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Post subject: vintage 1978-
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:29 pm
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Hi,
I'm going to buy a vintage 1978 Mint N Beauty Fender Bass, serial S7XXXXX.
I have two doubts:
1) One ding on the plate has canceled the last 2 digits of the serial.
What does it mean in terms of value and Fender originality? What could it cause it? :?

2) It's in a very good condition and with its original case red inside. The proposed price is 1630 USD. Is it a right price for it?

Could you please help me? I'd really like to get this "baby" as soon as possible (but withuot "surprice")
Thanks a lot
Bye :D :D


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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:35 pm
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You're buying something that's 30 years old, even if no surprises in the beginning, there will be other surprises. If you want nothing with a surprise, Fender has plenty of new MIA basses in the price range and it's under warranty. It's a lot of money you're spending on an old bass, expect something to come up. I hope you're buying the bass to play it not to collect it. Have fun with man, that's why we do this right? :wink: . Good luck on the purchase.

Oh, I don't have any answers as far as the ding plate v. the serial #. Someone here might know tho.

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'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:00 pm
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I have a 78 Jazz myself.
S7 means 1977 S for seventies 7 for the year and this should be on the headstock decal under the lacquer.
Unfortunately dating Fenders in those years is a crap shoot, they used pre-existing inventories from different years to assemble their guitars. You may have a plate from 77, a neck from 78, and a body and pots from 79.
The only way you can be halfway sure it's not some copy with Fender parts; is to take it apart, the neck heel should be dated, the neck cavity on the body (might) be dated and initialed the crafters, the pots have a coded date and you may just run across one or two small dated stickers.
My Fender book reads that the s/n was moved from the neck plate to the headstock in 1976.


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Post subject: Re: vintage 1978-
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:00 am
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Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:51 pm
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Location: Boston
whiskyboy wrote:
Hi,
I'm going to buy a vintage 1978 Mint N Beauty Fender Bass, serial S7XXXXX.
I have two doubts:
1) One ding on the plate has canceled the last 2 digits of the serial.
What does it mean in terms of value and Fender originality? What could it cause it? :?

2) It's in a very good condition and with its original case red inside. The proposed price is 1630 USD. Is it a right price for it?

Could you please help me? I'd really like to get this "baby" as soon as possible (but withuot "surprice")
Thanks a lot
Bye :D :D


You stated that it had a ding on the plate that canceled the last 2 digits of the serial number. What about the serial number on the headstock? On my 78 the serial number is clearly visible below the Fender logo.
Is the bass a local or internet purchase? If it's local, make sure that you check it out in person. I once bought a 78 Jazz bass on ebay. The seller claimed that it was completely original. When the bass arrived I noticed that the neck binding was cracked on both sides of the neck at every fret. This is a clear indication that it was refretted by someone who didn't know what they were doing. Two of the bridge saddles had also been replaced. The price is about right for an original 78. I have seen them sell between $1,200 and $2,000 depending on condition.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:05 pm
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Hi,
the selling is via internet but in my city, so no problem to have a look of it.
He shows me two serials:
S8 44243 under the white plastic cover
S7 363XX below Fender logo at the end of the neck.

I really cannot imagine why that 2 digit have been removed :?:
Thanks for your advises
Bye :D


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:53 pm
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Location: Boston
whiskyboy wrote:
Hi,
the selling is via internet but in my city, so no problem to have a look of it.
He shows me two serials:
S8 44243 under the white plastic cover
S7 363XX below Fender logo at the end of the neck.

I really cannot imagine why that 2 digit have been removed :?:
Thanks for your advises
Bye :D


If the seller is showing 2 different serial numbers the bass is not completely original. In my opinion, he is asking too much money. I bought one earlier this year for $1,200 and all the serial numbers matched


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:59 pm
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I wouldnt buy a used vintage Fender unless its from a reputable dealer !be cautious !

_________________
1996 50th Anniversary Jazz 5 (012 0f 500)
1997 '51 P Bass Reissue
2012 American Standard Precision V
2013 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:11 am
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jlarocho wrote:
I wouldnt buy a used vintage Fender unless its from a reputable dealer !be cautious !


Agreed, unless you're an avid collector or Fender historian. Too many fraud cases out there.

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:48 pm
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PowerJazzBass wrote:
jlarocho wrote:
I wouldnt buy a used vintage Fender unless its from a reputable dealer !be cautious !


Agreed, unless you're an avid collector or Fender historian. Too many fraud cases out there.

I'll jump on too.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:05 pm
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Location: San German,Puerto Rico
1600 bucks is a lot of cash to spend on a bass with a dubious past !

_________________
1996 50th Anniversary Jazz 5 (012 0f 500)
1997 '51 P Bass Reissue
2012 American Standard Precision V
2013 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:08 pm
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Location: Green Bay, WI
Can spend that on a AD or AS, get some change to spend on accessories...

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:29 pm
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Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:29 pm
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Location: San German,Puerto Rico
what does AS and AD mean?

_________________
1996 50th Anniversary Jazz 5 (012 0f 500)
1997 '51 P Bass Reissue
2012 American Standard Precision V
2013 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:30 pm
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Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:29 pm
Posts: 414
Location: San German,Puerto Rico
Wait I just got it ! American Standard and American Deluxe ! :lol:

_________________
1996 50th Anniversary Jazz 5 (012 0f 500)
1997 '51 P Bass Reissue
2012 American Standard Precision V
2013 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless


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Profile
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