| Author | Message | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 341 Registered: 1-2008 |
A friend is offering me his '73 Precision. It is stock except the PUPs were changed and the bridge/PUP covers are missing. I haven't even seen it, but I would like to help him out and keep the instrument "in the family". He is asking $1,500. Is that a reasonable price for a sight unseen purchase??? | ||
| pauldo
Intermediate Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 187 Registered: 6-2006 |
Mike - I am not sure about a modified P-Bass of that vintage. However I recently ran into my old high school music director. I asked if he still had his 72 Fender P-Bass, he said he sold it,,,, I asked why he didn't call me?! (It was a great bass but more importantly, it had been in the hands of many fabulous local bassists through the years...) I regress. He did not tell me the exact price that he got for it but he mentioned that because it was modified (he had it professionally re-painted at a certified Fender dealer ~Ralph Hanzel~ in a certified Fender color) that he had lost $3,000 of value. . . :-( Not sure if this information helps - good luck. P.S. - I would be carefully discussing Fender's here - it is a touchy subject with some :-D | ||
| lmiwa
Advanced Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 219 Registered: 2-2008 |
Mike, There are a number of factors that influence the exact price of Fenders. You could search eBay to see if you can find comparable instruments that have sold recently. Here's one that sounds simlar that sold for $1350 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180374573457 And here's one on sale now for $900 with no bids http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110412996904 Just my personal opinion, but this doesn't sound like an investment grade instrument, so $1500 sounds a little high. Loch | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 342 Registered: 1-2008 |
Just saw some pics: It's ROUGH... I'm definitely not worried about it being a refinish!!! No PUP/bridge covers, SD PUPs, at least 1 knob is not original, and the pots may not be original either. I think I'll have to pass at the current price. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4001 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mike: According to the Blue Book, a '73 P bass is worth the following: 98% mint condition - $3000 95% exc. + $2500 90% exc, $2100 80% v.g.+ $1800 70% v.g. $1500 60% g. $1200 The finish may also effect the price. Certain finishes add 10% - 100% to the value. Bill, tgo | ||
| jeffbass4
Junior Username: jeffbass4 Post Number: 30 Registered: 2-2003 |
Another thought on price. Go to www.bassnw.com and see some of the prices that are listed there on the used Fenders. There is a 73 P-bass in great condition for $2299. They've had some beat up ones for around $1200-1300. Look under "used and special sale basses" Again it depends on any mods that were done or not. ciao. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2628 Registered: 2-2006 |
It is definately a "buyers" market in todays economy. OO | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 231 Registered: 12-2004 |
Mike, Make him an offer if you wish, some of the 70's P basses are good players and finding parts to restore it is not too hard. I love my '74 P bass for that 'old school' tone. Original pickups are available on EBay now & again (prices vary significantly), or a Lindy Fralin pickup is even better. The knobs & cover are easy to find, heck, Fender still sells them. I agree it is silly that the assembly line P basses originally costing a few hundred dollars are fetching such high prices. The design and parts have been the same since the 50's! But if it ain't broke, don't fix it...I still enjoying playing mine as a change from the Alembics. | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 720 Registered: 11-2007 |
Mike - buy it! Early 70's Fenders are becoming highly collectable despite being quite heavy and inconsistant in quality. Also they are hard to break, always deliver the goods and the more they wear the cooler they become. Would make a nice passive contrast to your Alembic. I agree with southpaw - the Lindy Fralin pickups are superb and a Leo Quan badass bridge always improves the sustain/overtone imho. John. | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Junior Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2009 |
Mike, I recently sold my 74 sunbust, blond neck, p-bass all org/no case for $2500. I think its a good buy. If you want to remake it's vintage quality it would be no problem to buy era pic ups online.That being said. Finish is all important. | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 232 Registered: 12-2004 |
I have chatted with many Fender enthusiast and have been told the era does not always matter for quality. Yes, the 70's Fenders tend to be heavier but I have been told by many long time Fender collectors that there are just as many "pre CBS" dogs out there too, but the label of "pre CBS" makes them more desirable (and expensive) but not better. I have a '75 Jazz bass that I believe will match any era Jazz bass; weighs 8.5 lbs, the body is swamp ash with slight flaming and is almost one piece (the second piece is only 3/4" by the controls). The neck is to die for and it roars like thunder. I got lucky to say the least. As I mentioned before, my '74 P is a great bass too, normal weight, good quality. The moral of my little story is, if it's a player & it speaks to you, bring it home! Don't worry about the year, the finish or knobs... If not, keep searching. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 896 Registered: 8-2005 |
