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Post subject: A Question of Value
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 6:11 am
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I've also posted this in The Fender Lounge.

I've always seen any instrument as merely a sum of its parts; good, bad or indifferent and have always considered each and every instrument old or new on its own merits. Meaning, just because it is say, 30 year old, it does not necessarily follow to me that it is better than its same model of 40 days old. As a result, I have never delved into nor have been much good at figuring out some sort of value to older instruments. Frankly, I think some of the pricing for the older stuff is preposterous due to the above reasoning but that's another subject for another post.

Now to me, regardless of what the, "Blue Book" and other similar sources say a given piece is worth, I've never relied on them as whatever these sources decree surely isn't what the 'Average Joe' (or 'Jane' as the case may be) is willing to pay or currently is paying for such pieces. Rather, I've always looked to places like e-Bay, Craigslist, G-Base and such for more of an accurate handle. I should note that it is usually far and between that I really need to know the value of a classic instrument (meaning, 25+ years old).

What all this is leading up to is this: I just acquired a very near mint condition, Fender 1978 Precision Bass (Rosewood board, natural Ash body). Yes, it is as heavy as a Les Paul. On the 'up' side, it set up and plays like a champ! A few things aren't original where the OEM stuff is not included. These are, (aside from the strings) the pickguard which is a Fender Tortoise 62 RI model, the electronics which are all EMG, straplocks instead of the OEM strap buttons and the hardshell case is one of those tan Fender faux-leather jobs. It does have the OEM pickup cover plate and the bridge cover. And just for your exasperation, my camera is on the blink and I can't post pictures. I've tried getting a handle on the 'street value' but I've seen diverse pricing all over the place on this one. Can anyone who has experience in this area give me some sort of figure as to what a realistic selling price for this bass would be? TIA.

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Post subject: '78 Precision value??
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:25 am
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I have been around Fender instruments since 1962. Your P-Bass is 32 years old. It has the original pup replaced with an EMG. While modifications made to an instrument may increase it's sound ability, they decrease from its collectible value. Do you have the original P-Bass Pup? This estimate is sight unseen, and very broad. I will say $2000.00. You may receive opinions all over the scale on this. It sounds like it may be a keeper/player. Good Luck.


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Post subject: Re: '78 Precision value??
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:48 am
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pdyckman wrote:
I have been around Fender instruments since 1962. Your P-Bass is 32 years old. It has the original pup replaced with an EMG. While modifications made to an instrument may increase it's sound ability, they decrease from its collectible value. Do you have the original P-Bass Pup? This estimate is sight unseen, and very broad. I will say $2000.00. You may receive opinions all over the scale on this. It sounds like it may be a keeper/player. Good Luck.


Unfortunately, I don't have the original pickup. I thank you for your input and truly appreciate it!

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Post subject: '78 Precision value??
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:08 am
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Go the "Vintage Guitar" websites. If you try several general search entries you will find plenty of older instruments for sale. See what other vintage basses are going for. Putting in the original pickup back in your bass would raise the value. Good Luck.


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Post subject: Re: '78 Precision value??
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:24 am
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pdyckman wrote:
Go the "Vintage Guitar" websites. If you try several general search entries you will find plenty of older instruments for sale. See what other vintage basses are going for. Putting in the original pickup back in your bass would raise the value. Good Luck.


I thank you once again.

The original pickup is long gone. I asked the previous owner about it. He traded it to the dealer he bought the bass from even-up in exchange for the installed EMG/BTC system which is in there now. I asked him what possessed him to do something like that. He replied, "The Fender pickup didn't do anything for me. I only like EMGs and so, I got everything I wanted electronically in the bass for free." He obviously thought this to be adequate. :roll:

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Post subject: The P-Bass value.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:03 pm
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I've read about instruments and their value etc. At the end of the day, what's important is the sound and playability value of your instrument to you. One thing that I wanted to ask you was about the present pickup(s) on your bass now. I am familiar with EMG but you mentioned "EMG/BTC" system. I am familiar with EMG but what does the "BTC" mean? Whatever pickups that you use, have fun.


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Post subject: Re: The P-Bass value.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:10 pm
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pdyckman wrote:
I've read about instruments and their value etc. At the end of the day, what's important is the sound and playability value of your instrument to you. One thing that I wanted to ask you was about the present pickup(s) on your bass now. I am familiar with EMG but you mentioned "EMG/BTC" system. I am familiar with EMG but what does the "BTC" mean? Whatever pickups that you use, have fun.


BTC is an abbreviation for EMG's active Bass Treble Control. It is a stacked pot design and runs on the same one battery for the pickup (or two if you choose to have more headroom). It really is a nifty little gizmo:

http://www.emginc.com/products/index/104/146/4

FWIW, the knobs on mine (as well as the volume pot) are chrome.

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Post subject: Re: The P-Bass value.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:12 pm
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Martian wrote:
pdyckman wrote:
I've read about instruments and their value etc. At the end of the day, what's important is the sound and playability value of your instrument to you. One thing that I wanted to ask you was about the present pickup(s) on your bass now. I am familiar with EMG but you mentioned "EMG/BTC" system. I am familiar with EMG but what does the "BTC" mean? Whatever pickups that you use, have fun.


BTC is an abbreviation for EMG's active Bass Treble Control. It is a stacked pot design and runs on the same one battery for the pickup (or two if you choose to have more headroom). Actually, it really is a nifty little gizmo:

http://www.emginc.com/products/index/104/146/4

FWIW, the knobs on mine (as well as the volume pot) are chrome.

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