Why are older basses "coveted"???

[vindibona1]

To be honest, I've never held a 60's or 70's Fender bass in my hands, let alone play one. Compared to new, "comparable" basses, they seem to go for a lot of money, of course, depending on certain factors. I confess that I'm probably not a good enough player to appreciate the nuances of the coveted older basses, find that the ones I own, made in this century do everything I need. The original Fenders do look cool, especially the ones that have that "bullet" truss rod nut on the headstock.

So, tell me... other than an instrument owned by a famous person as a collector's item, what is the deal with vintage instruments? All sizzle and no steak, prices fueled by some sort of demand?

 

[2saddleslab]

There are good ones, there are bad ones. Age has little to do with it.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Nostalgia, and rich Boomers with more money than sense. The technology behind making electric guitars and the art for making them has advanced since the day they were invented. Well made modern stuff is better an the old stuff.

 

[LowWay]

I remember in the eighties no one wanted a cbs era fender, and ‘70s fenders were really cheap by comparison. It amazes me now that people seem to want them. All my bases were made in this century, and none are by fender, so I don’t get it either.

 

[eweise2]

Some just aren't made anymore like a graphite Steinberger or Pedulla basses. As for junky 70s fenders, I have no idea.

 

[SoonerBill]

Nostalgia, and rich Boomers with more money than sense. The technology behind making electric guitars and the art for making them has advanced since the day they were invented. Well made modern stuff is better an the old stuff.

Yep. Nostalgia. Just like cars. I love all the modern electronic conveniences my newish car has. But I also LOVE old cars. The simplicity!

 

[H Nighttrain]

Humans tend to like intetesting old things, we even display bunches of old stuff in buildings and people pay just to look at it.

 

[Metal Sombreros]

Old USA basses were largely handmade so when you find a magic one its really special. They look better, are made of better quality wood, and by trained craftsman with tons of experience. The old electronics sound better. People have different reasons.

 

[H Nighttrain]

There's a rarity factor as well - there just aren't as many desirable vintage basses as new ones, and they ain't making any more.

 

[Metal Sombreros]

There's a rarity factor as well - there just aren't as many desirable vintage basses as new ones, and they ain't making any more.

Exactly they are a good investment for some people as well. I buy sell trade a lot, I have not made a ton of money but it has enabled me to really play a lot of basses and appreciate vintage instruments for how special they are.

 

[LowTorque]

Yep. Nostalgia. Just like cars. I love all the modern electronic conveniences my newish car has. But I also LOVE old cars. The simplicity!

With cars I get the simplicity in particular when you work on them yourself, but an American Por II Precision is not more complicated than a 62.

 

[LowTorque]

Old USA basses were largely handmade so when you find a magic one its really special. They look better, are made of better quality wood, and by trained craftsman with tons of experience. The old electronics sound better. People have different reasons.

Just because something is handbuild doesn't make it magic. How do you know the wood was better? I would also argue that a luthier in Europe got better training than any craftsman in the US (on average, there will always be the exception). Why do people think old electronics are better? Handwound pickups are inconsitent at best. There are alot of myths and old wife tales out there about old instruments.

 

[Slevage]

I had no personal problem selling my ‘69 P last year.
Took the $$ and bought a used German Sadowsky, a brand new (old stock) French bow and have money left to get something else.

 

[Major Seven]

I had no personal problem selling my ‘69 P last year.
Took the $$ and bought a used German Sadowsky, a brand new (old stock) French bow and have money left to get something else.

I had a 62 Gibson 6 string I fished out of somebodies car trunk in 72 for $40. It look terrible then. 60 years later it looked even worse.
Never used it so I sold (traded) it last year. Everyone who saw it thought it was way cool. I figured I should sell it while the relic fervor
was high before they realized how dumb it was. As a trade in, I got a new AO jazz bass for about %33 off.

 

[lug]

It's like half these people don't know what "mojo" even is!

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If it makes you play "better" or "inspires" you, it's up to you to decide what its value is. Given how much diversity there is in people's general taste, I can't say this topic will even approach objectivity in any way.

I do like the aesthetics of some older style basses (Daphne Blue 60's P-bass, of course with chrome covers), but you can get that recreated or even readymade with modern stuff. You can also mod it how you wish to with less flak from others on "destroying history". Yes, there's mojo to consider, but any competent builder can deliver what you would have gotten in the vintage instruments and possibly more. YMMV...

 

[claudel]

At some point certain instruments morphed into valuable artifacts instead of fun machines, with an artificial value that far exceeds the utility.

 

[boombloom]

Where do you live? Maybe some Talkbass members near you could provide you an opportunity to play their basses for your own experience. Around '86 I bought a 73 Jazz for $300. I haven't played it in years, preferring a Squire 60's Classic Vibe in every way. I ought to sell it. Right now it's nothing but an investment.

 

[Major Seven]

It's like half these people don't know what "mojo" even is!

What is a Mojo Bag?

• • Origin: Rooted in West African gris-gris traditions and developed through generations of American Hoodoo and conjure work.
  • Structure: A small fabric pouch (often flannel, cotton, or velveteen) tied with a drawstring.
  • Contents: Filled with specialized herbs, roots, minerals, petition papers, and personal curios matched to a specific goal.
  • Purpose: Treated as a living spiritual ally or focused vessel to draw love, money, protection, or luck.

 

[MCS4]

You might as well ask why old paintings are coveted. There's no one answer to these things, but nostalgia and rarity are certainly a big part, and there are always going to be people who believe that an art form or product peaked in a certain era.