I currently own a 1964 fender jazz, Sadowsky JJ, Fender custom shop classic, and have owned and played various boutique, high end basses over many years. The 1964 Fender Jazz is the finest bass I have ever played.
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Vintage Old Fender - I don't get it.
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
Nope...I've already said the old and new instruments were mostly average with some good and some stinkers. They all need to be evaluated on their own merits and not just assumed that because one is old or new that it's inherently better.
I normally don't comment on threads like this, but I can't let this one get by. I am sitting here playing one of my 8 1951 original fender precisions thru my 52 bassman and it sure does sound like crap compared to some of the newer stuff I have. In fact all 8 of my 51's sound like crap thru my 52 bassman........ but I sure do like looking at them, makes my day. money and sound of the instrument aren't related in my book ok go on with the discussion
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
That's an awful problem. My suggestion is to pile up those nasty sounding pieces of junk and light 'em on fire. That way the world will be rid of evil sounding garbage like those.
I don't think anyone thinks they are inherently better. We're not so taken back by vintage allure that we can't see past problems! Sure wood dries out, necks feel better when the finish is worn off, etc.. But if a bass has .5" action with a maxed out truss rod because the neck has bowed, or the controls are rusted out and don't work properly, it's not going to command the top market prices either. I think almost everyone who collects vintage basses is well aware that there are a lot of junky ones out there that aren't worth the prices, and we pay accordingly or pass and move on to the next one. But those of us who have found some that aren't misfits and actually rival or surpass their modern counterparts, may be willing to pay a good market price for something that there is a limited number of, that will not ever be made again, only copied.
It's not like it can't happen. But it doesn't happen just because it is a '64 Jazz.
Comparing oranges to limes a little here, but a few days ago I was entrusted by a friend to shape up an all-original 68-69 Jazz he's owned for 30 years. It sounded fine. But it has a huge compound bow in the neck that you can't fully straighten out with the truss rod, so above the 12th fret you get almost nothing. I managed to massage it into better playability with a shim that allowed all but a couple of notes on the D string to ring. In addition to that, the neck pocket was OK but there was a significant overhang beyond the treble side of the neck, something that I would NEVER tolerate on a new instrument.
And there is somebody out there ready to pay many thousands of dollars for this instrument, which definitely is good sounding, but will also demand compromises from whomever buys it.
I feel very fortunate not to care that much.
And there is somebody out there ready to pay many thousands of dollars for this instrument, which definitely is good sounding, but will also demand compromises from whomever buys it.
I feel very fortunate not to care that much.
Lol....you guys are nuts. My 62 was very much worth every hard earned dollar I paid for it.
And YES just because its a 62.
And YES just because its a Fender.
And YES it is pretty magical.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty, there is NOT a newer bass owned on this entire site that can match mine with both quality, & affordability
Best investment I EVER made. Something about it being a 62 made it worth every Penny I spent. Lmfao! ;-)
And YES just because its a 62.
And YES just because its a Fender.
And YES it is pretty magical.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty, there is NOT a newer bass owned on this entire site that can match mine with both quality, & affordability
Best investment I EVER made. Something about it being a 62 made it worth every Penny I spent. Lmfao! ;-)
Lol....you guys are nuts. My 62 was very much worth every hard earned dollar I paid for it.
And YES just because its a 62.
And YES just because its a Fender.
And YES it is pretty magical.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty, there is NOT a newer bass owned on this entire site that can match mine with both quality, & affordability
Best investment I EVER made. Something about it being a 62 made it worth every Pennie I spent. Lmfao! ;-)
Sorry....I couldn't resist.
Not every vintage buyer spent obscene amounts of money.
Having said that, if I could afford it, I'd likely buy another now that I'm aware of how nice they are.
Lol......I SUCK my playing it does all the crap needed to make any amp/bass sound horrible.
I can play it through a beautifully sounding really old Ampeg SVT head on a matching 6x10 cab, and it STILL sounds like crap.
I have a buddy with some REALLY nice amps at home, from Ashdown stuff, Ampeg SVT's, Eden, and some Trace Elliot stuff.
BUT.....when it's in the hands of him/someone with talent, watch out!
She sings like an even mix of angels anal-belching, ferocious unicorn farts, and leprechaun laughter.
I'm getting better though....SLOWLY!
Except there's no such thing as magic.
Then you won't mind when I turn you into a Newt.
My 2 best "sounding" basses are my 59 P Bass and my 62 Jazz ..... Yea, the P Bass is neck heavy, and the bridges are cheap .... but the pick ups, the feel of the neck, the sound....
They sound amazing when recorded. The aged wood, the P/U wiring ... I'll never get rid of them.
They sound amazing when recorded. The aged wood, the P/U wiring ... I'll never get rid of them.
