tegs07

I have heard that Japan is a big market for Vintage instruments but are sticklers for authenticity- everything is expected to be original.. pots, wiring, scratch plate ... not sure if fretts are exempt or not though.

For that money you can’t really go wrong- the Stinger certainly does a passable imitation of the original and would think the SUB pickup would be reasonable..

It’s certainly a speculative market with no logic, but I don’t see why the next generation of guys/girls/non-binary whatever particularly in countries such as China with a rapidly growing new wealth will be any less likely to be seduced by the allure of music history than their middle aged counterparts. Scarce and beautiful objects tend to go up in value ..”things with mojo”even more so. Check the price of a Morris Minor in the UK against the price of one in the US for example.

Warmoth body purchased. Great photos and comms. Packaged like a Pro!

USA J loom purchased. These are quality looms. Very neat work and quick postage. Even accepted a return as when ordering I failed to mention It was for a 3 hole US plate rather than the 4 hole.

Fair enough.. I like the aesthetics, the design aspect, the history and development and the skill that goes into making them. I can definitely see the appeal in the vintage market I guess am just an anorak PS I do agree about the price of JV Squires though. I don’t get it either but I also don’t get Apple Watches either.

Vintage collectibles fall into an entirely different category where logic doesn’t apply. I owned a Type 2 VW camper that I bought for under a grand in the 90’s what it would cost now is many times that... is it better than a modern vehicle? Is it worth it? It still brings me joy to see them around and I am very happy that people cherish and restore them. Same with old instruments for me. They have an appeal beyond whether they are better or worse than a modern equivalent and I don’t think they can really be compared in the same way. I am just happy they are still used, restored and cherished. So if I had the budget and had a hankering for a vintage US Fender I would buy one and possibly a vintage mustang to transport it in.

I don’t see the problem with this personally. If someone has the cash and wants to spend it on a JV Squire why not? Some people pay to go on cruises, others have expensive gym membership or join a golf club, others spend thousands on cars that depreciate as soon as they are driven off the forecourt.. whatever floats your boat.

Are you buying a bass just to play or an investment? There is not necessarily a logical or quality reason for buying a vintage Fender. Scarce collectible items tend to appreciate in value.. If you have the funds and want to try one your more likely to sell at a profit than a loss in a few years time. I have a thing for older MIJ Fenders and also like classic cars. I don’t have the budget for the cars or MIA vintage Fenders if I did I wouldn’t mind a few of either.

Necessity is the mother of invention and all that. Basic point is cheap basses often save costs by having cheap pickups and electrics among other things as this eBay listing shows unless you are willing and able to learn some skills they can end up costing in the long run unless they are kept stock. Personally although I think Harley Bentons are fairly decent particularly for the cost I would always opt for used Squire CV.

Indeed. I can solder. It’s functional but not pretty.

You would expect there to be some provenance or at least an attempt at a back story with this .. otherwise like you say it’s just a shite guitar with marker pen scribble on it.

All true. Most people could also do basic plumbing, electrics, PC support, painting and decorating, car service etc etc but they don’t!

You need some soldering skills and a modicum of understanding though.. not everyone has the time or confidence. I paid £70 odd for a Stinger 18 months ago. Reasonable price IMO for what it does and happy to support UK based companies/individuals and pay them a reasonable price for the work they do.

Now £125. This is my only problem with cheap basses... the law of diminishing returns means the pickups/electrics etc can never be swapped out without losing cash. A Stinger is around £80 delivered and a SUB pickup must have been at least £20

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114728058996 I know there are a few fans on here. Not the neatest job fitting the battery compartment but the Retrovibe stinger and Sub pickup would cost nearly the price of the bass and should sound pretty good for £135 delivered.

It’s an auction and there is still 2 days to go but still less than £700 with only 1 bid .... someone may get lucky: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224381148934

There is a a third camp. Tonewood is a generic name for wood used to make instruments. It may make a difference or not but it is still known as Tonewood. If ply is used to make an instrument it is Tonewood!

You are aware that you used the terms marketing and integrity in the same sentence? I’m with Bill Hicks when it comes to this.

That comes down to marketing piffle. It’s like wine and perfume.. they employ a team of people to flog the stuff. It doesn’t mean the technique and knowledge of the people making the product is diminished in any way.

I think the generic name is constantly being confused for the marketing of the product. It’s called tonewood like decking is called decking. I am open to the idea that all components of a bass, be it wood, nut material, bridge or strings will affect the way it sounds.. to what degree is another matter entirely.

Indeed. They are both tonewood.