So 70's Fender are desirable now?!

[Texsunburst59]

Aren`t the tone turds that sat under a bed and didn`t get played just as likely to be around?

They are likely to be around, and haven't had the many years of being played to prove themselves as a great 70's specimen.

I'd say that a 70's bass that's been under the bed for 40+ years has a 50/50 chance of being a great bass.

On the other hand, a 70's bass that's been played for 40+ years and is still original less a tuner on tone/volume knob is most likely a road proven beast.

That's what my'74 Jazz is.

If you could put it through its paces, you'd understand.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

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!

It's been this way since the mid 90s, right around the time players like Geddy Lee and Tim Commerford started using them. I bought a '72 back in 1994, then a '73 around 1999.

 

[brianrost]

Just give it time... in a few years, the 80s Fenders will be popular and everyone will again be dropping in white pickups in their Ps and Js!

I've already seen people asking over $1000 for those white pickup/single ply pickguard 80s "standard" basses. Not to mention $2K+ for Fullerton built AVRIs (more than a new one from today). Prices seem to be slowing rising on 80s Elites which were a real bargain when they were trading for $500-800.

 

[socialleper]

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!

It just goes to show how subjective and illogical musicians are about their instruments. Nostalgia and familiarity bias play such a giant part of the MI industry that you could write a psych class thesis on it. It is partially why I don't pay attention to the cult of Fender; the brand's greatness is largely in people's head.

 

[Figjam]

People hear with their eyes. 70s fenders are starting to look pretttttty good.

80s will indeed be next.

90s one day but less so, due to the explosion of the imported instruments. I think the creation of the MIM factory in 1991/1992 will be a point of distinction in Fender history. I think anything before then will one day reach vintage status and after it will be so-so.

 

[James Collins]

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!

I'm sure this has been stated by someone else, but I don't buy that old instruments have anymore mojo than new instruments. Assuming the maker is financially healthy and making a quality product, a new instrument will tend to be improved over an old instrument. Some personal preference issues make sense to me...like when neck profiles change. However, the electronics should be better and the build quality/consistency improved with improvements in technology. Otherwise, the only reason for a price increase is the older something gets the less supply remains. In the case of 70s Fenders, they probably weren't as bad as advertised.

 

[basscapes]

My '76 Precision was a sweetheart. Olympic White with maple neck. Badass bridge, brass nut, and a Schecter Research Jazz pickup. Really miss that bass!

After my heart, that bass is!

While I'm not a fan of any particular year of P-bass, there is s certain something in my mind that just clicks when I see an Olympic White/Maple neck model. I also like the boldness of the "Fender Precision Bass" logo on them (the Badass bridge and brass nut can't hurt either).

Yes- in ANY era of any product, it is rare that the make hit the mark on every single one of them. Some are dogs while some are diamonds...

 

[Figjam]

I do find there to be a trend with guitars/basses notes ringing out more loudly unplugged with older instruments. More noticeable with guitars.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It's funny, but while not "collectible", if buying blind, I'd much prefer an 80s Fender, when the employees bought the company back - they had a reason to make better instruments.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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!

In general I’m not big on vintage basses, and of the opinion that today’s quality basses, whether made in America, Mexico, or Asia, are far superior and cost significantly less than instruments of yore. CNC machines didn’t exist back then, which allowed for a lot of inconsistent quality issues.

That is not to say their arn’t “Gems” from that era out there that might be worth a few extra bucks. And some of today’s basses, like the MIM Fender that sound and play great but for some reason they skimped on the tuners and the screws that hold them on, you should be aware of the durability on less expensive models. That said, there is a lot of value available today and no reason to spend top bucks on something That can be had for hundreds less.

 

[Kmonk]

I think feelings toward companies and product are often more perception than reality. The same thing happens when a restaurant is sold. People who loved the restaurant automatically assume the food and service will be worse and before you know it, that becomes the public perception, even among people who have never eaten there.

I believe it started when CBS sold the company and people assumed the quality was going to deteriorate. My experience has been that are good and bad production runs in every era. I own Precision and Jazz basses from the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000's and have never found a bad Fender regardless of when it was made.

 

[Figjam]

In general I’m not big on vintage basses, and of the opinion that today’s quality basses, whether made in America, Mexico, or Asia, are far superior and cost significantly less than instruments of yore. CNC machines didn’t exist back then, which allowed for a lot of inconsistent quality issues.

