Would you pull the trigger on this 1959 P-Bass?

[MDBass]

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Here’s my issue with high sticker vintage Fenders these days: Nash exists.

You can essentially spec your own vintage, worn in Fender for less than half of what this ad is asking.

If I was going to drop major coin on a vintage Fender, that’s the route I’d go personally.

 

[bobyoung53]

Well I found out three things today, 1959 Fenders had no heel stamps and no buttons on the back of the headstock and the date was written in under the pickup, so a couple of things I thought were fishy are correct, still don't like that paint job though. I'd strip it! But again I'd go play it and if it really rings your bell and you could use it as a player I'd consider it although I'd try to get him down lower. I don't like refinished old Fenders unless they really looked like hell before.

 

[10cc]

Canadians

 

[lat]

Canadians

Can't live with 'em, can't beat 'em at hockey.

 

[mikeswals]

Well I found out three things today, 1959 Fenders had no heel stamps and no buttons on the back of the headstock and the date was written in under the pickup, so a couple of things I thought were fishy are correct, still don't like that paint job though. I'd strip it!

59 and 69 are two notorious years for lack of neck stamp. I dont know why, but they just are.

 

[bbh]

Never heard of that site so I can’t trust them. I’d listen to the crew’s advice. They all seem to think it’s not worth that amount. A lot of tbers have extensive knowledge on these types of issues.

 

[10cc]

Can't live with 'em, can't beat 'em at hockey.

 

[Herrick]

I'm always impressed how you guys can tell how original these old basses are. How much would it be worth if it were all original?

 

[lat]

So why aren't you asking George Gruhn instead of a bunch of strangers on the internet?!

Huh??

You said you need to know about this stuff personally in order to buy an instrument like this.

I said I disagree.

Maybe you're confusing me with the OP?

OP here... Just to clarify, I'm not asking if I should buy it or not. I already said the overspray was a deal breaker for me in post #9. I'm asking folks if they would buy it. A little feedback is good to confirm whether or not my decision was sound... Plus, the discussion has been illuminating thus far.

 

[Element Zero]

I’d rather purchase another Fodera if I’ve got over 6 grand burnin a hole in my pocket, but that’s just me.

 

[micguy]

I own musical instruments, not historical artifacts, so not my thing to begin with. And it appears this on has had some of its history lost on the way, so even if I were looking fir history, I’d look elsewhere.

 

[I-play-bass]

That red in the burst reminds me of when a Toddler plays with their parent's makeup and gets lipstick all around their mouth.

Hideous, a refinish, a bunch of unoriginal parts...

That's a hard pass.

 

[brianrost]

It is about the going price for a refin (note price is CDN.$)

Really? I have a 61 refin that's all original otherwise, I can't imagine anyone paying me $5000 for it. Of course I don't have the case and those are worth stupid money to collectors.

 

[40Hz]

Probably not. Too many truly fine PBs are available for a lot less. And at the end of the day, once you put romantic mystique and nostolgia aside, a ‘58 PB is still just a mass produced instrument that came off a factory assembly line.

Besides, I want a Wal Mark 1 a whole lot more. $6500 would at least get me within striking range of scoring one of those.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I wouldnt get it because that burst is

 

[Huw Phillips]

If this was a piece of art it would not hold much value with so many questions and changes, I am not familiar with bass fetishized knolage but for example with Warhol’s art there is a list of genuine certified art works would a call to fender be worth while, on the other hand it’s not a vast sum of money if you love it you only live once

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Pull the trigger on it? No way.
A bullet hole in the bass would totally wreck the value.

 

[narud]

im curious what everyone who thinks this refin is terrible thinks of original pre-cbs bursts that havent faded over the years. all of those clean, under the bed basses have very defined 3 tone sunbursts.

 

[shadven]

No. Too many questionable aspects. I have several pre-cbs basses. They are around for that ball-park price if you wait. Too many question marks here.

 

[gln1955]

I couldn't get past that horrible refin. I'd like to see what it looked like before it was molested like that. Might have been a nice naturally worn bass. Oh well...