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Thoughts on this vintage jazz bass?

IMO:
A big part of the puzzle for a player looking at "vintage" Fenders is that their value is strongly affected by buyers who are collectors, but not players. They do not all play the same. If I am a player and considering an instrument to be played, there is zero chance I would actually make a purchase in this price range without playing the actual instrument and determining that it has something special going on. Period.

This one is not "Pre-CBS." I'm a whole lot less knowledgeable about the "Post-CBS" market. I would be very careful with such an instrument, in terms of pricing; simply because "Pre-CBS" instruments can be found in the listed price range, and that market is a whole lot more established.

It is a cool looking bass. But, you can also get that same look in a more recent instrument which will pretty much sound the same and cost 1/3 of the listed price. YMMV and GL
 
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IMO:
A big part of the puzzle for a player looking at "vintage" Fenders is that their value is strongly affected by buyers who are collectors, but not players. They do not all play the same. If I am a player and considering an instrument to be played, there is zero chance I would actually make a purchase in this price range without playing the actual instrument and determining that it has something special going on. Period.

This one is not "Pre-CBS." I'm a whole lot less knoweledgeable about the "Post-CBS" market. I would be very careful with such an instrument, in terms of pricing; simply because "Pre-CBS" instruments can be found in the listed price range, and that market is a whole lot more established.

It is a cool looking bass. But, you can also get that same look in a more recent instrument which will pretty much sound the same and cost 1/3 of the listed price. YMMV and GL

I've somewhat given up on the quest for vintage basses. I'm sure there are great playing instruments out there, but I haven't had the luck of finding one. They've all looked great, but played below the level of a $300 Squier. Maybe someday I'll find the right one....
 
I've somewhat given up on the quest for vintage basses. I'm sure there are great playing instruments out there, but I haven't had the luck of finding one. They've all looked great, but played below the level of a $300 Squier. Maybe someday I'll find the right one....
LOL. I'm not sure I'd go that far, though some of the Squiers do play pretty well. Your point is well made, though, that basses as players are way different from basses as collectors. Both are fine, as long as the buyer has each in mind as somewhat separate aspects.

I have an actual '62 in a custom color, which was resurrected and refinished after it came out of a Flint MI pawn shop, 29 years ago. It's a nice player; otherwise, I would have flipped it. I also have a beater parts bass, that goes on airplanes with me. It's also a nice player, and looks every bit the part of the '62, except for the painted headstock. Both cost me about the same money. Both play well. Yet, their market value is way different. Just the way it is.
 
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I've somewhat given up on the quest for vintage basses. I'm sure there are great playing instruments out there, but I haven't had the luck of finding one. They've all looked great, but played below the level of a $300 Squier. Maybe someday I'll find the right one....

Sounds like you need to source your vintage instruments from an established vintage dealer who specializes in vintage guitars and one who's opinion is respected and known for selling legit, great playing basses. If they list a bass and describe them as excellent players with no issues etc etc, they should/will likely play great. You will not have a good reputation for long otherwise.

As for the bass in the original post, it is overpriced for what it is, by at least double imo.
 
Sounds like you need to source your vintage instruments from an established vintage dealer who specializes in vintage guitars and one who's opinion is respected and known for selling legit, great playing basses. If they list a bass and describe them as excellent players with no issues etc etc, they should/will likely play great. You will not have a good reputation for long otherwise.

As for the bass in the original post, it is overpriced for what it is, by at least double imo.

Those guys are overpriced - well, they're priced higher than I'm willing to pay. I don't want to pay colector, glass case prices. I'd rather go the relic route or CS Fender. If the right bass comes along, I could change my mind.