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Should I let her go?
- Thread starter TheRealGru
- Start date
I don't know much about Lakland other than their rep. Never played one. I recently sold a bass of mine for the first time. I had it for years, rarely played it and found it a great home. I got good $$ for it from a CL ad that languished for a couple of months before the buyer surfaced out of no where. He was thrilled and now I have the proceeds stashed away for my next GAS attack.
I can't tell you to get this-or-that, but you should put it up for sale and maybe good things will happen (for you and a buyer). The Lakland? That is up to you.
I can't tell you to get this-or-that, but you should put it up for sale and maybe good things will happen (for you and a buyer). The Lakland? That is up to you.
One thing I personally feel about old fender precisions - they might be great, but you can find lots of them out there if you ever wanna go back it.
If you're asking this question, I'd say you already have made up your mind. No regrets... enjoy life!
If you're asking this question, I'd say you already have made up your mind. No regrets... enjoy life!
If you don’t have to sell it, don’t. I have a J that I don’t play anymore cuz it doesn’t fit the tone I’m using. But I keep it because I like it, we have history, and nobody is going to give me what I think it’s worth. So I take it out of the case every six months or so, admire it, and put it back.
OP
I am a lifelong devotee of Fender basses.
Way back in 1985, a few years after I started playing, I bought a '78 jazz. I had wanted a precision, but couldn't get a hold of one, and this jazz came up so I pulled the trigger. I thought I was set. As the years went by, and I notched up gig after gig, the shortcomings of the bass became clear { by any objective measure it was not a good bass, having all of the typical flaws some of those late '70's Fenders - especially jazz basses - developed a reputation for }
In 2005, after having played it as my sole instrument for 20 years, I sold it. My reasons for keeping it for so long were simple. It was 'serviceable' and having a growing family, I really couldn't afford anything else, but the crunch came in 2005 whereupon I'd reached the point where I simply had to move it on to maintain my interest in playing bass.
Today, 8th January 2021, 16 years down the track and I have not regretted selling that bass for one minute.
Sell the Precision and get the Lakland
I am a lifelong devotee of Fender basses.
Way back in 1985, a few years after I started playing, I bought a '78 jazz. I had wanted a precision, but couldn't get a hold of one, and this jazz came up so I pulled the trigger. I thought I was set. As the years went by, and I notched up gig after gig, the shortcomings of the bass became clear { by any objective measure it was not a good bass, having all of the typical flaws some of those late '70's Fenders - especially jazz basses - developed a reputation for }
In 2005, after having played it as my sole instrument for 20 years, I sold it. My reasons for keeping it for so long were simple. It was 'serviceable' and having a growing family, I really couldn't afford anything else, but the crunch came in 2005 whereupon I'd reached the point where I simply had to move it on to maintain my interest in playing bass.
Today, 8th January 2021, 16 years down the track and I have not regretted selling that bass for one minute.
Sell the Precision and get the Lakland
THE most important characteristic an instrument can possess is that ability to inspire you to play your best. If this bass doesn't do that, regardless of brand or value, sell it and get one that does. No one ever pines for an instrument that is sitting in its case every night unused because it doesn't fit the player. For what it's worth, I have a '76 P that was my first decent bass, was number one for many decades and is still a very special instrument. Other people have played it and weren't all that impressed with it. I love it and that's what counts. If you feel that way about a bass, own it; if not, sell it. Hope this helps.
Is it black and maple? I use to have a 77 all original Pbass black and maple and every time I see a black and maple Fender I kick my self in the A** for selling it, and it was light, I mean like 7.5 lbs light..but if your not warming up to your bass it’s better to get rid of it and get something that tickles your fancy!! On the other hand if it’s black and maple and light I will swap you these three outstanding beauties for it..
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It would only be mine if i got a killer deal on it with intention of selling it as quickly as possible, but that’s just me. You are the only one who can answer the question you pose so I’m thinking you really want to sell it but are afraid you’ll miss out on future potential for more money, or you really love it but it’s the quickest way to come up with enough cash for something else that’s caught your eye, and if you get a crowd sourced answer it will allow you to lay off a little of the guilt/blame on “them” so you won’t beat yourself up so bad if sellers remorse pops up in the short term post sale.
It's funny. Before the internet came along, a late '70s Fender was perfectly good, playable and well put together enough that I and a few others (a relative with a 'P, and various late 70s/early 80s Strats belonging to band mates from the mid 80s on) played for well over 30 years without worrying what some nannying expert thought of that particular "vintage". Now everyone can lazily adopt opinions from other people and spout them as their own.
If you're after an investment return curve that points north, I don't think there is one with accelerating returns for this era. Aside from anything else, there are too many about for it to explode in value. It has a market value, and as your P is original you should get somewhere near the top of the private sale range, which might make you a bit of money. If you're not bonding you're not bonding, so move it on.Happy New Year to everyone at TB!
So, comes the new year, I started "thinking"
I have the 1977, all original Fender Precision bass I purchased from a fellow here on TB (had it inspected while having setup and all done by two different shops and it all checks out) and its all good but I am not bonding with it...
I also have a 2020 Lakland USA Jazz bass that I simply LOVE to play.
Question:
Should I?
Sell the 1977 since the prices went up in the last year (CME offered a good deal too, although I can probably sell it for more on Reverb, especially looking at competition), make some money and let her go?
OR
Would you advise me to keep it and get more money for it in the next couple of years or keep it altogether?
NOTE: As far as funds go, I am not in the immediate need for cash (thankfully, considering circumstances we are all in - pandemic).
OR
Should I sell it now and buy a 44-64 USA Lakland from the guys here in Chicago and be done with it?
Some advice please, as wife is not helping
Prety much what I said, if you read between the lines. And they weren't only sloppily made, they were heavy.
I remember 1977 - I was in college, playing bass. Part of the reason that 70's Fenders are pricy nowadays is there aren't that many of them - Fender had a hard time selling them in the late 70's - other companies were making better stuff. My first real bass? I bought a Rick, not a Fender.
I had a '77 back in the day. I only sold it in 1982 so I could buy a '78 StingRay bass for $325.
Sometimes we hang on to things we don’t really want because we feel we are supposed to. How many stories are on here of someone selling an old bass and regretting it later? Especially if it is one we have had for many years and have a history with. (Not the case with this one?)
But it sounds like this Precision is not for you. I would think let this one go to someone who will bond with it and get you what you want.
But it sounds like this Precision is not for you. I would think let this one go to someone who will bond with it and get you what you want.
