Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1420399313' post='2648932'] Cheers Rick! Just out of curiosity where do you go for your necks? [/quote] I'm still searching for the right spec Jazz neck for one of them, and the other was for a '66 slab precision, and had to be a maple-cap neck, which are very scarce, so i had to get that from a Roger Waters signature reissue. Good, vintage correct necks are surprisingly hard to get hold of!?!

Great spot, what a fab example. Not a bad price either imo. It does annoy me when people put the bridge covers on the wrong way round though!! Also, as has been mentioned, sloppy stringing, for a 20k bass! I'm trying to convince Detlef to do a second edition of his book, as there are quite a few great examples not included in his first issue.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1420395002' post='2648825'] Is that 2 bodies or 2 full builds? [/quote] Just bodies, i prefer to do the rest myself, and it keeps build costs down.

MJT, in my opinion, do the best relic paintjobs around. Genuine checking, unlike anything i've seen elsewhere or currently available. I've bought 2 in the past, both exceptional.

Try something like this, theres lotsof different styles available; http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221554637961

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1419108146' post='2636748'] May I ask the serial number? I'm almost certain my '53 (#0189) had a neck date of 26/3/53. [/quote] its #1025

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1415385470' post='2599875'] Great stuff, Nik and Colin While I'm sifting through the pics from the bash, I feel I really have to post one of Chimike with his awesome, still unfinished amp/cab jobby. It's the one at the centre of the group photo above, and we had stuck on the amp a piece of paper with "Ped" written on it! [/quote] I don't think I've ever seen someone dress in attire that deliberately colour matches their amp.....works well, i may try that, i'm sure i have an old tweed coat somewhere! (Lovely acoustic rig btw!!)

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1418862057' post='2634321'] Jesus! I really don't know how you manage to find these basses!? That 53 and 55 are gorgeous! How does the 53 compare to your 53 build? Likewise, how does the 66 compare to the 66 build you did? [/quote] Thanks. Found them by simply searching. The '53 was from Rumbleseat in NYC, and the '55 from Fiesta in California. The '53 and '66 are very comparable to my build versions, although alot of effort went into sourcing as many original parts as possible when assembling them, for that aim. You can never replicate the 'feel', and 'vibe' of an original though, but for around 10% the cost of a real one, they represent great value, and were very rewarding and enjoyable putting them together.

Here's my new 'old' '53, barely a mark on it;

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1418831284' post='2633817'] Wow Rick, that is handsome. Give me a shout if you decide to move it on. Meanwhile, hope you enjoy it [/quote] Thanks Gary, will do, and yes, I will/am!

New, 'old' P bass, a '55, with Koylon tweed;

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1418824009' post='2633697'] Wow, Rick. That is drop dead gorgeous! I presume this is the product of the multiple-part trade you mentioned to me? [/quote] Thanks Clarky, and yep, the others are P's, and will be in the P-Porn section shortly!!

Here's my latest Jazz, another '61;

I messaged the seller when he first listed it months ago, for £3600. I was concerned at the neck pocket, it should be a lot darker, full of black paint, and look at the lack of black on the front if the upper horn, its a bit lacking? He replied saying he didnt know if it had been repainted? No mention of that in the relisting though? Hmmmm....

In response to these latest threads, i can see both sides. It does depend how much you want something,a nd its value of course. I've gone to the US to buy a bass before, because it saved me £5k on the price of one here, took the opportunity to have a few days in the Big Apple whilst there, so it was worth it. Would i get the train to Wigan and back for 10 hours to buy a £700 bass or amp that is generally readily available elsewhere, not a chance, better things to do. Would i travel 10 hours to Wigan and back for something rare that i have always wanted that rarely turns up, absolutely. Horses for courses. Having said that, it is frustrating when someone wont spend half hour packaging something up, but its their choice, and they risk not selling as a result, but its the sellers choice, not the buyers. We are all different. Its the same as when people wont take off three screws of a contol panel, to lift it up and tell you pot codes? Frustrating, but we have to accept, and respect, their position (even if it makes our blood boil).

I'd leave it as it is, i like to browse and see whats about, its also nice to see some oddities, and things we havent seen for years, and it doesnt take long. If you browse every 3 days, theres normally only two pages to scroll, which can take about 45 seconds, no biggy. Having said that, a price box in the title would be great, so if you see a 1969 Fender Precision (For example),a nd the price is £8000, you can keep scrolling, but if its more in line with something that may interest you, you can open it up. This would certainly make browsing more efficient, which, reading others' comments, would be a welcome addition. You already have to enter a figure anyway to proceed when selling, so the users work is already done? Other than that, I think £20 a year, is a bargain, whether you buy/sell or just use the forum, its a small price to pay (IMHO), to keep this thing on the road.

Lee purchased a vintage Boss bass pedal from me, was courteous throughout, and I would happily say, as has been said many times already, that he is a top bloke, and one i would happily deal with again, and hope he is back for more......

