Vintage versus reissue

[Doug4321]

What do you think? It seems like, similar to cars, your best deal is something lightly used, a couple or few years old.

I wanted a Guild starfire bass a few years ago, and found the original 60s ones were really steep. Local music store had a rather broken down 1967 for over $2000 despite broken and reglued headstock. Ended up with a mint 2017 for $1100. And it sounds like the originals in terms of tonal color etc. Great.

Lately was looking at reverb.com for basses from my favorite years 1966 through 1975. Revolver through Wish You Were Here. You can get an EB-0 for not too crazy circa $1000. But then I find you can get a great looking Gibson SG bass a few years old for like $800.

Well.

I guess I'd rather have a cheaper bass that's in better condition, like the original but maybe with some modern improvements (e.g. Fender truss rods) than the original thing. Despite my belief in the power of groovy mojo and vibes.

 

[Axstar]

My jam is basses that look like vintage instruments but which are modern!

I like that if my bass picks up too much interference I can shield it, or I can swap out the pickups with Dimarzios, or ream out the headstock for bigger tuners. I would be afraid of doing any of this to a vintage piece. 'Vintage' is just an aesthetic for me.

I don't think there is any magic inherent to vintage instruments. They weren't made any better, with more love or care, or necessarily built from better materials. Conversely they were pounded out using the best of corner-cutting 1950s factory wizardry.

Modern instruments can be made with tighter tolerances and automation means that effort can be spent in the right areas. Find four '60s Fenders and you find four wildly different neck geometries. People love this detail, but for me this is like getting excited about an orange peel paintjob on a '60s Ford. Some guy, who didn't really care that much, did a so-so job to keep the boss off his back.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It depends. Sometimes with the vintage, you are paying for a rare and wonderful instrument. Sometimes you are just paying for something because it is old.

Also, not all re-issues are special. Sometimes it is just a cosmetic fix on a stock cheap instrument.

 

[Hundred proof]

What’s considered “vintage” ... I have a bass that’s 36 years old and made using CNC technology as is used today, it’s as tight and precisely made as any bass made now.

 

[PWRL]

When I was after an old school type P bass, I bought an 89 Corona 62 Reissue P, so I suppose in a matter of technicality, it's both vintage and reissue. So I have all the problems of a vintage instrument, but at only a fraction of the cost, ha ha. It's nice, though.

 

[ajkula66]

You can get an EB-0 for not too crazy circa $1000. But then I find you can get a great looking Gibson SG bass a few years old for like $800.

While these do look similar, in reality they are very different sounding instruments. Play whatever makes you happy, and meets your sonic goals. New, vintage, in-between...

I guess I'd rather have a cheaper bass that's in better condition, like the original but maybe with some modern improvements (e.g. Fender truss rods) than the original thing. Despite my belief in the power of groovy mojo and vibes.

To me personally, the feel of the instrument is the most important thing. Always has been. With that said, had someone told me 35 years ago that I would end up with an old, molested Gibson as my # 1 bass I would've told them to seek immediate psychiatric help. So you never know...

 

[JRA]

I guess I'd rather have a cheaper bass that's in better condition, like the original but maybe with some modern improvements (e.g. Fender truss rods) than the original thing. Despite my belief in the power of groovy mojo and vibes.

at any price, i'd rather have a perfect fit and feel. all of my axes have mojo and vibes.

 

[roller]

Ultimately, go with whichever trips your trigger.

However...

If you think you may ever look to get your money back out of it down the road, then vintage is hard to beat.

But if re-sale isn't and won't be a factor, save a few bucks and go with the reissue.

 

[The Deep]

I agree with the attraction of vintage being in the feel. Bodies with 100% nitro finish and well worn in necks that play effortlessly.

I have found the best way to replicate this is with a MJT body combined with a relic neck from USACG, Musikraft, or the like. I like that combination far better than the actual reissues I own. FMIC often doesn’t even follow original spec on their reissues.....go figure.

Putting your own together can give you the opportunity to follow original spec to the letter, provide you with that vintage feel (and look) while leaving more money in the bank.

 

[Bass V]

reissues are typically mixed bags, they rarely meet or exceed the originals yet they'll likely cost more than the good old stuff. maybe the ultimate reissue success was Gibson's EB-0 violin which came about only cos Felix Pappalardi had pull and hounded them to tool up for a new run after his oldie was stolen. they didn't succeed in numbers of sales but in faithfully recreating what may be the most dismissed bass in history and without gouging the buyer. I'd like to see them do it again.

 

[bassrique]

I agree with the attraction of vintage being in the feel. Bodies with 100% nitro finish and well worn in necks that play effortlessly.

