Vintage Fenders. Why??

[Burwabit]

They look so freaking cool!

Often light weight (60s not late 70s) and sound amazing. But, they can definitely be problematic and need extra care (e.g. frets).

Old Fender guitar amps are definitely superior to new amps with circuit boards. They can be problematic too but easier to fix in the right hands (than a bad neck for instance).

 

[MegaSwing]

The marketplace has decided. Besides, when you find a great one, its greatness is easy to feel.

 

[groooooove]

what a cutting-edge, unchartered-territory topic for a tb thread

"why not new fender" is easy. they're not really worth the asking price if we are considering typical measures of quality. neck straightness, fret dressing and edges, seasonal stability, and so on. tone is subjective and many of them can sound great, but compared to other options in similar (or lower) price ranges, it's a toss up.

old stuff is collectible. combine this with the mojo of natural wear and tear that collectors often enjoy, and our price will already be high. on top of that there are objective measures of quality. typically, pre-cbs instruments really were nice instruments. and there you have it.. very high price tag for a logically collectible item.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm with the OP, I'd rather just have a Sadowsky or a Lakland.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Old instruments are like time machines…without all of the problems of time travel.

When people buy instruments in mint condition complete with hangtags and store receipts, I think it captures an experience.

Not really for me though.

 

[bucephylus]

One last perspective, which possibly relates:

The premium prices for actual vintage pieces are based on the supply of remaining vintage pieces on the market and the demand from collectors. One essential aspect of that market is the question about the numbers of collectors. I'll come back to that in a moment.

In a semi related vein, one of my grandmothers was from an old money family, and had a lot of historic furniture in her house; among which was a fairly impressive Hepplewhite dining room table and chairs set. My parents ended up with that dining room set. When we were younger, I lost count of the discussions around that table about its value and who was one day going to "get" it. General consensus was it was worth about 20k 1983 US$.

Fast forward 40 years, and I was the Trustee for my deceased parents' estates. The time came to liquidate the house and furnishings. None of my siblings wanted that dining room table. We commissioned the main auction house in Detroit to auction off the furnishings. The table and chairs sold at open public auction for $700.

What had happened was that in the intervening 40 years, the population of people interested in "brown" furniture had essentially gone away.

The current demand from the Collector Market is similarly tied to the population of that market. My guess is those people are predominantly older people with memories and discretionary monies.

My gigs are nearly all cover bands. But, I am noticing that the original artists are increasingly deceased. I suspect the same thing is happening with the vintage bass guitar market. It will hang in there for a while. But, eventually those of us who attach significance to it will be gone.

The newer instruments made by Fender have their usual population of clunkers and bright stars; but, the main thing I've noticed is that higher price points are increasingly really really great. It's a mature technology.

As I posted earlier, I have a really cool older bass. But, I wouldn't be caught dead purchasing it at current market value. Too many better options for me, as a player. Also, as I posted earlier, if you want to collect, then collect. No problem there either. Kind of like tennis; go to the net or play from the baseline. Don't get caught int he middle. And be aware of your surroundings.

 

[Greenlion]

Vintage instruments are "investments". All investment works by depending on someone being a bigger sucker than you are when you later decide to sell.

 

[MisticoRitualista]

I built my own jazz from select parts & it's everything Ive ever wanted from a bass...

I think the hype is just a matter of nostalgia & collectability

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Some people like antique furniture. Some find it uncomfortable and overpriced.

Some people like old cars. If you could get your hands on a '65 GTO would you not go for it?

 

[MegaSwing]

Inflation factors into these calculations in an undeniable way: It's not only that an older, classic instrument is worth more today by virtue of its scarcity; it's just as much that today's money is worth considerably less than it used to be worth.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

Because in the 1970s, we threw away a ton of crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders.
In the 1980s, we threw away even more crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders.
In the 1990s, we threw away or modded any crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders.
In the 2000s and 2010s, the still surviving crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders got turned to parts basses.

The ones that weren't junked or modded tended to stay that way because they sounded good.

Some people like old cars. If you could get your hands on a '65 GTO would you not go for it?

Are we allowed to immediately sell it for a profit and get a better car instead? lol jk

 

[swink]

GTO

Gibson Tailored Object?

 

[P. Aaron]

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?

They look cool and when it comes to pricing, they're cheap if you've ever perused the Double Bass Classifieds.
Many buy them and dig 'em cause they're cool. Many just covet them within 4 walls.

I see the appeal but, the ones I've borrowed or gigged (not a measurable sample) had their limitations in wear or they weren't right for me. THAT could change tomorrow as I haven't played that many.
To reduce the odds of having onstage gear issues, I own newer Fenders that have served me quite well. I get great vibe from them and have fulfilled many musical goals w/o the look.

Plus, today's modern gear is damn good.

I don't think I've I've missed any revelatory musical moments having gigged off-the-rack basses.

YMMV.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Gibson Tailored Object?

. Made by those famous luthiers at Pontiac!

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Because in the 1970s, we threw away a ton of crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders.
In the 1980s, we threw away even more crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders.
In the 1990s, we threw away or modded any crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders.
In the 2000s and 2010s, the still surviving crappy/poorly made 60s Fenders got turned to parts basses.

The ones that weren't junked or modded tended to stay that way because they sounded good.




Are we allowed to immediately sell it for a profit and get a better car instead? lol jk

Of course you can! We just have different notions about what "better" means.

 

[brianrost]

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

Within a month after buying a 62P I went into the studio to record a demo with a friend. The bass was DIed into an old Altec tube mike preamp. The engineer soloed the bass and cranked the monitors up. It had that sound so many are chasing. It also played really nice and wasn't that expensive because it had been refinned.

It's just a nice example of a P bass. I've owned four newer Ps as well and they were not quite as nice...not as light, thicker necks and the pickups voiced for a more aggressive tone.

 

[wango55]

Some people like old cars. If you could get your hands on a '65 GTO would you not go for it?
View attachment 5025859

Absolutely. But then I'd ditch those rims for something more period correct.

 

[P. Aaron]

They're iconic pieces of music history, authentic folk art, all that stuff is important to me too.



A 1969 Boss Mustang is from a technology standpoint a far inferior piece of machinery to almost anything you'd buy on a car lot today. Which would I rather own? Hmmm...

I love a Plymouth Superbird but, for the money it costs to find a number's matching, I'd likely be better served to have a Chip Foose type company manufacture me one from scratch with new tech and enjoy it more and not sweat about the scarcity or replacement parts and fear of other distracted motorists if I ever 'gigged' it.

Same considerations come when choosing and performing with basses of all eras.

 

[No Malarky]

"Familiarity doesn't always breed contempt. Sometimes familiarity is just cool." - Arn Anderson

My father played and collected early Fender Basses and Guitars. I grew up with them. They are objects which have been a constant in my life. I enjoy adding items to the collection.

Like Father, Like Son.

I have a pile of other gear, but the early Fender stuff is just cool.

 

[Green Hornet]

Some of us want one the same as our birth year.