Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1371495371' post='2114651'] Fastidious is a good word. [/quote] It is, and can't argue with that either!!

[quote name='stinson' timestamp='1371416075' post='2113729'] I'm currently in a band with the Warm Jets guys. I'll see if they can shed any light... [/quote] This could be interesting actually..........

I think the fee is unquestionably reasonable. I think the economic climate is far more responsible. Having said that, I've never sold anything on basschat (Although I have traded a few things), other media are far better suited for selling gear imo, albeit not as cheap as £20/year.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1371145526' post='2110531'] talking of which did you ever score yourself an old jazz bass? [/quote] Hi Luke, no, its still an option, but on closer inspection (more pics), it has two extra holes in the pickguard from where the thumbrest was moved at some point, which is a shame, and makes a 5 figure price tag less attractive!!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1371039663' post='2108941'] So Rick, do you think that the value of late 70s Fenders will fall once 80s Fenders become regarded as "vintage" and therefore collectable, or will the fact that they are older always trump the fact that the (slightly) newer ones are superior instruments as regards construction and playability? [/quote] Depends what you mean by 80's Fenders i guess. Many collectors use decals to 'date' an instrument. i know someone who won't buy a bass with the serial number on the headstock, as he says they're 'new', so anything post '76 is out. You could say the same about the S8****8 serials, going into 1980, and anything after that. I think the Fullerton reissues from 1982/3 will be the future collectable, because they are vintage correct, quite limited, sought after, and the guitars command big prices already. I don't think 80's basses will ever overtake 70's with regards to price though, never. Those Dan Smith era basses with the truss rod adjuster at the headstock and that awful decal, just don't look 'vintage',, and weren't supposed to, but thats what people want when buying a fender bass, so no, i dont think 80's basses will ever overtake 70's ones, not even the first Fullertons IMO.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1371040299' post='2108962'] I agree with you , Rick , that the market dictates prices and so things are ultimately worth what people will pay for them subject to the laws of supply and demand , and said exactly that in my earlier post . I descibe particulaly mid to late Seventies Fender basses as being inflated in price because of the dramatic increase in that market price in recent years . My own opinion is that these basses are chronically overpriced considering their generally poor quality as iinstruments in many or even most cases , but people pay their money and take their choice , and good luck to all parties concerned . If someone has one to sell , I am all in favour of whoever it is getting as much as they possibly can for it , but I certainly wouldn't buy one myself in any forseeable circumstances . [/quote] Don't disagree, i personally wouldnt pay £2500 for a late 70's Fender, because i don't want one, and think there are better basses out there for that money, both in playability, and also from an investment perspective. But, if I'd always dreamed of owning a vintage Fender Jazz, and now found myself in a position to buy one, for whatever the reason, and had a budget of £2500, then I would want the best bang for my buck. At the present time, that would be a really nice example of a mid 70's Jazz. if they find a nice one, then its still a good buy. Are there better basses out there for that money?, maybe, but will they scratch the itch you've had to own an old Fender?, No.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1371037818' post='2108895'] I know for certain that in America , which is ultimately where the market value is decided because that's where the vast majority of examples are located , the prices of vintage guitars have fallen dramatically in the last six or seven years . Even vintage guitar dealers are acknowledging that in the early 2000's instruments were trading for silly money , far more than they were really worth . However , quite interestingly , the reduction in prices lately has been evident at the higher end of the market , so a 1959 Strat in mint condition will probably cost you less than ten years ago but a 1970's Jazz Bass with some wear and tear will still be an expensive proposition for what it is . Maybe if the market hadn't crashed then '70's stuff would be selling at even dafter prices now . I expect that that is largely due to the fact that 1970's stuff is still just within the realms of affordability for most people who are serious enthusiasts - it costs about the same as a high quality new instrument - and so as long as it maintains that relationship with peoples real spending power , and as long they stay in vogue , it will continue to sell at inflated prices . [/quote] This is true, certainly with very high end guitars, I remember '59 LP's going for half a million dollars, they can now be bought for around £150k, and a '54 Strat is possibly less than it was 10-15 years ago (relatively at least), when things went crazy for about 5 years. In my experience, that has [i]never[/i] happened with basses though. Firstly, basses have never been in the $50k+ bracket, let alone $500k+ bracket. I havent seen the price of vintage basses drop at all over the last 20 years. For example, a stack knob jazz has continued to increase steadily over the last 15 years, and has gone even more so in the last 3 years. I remember seeing '69 Tele basses 5 years ago for £1200, because they weren't fashionable, or they weren't a P, or a J. Now they are £3k because its an affordable vintage bass alternative. Inflated prices?, don't buy that comment, things are always worth whatever someone is willing to pay, at any given moment in time. Nothing inflated about it. We've all seen a high end instrument advertised at big money, with seemingly no interest for 4 months, then suddenly it sells, people will always want the top gear, its just the higher up the chain you go, there's less people in that market, so it may take a little longer, or they may have gear to sell themselves first to fund it. [i]Your[/i] opinion of an 'inflated' price, is probably someone else's 'I must have that at any price because i've waited 10 years to find one and I'm not gonna miss it'.

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1370983820' post='2108377'] It's game over for making money on old basses now. The market went beserk and only the real old high quality, rare and all original stuff still holds value. But that's not to say that prices will continue to rise at the old rate even for those special ones. Late 70's Fenders carry a terrible reputation so can't go up too much, plus there are so many around. That said, there were some cool players basses from that era and if you like the bass, go for it all. You can always get your money back and perhaps a couple quid on top too if you're lucky. [/quote] Disagree. Even 5 years ago, 70's fenders were available for just over a grand for an original finish one in reasonable nick, its not unusual to see a nice '73 sunburst Jazz available now for £2500+. There's one available now for £3200!! This is because 50's stuff has gone through the roof, 60's stuff is now going for £5k+, and double that on early J's, therefore those wanting a vintage Fender, will go to the best within their budget, this pushes up the price of 70's instruments accordingly. The reputation alone shouldnt be a big consideration anyway, sure, there are some heavy examples out there, but there are also some really nice examples, so i would always advise buying on inspection, having played it, and not buying blind. As has been mentioned before, originality is everything though when it comes to 'investment', I'd advise paying a little more to get one that's 'right'. I know many players/collectors who simply wouldnt entertain a refin'd bass/guitar for example. But you shouldn't buy an instrument solely for this reason, buy it because you love it, it plays great, sounds gorgeous, and turns you on, if it also happens to be rare, original, and desirable, then you get to tick all the boxes.

Went on Friday, massive SR fan here, saw them 3 times in '89, twice in '95, and was sadly present at Reading too in '96. Thought they were excellent, great sound, and a real groove about them. Better than Heaton park, although the fact it was their reunion meant that Heaton was a much bigger 'event' than Finsbury. Ian Brown is Ian Brown, his legendary status means he can behave how he likes on stage I guess, he was always like that anyway, and his voice is far better than it was. Saw the MoS film too while in London, good documentary, with some new footage (For a change), although could have included more band interviews imo. Always good to see Roses related stuff though. This is a shameless excuse to show my Mani-a-like 4005 too;