I have two, a 64 and 65. Sound absolutely fantabulous!
64 on a gig last week.
64 on a gig last week.
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Vintage Fenders. Why??
- Thread starter tb-player
- Start date
It's funny, when I was younger, I had a desire to own a vintage Fender because I thought, it'd okay better, sound better, I'd feel cooler etc. I them 20 years ago bought a Fender Classic series 65 Jazz. It had the proper specs of a 65 Jazz, a beautiful nitro finish and played and sounds amazing. As time has passed, it's got dings and scratches and just has that special thing words can't describe. Fast forward to now… I had the chance to get an actual 65 Jazz. It was beautiful, it played well, but honestly, it left me cold. I guess it comes down to personal preference. That 65 while everything I thought I would want…. It wasn't for me. When I picked up my Fender Jazz, that was the one that grabbed me. So, I saved $9k and thought I really thought I wanted that original 65, I realized it need to go to someone else.
No, not really. But there was a time - that some of us Old Farts can still remember - when even the construction grade lumber in our local lumberyard was dense; straight as a string; and wasn't as full of knots as swiss cheese is full of holes. We can remember when lumber was cut from big, old trees, and had been air dried/seasoned for years. When Leo Fender started making basses and guitars, he didn't have to "select the best" for production instruments. Most of the wood that was available to him back then, was far better for making anything than the majority of wood is, today. Back then, a tree that was cut down last Tuesday, didn't become 2x4s on a construction site 3 weeks from now. Trees that get that treatment today, wouldn't even have been cut down back then. They weren't worth the effort; and nobody with a lick of sense would have used "green" lumber to make anything, anyway. Not like a lot of companies do today...
Thanks, I've heard this story before and it makes a lot of sense.No, not really. But there was a time - that some of us Old Farts can still remember - when even the construction grade lumber in our local lumberyard was dense; straight as a string; and wasn't as full of knots as swiss cheese is full of holes. We can remember when lumber was cut from big, old trees, and had been air dried/seasoned for years. When Leo Fender started making basses and guitars, he didn't have to "select the best" for production instruments. Most of the wood that was available to him back then, was far better for making anything than the majority of wood is, today. Back then, a tree that was cut down last Tuesday, didn't become 2x4s on a construction site 3 weeks from now. Trees that get that treatment today, wouldn't even have been cut down back then. They weren't worth the effort; and nobody with a lick of sense would have used "green" lumber to make anything, anyway. Not like a lot of companies do today...
No, not really. But there was a time - that some of us Old Farts can still remember - when even the construction grade lumber in our local lumberyard was dense; straight as a string; and wasn't as full of knots as swiss cheese is full of holes. We can remember when lumber was cut from big, old trees, and had been air dried/seasoned for years. When Leo Fender started making basses and guitars, he didn't have to "select the best" for production instruments. Most of the wood that was available to him back then, was far better for making anything than the majority of wood is, today. Back then, a tree that was cut down last Tuesday, didn't become 2x4s on a construction site 3 weeks from now. Trees that get that treatment today, wouldn't even have been cut down back then. They weren't worth the effort; and nobody with a lick of sense would have used "green" lumber to make anything, anyway. Not like a lot of companies do today...
Fenders weren't as dominant back then as you might think. Biggest 2 bands of that era - what basses were played? Hofner, Framus, Rickenbacker.
I started in the 70's, and through 46 years, have owned a lot of basses. Not a single Fender. I've played a lot of them in stores, but none has called me.
Indeed, British bands. The Brits couldn't get Fenders for some time due to an import ban. One little facet of the popularity of Hank Marvin and the Shaddows was that ... they had a Fender Strat!
The Beatles variously spoke about how they lusted after Fenders (especially George Harrison). And of course, guys like Keith and Clapton (and many others) later went on to become strongly linked to their Fenders. Things are not always quite as they seem.
I've played vintage Fenders that were meh.... And I've played vintage Fenders that were magical in every category, particularly tone and feel. But basses are not, to me, like shoes for women. I don't "invest" in them and I don't have much GAS. Expensive basses are not my thing now. My go-to is an '04 Am Std P with the Pure Vintage '63 pickups. It feels great, about 8.3 lbs, and the musicians I play with admire the tone. I might strip the finish off the neck and oil it. I did put a black PG on it though, last week. The '73 neck has been changed out for the '04
Indeed, British bands. The Brits couldn't get Fenders for some time due to an import ban. One little facet of the popularity of Hank Marvin and the Shaddows was that ... they had a Fender Strat!
