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Value of 1957 P bass

Humabass

Humabass

Gold Supporting Member
Mar 16, 2002
1,520
396
Northern Virginia
#1
Need some advice from experts. I have a friend who has a friend that has a mint condition 1957 P bass. I haven't seen it so I don't know if it's truly mint or what it looks like. Due to some family emergencies he wants to " just get rid of it". He went to Guitar Center and they offered him $15,000 but told him they only give 60% of what they consider to be its sale value. It's a bit of a complicated scenario I won't go into but he is inclined to accept their offer. I told my friend to advise him that he should really try to sell it for what it's really worth. The owner knows what he has and knows how much it might really be worth but is not inclined to want to go through the process of trying to find a buyer.

I had a thought that I could buy it instead of guitar center and then sell it and unbeknownst to him send him the money. I'm seeking advice just on the actual value of the instrument NOT my potential strategy about selling it for him. I just need a ballpark from others who have owned or sold them as I continue on with my research. It is apparently an early 1957 with the one single coil not the split hum buckers.
 
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#2
Does not answer your value question, but has your friend considered consignment? Carter Vintage* in Nashville charges 15% of sale value for anything that is $3k to $50k. Certainly a better deal than GC for a desirable rare bass.

*No affiliation and there are plenty of shops that do consignment. I am not necessarily recommending Carter's just found their rates online easiest.
cartervintage.com

Carter Vintage - Consignment

Carter Vintage - Consignment
cartervintage.com
 
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#3
Humabass said:
Need some advice from experts. I have a friend who has a friend that has a mint condition 1957 P bass. I haven't seen it so I don't know if it's truly mint or what it looks like. Due to some family emergencies he wants to " just get rid of it". He went to Guitar Center and they offered him $15,000 but told him they only give 60% of what they consider to be its sale value. It's a bit of a complicated scenario I won't go into but he is inclined to accept their offer. I told my friend to advise him that he should really try to sell it for what it's really worth. The owner knows what he has and knows how much it might really be worth but is not inclined to want to go through the process of trying to find a buyer.

I had a thought that I could buy it instead of guitar center and then sell it and unbeknownst to him send him the money. I'm seeking advice just on the actual value of the instrument NOT my potential strategy about selling it for him. I just need a ballpark from others who have owned or sold them as I continue on with my research. It is apparently an early 1957 with the one single coil not the split hum buckers.
Click to expand...
I was loading up my stock "have to be a paying member" response when I clicked... ok, check haha

but WOW I would LOVE to see some pics of that!! (I love the single coils.)
 
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#5
So the owner is up here in Virginia and going back to Florida tomorrow. Apparently, he doesn't want to take it back to Florida. He's looking to sell it today or tomorrow due to his circumstances. I'm just trying to figure out if it's a $20,000, $30,000, or more instrument. If it's realistically a $20,000 instrument then selling it for $15k isn't so bad. I want to try to help this guy out with some advice.
 
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#7
Humabass said:
I'm not worried about the relationship dynamics just curious about the potential value. Apparently, GC thinks they can sell if for $25K.
Click to expand...


GC also think they can sell a $250 OLP with poorly applied Music Man StingRay decal for $1500.

I'd want to be absolutely certain this isn't an AVRI, or something similar (with a max value of $3k~ish, if it were an 80's Fullerton).

The whole pressure sales tactic is a red flag for me (I get it though, and these things can legitimately happen).

I've heard the whole "I need to sell this high value item in a hurry. I know what it's worth, but I don't have the time, or want the hassle, to realise it's full value. I'm going to practically give it away to these other people - who also know what it's worth - but I'd rather match that price with someone I know would either appreciate it, or could sell it themselves for the full value...." routine so many times, and it's always been a scam.

I've never once heard "I've got a mint condition vintage Fender, and I'm going to sell it for way below market value" in real life.

I know I'm being deeply cynical, but given the amount of money, and the "deadline" pressure, I think a certain degree of caution is prudent.
 
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#8
Wood and Wire said:
GC also think they can sell a $250 OLP with poorly applied Music Man StingRay decal for $1500.

