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Post subject: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 8:07 am
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Hello,
First post for me!!! I've been playing inexpensive basses for a long time - mainly Yamahas (I really like the RBX550 that i've got, but I think it's time for an upgrade). I've always, always wanted a J-bass, but have never had the funds to stretch to it. Recently I've come into quite a bit of cash and I'm considering buying a vintage jazz bass, partially because they make me excited in my soul, and partially because I want it to be a fun way to save the money I've got (in case I need to sell it in the future to get my cash back). Has anyone got any tips on what I should be looking for, and how much I should expect to pay? I can see 1973 vintage basses for about 3000 GBP (c4700 USD) advertised, and I saw an advert recently for a 1983 model (almost vinatge) for 1000 GBP (1600 USD). Has anyone got advice on what to look for an how not to get ripped off they'd be willing to share with me?
Cheers


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 10:15 am
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Following the trends on ebay will put you into the ballpark as to what they may cost. If you might consider, look at an American Standard Jazz. Around $1300 USD and you've got a great bass that will hold it's value.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 12:11 pm
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Oh most of the 83's are worth the value only because they're old. Real dogs as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't go anywhere beyond 1978 or so. Just MHO.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 12:24 pm
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I agree with sloth, only I wouldn't go Beyond early '70's. Just an opinion based on the fact that my last REAL Fender Bass was a '71 Precision, black with maple neck and black pickguard, attached covers.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 3:46 am
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My first real bass was a 1983 Jazz Bass, which I bought used in 1984 for $350. I was a teen and mowed like crazy to save for it. I thought it was great since it replaced a plywood body with a 30" scale and a silver microphonic piclup that let you talk through it for Mr Microphone fun at rehearsals. Anyway, it was a pretty lame bass. I now have a 1962 RI Jaco bass (2008) which is a nice bass. My friend, an orchestral upright player, lets me use his 1977 black Jazz;he bought it for $400 in college and wanted to sell it to me for $500!!!I know...I just couldn't let him sell it to me for that.... :( . That thing is a slapper's delight. It's very heavy but it has some serious aggression. Anyway, play it before you buy it. I wouldn't buy a car just because it's old...it's gotta do its job....no matter how cool it looks.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:15 am
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Wow- buying a vintage bass without knowing about vintage basses is very tricky. I have an 83 P bass that's an okay bass. I'd say it's worth a solid 900 US maybe a tad more like 1000 US-- but that's here where I live. In bigger cities and other places the basses seem to cost more or less. Lots of variables involved and I think everyone takes a big chance when they buy their first "vintage instrument".

You might just want to reconsider and do like the guys said and just get a new P or Jazz USA Standard--


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:51 am
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Thats really very helpful guys.
Maybe you're right and it'd be a better idea to think about getting a vintage bass in the future; I wouldn't feel very confident about judging the quality or authenticity I suppose. I'll think about getting a standard like you suggest. I do like the big rectangular fret markers on the old basses, though. The 1975 reissue looks great (but looks like 50% more pricey than the standard). decisions, decisions.
Best
nick


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:04 am
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I loved my 2008 American Standard Jazz bass. I only sold it because I needed (yeah, that's what I tell myself...) a 6'r. The build quality is better these days. You don't have to worry if the dude shaping the next was hung over that day. Not saying hand made is bad, just sketchy when you are talking about the numbers that Fender made. I really like the new road worn series too. Plus don't forget all the Japanese reissues. They seem to all be amazing.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 9:03 am
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You may pay more but I would'nt buy an expensive vintage type bass on-line,try a boutique/high-end local store(one thats not too far from you, where spending some time with the store and its salesmen is'nt a plane-ride away),I do alot of set-up and repair work and I saw some real doosie's bought on-line and passed of as the "real deal"not to say all on-line dealers are crooks,I just insist on playing a bass and checking its originality out before a big purchase.
I apprenticed under a guy who will (for a price)take the bass apart and catalog all the numbers,specs,decals,electronics,routing holes ETC... To validate the bass and certify as original should the new owner choose to sell it,many places allow a 24-72 hr inspection/return period if the item is'nt what you wanted.
A vintage bass or any bass for that matter is an investment,Fenders dont lose their value,the market will rise and fall but always comes back around,NOW is a great time to buy,I see basses that were 5-6 grand selling for half that,I see 70's Fenders selling in the 1000.00$ range(depending on originality/mods/re-finishing)that were 2500.00$ 2 yrs ago.
There are many choices but a refinished bass that should fetch 5-6 grand are selling for a fraction of that,I would go that route,you get the vintage sound and quality build on a bass that looks much newer,its a good investment on a players need,a collector stays away which is why its cheaper,its a thought.
There are many good sellers on e-bay,do your homework and inlist someone who knows their stuff to maybe help you with it,REMEMBER" If it's too good to be true,It probably is" GOODLUCK :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:59 am
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Great advice again, thanks.

