Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Will my bass be collectible?
- Thread starter txhawaii
- Start date
Here's a thought. Imagine you bought a Jazz Bass in 1965 for $300. How much would that fetch today? $20-$25k if in great condition?
Now imagine if you instead got $300 and invested in a mutual fund. Let's put a very reasonable YoY average of 8%. Compound interest would net you at least $30k.
I might be off in my values as I don't follow the vintage market or the money market but the concept applies for the future: if you want to play a bass, buy a bass. If you want to keep the value of your money, invest it.
Now imagine if you instead got $300 and invested in a mutual fund. Let's put a very reasonable YoY average of 8%. Compound interest would net you at least $30k.
I might be off in my values as I don't follow the vintage market or the money market but the concept applies for the future: if you want to play a bass, buy a bass. If you want to keep the value of your money, invest it.
This. Sorry I didn't see your post before but we are aligned.
Could be! Could be!
Allthough they were "mass produced" as you say, Fender's put out plenty of instruments that have more than doubled in value in the last 20 years.
For example; pink paisley/blue flower precisions from the mid 2000's. Just about 4-5 years ago they were around or under 1000 dollars lightly used, now I've seen them sell for twice that, and be listed for even more than that!
It's all about the exclusivity/availibility/appeal of the bass tbh.
A mexico standard precision in sunburst will likely never become that magical mystery dream bass for anyone, ALLTHOUGH, as people age they do tend to start looking for a bass their own age, and being drawn towards the gear that their heroes played while they were growing up.
(so for example; I'm a teenager, my hero is in his early 30s and plays a bass that was cheap and availible when he was younger. likely used. so maybe 20 yrs old to him when he bought it. that makes it around 40 yrs older than me, see what I mean?)
Anyway, my point is basically; rare/semi rare/exclusive now = way, way rarer later.
I've seen many tragic examples of modding that reduces value, and in most cases it comes down to not keeping original parts, or making a massive adjustment that most other people will have no interest in, like routing a new pickup.
There's never really any need for that. Buy a 2nd bass instead with the pickup config you think you want.
Some mods are no problem, or even increase the value, like Phil Lesh's Guild Starfire, which is kind of the first Alembic without actually being an Alembic. Or installing a series/paralell switch which only requires a hole in the pickguard, or stuff like that.
Avoid mods that cant be reversed or parts that cant be replaced. matting the neck is infinitely better than sanding the neck.
Not a comparison to the original premise.
73nder mass produced instrument, vs a boutique builder who sadly is no longer with us.
73nder sells in a month more guitars than Pedullas were ever produced.
From, let’s say, 1970 onwards I’d venture to say there are only a handful of specific, mass produced Fender models that are likely to appreciate more than most basses. As was mentioned previously, the ‘82 thru ‘85 Fullerton AVRI models would be a prime example of this.
Similarly, there are some, such as the MIJ JV serial number basses, that are highly sought after, but the jury is still out on whether they’ll ever fall into the “collectible” category.
The remainder of “common” Fender basses are likely to continue serving their masters without really gaining much in value. But who knows… fifty years from now some lucky soul may pull a pristine 2010 American Standard from their grandfather’s closet and it’ll sell for an unheard of amount of cash.
Similarly, there are some, such as the MIJ JV serial number basses, that are highly sought after, but the jury is still out on whether they’ll ever fall into the “collectible” category.
The remainder of “common” Fender basses are likely to continue serving their masters without really gaining much in value. But who knows… fifty years from now some lucky soul may pull a pristine 2010 American Standard from their grandfather’s closet and it’ll sell for an unheard of amount of cash.
Subbing this thread, with a note on my calendar to check back in 2050 and see how this turns out. I’ll be 95 then, and perhaps finally be able to afford a bass that was built when I was 3 years old.
Since some of you might be taking this too seriously, I kid. I know my 1999 won't be my golden goose egg in 2050.
I don't need your financial advice on investing or told not to think a guitar as an investment.
I know.
We all know.
I'm just mad some boomer's dad purchased him/her a $300 '68 fender ($2700 in today's price,) sat unused under the bed, and its now worth $25k for reasons beyond me.
but whatever...
I kinda like my '99. its got a great neck. It is an American with a maple neck and it cost me a dime compared to what was on the market back then.
I did an interest free Sam Ash credit card purchase and took the complete balance and invested it into a high yield 6 month bond so I actually paid less for the guitar than the asking price.
I paid the note off one day before the deadline.
And now I see prices are more than double for what I paid for said guitar so good luck telling me about investments.
LOL
I don't need your financial advice on investing or told not to think a guitar as an investment.
I know.
We all know.
I'm just mad some boomer's dad purchased him/her a $300 '68 fender ($2700 in today's price,) sat unused under the bed, and its now worth $25k for reasons beyond me.
but whatever...
I kinda like my '99. its got a great neck. It is an American with a maple neck and it cost me a dime compared to what was on the market back then.
I did an interest free Sam Ash credit card purchase and took the complete balance and invested it into a high yield 6 month bond so I actually paid less for the guitar than the asking price.
I paid the note off one day before the deadline.
And now I see prices are more than double for what I paid for said guitar so good luck telling me about investments.
LOL
There are two kinds of people who buy gear. There are players, and there are collectors. If you're a player, it doesn't matter. If you're a collector, you destroyed your instrument.
It's up to you to decide which you are.
It's up to you to decide which you are.
I'm sure there are two 1999 Fender bass models that will be collectible (I won't tell you which ones). Asking this question about a regular PJ is just ridiculous. And you're laughing at the opinions of those who tell you no, but you're still here, so you don't know that much. XO
woah! you got some truths! good for you.
I'm laughing at those who can't see the irony in this post.
take it easy, pal.
relax in knowing your knowledge in 1999 fender pjs is so much more complicated than dumb ol' me understands.
I hope you sleep a millionaire tonight as we hoi pollo I can only wish to be as snarky on a fourm who gives one F about your opinion.
good luck and looking forward to your response.
Relax dude. I have to admit that I didn't get the sarcasm in your first post either.
On a serious note, buying music gear with an eye towards appreciation is largely just guesswork. The only thing that is sort of a pattern is that when people get old/rich enough the stuff they wanted (but couldn't afford) when they were younger and starting out becomes sought after. However, just because it's sought after doesn't mean it's valuable, demand is only half of the equation, what's the supply like? I'm 36, it remains to be seen if people my age and younger will ever be rich enough to have this happen!
On a serious note, buying music gear with an eye towards appreciation is largely just guesswork. The only thing that is sort of a pattern is that when people get old/rich enough the stuff they wanted (but couldn't afford) when they were younger and starting out becomes sought after. However, just because it's sought after doesn't mean it's valuable, demand is only half of the equation, what's the supply like? I'm 36, it remains to be seen if people my age and younger will ever be rich enough to have this happen!
If his dad had purchased $300 in stocks and it appreciated at 8.5% per year, he would have $31,000 and not have to wait for somebody on Reverb to like him enough to give him the money.
I find this thread very odd. Posting "sarcastically" and then berating others for not being edgy enough to understand the humor.
You used search AI in your first post.
Impossible to predict. If Fender goes out of business because AI takes over the entire music business and twenty years later, there is a HUGE renaissance of hand made music, every bass with a Fender Logo might become incredibly expensive because most have been used for firewood.
