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So 70's Fender are desirable now?!

#221
Brad Johnson said:
Thanks for outing yourself. Next.
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Not even close buddy. Just thought it was funny one liner to put into a thread that was getting a little heated, but let's not make this political, and please don't assume that I'm even anywhere close to being on that political team. Seriously, feel free to make fun and rip on me for other things, but DO NOT accuse me of what I think you're accusing me of being. No joke there.
 
#223
MetsMan75 said:
I think it was late '80s or early '90s. Beautiful bass there!
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I forgot about that. And "improve" is subjective. Another thing I like about my 70's basses is that old-style heel access to the truss rod. Since I do not fiddle with the relief once it is set, I prefer that be hidden at the heel. I find the adjustment by the headstock to be unsightly...except for those Jazz necks with the bullet. Those are kind cool!
 
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#224
stefancaunter said:
Then it's a 1974. The s/n means nothing, they just grabbed from a huge supply of neckplates.
I own a 1973 P, one of the first that were routed under the pickguard, with the thumbrest on top, white pickguard, long G saddle screw. It's very much a 1974 if you go by this, and the serial number, but the guy I bought it from bought it *IN 1973*.
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That is very much possible. I am positive I had this bass before 1976. I remember having this bass in my senior year of high school, which would mean it is really a 1972.
I suppose if I took the neck off, I'd see a date. That's not going to happen, unless it needs to come off.
 
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#226
Vinnie Boombatz said:
Not even close buddy. Just thought it was funny one liner to put into a thread that was getting a little heated, but let's not make this political, and please don't assume that I'm even anywhere close to being on that political team. Seriously, feel free to make fun and rip on me for other things, but DO NOT accuse me of what I think you're accusing me of being. No joke there.
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It's actually a pretty silly way to avoid the truth. ijs.
;)

I have no idea what I'm supposedly accusing you of... other than making no sense to me. Maybe you forgot how this started? In which case feel free to forget it.
 
#227
Most 70s fenders just need A good setup. They used good woods the hardware is plenty adequate, i just don’t think they stuck them together well, file the nut and get A plek. I have owned many, over A dozen and still have 3. My least favorite fender era actually would be the american series or standard line from the boner bass of the early 90s tell they got rid of the S1 switch in 2007. I have played more dogs of that era then the 70s models. I keep browsing here and seeing raves about the musicman caprice series, I own one. I also own A 78 p that actually was made more like 1979/80 i think the pots are late 1979,the supposed worst era. The musicman has been raved about. Well i like my fender more, it weighs 9 pounds 4 ounces with A badass on it, it’s also A PJ now so added knob pot and pickup, who knows how light it was stock. It balances perfect. The fender has A better cut neck pocket then the musicman and the musicman neck dives bad. I know this fender isn’t A fluke because I have had some other really killer ones, now true most were 1976 or older but there are even great late 70s ones.
 
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#230
Vinnie Boombatz said:
I just find this kind of funny how people now seem to be really into 70's Fenders. Up until the last few years they were touted as the low point in Fender's history. Corners cut, poor fit and finish, heavy as a boat anchor, and kind of like a black eye for the company. Of course there are exceptions to every rule and stereotype, and I'm sure a bit of that stigma was exaggerated, and I myself even had a near mint '76 3TSB P bass that was all original, no mods, fret wear, and hardly a scratch on the thing aside from the pickup which wasn't original.

I put it up for sale here several years ago for way less than what people are asking and getting for their 70's Fenders, and in some cases in way worse shape than mine. I ended up trading the bass for a Gibson acoustic guitar that worked out in my favor since I only paid $250 for the bass (was found in someone's garage and the guy hadn't played it since playing in a band back in the 80's.

I in no way regret parting with that bass since the acoustic I traded it for is my absolute favorite guitar, and in theme since I've had a few great newer basses including a couple Classic 50's Precisions, an MIJ PB70 Precision and an American Standard Precision that are are as good as if not better than that '76. All the newer ones are lighter, as playable or better, with exceptional fit and finishes and sounded just as good, for a fraction of the cost.