Anyone got an opinion on this one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/1976- ... e/80638641
?
1800 GBP (that's about 2900 USD). Seems reasonable compared to what I saw on ebay.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:20 am
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Almost looks too good to be true. I hate being a naysayer but, something seems to be amiss.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:32 am
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It seems to be in fantastic shape. Still would want to look first hand. As long as you have a money back guarantee and the seller is reputable you should be safe. As said above, treat expensive vintage instruments as you would a car...try before you buy. That being said, she looks like a real beauty. I would say for $3000 I don't think it's a fake. My friend's Black 1977 is a real player (as in relic'd the old fashion way...by playing) and wants to sell it to me for maybe $1200 or so.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:48 am
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that one looks almost too nice-- I'd have to look, smell, feel etc.-- put a black light on it and look at the finish- see how scratchy the pots are-- sight the neck. check fret size- there's all kinds of stuff. I f you have seen alot of older guitars and have owned some it's a little easier to get suspicious like Sherlock Holmes on it. I had a 76 with a 4 bolt neck (p bass).

I think that it is possible that the bass is a 77.


I want to defend my 83 P bass USA Standard. I traded for the bass and brought it home and did a complete clean up on it and complete set up also. Tweeked the neck for a little more relief, adjusted PU's, new strings, intonated etc etc. Plugged into my Ampeg 350 top with one 4- 10 Hartke and one Cerwin Vega 15 cabinet. I put everything on 12 oclock --- It is definately not junk. In fact it has a fat meaty sound and lots of ring and sustain. I then plugged it into my Ultra Bass 300watt head and another 4 10 Hartke and a BagEnd 1 15 band pass cabinet. Very good results. I would not hesitate to take the bass to a gig and use it. On the job I use yet another amp-- a GK rb-800 and an Ampeg HLF Classic 4 10 with the horn. By the time I get to the "live" amp I'm at the last stage of figuring out the bass in question. I know what I know about a bass once I play it live with the band, cranked and Rockin'. I'm confidant the 83 will do the job for me-- we'll see this weekend.


The 83 P bass has some things /changes on it that I like and some things that I wonder why they did it. But nothing on this one is junk. Now some of the 83 funky looking elite and specials are basses I have never desired. I have played them . But you have to keep in mind that when you play a bass at a music store -99% of the time the set up is whacked out ,, it's out of tune, the strings are old and dead and 1/2 an inch off the fretboard and the pickups are not adjusted properly. They get lazy and and just hang them on the wall in allot of cases. I think they think it's cost prohibitive to spend time setting up a bass with new strings and tweeking etc. I can understand that-- lord knows I done enough setting up to figure it out. I don't 100% know a guitar untill after I have owned it for about 3 or 4 days. Sometimes even longer.


Last edited by stroker vance on Thu May 26, 2011 10:28 am, edited 4 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 10:02 am
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Read that last post again, then re-read it. Then pay attention to it.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Jazz bass advice
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:46 pm
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Hi I have been studying vintage fender basses for a while now and still haven't jumped cos' I feel I need to know more!
However I am an experianced player and usually go on instinct when trying a bass, for instance I have a 1998 P bass whic I stumbled upon when buying some strings, it was really resonant before plugging in and it is a killer bass! I tried a mint 1975 P bass in a vintage guitar shop --- beautiful looker but absolutely horrible feel and sound --- that is why it was mint!
I agree with another writer her late 70's early 80's avoid!! I had a fender strat made in 1981 and it was really bad, sound and finish but I was 19 and I guess excusable to get caught out -- the Tokai Springy at that time sounded more like a Fender than my fender.
The other thing is the fakes you can pick up I know people can make a 2 week Fender look 30 years old so buying privately for a bargain can also have pitfalls...
Generally with Jazz basses the early 60's are prohibitive to most buyers up until 64 the intruments were essentially handmade. Up until around 1973-74 they went from dot markers (mid to late 60's) to block (pearlised) makers and then swapped to 3 boltnecks.

There has been debate about 3 bolt necks but I have tried a couple of peaches that sounded great so again individual preference. But essentially if you get a 1972 4 bolt neck it is the same design as a late 60's but cheaper!

I have recently played a 3 bolt 1976 and am currently raising funds cos it sounded awesome and I think that is where the thread goes.

You are going to be playing it you must like it cos if you don't few others will and if you come to sell then you will lose money.

Prices vary but ebay is probably a good marker and if a shop has one for £2295 then it is probably gonna be a private sale of £1700 ish.

Hope that helps.


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