Have to agree with Paul on this one! I bought a 75 P bass from my best friend (now deceased sadly). He knew he was dying, and offered me this bass. Finish......crap!!....... beat up to hell but looks so cool! Build quality......OK Spray job......seems the black tends towards green at some points? Sound........"Stranglers" tone!! Roll off the treble, and it sounds like "Clotted Cream" To my American friends who have never tried Cornish Clotted Cream with strawberries.........pin your ears back guys and gals....WOW!! (Message edited by georgie_boy on July 24, 2009) | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1070 Registered: 3-2004 |
As long as we can skip the jugged hare. | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 345 Registered: 1-2008 |
I just couldn't justify the purchase. I half-heatedly offered $1,000. Unfortunately, he only got $900 for it on Ebay. | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 190 Registered: 2-2006 |
Not toooo far off topic (I hope): Bill, what's the blue book say a slightly used 1983 Steinberger L2 is worth? I've got a similar situation to mike1762... | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 722 Registered: 11-2007 |
I cant help but feel you missed a trick on this one Mike. Having said that to only achieve $900 is a big "ouch" for the seller. As the western world slips further into financial meltdown I think we are going to see some bargains in times to come on used bass deals....especially from private sellers. John. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4013 Registered: 7-2004 |
Will: Are you speaking of the "L" series bass or the guitar? Assuming it's the bass, is it the standard or the pro? The difference appears to be that the pro has the Steinberger DB bridge, whatever that is. Bill, tgo | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 898 Registered: 8-2005 |
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJh3KaIKDAw Isn't this just wonderful?? Play it loud...the P bass is just great. Enjoy!! George | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 191 Registered: 2-2006 |
Again, my apologies to the other posters for slightly off-topic: Bill, it's a standard L2 bass, not an XL... it's Newburgh,NY-made (apparently first-run original production, pre-Gibson) with a pretty low serial number (in the 1600's). | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4016 Registered: 7-2004 |
Will: The Standard L2 is listed as follows: Grading 98% MINT $1,250 95% EXC+ $1,050 90% EXC $850 80% VG+ $750 70% VG $675 60% G $625 Last MSRP $2100 Bill, tgo | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 192 Registered: 2-2006 |
Bill, you are awesome. Once again, the club comes through! Thanks. Sorry again to everyone else for the thread detour. Over and out! | ||
| bassilisk
Junior Username: bassilisk Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2009 |
Will, Just FYI, Blue Book value notwithstanding, early L2's tend to go for substantially more than what's listed. Early ones in great condition can get $2K+ regularly. The appeal of the initial design is still very high in the right circles. Check out this link for a ton of info. It's just like here, just for Steinbergers (and other headless/graphite instruments). http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/steinberger_world/ | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 154 Registered: 5-2007 |
I built a Precision-style bass, AND I JUST LOVE IT! It features flatwound strings and a Seymour Duncan Antiquities p/u. For you gear heads: Warmoth left-handed Telecaster bass neck (strung right-handed, but with reverse headstock), ebony board, Fender P Special body (has route for additional (J) p/u, into which I put a hollow pickup cover just to make it look finished). I hadn't used it in a while, deferring to my Epic, until last night when I broke it out, and used an Adamas graphite pick on some songs. It's got the thunk sound! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 902 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hi Ben, Which model of SD Antiquity pickup are you using?? I've heard that there is the ANtiquity 1, and the Antiquity 2 The 1 is meant to be a 57 P bass replicy, and the2 is a 62 replica. I've never heard any of them, but would love to hear people's opinion on the both of them. George | ||
| bassilisk
Junior Username: bassilisk Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2009 |
I love a good P bass and have several (ditto for Jazz basses). Each does it a bit differently and don't really overlap yet all do it well in their own right. '88 MIA Vintage 62 RI P - this comes amazingly close to the early 60's P's I've played without the price tag. I am continuously impressed at how well it cops the vibe from the slab rosewood board to the tone. Put on some flats and it's the real deal. Well done Fender. '76 P - all maple neck on the lightest bass I own next to my Hofner copy. I put in a DiMarzio pickup. I love these pickups, like a P on steroids with a great midrange hump. The bass is woody, powerful and agressive with rounds. Franken-Tele Bass - a Warmoth swamp ash Tele body with my original '70 Tele neck, tuners and covers using an SD single coil Quarter Pounder. Another killer with flats in the look of old school tradion. Warmoth P body, J neck with an EMG P/J setup and active pre. Huge tone, a bit more modern and looks great. Another custom Warmoth - mahogany Dinky P body with a 5A quilt cap, all Macassar Ebony neck, P/MM pickups through an Aguilar OBP-3. Very focused - the ebony neck is like graphite. Playing this through the F-1X is a true joy. Precisions (and variants thereof) hold their own place in my book. I'd bet the majority of the music that I listened to and was influenced by was created on them. Gotta have at least one! For the record, I don't ever want any of my Alembics to "sound like a P bass" - I already have some that do it quite well. I expect my Alembics to sound like Alembics and not try to mimic the tones of other basses - I love 'em just the way are and that's the reason I have them. The gamut - '62 RI and the the Dinky.   | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 903 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks Will. Love the basses....especially the Fender ofcourse! The other looks amazing, and no doubt sounds as good as it looks. George | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 904 Registered: 8-2005 |
