GuyR

2 hours ago, Chiliwailer said:

The itch gets scratched… then the reality of the cost sets in? 
Was often my dilemma anyway when owning old gear and the prices went north. 

A lot of vintage fender basses look cool but are a bit crap to play. They are still pretty much just as valuable as a very good player. I would expect those to be the ones you see repeatedly for sale.

I bought a while ago one that I knew had passed through several sets of hands, on here and elsewhere. I traveled to buy it, the price was good and I lost no money on it when I became yet another of its ex owners.

A lot of people also seem to have bought without trying these days - it’s so easy, convenient and tempting to “add to basket”

4 hours ago, briansbrew said:

Quick question guys, is a Herbie Gastelum neck more desirable than other Fender necks

No, in my opinion. 

I love the look of the natural body and bound neck. I wasn’t aware MM produced a fretless so early.

18 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said:

It's possible that the pots are dated 1963 which might explain the previous advertisement. The neck date isn't the only reference point.

The pots are dated for early 1962. It’s a slab board, discontinued in August 1962, the serial dates it to early -mid 62. It’s as 1962 as it is possible to be.

The person advertising it wasn’t the owner nor was he familiar with the nuances, so had no reason to question the owner’s assertion it was a 63. The thread originally had a gallery of photos, now removed.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/259452/

1 hour ago, SurroundedByManatees said:

I'm totally with you. I don't mind a decent refinish. I'd happily live with that '62, it looks awesome. 

 

Your '70 as pictured above has a very satisfying shade of blue combined with the tort. 

I wouldn’t object to a refin at the right price, so long as it’s at least as good as my other basses. I think BassAgents example looks great. 
If you are going to buy a refin, it gives you a perfect opportunity to specify a really rare custom colour, pink, coral, foam or even sparkle, with no monetary loss other than the cost of the refin. If you are able to take images that corroborate the vintage correctness of the body while the paint is off, you could potentially strengthen the provenance and reinforce the value at the same time.

If you’re only paying refin money and the provenance stacks up. 
 

I have to say I do like the look of a natural pre 66 jazz bass, stripped of the paint and preferably with a good deal of wear. I’d potentially pay more for that, being able to see correct holes, although of course they can be faked. Somehow, stripped feels less “modified” to me.

3 hours ago, ossyrocks said:

Richard Henry had that advertised in January as a SFC at £7.5k. I made enquiries then. Richard said it was straight and legit apart from the old refin, so I would take that as the truth, Richard is one of the good guys.

Rob

It was advertised previously on the fretboard as a 63. I remember it clearly as I messaged the seller to say it was a 62 slab and potentially more valuable. IIRC it was advertised around £6k.

looks a nice bass. Maybe towards 20k if it was original. Very difficult to judge the right price currently as there are a good number of vintage Jazz basses languishing unsold on the hallowed pages of Messrs Baxter, ATB etc

This seems reasonable value and the same vintage as me https://jayrosen.com/collections/fender-basses/products/1965-fender-jazz-bass-blond

As well as aJazz bass from my birth year, I have one from the years before and after, just in case of typos on my birth certificate.

I had seized truss rods in both 66 Tele & 65 Strat, local techs rightly nervous about damage and said leave as they are. Took them to Feline in Croydon. Sorted with zero drama. 
I understand they take off the neck and pour copious quantities of Plusgas down the hole. Works every time apparently. I love a low-tech fix.

Excellent service from them - highly recommended if you are within range.

A fine acquisition and a lovely sentiment to accompany it.

I remember sending him an enquiry about a matching headstock fiesta red L series 1965 Jazz bass in about 2008. I had just missed it. £5000.

Just now, ossyrocks said:

But, I could have bought 8 or 9 of these for that money….

 

 

I’d be surprised if 8 or 9 matching headstock black slab board 62s exist. 

Just now, ossyrocks said:

I’ve never seen a 60’s factory black with matching headstock before. It’s a very cool bass, and waaaaayy out of my league. 

It’s early for a matching headstock, and for a white guard. Jay Rosen is reputable so that looks a very rare beast indeed. Priced sensibly, considering. 