[quote name='BassAgent' timestamp='1411391982' post='2559004'] My beauties: Fender - 1966 Blade - 2001 [/quote] Dot and bound '66 with lollipops, yum, yum. Lovely!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1414576740' post='2590787'] Will anything other than four string fender basses and normal guitars be collectable in the long term anyway? In another fifty years will anyone be playing these instruments? Even the oldest P bass is fairly modern in real terms, are we caught in a moment of typical rock and roll bands, a death doom fudge glimmer lounge core band is still more closely set up like a 60s rock and roll band than it is an orchestra. Collectors that can't play a note do and will buy vintage fenders but I can't see anyone caring so much for a Wal unless it's to a bass player,move on forty years from now and I can see most basses other than fender and Gibson starting to lose value. I'm sure there well be a generation of bassists around then but there will be a lot of used basses, supply and demand controls prices so from millions of Yamaha basses no one has a clue as to which is cheap and which is an expensive one and a dwindling market for them for example against a 1951 P Bass in a glass display case, I know where my investment would go even though I'd rather gig a five string Nathan east for the rest of my days than the P bass. [/quote] I think this is a really valid point, and something I've been saying for a while. People attach emotion to instruments, in the same way they do cars (Maybe a bloke thing?). I recall new collectors in the late 90's, were looking for Steinbergers, and Jaydee MK's, because when they started playing in the 80's, thats what they wanted, because that was what was being played, then when a little older, and maybe have more spare cash, thats what they were going for. These days, the fashions are back to more classic instruments, like Ricks and Fenders, which have always managed to transcend fashion, because they have always been played throughout those era's. Instruments that are particularly attached to an era, tend to be less collectible long term. There simply isnt huge interest in Steinbergers and the like. They will have their niche following, much like Jaydee, but thats it. Ricks have an obvious appeal, but you rarely see, or here people talk about a vintage Rick having mojo, looking cooler than a new one, being nicely aged, feeling like it plays itself, or whatever, so the appeal of a vintage Rick doesnt seem to be there in comparison, as the new ones are probably as good, which people may prefer, so it keeps the price down on older ones. A good 70's Rick can be bought for £1500-£2000, the same price now for the last 7 or 8 years. Jaydee MK's or Supernaturals, have been around the £900-£1200 mark for 10 years. Gibson are not exactly known for making great basses. A 60's EB2 for example, could be bought for between £1800 and £2500 for the last 15 years, they have barely moved, as they arent very versatile,a nd are quite fragile even. I've bought them before because i love the look of them, but they are very limited, so i've always moved them on. People often buy them because of that 60's visual vibe, and the emotional attachemnt can draw them in. Hofner violin's, again, were very sought after in the 80's, loads around, fetching some serious money, now they are back around the £1000 mark for a decent mid 60's example, the same price they were 20 years ago, which allowing for inflation, is considerable depreciaition. Apart from a banjo tuner '59 EB2, or an early 60's Thunderbird (If you can find one without a neck repair), vintage Gibosn basses have barely increaed in value in recent years, like the Ricks or Jaydee's. I think Fender will always appeal vintage wise, because they are so different to the new reissues. They havent managed to make a new one, that sounds or feels as good as a 'good' older one. And most people have, at some point, seen one of their favourite bass players play one, so there is more chance of the emotional connection, because more people have played them, and good ones are very, very good. Simple. They arent all good though. The same as not all 70's ones are bad. Not at all. If you find a good one though, you'll know about it! This is just my opinion, based on my experiences, but Fenders have, and more than likely will, continue to be good investment stock, if thats your motivation for buying one. If you want one for how it feels and sounds, then a good one will tick all your boxes....and some.

Martin bought a pedal board from me, great comms and easy transaction. Pleasure dealing with, and would recommend to all. Nice one. (Sorry for the late feedback!!)

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1414416263' post='2589029'] Hi Guys, Its something I've always wanted to ask... Often I will see a bass dated from the above times for sale and people will be asking for thousands for them and people will pay it. To me I find it very confusing why someone would want to pay such a ridiculous price for something thats over 30/40/50 years old! It confuses me even more when something like an 70/80s Squire appears and they are going for a price close of what you could pay for a brand new USA Fender!! Is it purely down to the fact that its a rare collectable in some peoples minds? and with guitar being so old and so expensive, after you've brought it do you even have the balls to play it live? If not whats the point in having it in the first place? [u]This is how I see it in my head...[/u] Noone would buy a car thats 50 years old and pay double/triple what it was worth new because of the fact that as things get old they break. Surely a bass would be the same? Then say you knew this and you change the electrics in the bass surely you've just paid thousands of pounds for what basically is two old pieces of wood bolted together? I just dont get it!! [/quote] in simple terms, you just have to compare with other vintage items and/or antiques, like cars, furniture or art. Many of the so called collectibles now, were quite simple items when originally made, but due to their scarcity now, especially in goodcondition, they can command big prices by players and collectors alike. Whilst, the same with cars, you can buy a new equivelent, many people prefer the originals, and the original tone and feel of many old instruments, simply hasnt yet been replicated, the same is the case with many other vintage collectibles. and despite what you say, people do pay double and triple the cost of a new car, for a nice 50 year old one, they always have done. each to their own and all that.