Quoting the manufacture date of your bass.

[machinehead]

I've noticed in many threads that people state the date-of-birth of their basses.

For example, " I was playing my 1978 P" or " For Sale, 1974 Fender P" or " My '90s jazz".

That got me thinking about why people do this. Clearly, it's done in For Sale threads to justify the asking price, so I can leave that out of my thoughts. But what is the real relevence of the manufacture date? Especially when you see people mention a 1985 jazz bass etc. Why is 1985 relevent? Surely you can still buy the same model new today.

I love old cars and I see the point in giving a date for an old car. But guitars? Fender, Gibson and the rest, still make and sell the same models that they made and sold 40 or 50 years ago. So why is the date important? Aren't they still pretty much the same? And isn't it easy to build a bass to look any age you like? Who would know the difference?

I've never done it myself, but the only reason I would maybe buy an old guitar would be as an investment with a view to selling at a profit at a future date. Much better than 0.5% interest in the bank.

So what is the reason for this obsession with age?

Just some late night musings.

BTW, I have a 1997 Warwick Streamer Stage 2. Not a crappy new one.

Frank.

[neepheid]

They most certainly are not the same. A '51 P is nothing like a '57 or a '65 or a '78 or a 2010. Subtle evolutions happen throughout the production run of many basses, like when Gibson changed the body wood of Rippers from maple to alder then back to maple.

Of course, the older a bass is, the betterer it is

[Machines]

Because much like cars, you can buy the 'same model' you could 10 years ago but it's completely different (e.g. Ford Focus) but the year of production will tell some people more about an instrument than just it's name.

[stingrayPete1977]

I have a 57' Morris minor and love old cars like you the reasons for bass dates are the same as car dates. Retroman is a great example as he has ford escorts, If he was on a ford forum would you ask what the relevance was of him stating that he was driving his 1969 against a 1997 model?

I have a pre EB Stingray made in 82' the model available today is made by a different company in a different factory and although many would argue they haven't changed no parts are the same even the preamp that was the same has been put onto a pcb now.

Edited January 29, 2011 by stingrayPete1977

[Paul S]

In my limited understanding most manufacturers go through a purple patch or two. The current crop of VMJ/CV Squiers get much praise but perhaps those of 5 years ago wouldn't. Mid 80s MIJ Fenders were supposed to have been top quality - that kind of thing. It just helps to pin down exactly what is on offer.

[Hot Tub]

[quote name='machinehead' post='1106925' date='Jan 29 2011, 01:36 AM']BTW, I have a 1997 Warwick Streamer Stage 2. Not a crappy new one.

Frank.[/quote]


PMSL!!!

[Truckstop]

Innit.
I like to say my P is '83 because it has a neck profile unique to that year and I think that's quite cool.
Also, it adds a bit of pretentiousness to a post that would otherwise be lacking.

Truckstop

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Truckstop' post='1107056' date='Jan 29 2011, 10:55 AM']Innit.
I like to say my P is '83 because it has a neck profile unique to that year and I think that's quite cool.
Also, it adds a bit of pretentiousness to a post that would otherwise be lacking.

Truckstop[/quote]
Oh yeah I forgot that bit

[Cat Burrito]

Buying online whilst offering more choice does not allow you the luxury of picking up the instrument immediately unlike a shop. So it stands to reason people will offer a lot of information to give potential sellers enough to go on. It's always the stuff that is listed as "photos to follow" or coupled with just a short paragraph that seems to hang around longer.

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='machinehead' post='1106925' date='Jan 29 2011, 01:36 AM']BTW, I have a 1997 Warwick Streamer Stage 2. Not a crappy new one. [/quote]

Simply by giving me the date of your SSII I've ascertained that it has a neck profile which some won't like when compared to say an 87 and it has a headstock volute which I don't like as much as I like those without volutes from the SSII inception till about the mid 90's... I think you already know the answer to your question really!

[Ou7shined]

I feel it necessary to mention that my L-1000 was built in 1980 because it was one of the first G&L basses ever built and therefore it proves beyond doubt that I have the largest swinging dick out of all the G&L fanboys.

