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What current basses will be the next classics?
- Thread starter Ron Berenato
- Start date
No one does they just post anything repeat threads, posting gear that has nothing to do with the thread, just everything
In about 2 days we're due for another person asking yet again, what are chrome pickup covers for on Fenders.
I expect the Big Al to be one, and I'm in there rooting for the first Flea Bass.
I have to wonder how much the 2011-2013 Fender Blacktop basses will go for in the future. When they hit the market, they were $500 retail. Adjusting for inflation, that comes to approximately $680.
Recently, I've been seeing used Blacktops going for $800 or more...way more!
For the record, I'm the last person who'd pooh-pooh them. I love my BT Jazz. It's a beastly cannon of a bass that punches way above it's weight and I wish they were still in circulation.
That being said, I'm weirded out when I see such a huge price-tag on what is essentially a Mexican-made Fender from an oddball, experimental series that barely registers as a blip on the company's roster...certainly not a "Classic". I can only assume it's because of some hint of "scarcity", be it perceived or real, that empowers private and retail sellers to over-inflate their asking prices.
Recently, I've been seeing used Blacktops going for $800 or more...way more!
For the record, I'm the last person who'd pooh-pooh them. I love my BT Jazz. It's a beastly cannon of a bass that punches way above it's weight and I wish they were still in circulation.
That being said, I'm weirded out when I see such a huge price-tag on what is essentially a Mexican-made Fender from an oddball, experimental series that barely registers as a blip on the company's roster...certainly not a "Classic". I can only assume it's because of some hint of "scarcity", be it perceived or real, that empowers private and retail sellers to over-inflate their asking prices.
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Yeah, but that other thread is old and costs too much. This one is newer, shinier and much more affordable.
I think the high end stuff will hold its value but the real appreciation will occur in the budget basses like Squires and SUB/ Sterling/MM clones. The Fender Paranormal or Pawn shop specials may have a good following depending on how long they are made. Squire 40th anniversary basses are one of the best new deals in basses right now. They will probably hold their value and then escalate after 5 to 10 years.
Yeah, but that other thread is old and costs too much. This one is newer, shinier and much more affordable.
the older thread is going to double in value in the next 10 years though
None of the above? It's a fun game but not one to take too seriously.
I don't know when you bought your $400 used P bass? Let's say it was 1980.
If you put that $400 in the SP500 instead, you'd have $47,500 today. You could buy a pile of 70's P basses with that kind of bread. Heck, even a pile of 50's and 60's p basses.
Buy instruments because they're what you want to play, not because you think they're good investment pieces. No production instrument is going to keep pace with actual investment instruments over a long period of time.
I don't know when you bought your $400 used P bass? Let's say it was 1980.
If you put that $400 in the SP500 instead, you'd have $47,500 today. You could buy a pile of 70's P basses with that kind of bread. Heck, even a pile of 50's and 60's p basses.
Buy instruments because they're what you want to play, not because you think they're good investment pieces. No production instrument is going to keep pace with actual investment instruments over a long period of time.
A big thing with becoming classic IMO is for the bass to be discontinued. With that there are 3 I think Will become classics.
The Fender Dimension basses, not well loved when new but were a cool bass. To become a classic I think it would take a new popular artist to start using these, kind of how unloved offset guitars gained popularity through grunge and indie bands using them.
The original MIJ series Jaguars, very cool basses. Fender doesn't make a Jag now with JJ pickups and most don't have the electronics.
The Ibanez EHB1000/1500 series, only if Ibanez discontinues the range (I don't think they will any time soon).
The Fender Dimension basses, not well loved when new but were a cool bass. To become a classic I think it would take a new popular artist to start using these, kind of how unloved offset guitars gained popularity through grunge and indie bands using them.
The original MIJ series Jaguars, very cool basses. Fender doesn't make a Jag now with JJ pickups and most don't have the electronics.
The Ibanez EHB1000/1500 series, only if Ibanez discontinues the range (I don't think they will any time soon).
$1 in 1976, adjusted for inflation, is $5.40 today. $400 in 1976 is now $2,160. There is some return on investment in a 76 Fender, adjusted for inflation, but not a lot, when you consider how may years it took to accrue that.
Part of the reason that 70's Fender are worth anything today is that they didn't sell well - not being as good as Pre CBS versions meant they weren't very prized at the time. As a result of not selling many, they are relatively rare.
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You post police never seem to realize. But forums exist for communication between people, NOT historical how to manuals. So the OP wanted to have a conversation about an interesting topic, not read what other people said months or years ago.
Have you checked fretless prices, lately? They are climbing faster, than fretted basses.
Oh, and Carvin prices are really climbing, too.
Ibanez deserve a mention.
So much bass for the money. Not so much under appreciated as it is undervalued.. I vote for old Ibanez stuff!
The real question is who among us will still be around to find the true answer to this profound query. 
