Why are older basses "coveted"???

[Major Seven]

For the same reasons old Mustangs and Ferraris are coveted, was the thought that sprang to mind.

Classic Ferrari Sells for $70 Million

Embedded in a thread was a discussion about expensive collector cars. The high bar was just reset. $70 Million dollars! Wow! The collector, David MacNeil, is the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, the floor mat company.

community.cartalk.com

 

[AlleghenyBlend]

I drive old cars because of simplicity. Like a P bass. I have no need for complexity.

Except that metaphor doesn't apply here. In fact, a Pbass made in the last decade can be more simple than a Pbass made in the 1960s.

 

[porkynuggets]

I'm waiting for them to install "lane assist" on my fretless.

I know a few guitarists that could use help staying in their lane

 

[porkynuggets]

Except that metaphor doesn't apply here. In fact, a Pbass made in the last decade can be more simple than a Pbass made in the 1960s.

It's a lot simpler if I stop putting new info in my brain at whatever year my bass is

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I've wondered this as well. It seems whenever a professional musician is on some YouTube channel talking about gear, the date of the Fender P or J bass is always mentioned, like that makes it better or makes them better players. It's a status symbol and makes you look more professional or talented if you play a 64 Precision rather than a 2026 American Professional II Precision.

 

[ad9000]

I'm not a vintage diehard, but out of the 15 or so basses I own, three of the oldest ones are in the top five that I use the most: '62 P-bass, '71 Mustang Bass and '77 Jazz Bass. They all play great and sound great. I've played a good number of 60's and 70's basses that are dogs, but I suppose you could say that these are examples of the "good ones."

The '77 Jazz in particular just sounds amazing and plays effortlessly - kind of astounding as Fender in the late '70's was probably at their lowest point in terms of quality. I snagged it in a multi-bass trade and originally thought I'd resell it, but after applying some TLC there was no question it was a keeper.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I've wondered this as well. It seems whenever a professional musician is on some YouTube channel talking about gear, the date of the Fender P or J bass is always mentioned, like that makes it better or makes them better players. It's a status symbol and makes you look more professional or talented if you play a 64 Precision rather than a 2026 American Professional II Precision.

Well, some years were really different, like the '90 Jazz Plus, which had Kubicki guts, and a smaller body.