[Bassman Sam]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1107563' date='Jan 29 2011, 07:49 PM']I feel it necessary to mention that my L-1000 was built in 1980 because it was one of the first G&L basses ever built and therefore it proves beyond doubt that I have the largest swinging dick out of all the G&L fanboys.[/quote]

Love it.

[Chris2112]

Well, both my Kubicki Ex Factors (#1777 and #1659) are 1989 models. By listing their year and serial numbers, you can deduce that they are "cross over" models, made after Phil Kubicki entered into partnership with Fender but still constructed from the original parts (the 18V preamp, namely).

There actually isn't a huge difference between the different basses (Pre-Fender, crossover, Fender era, post Fender), aside from the fact the Fender era basses had a 9V preamp with fewer presets. When Phil joined Fender it was simply to get his basses into a new market, using Fender's nationwide dealer network where previously you had to buy directly from Phil. Unless you're an experienced Kubicki player you'll find it hard to spot the differences between them save for the preamp.

However, the "era" tha bass was made does have a bearing on the value. Pre-Fender (the earliest models) are considered the most desireable, whereas Fender era models are worth a bit less. I suppose I am happy to have owned two crossover models, made with the original parts in the original workshop, they are after all the rarest models of all!

[3below]

Dates define what it, is as manufacturers change models (like cars we are drawn in). The date helps define what we are playing / selling.

So if you say G&L SB1 I do not know which variant you are discussing, and they are quite different. Yours may be a completely different bit of kit to mine. If you say 85 G&L SB1 it is probably the same as mine, but I still need more deatail, it might have been a model change year. Bit like cars again

Edited for capitals & punctuation - and I'm a teacher, just can't get the staff these days.

Edited January 29, 2011 by 3below

[machinehead]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1107546' date='Jan 29 2011, 07:33 PM']Simply by giving me the date of your SSII I've ascertained that it has a neck profile which some won't like when compared to say an 87 and it has a headstock volute which I don't like as much as I like those without volutes from the SSII inception till about the mid 90's... I think you already know the answer to your question really! [/quote]

'Course I know the answer. I was drunk when I posted this thread.

However...... my 97 SSII has a lovely slim neck and NO volute. And I actually prefer the volute. It feels more solid.

Frank

[machinehead]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1107563' date='Jan 29 2011, 07:49 PM']I feel it necessary to mention that my L-1000 was built in 1980 because it was one of the first G&L basses ever built and therefore it proves beyond doubt that I have the largest swinging dick out of all the G&L fanboys.[/quote]

Haha. That's the sort of response I deserve.

Frank.

[jakenewmanbass]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1107563' date='Jan 29 2011, 07:49 PM']I feel it necessary to mention that my L-1000 was built in 1980 because it was one of the first G&L basses ever built and therefore it proves beyond doubt that [i][b]I have the largest swinging dick[/b][/i] out of all the G&L fanboys.[/quote]
I like this logic.
My double bass was made in 1880 so making a rough calculation based upon the time/size equation I would say it would be like this...
"Hi Pygmy Shrew, I'm Horse"

[Conan]

It's just information isn't it? Some people like to have lots of info, others feel they don't need it...

I list the date of Manufacture of my Status because Status fans are interested in that sort of thing. Makes you feel part of a family, but also lets you know which generation you belong to!

I list the date of my Cort with a slight sense of irony...

Edited January 30, 2011 by Conan

[Happy Jack]

The pre-August 2009 Corts are generally considered to be better balanced than the post-August 2009 Corts ... we need to know which month yours is.

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1107883' date='Jan 30 2011, 09:42 AM']I like this logic.
My double bass was made in 1880 so making a rough calculation based upon the time/size equation I would say it would be like this...
"Hi Pygmy Shrew, I'm Horse" [/quote]
Your screen name should be Jake the Peg.

[Conan]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1107933' date='Jan 30 2011, 11:05 AM']The pre-August 2009 Corts are generally considered to be better balanced than the post-August 2009 Corts ... we need to know which month yours is.[/quote]

What about the ones actually made IN August?