What current basses will be the next classics?

[bigdaddybass12]

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.

Thanks !!! I hate it when someone gets blasted for asking a string question or a talks about a subject that was previously asked a couple years ago. We are just looking for fresh answers. someone’s opinion two years ago is not necessarily the gospel.

 

[Koshchei]

My first (good) bass was a '76 precision. $400 used. Now that bass goes for thousands. I remember back in the day when I hung around music stores all the time we'd pick up a current Fender (this was the '70's) and two identical basses would be totally different. One would be great playing the other thick necked and not so playable but today they're all expensive "vintage" basses. I have a 1993 Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray I bought new for $950. That bass used goes for almost $2000. What current basses will be the next expensive "classics" that will double or triple in value?

None.

 

[groooooove]

i somewhat firmly believe there won't be a "next classic."

yes there were lots of manufactures in the 60s and 70s, but it was really "just fender." especially the 60's ones, were objectively good quality instruments in addition to having brand recognition everywhere you look.

there's also the cultural/generational thing. in the 60s and 70's, pop culture was tied inextricably to bands that played live music. it's just not like that anymore. I'm not saying that's necessarily all bad.

i wish we could go a large-scale study on posters in teenage bedrooms. how many fender instruments would be spotted in photos hanging on walls in the 60s/70s vs 2010/2020. Something to think about..

all that compounded with the multiples of fine builders out there today, i think what becomes "classic" will be quite individual. to me, an early 2000's carvin is a classic. because i had one in 2006 and happily used it in high school jazz band.

 

[Ron Berenato]

Yay, another repeat thread. Everybody uses Google in their daily life now yet for some reason, nobody uses it to search whether a thread has been posted about this already before they decide to.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-classics.1549104/

This previous thread was a little different than mine. And NO I didnt Google whether someone else had already posted this thread. I'm referring to basses that will appreciate in VALUE - not whether they'll be a "front runner in quality and style". Honestly, I remember a lot of those '70's P basses were crap and none of the music stores I frequented thought highly of any bass made by Gibson with the exception of the Firebird. My '76 precision was heavy and I ended up having to replace the bridge and the pickups (the neck was very nice though). The Dimarzio's I put in it far exceeded the tone of the original Fender pickups. Sometimes we remember the old days with more fondness than they deserve. It's like the Corvette - the old ones look classier but the new ones handle way better. Tomato Tamato.

 

[Admiral Chew]

Some of the basses that are sought after now seem to be the basses played by music idols from decades past whose fans can now, unlike when they were teenagers or just starting out, afford them. I’m thinking of basses played by Geddy Lee, Justin Chancellor, Chris Squire and so on, making Steinbergers, Wals, Rickenbackers and co desirable. I wanted a Warwick Thumb because it was in a lot of the music I liked listening to twenty years ago. I think Dingwall may be a good shout for basses that people will want to try out in 20 years if they want to today but don’t have the means yet. I know at least one luthier who spends time thinking about whether basses are in enough visible professional players’ hands now. Whether these basses will actually appreciate in real terms over time though is a slightly different question. Sorry for no paragraphs.

 

[Paul New]

The next classics will be Fender Precision and Jazz basses.

 

[Bag of Lazers]

I'd bet Peavey's USA made stuff will be considered underappreciated. The Foundation, Dyna, Cirrus and Grind models are all good players, and less heavy than the infamous T-40. The cheaper stuff like Fury and Patriots could become fun collectables as backup basses too.

 

[Nedmundo]

Now that G&L's active-only M-series basses are out of regular production, they might attain "cult classic" status. They apparently didn't sell well enough to remain in the regular USA lineup, but they are fantastic and are now available only through G&L's expensive Custom Shop, so I could see demand and prices increasing on the used market.

 

[NC_Rob]

SX. They were better than Sadowsky, Fodera and Alembic combined. When the collectors start selling, they will go for Ritter money.

Yeah but where can you buy them?

 

[lug]

Serek seems a likely one. The Fender MIJ Jaguars also seem to be gaining status in certain parts of the indie scene.

From brands that haven't been mentioned, Dingwall also comes to mind. Are the prices on the earliest ones climbing yet?

I was coming in here to say the original Jaguars.....great minds..........

 

[pingvuiini]

Although I never owned one, I think Pedullas will be coveted in the future.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

I've been collecting Wishbasses for years. Say what you will--when Steve stops building there will be nothing like them ever again.View attachment 5203613

TalkBass has 1,801,909 threads, with 28,299,659 posts in those threads by 329,435 members and THIS is the truest thing that has ever been posted here.

 

[fjbass78]

A black Fender PB with tort.

Can't argue with this...

 

[DanTheMan2112]

Yamaha BB, older style.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Fodera, Zon, Pedulla, Spector, Wal, and Modulus will be the modern classics. Maybe Carl Thompson too but his basses are already in the category along with Alembic.

 

[rtslinger]

View attachment 5203355

oh boy what have you done?

 

[L. L. Elwood]

The golden age of guitars is behind us. Future generations won't care much about bass guitars, but to the extent there is a market, Fender will continue to be the logo people want on the headstock, because that us basically the brand that defined the bass guitar.

(I've got a 76 P, too, and I'm just gonna watch it appreciate.)

Agreed.

 

[LowWay]

I’m not sure pedulla is gonna get there. Nor the pre-gibson Tobias or MTDs. I’ve owned a few Pedullas and a pre-Gibson Tobias. All stellar. I just don’t see them getting to be desirable collectors items. They’ll probably hold some value as well built instruments though. They play and sound great and that always has value.

I’m pretty sure my bordwell collection value peaked the day they were bought. They will never sell for that much again, even adjusted for inflation, despite them being the nicest instruments I’ve ever played.

 

[BASSDROID]

Carl Thompson will be one. He is still alive and already they are collectors items. Plus there is the Les factor.

Of course if everything goes off the rails, the value of any bass guitar will be 0. Which can temper ones perspective a little bit.

 

[2112]

oh boy what have you done?

It was only a matter of time before it mutated...