Here is a link to a vintage bass of some merit.

https://jayrosen.com/collections/all-inventory/products/1962-fender-jazz-bass-black-slab-board

On 29/02/2024 at 21:26, Velarian said:

This bass mustn’t have sold last time around and it’s back in the sale on 5th March with a much more realistic guide price of £1,500 to £2,500. Seems about right for the year/condition. 

Sold for £2300 plus 26% 

Looking elsewhere at the numbers of very desirable prime pre CBS Fender basses that have become available with reputable dealers such as Andy Baxter and ATB, I wonder whether the sharp price increases of the last few years have taken what is a niche market to a point where supply outstrips demand, at current pricing levels at least.

In particular, the  more common sunbursts seem expensive at £14-15000 for decent, complete examples. I’m always a buyer for a well playing original finish Jazz Bass from 1965 and before, perhaps 1966 if custom colour, but over £10k for me is the level where excitement over a vintage bass (or guitar-sorry) can be rationalised away. And I wouldn’t pay £10k for a ‘65.

In my opinion, the market for rare vintage Fender basses, particularly pre-1966, will always have a level of price justification/correllation, in its link to the more popular and numerous vintage Strat/Telecaster equivalents, which still seem to find buyers swiftly.

In the UK over a 12-month period, I would be fascinated to know how many prime vintage bass transactions take place. Is it more than a handful? If not, Messrs Baxter and ATB suddenly having 8 unsold prime examples between them, where previously it might have been 2 or 3, might not be great for confidence in a market where the cutting edge is very small. Asking prices seem to be up around 30% over the last 2-3 years. Pretty much in line with a lot of other costs, but these are discretionary purchases with perfectly acceptable alternatives at 20% of the price.

I’m Interested to see where the market goes from here.

I first went into the Gallery in the late 1990s. It was a proper bass shop then and it is just the same now. There are many places that do online listings better, particularly premium vintage stock, but everything I have given them to sell has achieved a good price and quickly. 
Being in an accessible central location, for a lot of people it’s relatively easy to check things out in person. Unfortunately for my wallet, it’s within walking distance of my workplace.

4 hours ago, Skybone said:

 

That sounds like the best, and only course of action. You said you're involved in other bands, so more time for them.

Setting fire to the BL’s house was mentioned as another option, did sound quite appealing. Just saying.

It’s just a manky 70s poly finish precision, some deluded optimist is offering for 3/4 times its correct value.

Standard Reverb listing.

Looks very much like water damage to a poly finish, the corrosion to the metal parts also suggests a damp environment. The wood might be ok but it would have to be refinished to remove the staining.

If you are considering buying it move on In my opinion.

2 minutes ago, pete.young said:

Looks like a job for Suzie Fletcher on the Repair Shop.

Coincidentally she is on my to screen right now. Having said that, after what was done to the 66 Jazz bass on that show, maybe I won’t…..

2 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said:

I’m sure somewhere like Charlie chandler’s, new king’s Road, or Martin Peterson would know of places that can do a job. They must have seen loads over the years in worse shape.

Martin is a good call. It came from him. 

18 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

If it was mine I'd put it on ebay and make it someone else's problem.

 

Sorry that I couldn't be more help.

I have the bass that it was supplied with, should have mentioned that, otherwise I’d agree.

7 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Have you enquired at any local upholstery companies Guy,

I tried sourcing the lining once for a couple of mine and couldn’t find anywhere that supplied anything close 

I I don’t want a new lining. The old one is fine, just probably a fibreglass repair to the spine, new ends and leather.

Evening all,

I have a particularly down at heel fender case dating to 1962, owned for 20 odd years.
Repaired prior to my ownership in a perfunctory manner with new MDF ends and gaffer tape, it has deteriorated from barely functional to complete decrepitude.

Other than the ends missing, faults include, but are not limited to; lining detached & mouldy, spine broken, leather and associated metalwork absent.

On the positive side, the Tolex is sound-ish, although filthy, the handle is ok, hinges and locks function after a fashion.

I’m never going to use it other than for indoor storage. Does anyone have recommendations for a restorer capable of a sound, functioning structural repair? 

Just now, wateroftyne said:

He was on my list of possibles,  it I’ve yet to see a photo of him wearing glasses.

I think he wears dark glasses when in Mexico. And a burka.