Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Vintage Old Fender - I don't get it.
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
I think they're pretty keen too, but I haven't convinced myself that I have to have one to sound great or to be a better player. The nicest thing about them in my world is that if you buy one cheap, you can sell it for a fortune. All of this doesn't mean for a moment that I don't like them or appreciate them, but it's just another great bass—most of the time.
To each his zone.
For sure you can be a good player without owning a vintage instrument, but there is stuff I can play with greater fluidity on my 64 Fender jazz than on other high end basses in my possession. I bought mine at a reasonable price a few years ago, has been gigged lots and has paid for itself in multiples, will hopefully continue to do so and hence has been a great investment. For me to sell it, even at a profit would be ill advised. Here's a vid of Guy Pratt talking about his pre cbs Fender (only wish i could play half as well as him
) From 50sec to 1min 22 reflects a lot of my own opinion regarding the unmatched playability IME. (watch the vid in its entirety for a belly laugh
Right...because "self-respecting" musicians have more noble motives. They're just as susceptible to the vintage nonsense as anyone.
Using vintage instruments is a choice many self respecting musicians opt for. To describe them as victims of "vintage nonsense" is to say the least an interesting opinion, but not one I share. I have A/B'd my 64 Jazz with numerous high end basses, both live and in the Studio. It kills every time, an opinion shared by engineers and other musicians I have worked with, who just want the best tone for any given project and that's not nonsense. Its a pity really as my Sadowsky or Fender custom shop rarely get a run out
.
My 64 P was perfect (except for the pickup and bridge...nother story.) My 68 Tele bass was great. The high school had a 63 that I hated. My 68 Jazz bass...ok but not great. Before I got my 64 I intended to buy a new 75 P bass. They were awful, but I found the 64 for $200 a few weeks later.
Vintage basses can vary and a lot. After I switched to 5 string, I bought a 1996 PV Accellerator 5 string. That was the first bass that struck me with the feelings I had playing my 64, which was stolen in Nashville in the early 80's. It felt like I got my P back.
Vintage basses can vary and a lot. After I switched to 5 string, I bought a 1996 PV Accellerator 5 string. That was the first bass that struck me with the feelings I had playing my 64, which was stolen in Nashville in the early 80's. It felt like I got my P back.
Using vintage instruments is a choice many self respecting musicians opt for. To describe them as victims of "vintage nonsense" is to say the least an interesting opinion, but not one I share. I have A/B'd my 64 Jazz with numerous high end basses, both live and in the Studio. It kills every time, an opinion shared by engineers and other musicians I have worked with, who just want the best tone for any given project and that's not nonsense. Its a pity really as my Sadowsky or Fender custom shop rarely get a run out
The engineer at the studio where we were recording and I compared his '60s J bass to my new Made in Indonesia Hofner Icon Club bass ($360). His "vintage" J sounded positively anemic compared to the Hofner. He offered to buy the Hofner from me on the spot.
I've compared many "vintage" instruments to newer instruments over the years and the "vintage" instruments have always proven to be nothing special. Just average at best with very few good ones and some real stinkers, just like current production instruments.
Because some people are convincing themselves that old wood cut in an ancient workshop "sounds better" than that new stuff put out today. There's a reason Leo left fender, went to musicman, then G and L. He wanted to advance, not stay in the past.
The Hofner Club is known as a very fat sounding bass due to the location of the neck pickup. Any Jazz bass will sound "anemic" compared to that. But that fat sound can disappear in the mix pretty easily in some forms of music, while the "anemic" jazz will cut right through.
Basically you are comparing apples to oranges.
Agree 100% that vintage basses can vary a lot. I have seen a few dodgy ones in my time, though My 64 is a beaut
LOL...That is exactly the response I expected from you.
But like I also said, but you conveniently ignored:
I've compared many "vintage" instruments to newer instruments over the years and the "vintage" instruments have always proven to be nothing special. Just average at best with very few good ones and some real stinkers, just like current production instruments.
From that statement, I gather that your logic is..
Since the vintage instruments you've tried didn't sound or play good to you, that means vintage instruments as a whole aren't as good, and cannot sound or play as good as or better than modern ones - to you or anyone else. From all your statements, I have to assume that you really believe that your taste in instruments, and their sound and feel should be universally adopted by everyone - because that's how you feel. And apparently, you believe this logic is so sound, that you feel the need to preach it over and over to people that have vintage instruments and love them, in an effort to convert their misguided thinking?
Seriously, do you realize how your statements sound? The tiny little sample of vintage basses that you've tried (compared to all the vintage basses that have ever been made) is enough to declare a blanket statement about all vintage basses? Even if you tried out all of my personal collection of vintage basses, and hated everyone of them, does that still make your opinions any more accurate, if I still like my vintage basses better than modern equivalents?
Dried/aged wood does resonate more than fresh wood. That is a fact. But if you are insinuating that Leo Fender didn't like his company anymore because it was old fashioned and limited him from making "improvements", and that is the reason he sold the company to CBS, as opposed to receiving a large sum of money, I don't know what to say to that, other than "nuts".
guess its different strokes for different folks and no doubt the Hofner Icon slams any vintage fender into the canvas
From that statement, I gather that your logic is..
Since the vintage instruments you've tried didn't sound or play good to you, that means vintage instruments as a whole aren't as good, and cannot sound or play as good as or better than modern ones - to you or anyone else. From all your statements, I have to assume that you really believe that your taste in instruments, and their sound and feel should be universally adopted by everyone - because that's how you feel. And apparently, you believe this logic is so sound, that you feel the need to preach it over and over to people that have vintage instruments and love them, in an effort to convert their misguided thinking?
Seriously, do you realize how your statements sound? The tiny little sample of vintage basses that you've tried (compared to all the vintage basses that have ever been made) is enough to declare a blanket statement about all vintage basses? Even if you tried out all of my personal collection of vintage basses, and hated everyone of them, does that still make your opinions any more accurate, if I still like my vintage basses better than modern equivalents?
Dried/aged wood does resonate more than fresh wood. That is a fact. But if you are insinuating that Leo Fender didn't like his company anymore because it was old fashioned and limited him from making "improvements", and that is the reason he sold the company to CBS, as opposed to receiving a large sum of money, I don't know what to say to that, other than "nuts".
That's a lot of assumptions.
Never assume...especially when old wives tales are involved.
guess its different strokes for different folks and no doubt the Hofner Icon slams any vintage fender into the canvas
You obviously missed the point.
And you didn't answer my question.
I love my 68 Jazz just as much as my 67 Ford Mustang! Both preform exceptional. Same concept, they are both original and feel great! Nothing new is like them period!
3000 euros in 2009. Over here a Sadowsky NYC standard start off at about 4500 euros ($6000). We get crucified with tax and import duty. The 64 jazz has a refinished body and the bridge pickup rewound to original spec. Apart from that it is stock. Regardless of our experiences of vintage instruments I think we can both agree that the prices some people are prepared to pay for Vintage Basses is outrageous. There's a concentric pot all original jazz selling here at the moment for 25000 euros. Crazy stuff, but I am sure somebody out there will defend such a sum. The joys of the free market. Happy to answer any questions--I had eggs for breakfast and the hofner is on my wish list as I clearly got your point. waiting with bated breath
