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Vintage Old Fender - I don't get it.
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
Yeah-it isn't looks and mojo.
I didn't believe in the Vintage myths, and I hate Strats, but I played a '59 Strat a couple of years ago, and IT WAS LOVE!!
Infinite warmth, buttery tone, and it almost became alive in my hands. Warm, "natural"-sounding, easy to play.
Haven't played a pre-CBS bass, but the couple of pre-CBS guitars that I have played sound and feel so different than anything else. I do have a couple of newer Tele's, both of which I cherry-picked and took time to find, and they come close, but merely close.
I didn't believe in the Vintage myths, and I hate Strats, but I played a '59 Strat a couple of years ago, and IT WAS LOVE!!
Infinite warmth, buttery tone, and it almost became alive in my hands. Warm, "natural"-sounding, easy to play.
Haven't played a pre-CBS bass, but the couple of pre-CBS guitars that I have played sound and feel so different than anything else. I do have a couple of newer Tele's, both of which I cherry-picked and took time to find, and they come close, but merely close.
My first bass was a 1961 P (bought used, in the early '70s). (It was destroyed in a fire in the late '70s). It was a nice instrument, and I wish I had not loaned it out. I went without any instrument for decades, and when I decided to get back into playing, I considered buying a vintage bass. I played some very nice ones that were being offered for four to six thousand dollars. I finally decided to buy a new Fender American Deluxe. For less than 1400 bucks, I got a beautiful ash bodied, maple necked active/passive instrument, that is more versatile, and very well made. I liked it so much that I bought the J bass shortly after. So, I have under 2400 bucks invested in two fine instruments that are more useful than one vintage P. Now, if I had a lot of money, I would buy a nice vintage P. But I would probably keep it in the house like a valuable antique. I expect that after I am long dead, (and if these basses survive handling by successive owners), they will be viewed as something special, that can't be purchased new. I don't really care, because I won't be around to see it.
So vintage instruments are special, in that they can only exist by surviving, and they are limited to what exists, and can't be manufactured. But, that does not make them superior. More valuable? I suppose, because market value is determined by emotion, as well as utility. Buying a nice '61 P would cause an emotional reaction for me, and if I could afford it, I'd buy one in an instant. But, I am very happy with my new basses, and when I bought them, I think I helped to keep American workers at FMIC carry on the tradition of making iconic instruments.
So vintage instruments are special, in that they can only exist by surviving, and they are limited to what exists, and can't be manufactured. But, that does not make them superior. More valuable? I suppose, because market value is determined by emotion, as well as utility. Buying a nice '61 P would cause an emotional reaction for me, and if I could afford it, I'd buy one in an instant. But, I am very happy with my new basses, and when I bought them, I think I helped to keep American workers at FMIC carry on the tradition of making iconic instruments.
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
It's also "You're" not "Your".
I have seen good and bad Fenders from every era. Same is true for every manufacturer. This is why I avoid buying an instrument unless I play it first.
Sadly you're right. Just look at the heat poor Mexican Geddy Lee brings compared to his 'superior' Japanese brother.
Thanks or the replies all (most? 
Lots to think about. Lots of opinions. Sort of all over the map.
I had a late 70's Jazz bass for a bit. Bought cheap in the mid 90's thinking it was an 80's model. Turned out to be 70's and worth much more. I played it and it didn't sound or play any better than any other bass - worse in fact (neck dive). I simply sold it.
I wonder now if I'd have the same "meh" reaction to it....
Oh and yes I DID use the search button before starting the thread. But, the search feature in this forum gives you way too much stuff to read through. Life is short to spend THAT much time just to avoid a new thread in the forum.
- Keith -
Lots to think about. Lots of opinions. Sort of all over the map.
I had a late 70's Jazz bass for a bit. Bought cheap in the mid 90's thinking it was an 80's model. Turned out to be 70's and worth much more. I played it and it didn't sound or play any better than any other bass - worse in fact (neck dive). I simply sold it.
I wonder now if I'd have the same "meh" reaction to it....
Oh and yes I DID use the search button before starting the thread. But, the search feature in this forum gives you way too much stuff to read through. Life is short to spend THAT much time just to avoid a new thread in the forum.
- Keith -
A (good) pre-CBS Fender has the feel, sound and Mojo to it than cannot be duplicated
That is many great builders (Lakland, Lull, Sadowsky) are admittedly trying to come close to it...is that enough?
Ps: a 70's or 80's Fenders will never be considered "vintage" to me
That is many great builders (Lakland, Lull, Sadowsky) are admittedly trying to come close to it...is that enough?
Ps: a 70's or 80's Fenders will never be considered "vintage" to me
I think it's the allure of owning something historically or culturally significant. In other words, it's cool. It's not necessarily better than a new one, but people will still want it. It's fun to have an old thing and wonder what kinds of stories it could tell.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
I was born in 1950 and started on bass in 1963. I presently have four modern basses, two recreations of vintage instruments (Road Worn), and four vintage basses. I have owned one of them, a '55 Fender P-bass, since 1973, and have had my mid-nineteenth century upright since 1974.