I'd want to be absolutely certain this isn't an AVRI, or something similar (with a max value of $3k~ish, if it were an 80's Fullerton).

The whole pressure sales tactic is a red flag for me (I get it though, and these things can legitimately happen).

I've heard the whole "I need to sell this high value item in a hurry. I know what it's worth, but I don't have the time, or want the hassle, to realise it's full value. I'm going to practically give it away to these other people - who also know what it's worth - but I'd rather match that price with someone I know would either appreciate it, or could sell it themselves for the full value...." routine so many times, and it's always been a scam.

I've never once heard "I've got a mint condition vintage Fender, and I'm going to sell it for way below market value" in real life.

I know I'm being deeply cynical, but given the amount of money, and the "deadline" pressure, I think a certain degree of caution is prudent.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree with all of this. The whole situation is a giant red flag. Anninstrument which might have a value that high would require careful inspection and consideration from any potential legitimate buyer, and this guy does not seem to want that. And if he could sell it to guitar center ‘today’ for $15k, why wouldn’t he if he just wants it gone? Plus, guitar center doesn’t just buy those types of thing on the spot at whatever local store is near you. They told me they would have to send my ‘74 Mustang bass to the Hollywood store to have it gone over thoroughly before they would make an offer if they were interested, and that’s for a maybe $2500 retail instrument.
 
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#9
I understand and appreciate all of the concerns. Just to clarify it was never offered by him for me to buy it. My friend ( who is one of my best friends for 50 years )just relayed the story to me because he was concerned that the owner was giving up a good chunk of money. He actually took it to GC and they looked at it and offered him 15K on the spot. I think he didn't pull the trigger just because he was hesitant. There is a back story to this to explain some of his, what we might consider to be, irrational behavior. I won't go into it. There are no red flags from my perspective. But I have decided to not buy it since I really don't have the time to properly research and vet the instrument.

I'm still curious as to what anyone thinks the value range could be.
 
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#11
Yeah, 60% is standard-fare for anything used that Guitar Center purchases from you. The kicker is when they grade the condition of the instrument, which affects the overall value of the appraisal. Had a near flawless Ibanez SR500e that was bumped down from "Excellent" to "Great" over a 2mm nick on the back of the headstock. Another was a flawless MXR Bass Compressor that got knocked down because it "didn't have the original box". That's what you have to watch out for...

Owner is going to have to ask how much his time is worth...He could be leaving $10k+ on the table just because he can't be a little more patient. Might be spending money to some folks, that's quite a chunk for me.
 
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#16
Man, if I were him ... 40% of $25k is a LOT bigger than 40% of $100. Worth it to at least try to find a buyer who's willing to meet you somewhere in the middle.

But it's not my item to sell. As long as he gets something he's comfortable taking for it.
 
#19
mdogs said:
The only time I have ever found someone in such a rush to sell something like this was when it was stolen.
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It's not stolen and he's now been talked out of rushing to sell it. He's an eccentric character from what I'm told, kind of a free spirit who doesn't care that much about money or material things. He bought it several decades ago from a vintage guitar shop in CA. Apparently, it has papers that it's 100% original. He's not a bass player and he never played it. It just sat. He's going to be visiting again in the summer and I'll get to meet him. He may or may not have sold it by then.
 
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#20
Humabass said:
I understand and appreciate all of the concerns. Just to clarify it was never offered by him for me to buy it. My friend ( who is one of my best friends for 50 years )just relayed the story to me because he was concerned that the owner was giving up a good chunk of money. He actually took it to GC and they looked at it and offered him 15K on the spot. I think he didn't pull the trigger just because he was hesitant. There is a back story to this to explain some of his, what we might consider to be, irrational behavior. I won't go into it. There are no red flags from my perspective. But I have decided to not buy it since I really don't have the time to properly research and vet the instrument.

I'm still curious as to what anyone thinks the value range could be.
Click to expand...

So, in effect it's a story about an unseen bass, from a friend of a friend who's got the bass, and not your 50 year friend with the bass?

And the owner needs to sell it "right now"?

Walk.
 
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