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This a good price? (63 Precision)

GeneralElectric

GeneralElectric

Dec 26, 2007
10,314
1,375
36
NY, NY
#1
I've got the price to pick up a 63 Precision for $3500 and was wondering if its a good price for it.

Its in sunburst with a bunch of player wear. Buckle rash on the back but not through the fullerplast undercoat. Some player wear on the front, and the edge where you rest your forearm is worn almost to the wood.

Comes with OHSC and both covers.

I gave it a brief test run and it plays nice. Was wondering if there is anything I should look for on the bass that could possibly be an issue?

I'm looking to blow some inheritance money.
 
#2
Sure! Have someone WELL versed in instrument appraisals check it out. Pots, routing, neck, wiring, tuners, date stamp, pickguard, & bridge all should be throughly checked.... I'm sure there are some other 'deal breaker' areas that I've forgotten.. Sounds like you are gonna have a very nice bass if everything passes muster.. way to go.
 
#3
I suggest you take it to a local shop that expertise in appraising collectible instruments and have them take that sucker apart to check all the parts to verify originality.

If you don't know what you're looking at, you won't know if it's all original.

IMO, for that price, it's probably not all original or there is a problem with it that's not obvious. It still may be a great deal, but not the deal you think it is.

Most of the ones I saw for sale were between $6,500US and $12,000US
 
#5
If it is really the original owner he may not know the actual value of the instrument. On my 16th birthday, my dad's old bass player from his band in the 60's gave me his original 1962 jazz bass. My dad is a big time guitar collector so he made me keep it under lock and key, which angered me at 16, but now I am very appreciative. I also scored a '67 Jazz from an estate sale for $1000, I tried to tell the son handling the estate that it was worth much more than that and he just told me that his father would have rather passed it on to someone that is going to enjoy it than an obsessive collector that would just keep it in a case for years and years. I will never part with either bass while I am still breathing.
 
#7
lowendmafia said:
If it is really the original owner he may not know the actual value of the instrument. On my 16th birthday, my dad's old bass player from his band in the 60's gave me his original 1962 jazz bass. My dad is a big time guitar collector so he made me keep it under lock and key, which angered me at 16, but now I am very appreciative. I also scored a '67 Jazz from an estate sale for $1000, I tried to tell the son handling the estate that it was worth much more than that and he just told me that his father would have rather passed it on to someone that is going to enjoy it than an obsessive collector that would just keep it in a case for years and years. I will never part with either bass while I am still breathing.
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Dude! You are sooooo cool!
 
#8
gottawalk said:
Dude! You are sooooo cool!
Click to expand...

I am not trying to be cool, my point is that there are people out there that may know what vintage basses are worth but are willing to part with them in order to keep them in the hands of a person that will enjoy and cherish the bass. Even if $3500 seems steep for an instrument, it will probably be far more valuable in the future and since GE has described it as a player's bass it is probably better off in the hands of a player.
 
#10
That would be a good price in the UK certainly. If it's a great player and sounds good too get it, you know you won't be sorry. Then maybe I can drool over YOUR '63! The fact that you sort of know the guy and he seems OK helps enormously too.
 
#11
That's a steal if it's anything like described, even by today's soft market standards.

5 or 10 years from now people on this board will be amazed you were able to get a pre CBS one at this price this side of the millennium.

As to what to look for, take some pictures and post them here or on the FDP, and you'll have a proper CSI job done on it.

But if you never plan on selling it, or didn't have your heart absolutely set on a vintage P, I'd look at it like any other bass and decide if that kind of money is worth spending if it's not an particularly great feeling and sounding instrument.
 
#13
savit260 said:
Keep in mind , that would have been a good amount more than market value when the current owner stopped playing in 2000.
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Basically he thinks he's getting the big end of the stick? I'm not sure what you meant.

I'll be going over there in a week or so to check it out. Underneath the PG, pot codes, neck stamps, etc.

Any comprehensive guides to this era of bass that I should pick up?
 
#14
GeneralElectric said:
Basically he thinks he's getting the big end of the stick? I'm not sure what you meant.

I'll be going over there in a week or so to check it out. Underneath the PG, pot codes, neck stamps, etc.

Any comprehensive guides to this era of bass that I should pick up?
Click to expand...

Yes, he may think that he's scoring at that price, particularly if he hasn't kept up with what they've been going for since he stopped playing in 2000.

At that time $2500 would have been considedred top dollar for a 63 P, so it's possible he thinks $3500 is big bux for it.
 
#18
Valerus said:
GE, you're months younger than me yet you have a ridiculous amount of ridiculously cool basses.

Why is this? :(
Click to expand...

I'm better than you.:p

I've actually been playing for about 8 years. I moved from California to NYC about 2 years ago for college and I sold all my basses at the time except for my first bass (1982 Fender P) to move here. But, on average, I buy a new bass every month or so. I've had around 100 different basses so far. I haven't bought any since August, and I just picked up 3 in the last month to make up for lost time. :p

I work a lot, and I don't have to pay for my college, just rent and food. Therefore, I have a lot of disposable income.:p

I'm also a gear whore.:help:
 
#19
GeneralElectric said:
Fullerplast is the yellow undercoat they put on to make painting sunburst easier.:)
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Thats a common misconception, actually. Fullerplast is just a clear sealer they used to fill the gaps in the wood so the first coats wouldn't sink in, and that allowed them to use less coats, saving time and money, always a consideration at Fender in the day. They had a vat full of it they would dip the whole bodies into.

They changed to a different sealer in the early to mid '60s, not sure exactly when.
 

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