No doubt that Fender just flat out out-produced almost everyone and by default they became "industry standard". My comment wasn't so much about 76-79. I was being more general as to rarity.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Agreed.
For rarer Fenders, original single coil P-basses and stack-knob Jazz Basses I would guess. And maybe the mudbucker Tele basses. Then you have weird things like the Fender Katana, and some of the more recent models with unusual pickup configurations.
I am not an expert but I think that with anything Fender, it is has a lot to do with whether it was "Leo or later (CBS)." So, the stuff made pre-1965 is the holy grail, as this is prior to company being purchased by CBS. I think they ran the company into the 80s.
I've been wondering if the 7ender Rascal might be worth something someday. They didn't seem to make them for very long ... but then, there's probably a reason for that. I think their target market was Strat players, not bass players.
My mind has obviosly been idle to long. The other day I thought a 7ender Mustamg would be nice to own. Somebody please smack me back to reality! 
I know it's a tiny segment of the market, but one thing Fender has historically been good with is left-handed models. Gibson didn't, at least with Thunderbirds, until 2013. And then nothing.
****SMACK****My mind has obviosly been idle to long. The other day I thought a 7ender Mustamg would be nice to own. Somebody please smack me back to reality!
I have a 1974 Fender Mustang Guitar and it's pretty cool for surf, alt and punk rock. I also have a newer Fender Mustang bass and it's ok but really is a one trick pony. My P basses have a much larger tonal palette, which are in turn dwarfed by my Thunderbird, SG and EB5 basses.
I would never try to talk somebody out of getting a Mustang. I love the shape of that compact body, the performance... Oh, you said 7ender, didn't you. I was thinking of something else. Never mind.My mind has obviosly been idle to long. The other day I thought a 7ender Mustamg would be nice to own. Somebody please smack me back to reality!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Not so.........
Just bring lots of money, this is likely the only one.
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The Fender Rascal is an interesting very short run bass with a neat history, so it probably will hold its value good for the next decade but I doubt there will be any real significant increase in value until long after that. If you buy one now and store it for 30 years you might get lucky and double your money but I suspect inflation over that time will surpass any increase in value. Best bet is to buy it if you like it, enjoy it and take care of it, maybe pass it on to the kids. It might end up having more value to you as a player/owner than it will to any collector, and that's a plenty good reason to buy one now.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Many more rare Gibson basses than 7ender.
Here's the Bible
THE GIBSON BASS BOOK
After getting my copy I was pleasantly surprised to several basses that had passed through my humble household on their way to Germany and photographic fame.
Wow. Well that's one more than I thought they ever made. Damn I wish I had the money for that.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Agreed, but while checking the production numbers for '76 Birds I checked auction prices, up almost 4 times over what I paid for mine. Still you're correct, I don't even think of mine as investments - I probably should try being more "adult" at some point
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
What's a kidney in good shape go for?
I know that sure is a rare one!
Greco may have made something like that too.
Rarest Fender I ever had my paws on was a Coronado II guitar. IIRC it sounded horrible and was a nightmare to re-string (string-through-hollow-body).
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Hmmmmm.......
Too bad they don't pay you for platelet donations. I'm a universal donor. Not that that keeps me from donating....
Interesting difference in packaging. The ones on the left just have a sticker on the package.
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Investment for profit, True. Not the best game in the house.
Investment for lifestyle is the real reason to buy what you like. And if you buy wisely you'll get many years of enjoyment and still recover your initial investment, maybe more.
For instance, there's this sleeper...
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Decent price, interesting bass, great condition - if you like that style and model it isn't a bad buy. You could play it for years and never lose a penny, maybe even make a few bucks and lots of memories. I gotta admit, I don't often sit back and think about all the wonderful times I've had with my General Electric stock.
I have a tendency to invest nearly as much for lifestyle gain as I do financial gain. That balance keeps me happy. YMMV
