Rick's Fine '52

I have no connection with the trade at all, I'm a private player/fan/buyer/collector. I work in a totally different sector. With custom colours, its all about which one. For example LPB or black are a very different ball game to sonic blue, or burgundy mist. Personally, I don't like Custom Colours that much, I think Fenders look best in sunburst, or early ones in blonde.

Then we must agree to disagree. George has been around a while, and what he says may be true in his patch. I think Norman would have a different view though personally. Anyway, that is certainly not the case in the UK, with regards to Vintage Fender basses. I know, because I have been actively involved in this market for over 2 decades. "Prices peaked in 2008", simply nonsense, anyone in the market will tell you that, and evidence it. Highly discounted new instruments bringing prices down? - Since when did that affect the market for 1950's instruments? Sorry, don't agree at all, as the facts demonstrate that simply isn't true. This is typical dealer speak by someone who will benefit from lots of people going to his store wanting to offload instruments. In addition, there are probably 1000x more quality vintage instruments on the market at any one time in the US compared with the UK, so prices in the US will always be more affected by economic change etc, as there is always more supply than over here. Couldn't be more wrong. Ask any UK dealer if prices have slowed, or sales prices peaked in 2008! I've doubled and nearly trebled some instruments in that time, as has everyone else! Anyway, this is someone else's thread, maybe you could start one about the vintage market being dead, that would suit me, as people will hopefully be selling off in their droves.

My bad, I had to check then too, I saw an advert for a just released 25th anniversary, but the post was in 2012!! oops, don't mind me......

Lots of wrongness there, anyway, didn't the mexico plant start in 1993?

70's basses (And guitars of course), are rising in value simply because the 50's and 60's ones are doing the same, but at a sharper rate. There will always be a market for vintage instruments, and people will fall into their budget bracket. When 60's basses were more affordable, nobody really wanted the 70's basses, because the difference 15 years ago between a 66J and a 72J , was probably around 20%, so people paid more for a better playing bass that was lighter, more desirable, and would also be an investment on return (Certainly not losing). The difference now between a 66 and a 72 Jazz, could be as much as 70%, so it pushes even the 60's CBS stuff out of the reach of some, who still want a 'vintage' Fender, so they resort to early 70's basses. The pattern has been the same for a long while now, although pre-CBS original finish gear has certainly taken off over the past decade. Many people who always wanted a vintage Fender when younger, find themselves with maybe more disposable income as they are older, maybe kids left home etc, and are now in the market, this is certainly something I've seen. And of course, desirable basses are less than half the price of their 6 string equivalents! The market over the past 10 years continues to show great returns on purchase prices back in 2008, with many of the more desirable models from the late 50's and early 60's more than doubling in that time, some prices have trebled on certain examples I've seen. The answer is always to buy something that is a good player, and sounds as you want it to, after that, the most original you can afford, and finally, if you cant decide between 2 or 3, pick the one that would be the best investment. I haven't seen any 'vintage' instruments not increase in value, and some significantly. If you aren't interested in investment at all, then I'd recommend a pre-CBS refin, with otherwise original parts. It will give you the vibe you may be looking for, for less than half the cost. It wont give you the satisfaction or pleasure an original one has, every time you open the case, but its horses for courses. CITIES is also pushing up prices for rosewood board models, as they become more complicated to send internationally (Its actually not really that bad, you just need the paperwork which can be obtained for around £70), and therefore desirable ones already on these shores become more in demand. By the way, the one referred to in the opening thread, is a particularly rare custom colour, one of the rarest in fact, add to the fact it has a matching headstock, and its incredible condition, makes for a very rare piece indeed. With the rarest items, there is often no yard stick, or recent sale prices to gauge by, so any seller will naturally start high. I think its quite a high price, especially for what is technically a CBS bass (Albeit with some pre-CBS features), but if you're a Geddy Lee, or someone with some dough, and you want one of the rarest custom colour basses, you won't wait for another, because it probably wont ever turn up. One things for sure in vintage world (Not just guitars, any collectable), if you want something, don't hesitate, because the rare ones don't normally hang around. If you have around £1500 to spend, which I'm guessing from some of the remarks, I'd go for a first 6 months, 1982 American Vintage P or J (V00*** serial), or a first series export 1982 JV (Large Fender, small Squier decal (JV00***). Those basses are fantastic to play, sound very vintage, will hold their money, have the rarity factor, and are 36 years old themselves now,so tick lots of boxes,a nd you'll certainly get change too! Good luck with the hunt and trying different things out, that's the best bit!

Great value rig for someone, really clean too, if I had the space i’d love that, bet it sounds fab!

Earliest consistent use of the cushion I've seen is '74.

That Tele Bass is just lovely, was looking for one of those just last month. Very nice.

Chibbo