustoleum black pro enamel....no way was i going poly or nitro.
