Really need advice before buying! 71 J OMG

[REMBO]

A neck for a 71 jazz would fetch $1000 to $1200 in very good condition
a 71 body would probably fetch $600 to $700
tuners $160 to $200
neck plate $100
control plate $100 to $200
the bridge is worth $100
i'm not sure on the pots because i don't know if their vintage or not
pick guard could be nitro....not sure
not sure what year the pups are! lets say $60 each = $120
it's a players bass... a new American made Fender would cost $1900 to $2099!!

i'd buy that bass for $1800 to $2000 if i LOVED how it played!!

 

[ajkula66]

Including my 72 MM bass? I didnt know anyone used poly in this era.

Fender used nothing but poly on their electric guitars and basses at that time. Nitro was dead and buried by '69.

If so, i have no regrets refinning it in Rustoleum black pro enamel....no way was i going poly or nitro.

The only thing that matters is that you're happy with the end result.

 

[kalanb]

In the OP you mentioned that you were new to bass. I don't want to sound condescending, but have you played enough basses to know which bass is a keeper and to know exactly what you're looking for in a bass?

It's one thing to be an experienced player and overpay for a vintage-ish instrument because it checks all of your boxes and you KNOW you'll never sell it. It's another thing to find out in a year or two, as you're further along in your bass playing journey, that it isn't quite for you and you won't be able to get more than $1500 for it.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Fender used nothing but poly on their electric guitars and basses at that time. Nitro was dead and buried by '69.



The only thing that matters is that you're happy with the end result.

Well....if my 72 MM bass was not black from the factory before it was stripped, i might have considered something else besides a high quality black enamel with no clear coat.

This particular pro enamel is very durable but easy to scuff down and reshoot down the road if need be...it actually can be blended in for spot repair, but since it is black it will always match.

I want to keep this particular bass new looking in terms of the paint....the hardware looks rusty and worn which i like against the shiny black for example.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

In the OP you mentioned that you were new to bass. I don't want to sound condescending, but have you played enough basses to know which bass is a keeper and to know exactly what you're looking for in a bass?

It's one thing to be an experienced player and overpay for a vintage-ish instrument because it checks all of your boxes and you KNOW you'll never sell it. It's another thing to find out in a year or two, as you're further along in your bass playing journey, that it isn't quite for you and you won't be able to get more than $1500 for it.

I would also A/B the bass with a bass you currently own if possible.

What were the pickups in this 71 J bass, were they some kind of Dimarzios?

If so, keep in mind there are pro players using the older Dimarzios....Tony Franklin still prefers the 70's Dimarzio J pickup he installed in his P bass in the very early 80's for example.

Many Dimarzios tend to be girthy and punchy and hotter than vintage pickups on most guitars in general from the 70's.......so keep in mind the replacement pickup in this 71 J bass could be a big factor in its tone and punch......my 2 cents!