Vintage Fenders. Why??

[DaveParker39]

The same reason people buy mechanical watches.
Yes, there are more accurate, consistent, and affordable instruments available today.
But it's not a mechanical watch. The heart wants what the heart wants.

 

[jamro217]

I've got a '68 P and a '76 P. Both are fantastic instruments that play and sound fine. I bought both over 40 years ago when they were just used basses and not considered "vintage". The '76 wears rounds and the '68 TI flats. Perfect tools for the trade. I doubt I'd be willing to spend the price of a car for one of them now, though. It's a better economic plan to build a mutt to the same specs. I'm too old to see the mutt age to perfection. The CS does a good job rendering the classics, and the stock models with modern refinements are still good choices. For those who yearn to own the real deal and can't justify the price tag, just remember, they aren't making new real estate these days, either.

 

[Grizelda100]

Is my 94 Fender vintage?
If it is, I love it because I've played it that long and it fits me like a glove. All worn in. I know every inch of it.
I don't know if I could vibe with someone else's JUST because it was vintage. Willing to try!

 

[StayLow]

I've always disliked road worn basses (naturally worn or fabricated to look worn).....and yet... I own a flea road worn bass (fabricated to look worn). I know I will never afford a really 1960s bass, and yet this one fits and feels aged complete with nitro finish.

So yeah. I've done a complete 180 turn.

Those pink Flea basses are so good, uniquely so, that your hands and ears will force your eyes and mouth to poopie-up and play. That’s as real as it gets.

 

[JIO]

I've told the story a few times here on various tb threads - ('66 P-bass) Short version: saw it - was drawn to it visually - played it - and knew I had to have it. How is it different/special? Everyone who has played it (including professionals) agrees it's special. You'd have to play/hear it.

 

[dkelley]

The car analogy is an interesting one. If I could own a mint, early-70s Stingray, I’d be all over it, because I remember drooling over those as a young boy. But you wouldn’t catch me dead in a 2023 Corvette. Yuck!

Then again, they aren’t selling 70s Vettes for 10 times more than new ones.

and even though I don't disagree with you about the old vette, the facts are that modern vettes are vastly superior vehicles in every way related to driving. So there's that part of the analogy that enters into it also, and is not inaccurate regarding modern basses as well.

 

[Mastermold]

I mean, yeah, it’s cool to hear someone say “this is my ‘64 jazz” or “this is my ‘59 precision,” but unless you’re selling one for $15,000 what do you believe is the appeal of classic Fenders versus a new Fender or FSO?

A while back, I bought a ‘65 P bass from Chicago Music Exchange for about $7k. It sounded fine and played okay. But the truss rod was maxed and it wasn’t nearly as nice as my Nash PB57 or my Olinto P bass (both pricey but significantly less expensive). I’ve also played a couple of vintage jazz basses that were in good shape, but none came close to my Bluesman Vintage jazz.

Despite all that, I’d still love to own an early 60’s jazz someday. Who knows? Maybe I’ll stumble across one at an estate sale or something. But with prices now officially at ludicrous levels, I’ve pretty much stopped looking.

Those of you who own one, why do you love yours?

I love them because they play and sound great. Owning an authentic instrument verses a reissue is cool too. Sorry you got a bum one but don't let that taint your view too much.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Seems a blind test would generate interesting results. Has this been done?

I just did one about a week ago for some folks on another thread. '79 P-Bass and a '93 AccuBass.

I recorded the damned thing and I can barely tell the difference.

ETA: and the Epiphone is 1.4 lbs. lighter!

 

[Nev375]

A while back, I bought a ‘65 P bass from Chicago Music Exchange for about $7k. It sounded fine and played okay. But the truss rod was maxed and it wasn’t nearly as nice as my Nash PB57 or my Olinto P bass (both pricey but significantly less expensive). I’ve also played a couple of vintage jazz basses that were in good shape, but none came close to my Bluesman Vintage jazz.

You seem to be asserting that older instruments have more problems than newer instruments. I don't think this is necessarily true, not even in general.

Either that or you are asserting that old Fenders were kinda junk.

I think all makes and ages of production have their lemons and gems. Time tends to weed out many of the lemons as they get parted out or thrown in the dumpster or whatever fate awaits them.


Also, not everyone is a player or interested in the setup of the instrument. Some old basses are simply decoration for someone's restaurant wall because they are historical objects.

 

[Pings Bass]

Players play, collectors collect.

