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Post subject: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Basses.
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:32 pm
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Hello,

I am going to NY on early September and I am looking for an early 70s (definitely pre-74) Jazz Bass (preferably sunburst with block inlays). Since I am traveling from Brasil and have never been to the NY area I would dearly appreciate some info on places to go and people to see.

I have seen comments about Music Zoo, Old Manny's Music, Umanov Guitars and Chelsea Guitars. What should I expect from these places? Do the big chains such as Guitar Center are worth some time?

I know that 70s JB are some of the most valuable vintage axes around, and from what I've been seeing around the web prices would vary from 2.500 all the way up to 8 or 9 grand for a mint/excellent condition. I could settle for something more "used" and a little more on the low end of the spectre.

Thanks a lot for your time.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:37 am
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rauh wrote:
Hello,

I am going to NY on early September and I am looking for an early 70s (definitely pre-74) Jazz Bass (preferably sunburst with block inlays). Since I am traveling from Brasil and have never been to the NY area I would dearly appreciate some info on places to go and people to see.

I have seen comments about Music Zoo, Old Manny's Music, Umanov Guitars and Chelsea Guitars. What should I expect from these places? Do the big chains such as Guitar Center are worth some time?

I know that 70s JB are some of the most valuable vintage axes around, and from what I've been seeing around the web prices would vary from 2.500 all the way up to 8 or 9 grand for a mint/excellent condition. I could settle for something more "used" and a little more on the low end of the spectre.

Thanks a lot for your time.


Welcome.

You've mentioned most of the important stores; consider here too:

http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/Basses.htm

Guitar Centers do indeed have vintage pieces as well.

Keep in mind that regardless of any of the stores you visit, it will be a timing thing in the sense that inventory keeps changing and naturally, with vintage type pieces, such things in or out of inventory cannot be foreseen. Also, whatever bass you do choose, don't expect to get a 'great deal' on it.

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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:56 am
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The better deals are away from big cities. You may have to travel some outside of NYC to get the very best deal. All the NYC dealers have high overhead for rent, taxes, etc and pass that along to customers.

But if shopping in NYC, don't overlook pawn shops. You might have to visit 100 pawn shops to find one interesting piece. Jaco's infamous "Bass Of Doom" stolen in 1987 from a bench in NYC's Central Park was ultimately found in a pawn shop in NYC in December of 2007.

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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:56 am
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brotherdave wrote:
The better deals are away from big cities. You may have to travel some outside of NYC to get the very best deal. All the NYC dealers have high overhead for rent, taxes, etc and pass that along to customers.

But if shopping in NYC, don't overlook pawn shops. You might have to visit 100 pawn shops to find one interesting piece. Jaco's infamous "Bass Of Doom" stolen in 1987 from a bench in NYC's Central Park was ultimately found in a pawn shop in NYC in December of 2007.

Image


Knowing pawn shops somebody got royally screwed in that deal. I'd like to something like that on "Pawn Stars". Granted they would probably be thoroughly unimpressed since that isn't their area of expertise. Ahh the glazed look in Chumleys eyes as he examines the fresh booger from his nose as a piece of music history passes in front of him. Especially after they payed some dude $600 for a replica of the Who's Woodstock contract that was given out inside albums during the 70's.

Stay Brown,
Rev J


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:18 am
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Thanks for the advice. I know it will be really hard to find something during the short time I'll be in the city. I have considered pawn shops and will search them, just hope that my skills in detecting big problems are still up to date.

At this point any deal with a vintage is a great deal. Hehehe.

On a different but related note, I am also considering buying a reissue bass. What do you think/feel are the main differences between them? I haven't seen a reissue lately, so any input would be valuable.

Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:45 pm
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rauh wrote:
... I am also considering buying a reissue bass. What do you think/feel are the main differences between them? ...


The differences? Too numerous to mention unless you get a Custom Shop version and even then there are still differences. I consider most Fender "Reissues" to be more accurately described as "Reproductions." They may look similar but when compared to the real thing you immediately find all sorts of differences.

I consider buying a Fender Reissue akin to buying a reproduction hand painted copy of a masterpiece painting, it looks pretty good initially, but when you compare it to the original you immediately know it isn't quite the same.

Much of the hardware, hardware finishing, paints, woods, and electronics are different. Things like accurate reproductions of period correct tortoise pickguard patterns are nearly impossible to reproduce. Fender tends to make "Reissues" that kind of, sort of look like the guitar they are trying to emulate, but calling them a "Reissue" is stretching the meaning of the word reissue because they are not exactly the same. Fender Reissue basses are good basses and in some cases really good basses, but they not the same thing as the original.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:50 pm
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The only good thing(usually)about buying a vintage piece at a Boutique or High-End music store is the better chance of getting a QUALITY piece,It sounds like you are'nt familiar with Vintage or re-issue type basses and what to look for so going to a Boutique store where they will take you through the process and give you the time needed to answer all your questions,opposed to a G.Center chain music store where they dont pay as much for them and are less likely to have the same quality(I'm sure not everything is junk but..)and less likely to walk you through the buying process.
Re-issues are great and are probably made better than the originals(depending on many facets)its all what you want,do you want a 5000.00$ 63 Jazzbass or a 2500.00$ US re-issue or custom shop bass ?
Take your time and play them all,your ears will help you more than most of us can.
Good-Luck,you'll need it :mrgreen:

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Last edited by lawsuitbass on Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:29 pm
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Yeah, the neck problem. That's one I can spot without too much of a fuss, however I cannot easily determine if a slight bend is a tragic one or something you could handle with the help of a gifted luthier. Considering that I am willing to spend up to 3.500 I certainly wouldn't want anything that needs tampering with, if I can avoid it.

Also, with this sort of budget my guess is that I could probably get a beat up early 70s, or a less worn one of late 70s or early 80s.

I am very suspicious of the three screw neck bolt. I honestly dislike the 75-84 basses because of that, but it might no be such a big deal, and it might be more cosmetic than anything else. Any inputs on these issues?

And thank you very very much for your advice. I will certainly remember it when I get my hands on all the beauties that await me.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:20 pm
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Buying a bass is like driving a tractor.

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And John Deere is the Fender of tractors!


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:57 pm
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Sabre Lane wrote:
I can vouch for that....
All my currently owned basses are either Fender ot Fender-based.
LEO ROCKED! :!:


Tell us about your tractors!

brotherdave drives a tractor to work every day!

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Everybody drives tractors there!


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:33 am
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I am checking out Craig's List and even Ebay. Problem is I'm living in Brazil and will only be in the States for a couple of weeks this year. So I'll probably have to count on a lot of luck to find something interesting, but then again luck is always a factor.

I am also going to check out some contemporaries, and consider the possibilities. But yeah, nothing beats a vintage tractor. Hehehe.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:19 pm
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Oh, drat! You didn't say you were from Brazil and never mentioned vintage. Sorry.

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Now THAT'S vintage!


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:22 pm
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Hi guys,

thanks for the info. I'll give some thought to it all and something good will come out of it.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:37 pm
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Having spent time in Brazil, he has an open mind!

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Post subject: Re: Looking for good stores/reference in NY for 70s Jazz Bas
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:59 pm
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So I'm still looking for good deals and it seems that a boutique shop will be my destination to get more info and options. I really don't feel that comfortable at this time to spend too much money on it. However I might even make some money bringing it to Brazil, so I shall continue searching.

On a different note, any thoughts about pawn shops deals?

Also, considering culture clash, would it be acceptable to ask for the bass to be disassembled in order to check out date stamps or would this be considered too rough (as in doubting the word of the seller)?


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