Yay or Nay?

[jhm2112]

I’m considering this. What say you, TB’ers?Vintage -1977- Fender P Bass, "Beautiful and Original" | eBay I was considering the Aerodyne Jazz Bass, but my guitar player keeps saying to get a vintage P Bass.

 

[hypercarrots]

road worn p bass is a good one

 

[4sight]

my guitar player keeps saying to get a vintage P Bass.

You should buy a brand new 8 string single cut immediately. Never listen to a guitar player

Vintage basses can be very hit and miss, I wouldn't buy one if I couldn't play it first.

 

[soulman969]

I would be very cautious when purchasing any late '70 or early '80s Fender Bass and as 4sight suggests inspect it well and play it. There are some good ones but by in large Fender's QC was slipping badly by then.

If I was in the market for one I would shop them locally or from a dealer where I could play them and avoid buying sight unseen unless I was provided with a return guarantee. Added to this I would say buy what YOU prefer.

If your guitarist likes that PBass let him spend his cash on it and take the risk.

 

[FenderOli]

Ask for the weight. Had one with 12lbs northern ash. Up to 13lbs is not uncommon.

 

[Flamingo21]

If your guitarist likes that PBass let him spend his cash on it and take the risk.

This!! What you spend your bucks on is none of his business. And if he wants a vintage P in the band because he wants a certain sound from the band, he'd better start giving his reasons.

 

[Flamingo21]

That said, it sure looks nice. I see no giveaways that it's fake, but I'm no expert.

 

[wmhill]

and another buck fifty for shipping?? Nope

 

[Paulabass]

I would have to play it. '77 is really pushing the boundries of both vintage and collectable. Just a few years ago it would not have been considered either, but the vintage market being what it is- you decide.
It could be a heavy pig, or have a neck joint you can shove your thumbnail into.

 

[soulman969]

That said, it sure looks nice. I see no giveaways that it's fake, but I'm no expert.
If it's legit the price seems reasonable.

I'm not in any away against the PBass either. I've owned many including a '63 and of course a Matt Freeman PBass is my main player now but by the late '70s I had stopped considering new ones because the quality was falling.

IMHO for that same money a new or more recent model is a far better bet than anything Fender produced in that era plus "vintage" in the truest sense would be pre-1967 not 1977 and those run far more than $1400. JMHO

 

[Frank77]

Don't let anyone pressure you into buying stuff. Vintage is not better, it's just old.

 

[soulman969]

Don't let anyone pressure you into buying stuff. Vintage is not better, it's just old.

Ha ha. Much like me. I've tried to call myself "vintage" too but my kids insist I'm just old.

A fellow player and good buddy who also comes from an "earlier era" and I maintain that in reality there is no "vintage". Just new, used, very used, and abused. What we once bought new or used is now "vintage" and it's not nearly as special as a whole lot of people may think it is.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Late 70s Fenders were inconsistent at best with regard to quality. It also appears to be Ash, and therefore likely to be over 11 pounds.

Unless your guitarist is buying it, get what YOU want.

 

[Bass V]

for what it is, a vintagy FENDER, a good basic player, and we're only talking money and you want it... yes.
in a world where you can get far more for far le$$ I'd say jump on this v before I do!
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[sublimate]

Nay.
Play what YOU want.

...and fire your guitar player.

 

[popcat]

Nay.
Play what YOU want.

...and fire your guitar player.

And tell the drummer he'd better watch out.

 

[mpdd]

I got burned on a few internet purchases due to undisclosed neck issues in the past, therefore I'd go out of my way to get something I could play unless it was an extreme deal. Also, early vintage squiers can be lighter, cheaper, and better crafted.

 

[popcat]

I would never buy anything I couldn't try out and closely inspect first. What if it buzzes? Oh, it just needs a setup or maybe a fret leveling. Or, is the neck warped and twisted?

Had a friend once that worked at Fender, said all their guitar necks had a twist and they expected the string tension to fix it over time -- maybe, I don't know?

 

[foolforthecity]

I've had a black US export CIJ Aerodyne since about 2008, bought new. I love the weight, but have never been able to get a tone I really like out of it. Have gone through a few sets of pickups over time but it always seems to produce a somewhat thin, muffled, constrained sound. My experience on my bass... I'd like to think I just ended up with a one-off sonic dud but I don't know as I've never sampled any others.

I'm not sure about that Precision. Seems a bit pricey to me for a bass that does nothing for me visually and may end up being a regret-purchase. Others are right that QC on these were all over the board during this period.

 

[gln1955]

road worn p bass is a good one

Get a Road Worn P and tell the guitarist it's vintage. He'll never know the difference.