As a player, I don't think many of those old fenders are worth more than a modern $2-3k bass, if that.

If you can afford to pay for "mojo" or whatever, ok have fun with that.

 

[Manticore]

I don't "get" paying big for vintage basses. Today's budget basses are far better quality and generally more versatile than basses made before 1980. I still have my 4001 Ric bought new in '74. I also still have and use a '92 Alembic Elan bought new. Both basses have been recorded many, many times over the years and I can say without hesitation neither has changed tonally over the years...at all. This is not to say vintage basses are "bad." I just don't understand paying Alembic prices for old Fenders. I also understand there are a number of folks that don't understand me owning three Alembic basses.

 

[majbass]

Nostalgia, 1960s cosplay.

I'm sure some are great and some aren't, which is what everyone says about vintage guitars and basses.

Personally I think Fender's making better and more consistent stuff in modern times. You'd get a lot more function from a Custom Shop IMO

 

[yomichi]

I used to play my dads '70 something Jazz bass, but never really liked it. My Squier feels and sounds better, IMO.

 

[Mastermold]

Nostalgia, 1960s cosplay.

I'm sure some are great and some aren't, which is what everyone says about vintage guitars and basses.

Personally I think Fender's making better and more consistent stuff in modern times. You'd get a lot more function from a Custom Shop IMO

Consistency and quality are apples and oranges, two different things. Lots of people conflate the two in these threads every time they come up.

 

[MasterG]

I watched Tom Bukovichs YouTube video today where they were at Gruhns playing and comparing some 50's and a 63 Strat. Guess what? They all sounded just like my MIM Stat which also didn't have a 50 grand price tag. It's all BS to me. I'm 69 and played plenty of "vintage" instruments when they were new or pretty close to it. Compared to today's offerings the only thing old guitars and basses have is old. They're nothing special. Like another poster said....the only thing that would make it special is if it belonged to an historic player etc.

 

[Eric Swaim]

You can not get the old wood sound that has been played for 30,40,50 years from a new bass. Although every bass can sound different with little unique qualities, I like my 3 old Fender Precision Basses (1973,1975,1978). When you play the "right one" you will know it. Will it matter to the general public your playing for??? The answer is no, they have no clue. But we know when we are playing the bass with the "IT" factor.
The long and short of it, if you can play, it doesn't matter what bass you choose to play because you can make any of them sound great.

Now my LowEnd Basses

 

[JIO]

Players play, collectors collect.

As a player, I don't think many of those old fenders are worth more than a modern $2-3k bass, if that.

If you can afford to pay for "mojo" or whatever, ok have fun with that.

I'm both an active player (currently in two bands), and also can appreciate/justify owning special basses. (regardless of, but not exclusive of vintage) Everyone justifies their gear expenditures individually - basically leave it at that.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I mean, yeah, it’s cool to hear someone say “this is my ‘64 jazz” or “this is my ‘59 precision,” but unless you’re selling one for $15,000 what do you believe is the appeal of classic Fenders versus a new Fender or FSO?

A while back, I bought a ‘65 P bass from Chicago Music Exchange for about $7k. It sounded fine and played okay. But the truss rod was maxed and it wasn’t nearly as nice as my Nash PB57 or my Olinto P bass (both pricey but significantly less expensive). I’ve also played a couple of vintage jazz basses that were in good shape, but none came close to my Bluesman Vintage jazz.

Despite all that, I’d still love to own an early 60’s jazz someday. Who knows? Maybe I’ll stumble across one at an estate sale or something. But with prices now officially at ludicrous levels, I’ve pretty much stopped looking.

Those of you who own one, why do you love yours?

I'm on the same wheel as you. I don't get it, besides the "cool" factor of having an antique.

As far as the instrument goes, everything deteriorates. Wood and metal get worse, they don't get better with time. There is absolutely nothing a vintage bass can offer that is anywhere on par with a new $300 bass, except maybe a story. If it was yours through its life.

 

[rocmonster]

Two things I always consider when I check out an expensive vintage Fender:
1. Leo was using the least expensive or overly plentiful materials to make and sell a tool that musicians will use to make music.
2. All Fenders are just two pieces of wood screwed together.

 

[DaveParker39]

You seem to be asserting that older instruments have more problems than newer instruments. I don't think this is necessarily true, not even in general.

The automation involved with modern guitar production is objectively capable of producing more consistent instruments. It's simple... the tech has improved, and so have the instruments. Now, it's still possible to make a dud, but tolerances were way broader before CNC.