That is not to say their arn’t “Gems” from that era out there that might be worth a few extra bucks. And some of today’s basses, like the MIM Fender that sound and play great but for some reason they skimped on the tuners and the screws that hold them on, you should be aware of the durability on less expensive models. That said, there is a lot of value available today and no reason to spend top bucks on something That can be had for hundreds less.

Agreed if you replace the hardware of todays cheaper instruments you often end up with an amazing piece of craftsmanship. A classic vibe squier with new hardware is very good, as long as you dont mind the thick poly finish on the necks. A vintage modified squier is great if you dont mind the super super thin finish on the neck.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Yeah, I did that with a 96 MIM Jazz. Even installed replacement 62 pickups and turned it into one heck of a bass.

 

[Wesley R]

In 1972 I bought a 1972 Fretless P, It was simply a gas of a machine. In 1978 bought a 1971 P that was a pretty decent machine by all accounts. It ended up a small store for sale for about 5 times what I sold it for and it was listed as a "Schecter built P Bass", in some fairness it had been fret polished, some shielding added and all chrome pieces re-chromed.

A friend bought a 1976 Strat new and the neck needed repair 3 times before Fender would spring for a new neck. It sounded like crud to most people as it sounded like pick ups were distorting, like some form of heavy metal buzz box or something. I used to beg the owner to check the wiring and maybe replace the caps as there was something(s) so wrong that it was probably something simple.

 

[yodedude2]

Just give it time... in a few years, the 80s Fenders will be popular and everyone will again be dropping in white pickups in their Ps and Js!

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[Honch]

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!

Don't know. I know of only one thing. They where quite heavy. They did NOT neck dive due (thanks to) to this. I didn't find the feel or sound, or quality in the long run that "special" or "mojo" or whatever. I find it peculiar that both Fender and Gibson was pretty the same during the course of the 70s. People are nitpicking about first half of 70s, and it got worse through the end. While I didn't think they were absolutely horrible, they were at most mediocre. It was almost like Fender tried to not produce items that varied too much from items to items. Like in some was stellar, and some reals duds, friday afternoon specimens. So they settled for something middle ground, and out came something very anonymous. What's worse, that with some guitars, basses they sound and plays better after decades of patina wear, but not so the 70s basses from Fender.

 

[Honch]

FWIW I would rather buy something from Fender from around the mid 80s and on. Or pre-CBS if my wallet allowed, but I can't see that happening in the foreseeable future.

 

[Figjam]

I have to say I have owned a 78 P that was amazing. Not too heavy. Currently own a 74 mustang bass that is amazing. And a 78 Musicmaster that is heavy but pretty darn good. I prefer the mustang over the musicmaster for the belly cutout, lighter weight, and the neck has tinted more over the years which I find nice and inspires good vibes. Both the musicmaster and the mustang have perhaps one fret that needs attention in terms of leveling, and I have found this to be the case on every musicmaster/mustang neck I have ever played. All were from the 70s I believe. The musicmaster is super fun to play with a pick, maybe due to the tele bass pickup that has been put in it, or just the way the uncontoured body feels.

I dont love suppperrr heavy basses but wouldnt pass on a true gem just because of the weight either. What you gain in weight, like its been mentioned you might lose in neck dive. Im not of the camp that heavy = more sustain or less sustain. I think it depends on the wood.

 

[birminghambass]

This has come up many times. As usual everyone who owns a 70s Fender defends them, I guess it's like being unable to admit you have an ugly baby. I've personally owned over 100 Fenders, without a doubt the 70s Fenders were the worst in the bunch. The only reason I still have my black/maple 72 is for sentimental reasons.

 

[Droopy_TX]

I have to say, I don't understand the obsession many seem to have with the weight of a bass. I have a '78 P. I haven't felt a need to weigh it, but it must be close to 9 lbs. The only time I think about it is when I am lifting it from the stand.

Once I am playing it, the weight doesn't even come to mind. Not even at the end of the night; and I am an old guy in my mid-50s. What DOES come to mind is it's incredible tone and sustain, which I believe is owed to its heavy construction.

I have lighter basses that I got for special sounds and string configurations, and they play well, too; but they don't boom and ring like the "vintage" bass.

My suggestion: Get a better, more comfortable strap.