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What's it worth? Fender P gurus...

T

Tao4Now

Feb 16, 2008
66
1
Knoxville, TN, USA
#1
My Bass Brethren (and Sistren):

I've an opportunity to purchase a Fender P. Serial number E328387 indicates a late CBS 1984 or '85 MIA. There are some finish issues, as you can see here:

MVC-082F.jpg

MVC-081F.jpg

MVC-083F.jpg


Now, I'm buying this bass, no question. I want to pay a fair price, but I can't play or inspect it first as it's several hundred miles away ATM.

I can't ask the seller to remove the neck and pick guard for photos of electronics and neck pocket - I'm going with the assumption that it's all original there.

Headstock shots here:

MVC-077F.jpg

MVC-080F.jpg


Note the pup detail here:

MVC-079F.jpg


It comes with a HSC, no candy:

MVC-087F.jpg

MVC-085F.jpg



I'm expecting to spend additional dollars in shipping, setup and strings, possibly a fret dressing.

What's a fair price for both buyer and seller?
 
#2
I'd say pop the neck, that bass was built between 1989 and 1993. I don't know why he won't remove the neck. That is a Precision Bass Plus 89- 93 for some reason the Maple board basses recieved E3 heastock serial numbers while the Rosewood boards form the same period recieved E9 serial numbers. Have him pull op the pickguard and give you the pot code. The Longhorn basses were built from 89 to 93. I would say in that condition $600 would be top $. I have seen them go for more and I bought one in the same condition about 18 mos ago for $425 . On the plus side the case is worth about $80 to $100 .
 
#4
Tao4Now said:
You're thinking it's the victim of a neck swap?
Click to expand...

No sorry see edited post. Those necks have 22 frets and I don't think you can swap a standard 20 fret neck to a longhorn body or a 22 fret neck to a standard body and get the intonation right without moving the bridge. The bass you have pictured is bone stock. Lace Sensors and 3 way toggle with bass boost cut button. They are really good sounding basses. Most people just can't get past that "Boner" Longhorn body.

Edit:damn these fat fingers.
 
#5
Bone said:
The bass you have pictured is bone stock. Lace Sensors and 3 way toggle with bass boost cut button. They are really good sounding basses. Most people just can't get past that "Boner" Longhorn body.
Click to expand...

Don't know why - I think the Longhorn is drop-dead sexy. In red, no less.

Bone said:
Have him pull op the pickguard and give you the pot code. The Longhorn basses were built from 89 to 93. I would say in that condition $600 would be top $. I have seen them go for more and I bought one in the same condition about 18 mos ago for $425 . On the plus side the case is worth about $80 to $100 .
Click to expand...

Not an option to pull the pg, unfortunately. The seller is not an instrument guy at all, and doesn't feel comfortable with disassembly. I'm okay with that - I'll do it myself when I get her home.

And thank you very much for the sound advice!
 
#9
if the serial number is E328387 the bass should be 83 (E3 = Eighty three). I would just buy it, because it looks and probably plays good (check it). The scars? They come with the territory. Don't touch the original painting: the bass is 25 years old already and in other 10 years from now it will be a... "highly valuable collectible" item, who knows!!!!!!!

edit: I did not know the story of old 83 necks put on 89/93 basses!!! So it could be... 15 years old only!!!!
 
#10
Gear appraisal threads must be posted in the Classifieds (and only by supporting members) per TB rules:

All gear 'for-sale' and 'wanted' text must be limited to posts in the TalkBass Classifieds category. The Bass Guitar Classifieds are open to Supporting Members only. If you want to post your 'for sale' or 'wanted' text in your signature, a Supporting Membership is required.

Gear appraisal threads ("What's it worth?") should be posted in the Classifieds forum. These threads must not become an auction - offers to buy the gear can be made via PM, but bidding to buy in the thread is not permitted.
Click to expand...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.php?faq=forum_rules#faq_megathreads

Thanks! Looks like a nice instrument.
 
#11
Dave Muscato said:
Gear appraisal threads must be posted in the Classifieds (and only by supporting members) per TB rules:



http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.php?faq=forum_rules#faq_megathreads

Thanks! Looks like a nice instrument.
Click to expand...


He doesn't own the bass Dave, he's looking to buy it and wants to know what a fair price for a bass in that condition is worth, therefore, should be within the rules. That rule was put in place to stop folks from posting veiled FS ads, which this one doesn't seem to be...my $0.02 anyway.
 
#12
I think the $500 range is too low, I think it should be up around $800-1000. Not that I would pay that much for it, but it *is* a 25 year old 100% original MIA Fender. American Standard Series basses from that era are selling for about $1000-1300 depending on condition, and this one has Lace Sensor pickups, including a stock J bridge pickup, the high mass bridge, and a nice Fender tweed case. $500-600 would be an absolute steal.

Let us know what you paid!
 
#15
BillMason said:
I think the $500 range is too low, I think it should be up around $800-1000. Not that I would pay that much for it, but it *is* a 25 year old 100% original MIA Fender. American Standard Series basses from that era are selling for about $1000-1300 depending on condition, and this one has Lace Sensor pickups, including a stock J bridge pickup, the high mass bridge, and a nice Fender tweed case. $500-600 would be an absolute steal.

Let us know what you paid!
Click to expand...

Nope. It's not a 25 year old bass. I can confirm that this is a 89-93ish instrument its got all the same appointments as the similar years' Jazz bass. I would think you'd be doing ok at 500 with that ugly damage and a non-original case (the original was a black plastic form fitted one).
 
#18
Turock said:
The serial number does appear to be an '83, and if anything on that bass is from '83, it is the neck only; there were no boner basses in '83.
Considering the damage, possibly being a parts bass, and it coming with the non-original tweed case (I consider the case a plus), I wouldn't give more than $500 for it.
Click to expand...

+1

I think the boner's were 88-92. Did they have lace sensors? I smell parts.
 

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