Oooops What does MIA mean?? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1340 Registered: 2-2005 |
I would guess MIA means "Made in America" not the more common "Missing in Action". Keith | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 155 Registered: 5-2007 |
Hi George - that's a good question on which SD Antiquities I am using. I didn't know there were two. If it helps, it is the split-P design, not the one-piece that was found in the earlier Precisions. As far as the sound, it is everything I had hoped it would be. I found that if I touch any of the metal parts it yields a buzzing sound, so I put a piece of electrical tape over the mounting screw and the polepieces of the upper half of the p/u. | ||
| bassilisk
Junior Username: bassilisk Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2009 |
That's correct - MIA is the American model vs the MIJ Japanese model. FYI - MIM= Mexico. This is the new terminology identifying build origin now that they're made internationally. Not all models are made in every place although some are and that's the only way to distinguish. Here's what Seymour himself says about the Antiquity series: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/antiquity/ I've never tried them myself, but SD has certainly mastered what they do and are very consistent. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 905 Registered: 8-2005 |
Ben, I didn't think that there should be a buzz from these pickups. Is your greounding ok?? G | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 906 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks Keith & Will. I should have known that! D'Ohhhhhh | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2648 Registered: 2-2006 |
George is correct Ben, sounds like you have a ground problem becuase you shouldn't be getting a buzz. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 157 Registered: 5-2007 |
I guess I will have to look more closely at the wiring - AGAIN... I wired it myself and have never screwed up before, but that means nothing. As far as I "shouldn't be getting a buzz", where I come from that could have more than one meaning. Y'all know what I saying. | ||
| bassilisk
Junior Username: bassilisk Post Number: 40 Registered: 4-2009 |
Typically an alternate meaning would be deliberate. It's much trickier if you don't know where it comes from.... | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1228 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's what happens when the punch bowl is left out and unattended...  Mike | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 907 Registered: 8-2005 |
Nice one Mike!! George | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 908 Registered: 8-2005 |
Ben, At the moment, I've got a smilar problem with my 75 P bass Just this morning, I touched the top of the jack that plugs into the bass,.and there was the buzz again!......it happens if I don't touch the strings, or touch the pole pieces of the pup. I posted this ages ago, and got the response ie..the grounding problem!! So.to continue..I knew it was just a grounding problem, but at the moment, I'm unemployed, so can't put the bass in to Jimmy Moon in Glasgow (the only guy I'd trust in Scotland). SO........when I touched the jack....(meant to be insulated in rubber and all that!)........there was the buzz again.....just like with the pole pieces! So......by chance........I touched the bridge at the same time. Result.......One Quiet and great sounding P bass Would appear to me (as Adriaan and others pointed out) that the problem most probably arises from the ground under the bridge, or the connections to the jack! Hope this helps. BTW....I still use the P bass for most live gigs at the moment..............just keep a hold of the strings when not playing! Funny though.........last week , I never heard a buzz from her.....strings held or not...but at home, you can hear what needs to be done. George | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1073 Registered: 11-2004 |
There is something to be said for a good P-bass. Here is a YouTube link of Budgie playing Breadfan - This is probably my favorite Rock bass tone... definitely not perfect for every genre of music, but an overdriven valve amp with a good P-bass is hard to beat! | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Junior Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2009 |
Some of this may be grounding in the home or showcase your playing in. I have experienced noise in different locations using the same gear. An electrician told me it could be due to the sensitivity of the pickups without sufficient grounding in relation to the quality of wiring at location. He also told me the amount of amperage load on the circut can add or subtract the amount of hum or noise. I have been running all my gear thru a heavy duty fused powerstrip and that seems to help. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 159 Registered: 5-2007 |
I am reminded of another "incident" involving this particular bass (and this departs from the direction of the thread, so please forgive). I was using it at the Fur Peace Ranch during student performance, and the output jack stopped putting out... The Maestro Casady ran into the back room and produced his own bass and handed it to me... the other fellows on stage began playing, so I started in (without tuning the bass...). Of course, it was out of tune, so Jack kneeled in front of me and tuned it while I was playing! You can't make this stuff up! God bless 'im! Come to think of it, this particular Precisionstein has had some issues... |
