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Why is it that older basses are much more desirable?

#23
I would take a NEW bass over a VINTAGE bass ANY DAY.

Technology has come a long way with today's basses. Active electronics, graphite reinforcements, tuners, bridges, fit and finish, are all better today than they were before Hartley made the first T-40 on a CNC machine.
 
#24
s_mcsleazy said:
is my dream car the ford capri better than say a modern eu focus.

the focus will be more reliable, cheeper to run, insure, frount wings wont rust and is easyer to use everyday. still doesnt mean i dont want the capri.

its more about the mark they've made rather than the actuall instrument
Click to expand...

The Capri isn't seriously your dream car is it?
 
#26
With a "vintage" Fender if you buy smart at a fair price you should at least break even if it comes time to sell. Not so much with a new one.
Some just like the feel of a worn-in bass. There are also those who feel like the mojo extends beyond the instrument and makes the player seem more legit and experienced. This seems a bit silly but there are those who listen with their eyes as much(or more so) as their ears, I can see the point I guess.

I
 
#27
I prefer new stuff because it is cheaper and gets the job done. Quality on inexpensive instruments is really good now too. I did have a "vintage" 80s bass that was awesome though. It was a Yamaha BB2000. I never should have sold that one. I don't know why some people like only vintage stuff.
 
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#28
This seems to happen in every generation. In 1980's I am sure that people said that these new Fenders are not as good as the pre CBS ones. I remember hearing that all the time. Now surprise surprise I hear "Boy those 1980's Japanese Fenders were excellent.

It's not just cars. Remember in the 80's all new cars were crap compared to the 76 Torino, Caprice or Malibu. Now many people would love to have a car that was dependable as a 1980's _____ insert brand here car.

I am sure that in 2050 people wish they kept that 2010 Fender P that they bought "in the day" and how it was better than the garbage made in 2050.

Mike and the Mechanics said it best in The Living Years
Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your doorseems to apply here

If all of this is in fact true then by 2050 a 1950's P bass would be worth more than it's worth in gold.
 
#31
for me..
first of all, there are more new basses than old ones, so they are more desired because they are a minority. Second, you cant reproduce them because theres not another method for aging like time. So, old basses are a minority and in extintion...

Second, that aging makes wood get dryer, harder and consistent.

Third, the fact that a 40 years old instrument is still alive make them a more "trustable" instrument...
 
#32
s_mcsleazy said:
my dream car the ford capri ...
Click to expand...
250px-Ford_capri_mk2_1974.jpg
:hiding:
 
#34
No everyone would not. Theres plenty who find the newer basses every bit as good or even better then most of the similiar priced ones of the 80's. The 80's brought the introduction of affordable qaulity active preamp equipted basses. But the 2000's brought new better pups and even better preamps. Id say that on average the preferrers of older basses is gonna mostly be those more into passive basses and "traditional" tone. The main possible exception would be in my best geauss, those more into the BC Rich's and Jackson's of the 80's, and those sort of basses.

As an example, Ibanez soundgears had their start in the early 80's after copying the basics of Washburns abt force series. To include the deaper neck joint and so on. But not doing as good a job. But then Washburn went downhill for a time and Ibanez continued soundgears and started improving them. The stock pups in these while great for stock basses back then, arent as good as then newer versions of those pups wether your talking the various generations of emg hz or mfg house brand, etc. Ibanez further pushed the envelope with enhanced eq's, better soapbar pups, and modified bart electronics and pups. Thus taking what Washburn could have maintained and gotten, had they not gotten dumb about their bass building. Imo.

In the 80's snagging a used rickenbbacker for $400-$500 wasnt hard to do for rick fans. Part of the appeal of the 80's was prices for nice used gear that today costs twice as much or more. The freaky outragious prices for "vintage" hadnt been popularized back then like it is today. The economy was also better back then. So fondness for that aspect of gear purchasing imo helps perpetuate the 80's is better myth about the gear itself.
 
#35
I prefer the mid 90's Pedulla Raptures. They are 100% consistent from bass to bass in terms of build, sound and assembly. Mike made most of them back then, or had a hand in making them.

The hardware was also the original hardware, which was changed over to another supplier in the 2000s. Not saying I wouldn't want a brand new one, but I have always had 1994 through 1996 Pedullas, and I love them.
 
#36
Collectors items? Aged wood? However, there are some vintage parts that are awesome. For instance you cannot find a bridge pickup that gives the sound the 40 year old vintage bridge pickup on my Ric does, however I'd imagine one could build one that sounded even better in this day and age. The neck pickup is a re-issue scatter-wound toaster, and I'm sure it sounds every bit as good as if not better than a toaster pickup from 40 years ago. My body is a 2007, I have a modern preamp, and all the hardware is modern. I'll bet my bass can sound just like a 1969 4001, and even better since it has a 4-band preamp to really dial in the vintage tones, but a 1969 4001 will go for way more. What really makes no sense to me is how Rickenbacker can sell those re-issue 4001s for $3500. My bass blows those away. Guess people are buying them more as collectors items.
 
#38
the reason I prefer vintage basses is mostly because I have lost touch with what is out there now-a-days. I understand the structure of the older basses. I was never really a "gear head" anyway so once I got my standard 3 that I have now, I quit looking. To be honest, I don't know what a Sadowsky, or Lakland or many of the other basses on here even look like, let alone how they play...

I have not bought a bass since '85. Recently I have trying to get back on the gear scene, but also not having the disposable income to just go out and buy and try keeps me from looking...it is frustrating to get into something I know I can't afford to have.

I bought my "vintage" bass in '83 - a 72 P-bass - not b/c it was vintage, but because it was the model my idol used. I bought my "modern" bass - an 86 Charvel 3b - b/c I liked the way it looked, played, and sounded. It was WAY different than my P-bass.

So for me, the vintage thing just happened...I would like to own a modern bass, and will one day when I get the money to do so, but also have a couple "vintages" in line before that more because I feel that if I am to call my self a "real" bassist, I should own some of the staple instruments of the activity....this is just a weird personal thing for me
 

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