My attraction to old instruments is due to their sound, and also how they feel in my hands when I make music with them. If I could afford "better" sounding instruments, I would buy them tonight—regardless of their age.
My attraction to old instruments is due to their sound, and also how they feel in my hands when I make music with them. If I could afford "better" sounding instruments, I would buy them tonight—regardless of their age.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Well aren't you noble, fighting the good fight against the bad people that like Fenders
Yep. I've got a few CS and AV Fenders that are wonderful basses. But my band mates all play vintage gear, mostly from the 50's although my drummer has a 1920s Ludwig snare he loves too. They swear by the old-is-better line which I don't buy into. However, a few months ago I finally decided to give it a try, did some homework, and picked up this '64 P-bass. Whether it's because it's old I don't know, but it's the best sounding P-bass I've played:
Wow! That looks to be in near mint condition!
Great bass....it's screaming to be played
I would live to hear it let alone play it
Great bass....it's screaming to be played
I would live to hear it let alone play it
Its simple...I like old things (cars, bass guitars,etc.) because they have character. My '69 jazz sounds better than any other new Fender I have tried.
Why are diamond rings worth so much? It's just a rock stuck in a piece of metal.
Why are old paintings worth so much? You can get a perfectly good print that looks just like it for $15.
Why is old furniture worth so much? You can get all kinds of good stuff at IKEA.
The "why'' part is not worth answering. But the part about the necks being poorly built and subject to neck dive is jus plain stupid. I'm no Fender fanboy, but the necks on 60's vintage Fenders are as good as anything you'll find today. And I personally have never owned or played a vintage Fender that had a neck-dive issue.
Just play what you like and it's all good. Geddy once had a 68 p that he hacked to bits and never touched again. Saw him last year playing (although custom shop) brand new fenders. And he sounded just as good as he did with that 72 on moving pictures.
Thanks or the replies all (most?
Lots to think about. Lots of opinions. Sort of all over the map.
I had a late 70's Jazz bass for a bit. Bought cheap in the mid 90's thinking it was an 80's model. Turned out to be 70's and worth much more. I played it and it didn't sound or play any better than any other bass - worse in fact (neck dive). I simply sold it.
I wonder now if I'd have the same "meh" reaction to it....
Oh and yes I DID use the search button before starting the thread. But, the search feature in this forum gives you way too much stuff to read through. Life is short to spend THAT much time just to avoid a new thread in the forum.
- Keith -
My first Fender was a 1974. "Wet-noodle" neck with faulty "bullet" truss rod. That's not the same as a pre-CBS instrument. A 70's Fender generally isn't what is considered a vintage treasure. Younger people often pay too much for them, thinking they are going to get a "vintage" instument, when all they're getting ia a faulty antique.
However, there is even the occasional one from that era that is as velvety and nuanced as a pre-1965 Fender, but those are the exceptions from that era, not the rule.
That pic is deceiving, as the phone pics below show the finish is worn and there's a belt rash on the back down to the wood. It's been played a lot but not abused--that's the key. The neck is straight and true, all hardware and electronics are great. Again whether because of age or just being built well I can't say, but I do know it plays and sounds better than any of my other P-basses. It's a keeper!
I have a different spin on it... I have a 64' L series Jazz that was my dad's main bass from 1966 on-wards... in the early 70's a drummer friend suggested he change the colour and so they stripped it etc... the point being it was later refinished, but as it's not original it's not worth 1/2 the price of an original untouched, even though I have the original case, strap and chrome covers... all original electronics, the decal is genuine (70's) but not period correct. It was replaced as part of the refin.
None of the above makes any difference when I plug it in at a gig. The sound and feel of that bass is just amazing. It does have 1000's of hours of gigs on it, so the only fair comparison would be another instrument that has had so much time to settle, age, and get played in so much... just sayin'
I do own a two new Squiers and SBMM Ray34, they are kick a$$ instruments, just amazing value for money and sound fantastic... they all have their own tone and place in gig situation, so I will play whatever fits best with the band and venue... plus I only take the 64' to gigs that are safe, so we don't get separated
So, to the OP, I think it's a matter of each instrument is unique in it's own way and the merits of Vintage fenders comes down to instrument by instrument qualities... It's been said many times on TB that there are great old Fenders out there and dogs... I would agree...
None of the above makes any difference when I plug it in at a gig. The sound and feel of that bass is just amazing. It does have 1000's of hours of gigs on it, so the only fair comparison would be another instrument that has had so much time to settle, age, and get played in so much... just sayin'
I do own a two new Squiers and SBMM Ray34, they are kick a$$ instruments, just amazing value for money and sound fantastic... they all have their own tone and place in gig situation, so I will play whatever fits best with the band and venue... plus I only take the 64' to gigs that are safe, so we don't get separated
So, to the OP, I think it's a matter of each instrument is unique in it's own way and the merits of Vintage fenders comes down to instrument by instrument qualities... It's been said many times on TB that there are great old Fenders out there and dogs... I would agree...
