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Post subject: '71 P bass modifications
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:31 am
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Greetings everyone, this is my first post and I suppose I have a fairly standard question. I've had a sunburst '71 precision since about 1985 which was "well used" when I got it and since then I made a few mods e.g. Fitted a badass bridge and also got a jazz pickup fitted so now it's a PJ configuration. The question is, have I completely ruined any value the bass had? It is a lovely bass and I have no intention of selling but you know how it is, you can't help checking out prices on eBay from time to time!
All the best

Jack


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Post subject: Re: '71 P bass modifications
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:21 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Nobody thinks of these things until later. Any mods from stock factory configuration other than string replacement technically means you now have a player class instrument as opposed to the collector class instrument it once was. The mods you've done are quite common and not all that unusual.

While collector class instruments are the ones that bring the big dollars, especially pre-CBS Fenders, they are not necessarily the ones that actually are the better instruments. I can't tell you how many Excellent to Near Mint vintage Fender basses I've inspected only to discover quickly WHY they were in such great shape. The reason they are in such great shape is of course that they are not actually good playing or sounding examples. The ones that look their age are the ones that more often than not actually play and sound better. But now and then you run across one that you have to wonder why nobody played it more, but usually with excellent to near mint vintage instruments you can tell why they are in such good shape in about 30 seconds.

So while your instrument with it's mods, especially the irreversible J-pup routing, will never again be collector class, there is a very active place in the vintage market for player class instruments. The difference in value between a 71 Collector Class and 71 Player Class in similar condition isn't really worth losing sleep over. On a 62 the value difference is huge, but on a 71 not so much. So while you did the value no favors, if you like playing it chances are someone else will too, meaning it will sell faster than a "Closet Queen" but for less money. You didn't destroy all the value, you have a player and that really isn't all that bad a thing to have.


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Post subject: Re: '71 P bass modifications
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:00 pm
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Thanks brother Dave,
That's pretty much what I thought. I also have the same situation with an '83 standard jazz bass. A previous owner fitted a different scratch plate (tort & chrome for knobs), butchered the insides when they fitted EMGs and fitted a baddass bridge. I expect the same applies for that as well.
Apologies if mentioning a jazz bass in this section is wrong!
Thanks again

Jack


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Post subject: Re: '71 P bass modifications
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:42 pm
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I'm with Brotherdave on this. I have vintage Fender basses and modified Fender basses and it's really up to you what your bass is worth to you. I listed a 67 Pbass on Ebay and was bombarded with technical questions about the amount of screws on the pickguard, finish, thumb rest, etc., and I ended up removing it because it's a a great vintage, possibly a modified Pbass that plays fatanstic. It's priceless to me. I've got over 40 years of playing under my belt and have played just about every 4,5, and 6 string bass.


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