Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1347041034' post='1796406'] so true and so sad [/quote] In my experience the opposite is in fact the case, with collectors I know anyway.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1347034968' post='1796324'] How so? After approx 25 years with inflation at about 3% your £800 would be about £1600-£1700... it'd be interesting to calculate what a new Fender Jazz should cost today compared to in 86 (using the 3% inflation) against what say a Warwick cost back then! [/quote] Not sure about your method of calculation? Things have more than doubled in the last 25 years, houses are probably 6 times, collectable cars, paintings similarly so. Difficult to compare Fender Jazz's from the 80's, as there are so many different ones, with widely variable desirability levels, and values. For example, I paid £175 for my first series JV Jazz in 1984, because the shop (Along with me), thought it was a jap squier, its now worth £1500. A 1982 Fullerton reissue was £750 in 1982, and is probably worth a similar £1500, or a bit less, vastly different appreciations there. Appreciation and value is usually based around exclusivity, and desirability, then condition and originality come into play. If demand far outweighs the supply, then things tend to become pricey, and increase in value, thats just a general rule, but it generally works. 50's Kay basses are quite rare in nice condition, but they are not desirable, so you need all these factors to play a part, and the higher the rate of each factor, the higher the appreciation. A '60 stack knob jazz has top rate exclusivity, top rate desirability, and if its in top rate condition, it will fetch top prices. The formula pretty much works when trying to value anything. I know the GM of Audi UK, and he is contacting people he sold top Audi's to last year (I'm talking 60k+ Audi's), and offering them the same price they paid for it, because he has buyers willing to pay more than list, so they dont have to wait 24 weeks for a new one, demonstrates supply and demand on top end gear, completely smashing the myth that cars lose a fortune as soon as you drive them off the forecourt (Although with regular cars, i guess that still applies, as with basses and most stuff).

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1347034062' post='1796309'] I obtained a Hohner Rockwood off my brother for the price of a pint of beer. De-fretted it. It's still worth about a pint of beer. Maybe throw in a packet of nuts too. Does that count? [/quote] Beer is probably more expensive now, so yes, definitely counts!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1347013987' post='1795948'] I think the question needs a little more definition - [i]over what time frame[/i], would you hope that the bass would keep it's value? The value curves, getting technical, will be different for them all. But our revered "vintage" Fenders were, at one point, cheap - and people sold them for a lot less than they are now worth. Might be worth considering. I mean, if you've got decades to play with, you might find a lot more brands keep their value. [/quote] This, Fenders are a funny thing, it also depends on other factors. For example, 70's Fenders, for collectors anyway, are pretty much a no-go area, because many are heavy, and poorly made, and several years ago, sellers couldnt give them away. But, because 50's, and early 60's Fenders are now commanding monstrous money, 70's Fenders are now the 'affordable' choice for people who want vintage Fenders, so they're price has now gone back up, so the comment about curves and fluctuations, over periods is very true. Regarding the comment about the Wal increasing in value, I would disagree, a wal bought in 1986 for £800, now worth £2500, in real terms is still a loss, I mean £800 in 1986 is alot more than £2500 is today. in order to buy something new now, that will increase in 10 years, is very hard to do, as with anything, if we had this ability, we'd all be rich. History tells us that things that are limited, and in very good condition, and are good quality items, and therefore desirable, should increase in value, whether its a car, painting, guitar or whatever. There are of course exceptions, many! If you want a good player, and investment, go for something thats already vintage, otherwise it's all a bit of a gamble. I'd recommend just buying something you like/want.

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1346055494' post='1784428'] +1 I bet if he was alive today i bet he could play any bass and make it have "his" tone. It's all in his hands........... And an old passive fender jazz [/quote] This.

[quote name='lozbass' timestamp='1345815171' post='1781923'] BGM - not really worth more than 5 minutes in W H Smith on the way to do something else. [/quote] This. I stopped some time ago, I love all things bass, but BGM has virtually nothing of interest to me. Half the magazine is tuition and music score, which for me anyway is of no interest, another 25% is on new basses, again, no interest, and the other 25% consists of bass player interviews, half of which is of interest. Most of the interviews with yocal band members always lists their gear as Fender precision, and influences as Jaco, Entwistle, Pino and Flea, so even they are getting predictable and boring. 2 minutes in Smiths and I'm done, all my bass player compadre's agree. Whenever I [i]have[/i] bought it, usually at an airport shop to read on a flight, I've finished it before the plane has finished boarding!! The old 'bassist' format was 1000 times better, far more varied content, with something for everyone, i still read my old ones now, great mag.

[quote name='XB26354' timestamp='1345811422' post='1781839'] Ah, it's marketing, pure and simple. They do make some excellent instruments though, and at the top of the market the noticeable difference gets smaller and smaller. I guess top pros hear something in a Fodera that they cannot get from other basses. I wouldn't mind an AJ presentation but there is no way that, even with the man himself sweating over the setup, that it costs even 20% of the list price in materials and labour. Because there is a very limited supply and far greater demand, to an extent they can charge whatever they want. I've looked online at the shop tour and also Janek's visit to pick up his bass, and they all look very dedicated to the task, and exceptionally skilled. You could, however, say the same about Dingwall, Roscoe, MTD, Ken Smith and Sadowsky, who sell they products in the main at a fraction of the price of a Fodera. People seem happy to pay silly money for other desirable products... [/quote] I think you're right, as someone else alluded to, a £3500 bass, is a very, very good bass, is a Fodera [i]twice[/i] as good?, probably not, i think its very much a supply/demand issue.

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1345808046' post='1781774'] Half of a 1960 Stack Knob Jazz? [/quote] This....if you're lucky!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1345477638' post='1777926'] No my friend, opinions are cool. Attitude, however... Please, let me hold the door for you. [/quote] Opinions [i]aren't[/i] cool on most off-topic sections of basschat, it's for that reason that most of the 'bass folk' don't touch it, or are leaving alltogether (See various other threads). You're right about the 'attitude' though, which is why I'm leaving, you can close the door now.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1345457310' post='1777611'] I don't bother with it myself, but you can set eBay to save your regular searches and send notifications of any matching results. Some people find it useful. If it's all such a waste of time, what are you even doing reading this thread? [/quote] You're obviously right. Actually, I've banned myself from most sections of this forum, certainly anything remotely off-topic, as opinions aren't allowed. Also, many people have opinions that they believe to be fact. Some people are over-sensitive, and get too easily offended, and many people are just dumb. The 'Site Issues' topic is now also in that category for me. Consider me out, as you say, I've already wasted far too much of my life talking about this particular tosh.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1345456037' post='1777597'] Just a suggestion, and no different to the way many people use the search functions on eBay, for example. Why the condescension? [/quote] Just my opinion, I think its futile, and pointless, but then I can easily click a link and read it, perhaps others can't. eBay doesnt email me whenever something I'm looking for pops up??