So what is it with the desire for these 70's basses to the point that Fender is making 70's RI's and 70's inspired models? Kind of cracks me up!
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I have a 76 all Maple Percision I have replaced the stock pick ups with EMGX The finish is kind a rough and it seen more than its share of drunken bar brawls The action is so low it's amazing there is no fret buzz. it rivals thousand dollar music man basses. It is still my wife's favorite for tone and beauty. I didn't know 70s fenders we're supposed to be bad and it still news to me.
 

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#232
It's his fault in my case, I know that reggae isn't gig music and that '70s Fenders have quality issues, but I had to have one of those block inlay Jazz Basses. One of the greatest concerts I've ever seen. And it is still easier to get this bass than to get this red dress. No bass player has ever left a stage that cool. Yes the video quality is as the quality control of '70s Fenders, so it all makes sense to me now:
 
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#233
dukeorock said:
Though I do admire your enthusiasm I can only assume you weren’t part of the punk scene in the late 70’s/early 80’s. I was, and nothing stated here resonates with me one bit. A 70’s US made Fender for $30-$40?! Wish I knew where that pawn shop was. I don’t doubt someone occasionally miscalculated the value of an instrument, but that is some wild imaginative speculation presented as fact.

In the 80’s I definitely thought the 70’s era Fenders were something of a low point, but only because they seemed less consistent. There were still some great ones. I had a stellar ‘78 P in the 80’s.

Punk musicians intentionally trying to suck? Not even sort of true. The Ramones weren’t real musicians, strictly speaking, but they weren’t trying to suck. They were trying their best and created a very beautiful, albeit primitive thing. Bad Brains, Minutemen and many others were quite good players. They just embraced an aesthetic that you don’t.

I have no feelings about 70’s Fenders one way or the other. Played some good and not so good ones. But let’s not get silly about it!

Oh, and a bunch of millennials do listen to cassettes. It’s a weird trend and some bands are doing cassette only releases again.
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DirkP said:
What the hell is wrong with me?
View attachment 2843958
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Looks pretty nice to me...
 
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#236
A-Step-Towards said:
Most 70s fenders just need A good setup. They used good woods the hardware is plenty adequate, i just don’t think they stuck them together well, file the nut and get A plek. I have owned many, over A dozen and still have 3. My least favorite fender era actually would be the american series or standard line from the boner bass of the early 90s tell they got rid of the S1 switch in 2007. I have played more dogs of that era then the 70s models. I keep browsing here and seeing raves about the musicman caprice series, I own one. I also own A 78 p that actually was made more like 1979/80 i think the pots are late 1979,the supposed worst era. The musicman has been raved about. Well i like my fender more, it weighs 9 pounds 4 ounces with A badass on it, it’s also A PJ now so added knob pot and pickup, who knows how light it was stock. It balances perfect. The fender has A better cut neck pocket then the musicman and the musicman neck dives bad. I know this fender isn’t A fluke because I have had some other really killer ones, now true most were 1976 or older but there are even great late 70s ones.
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...actually, my everyday go to bass is a 79 P with an additional jazz pickup
 
#239
many years ago, during a conversation with a (then) well known collector/dealer, I asked for his thoughts about gigging with various basses.
He said.......'......a Precision is like a wife, dependable, assured always there when called upon, A Jazz is your mistress, beautiful, refined, delicate, and special........'
'What about a Rick?' I asked
'..........aaah', he said..' A rick is the hooker you are caught once a year with......'
 
#240
aureliab20gt said:
many years ago, during a conversation with a (then) well known collector/dealer, I asked for his thoughts about gigging with various basses.
He said.......'......a Precision is like a wife, dependable, assured always there when called upon, A Jazz is your mistress, beautiful, refined, delicate, and special........'
'What about a Rick?' I asked
'..........aaah', he said..' A rick is the hooker you are caught once a year with......'
Click to expand...

If Rics are hookers, I was a satisfied John for seven years!:D:bassist:
 
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