What is considered old?

[RonChase]

I was answering a question elsewhere on TalkBass,
It asks what are your choice given 10 instruments and on my 10th I answered anything old at a good price but then I thought,
What is considered old for a bass?I say anything early 80's or older.What is criteria to determine old.I have played a few Squiers from like 2000 and the condition made them look old but they are not vintage old,If they were same age mint they would not be percieved as old so I figure this might jump a rousing discussion at what age and criteria does an instrument become a vintage piece,I know cars is 25 years but different animal,What do you folks think the line should be between well used and old and condition not the deciding factor

 

[RonChase]

Oh I read the thread about the rules,I for one dont like to knock other folks for any reason,I dont get into badrapping style or instrument or individual.I guess some thins might warrant a little harsher critique though

 

[msb]

After twenty five years guitars and basses are considered vintage .

 

[arsie]

If you think something is old, it is old. Does it confer any other associated attributes because of its age is another thing altogether.

And old instrument that has been sitting it its case for 40 years untouched is not well used. A 15 year old constantly gigged instrument can be well used. If you do not take care of your instrument, it can look old in no time.

I suspect you are trying to find out if age alone gives an instrument some creds. The answer is yes, but the amount of creds vary significantly with age and make. For instance, 1960s Fenders are looked at completely differently from 1970s Fenders.

The problem with going the "anything old at a good price" idea is that a "good price" is subjective. Is $9,000 for an early 1960s P bass a "good price"? Also, as long as there is something older out there than what you own, the value of your bass will be relative to that one.

 

[Webtroll]

age is quantifiable, condition is perspective. i'd go with age

 

[msb]

Vintage is vintage , doesn't matter if it's an old nicotine queen ( they used to smoke in bars and at one time most heavily played instruments reeked of tobacco ) or a pristine closet queen .

25 years is vintage , but there is a premium for pre CBS Fenders and others ...

 

[JxBass]

Anything after 1967 is "like new"

 

[BagelBruin]

31

 

[XtheDeadPawn]

10 years I'd say and then you can consider a bass old guitars too even piano's.
As for drums I'd say atleast 15 or the vintage = 25 years rule.

 

[metlman72]

According to my daughter who is just about 21 I am considered old at 39. As far as instruments I consider old to be 20 years. Then 25 or more would be vintage.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm a 1960 model. I'm old. My bass is a 1968 model. It is well preserved.

 

[Engine207]

I'm a '66 and my kids say I'm old and the tunes I like (Sabbath, Purple, Maiden, Priest, Zeppelin, Rush) are "old people music".

 

[esa372]

I'm a '66 and my kids say I'm old and the tunes I like (Sabbath, Purple, Maiden, Priest, Zeppelin, Rush) are "old people music".

Truly incredible.

 

[king koeller]

If it was made in the 1950's,1960's or 1970's than it's old.
If it was made in the 1980's it's almost getting old.
If it was made in the 1990's, it's still on the newer side,
if it was made in the 2000's it's new,
and if it was made in the 2010's it's brand spankin' new!!

 

[Munjibunga]

For Fender, it's pre-CBS (1965 or earlier). There's nothing special about '70s Fenders. Other brands, I don't know.