I have found the best way to replicate this is with a MJT body combined with a relic neck from USACG, Musikraft, or the like. I like that combination far better than the actual reissues I own. FMIC often doesn’t even follow original spec on their reissues.....go figure.

Putting your own together can give you the opportunity to follow original spec to the letter, provide you with that vintage feel (and look) while leaving more money in the bank.

MJT body?

Edit: I looked it up. Interesting. TY.

 

[The Deep]

MJT body?

Edit: I looked it up. Interesting. TY.

I have several and I can’t say enough about them. I think you’ll find they are held in high regard overall.

They can get you a weight to suit your taste and finish it in the color of your choosing, from closet clean to heavily relic’d. The best part is it’s 100% pure nitrocellulose lacquer. Matt and Mark Jenny are great to work with and the customer service is excellent.

If you are flexible on color, they frequently place finished bodies up for bid on “that auction site” so you may be able to save a few bucks and cut the wait time.

 

[Biffa]

By the way, Fender only did 3 different neck geometries, not 4, A, B or C profiles

 

[JB1962]

I agree with the attraction of vintage being in the feel. Bodies with 100% nitro finish and well worn in necks that play effortlessly.

I have found the best way to replicate this is with a MJT body combined with a relic neck from USACG, Musikraft, or the like. I like that combination far better than the actual reissues I own. FMIC often doesn’t even follow original spec on their reissues.....go figure.

Putting your own together can give you the opportunity to follow original spec to the letter, provide you with that vintage feel (and look) while leaving more money in the bank.

I like the MJT idea and went that route. I just purchased a Fender American Original 60's Jazz Bass because I love they way they play and feel, and cant afford a real '66 Jazz Bass. I sent the body off to MJT to have it stripped and repainted aged surf green. It should fit my needs for a great playing bass with a vintage vibe and great appearance! Here's a pic out of the paint booth, but before aging. I'll post a pic when its all back together.

 

[JB1962]

By the way, I've played a few +$6000 vintage Jazz Basses. Most of them needed to be refretted. Some sounded glorious, some sounded "Meh", just like any new bass today. I know we like to think that all old guitars must be the "Holy Grail", but I think this is mostly something we make up in our minds. Having said that, I would still love to have a real 1996 Fender Jazz Bass hanging on my wall some day! In the meantime, I'm perfectly happy with my reissue/clone basses!

 

[lfmn16]

There isn't "A" vintage bass and there isn't "A" reissue bass. Each bass is an individual instrument and the only way you can really compare is to play the actual basses side by side. I've played vintage basses than I wouldn't give you a dollar for and I've played reissues that weren't any better. Best P bass I ever played was a '74. That doesn't mean ALL '74 P basses are great. I've played some nice reissues too.

 

[JB1962]

There isn't "A" vintage bass and there isn't "A" reissue bass. Each bass is an individual instrument and the only way you can really compare is to play the actual basses side by side. I've played vintage basses than I wouldn't give you a dollar for and I've played reissues that weren't any better. Best P bass I ever played was a '74. That doesn't mean ALL '74 P basses are great. I've played some nice reissues too.

Well said!

 

[smtp4me]

Well.

I guess I'd rather have a cheaper bass that's in better condition, like the original but maybe with some modern improvements (e.g. Fender truss rods) than the original thing. Despite my belief in the power of groovy mojo and vibes.

I agree with you, especially this part of your post.

My favorite basses are Fender Jazz and Rickenbacker. I wouldn't mind having a birth-year (1965) Jazz, but that could get quite expensive. I own a newer (bought new in 2017) Ric 4003S, and although I like the improvements they've made over the years in general, I'm not a fan of their modern pickup tone, which is the result of over-winding. I would consider buying a vintage Ric just to get the vintage pickups and tone, but again, a 70's Ric in decent condition can get quite expensive.

The two examples above are the primary exception, with my preference being to buy either a reissue, or to buy new. I have owned 9 basses over the span of 40 years. All but two of them were purchased new.

 

[RattleSnack]

I generaly prefere reissue, don't believe in magic or mojo any other than people convince themselves in.
Modern technology (in same price range) always wins and always had.

 

[JB1962]

By the way, I've played a few +$6000 vintage Jazz Basses. Most of them needed to be refretted. Some sounded glorious, some sounded "Meh", just like any new bass today. I know we like to think that all old guitars must be the "Holy Grail", but I think this is mostly something we make up in our minds. Having said that, I would still love to have a real 1996 Fender Jazz Bass hanging on my wall some day! In the meantime, I'm perfectly happy with my reissue/clone basses!

Make that 1966