The Beatles variously spoke about how they lusted after Fenders (especially George Harrison). And of course, guys like Keith and Clapton (and many others) later went on to become strongly linked to their Fenders. Things are not always quite as they seem.
Whenever some dunce says to me: "OMG! Cream! What a band! That iconic Bass sound! And Clapton's Black 'Strat!"
I suggest they should go watch "Fresh Cream".
Clapton didn't have a Strat (I think) until right before he came to America with (?)Delaney & Bonnie(?)
That's right, Clapton favored Gibsons early in his career (and got some memorable sounds from them). I was pointing out that a very significant reason for the scarcity of Fenders in the Brit bands, according to their own words, was that they were nearly impossible to find, and consequently expensive if they were found. Eventually those became more accessible, and many of those musicians adopted their use.
That's right, Clapton favored Gibsons early in his career (and got some memorable sounds from them). I was pointing out that a very significant reason for the scarcity of Fenders in the Brit bands, according to their own words, was that they were nearly impossible to find, and consequently expensive if they were found. Eventually those became more accessible, and many of those musicians adopted their use.
I was agreeing with you (and adding a little anecdotal narrative).
I could be wrong about this (but I am a huge Clapton fan so ...), but I believe Eric only used SGs and Firebirds on Cream's last tour. I'm almost positive I read that somewhere. Not sure if it was a direct quote from him or someone who seemed to be "in the know".
What's weird is: I believe the Stones had 7ender guitars (I'm not sure about basses) comparatively early on. I'm almost positive Keith was rocking his famously weird-tuned Telecaster by 1966 or so.
ETA: I sit corrected (NO ONE stands to type). Keith didn't get his Tele until 1970. I just looked it up
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Yeah. The Gibson SG was a central part of his sound in that era. For some people, things were never the same with him when he switched to Strats. Imo, he was pretty good either way.
I think mid sixties was about the time Fenders started appearing with Invasion bands in general.
I think mid sixties was about the time Fenders started appearing with Invasion bands in general.
The San Francisco sound was mostly Gibson and then Guild.
OTH, most of the major session players in LA, Detroit, Memphis, and Muscle Shoals were using Fenders.
This site should have a "vintage bass" sub-forum. Have the mods or have a poll to establish what is truly vintage. So players and collectors that are passionate about vintage instruments can share, discuss and learn. The "clubs" are good but get buried quickly with the daily content. I understand many don't consider vintage or golden era basses worth the hype. That's fine. This thread points that out quite clearly. But there are many, like myself, that love the all the minutiae associated with these aged classics. Just a thought.
How many years old makes a bass vintage? I have bought a bunch of 80's basses in the last 6-7 years.
Also, does a bass have to be Fender, Ric, Gibson, Hofner, EBMM to get to vintage status?
Are '83 to '87 Peavey basses vintage?
Also, does a bass have to be Fender, Ric, Gibson, Hofner, EBMM to get to vintage status?
Are '83 to '87 Peavey basses vintage?
Because you get a free year's membership in The More Money Than Sense Club.
Buy a new Fender Custom Shop in their 'aged relic' finishes ( . . . just look how realistic that cigarette burn and that rusted bridge seem so real!), and you get Free Lifetime Membership.
If these things float your boat, that's great. But I'll never understand the supposed mojo in these old, weary axes that is somehow unobtanium, unless you pay crazy money to build a brand new instrument that looks old and weary and I guess has repro mojo.
I must be missing something . .
Buy a new Fender Custom Shop in their 'aged relic' finishes ( . . . just look how realistic that cigarette burn and that rusted bridge seem so real!), and you get Free Lifetime Membership.
If these things float your boat, that's great. But I'll never understand the supposed mojo in these old, weary axes that is somehow unobtanium, unless you pay crazy money to build a brand new instrument that looks old and weary and I guess has repro mojo.
I must be missing something . .
Authenticity. Same reason art museums buy the real the paintings instead of the reprints they sell in the gift shop. Collectors from vintage cars to comic books want real history, and are willing to pay for it. Musicians sometimes want particular instruments from certain eras for how they sound but can't afford or don't care to pay for real ones, so reproductions work for them. Not for everyone, not for you, and that's cool too.
