lojo Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Hi All Been back into playing for a fair few years now, and I've been round the houses with basses, and have come full circle back to really always preferring to pick up a P bass Therefore, i've decided id like to own an older P bass, most likely natural in look, but something that I can play and enjoy without worrying about it So therefore, not so vintage it should be cased, and not so mint that it can't be a work horse I want to invest the money into the bass, and see it as asset, if things go tight, so ideally I like to buy something that is correctly priced, not looking to make or lose to much if I had to pass it on So, if anyone with a bit of experience could help pass comment, id be really grateful, I know that any advise is simply to the best of your knowledge and their really is no exact science to this Perhaps something like this .... [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Fender_1981_P_bass.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...981_P_bass.html[/url] although this particular one is most likely in to good a nick to make it a working bass, maybe not? Thanks for any thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 That one might be great, but I think you might be able to get an older one for that kind of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 If you are wanting an "investment" Precision,look for a '70's one.They are'nt my cup of tea,but they seem to be the ones going up in price at the moment.Tough poly finishes too,so they can be gigged without much deterioration to the finish.IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Yes, the one in the shop is most likely more than it would be privately, but its a good starting point I think i've a long quest now to look around, especially as at this price, it has to be played before purchase, but hey no rush Re: 70s, yes seen a few advertised, but nothing nearby as yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I did something similar with my pre EB but be warned you may grow to like it too much to ever sell it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 i came to the same conclusion as you and ended up picking up my '77 for £1000 from a good friend (actually i had to buy a perfect black 78 and do a swap with cash my way), mainly because it wasn't exactly as it left the factory, it was originally walnut finish (i think my friend got bass doc to strip the finish) and at some point in the dim and distant past someone had added the jazz pickup (dimarzio i think), but it just sounds so good and feels so good that i don't care (in fact i wanted a p/j anyway so it was a bonus), because it's not worth as much as a perfect one i'm not afraid to use it, and even though it's not the lightest (10lbs)it's still my go-to bass for every situation because it just feels right. i'd keep on the look out for a not quite original one (stripped finish, possibly one or two changed parts) that way you get some of that mojo, some of the kudos of owning an older bass and less of the worry that it cost you a fortune. here she is in all her glory (i've since taken off the pickup cover and added an extra long thumb rest which utilises two of the holes in the scratchplate/body and coveres over a couple of other holes) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=68066&view=findpost&p=1013694"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...t&p=1013694[/url] Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 There usually seem to be some nice 70s Precisions on here - all of which I would love, btw. That bass in bassdirect looks great. Although advertised as 81, the S indicates Seventies, and the 9 indicates the ninth year, so it has a 79 serial number. As the 70s basses get snapped up, the 80s ones will no doubt increase in value. This book gives a great history on Fenders, and as well as detailing when who took over when at Fender (gives an indication of the years to avoid, as some state "not the so-and-so Fenders) importantly shows what style logo/serial numbers, positioning etc to look for, so definately worth getting hold of, to do some good research, prior to handing over that kind of cash: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Illustrated-History/dp/0634026402/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301507401&sr=1-2"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Illust...7401&sr=1-2[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks again for the replies guys Might grab that book, also interesting re the serial number, why do you think bassdirect are saying 81 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 [quote name='lojo' post='1182648' date='Mar 30 2011, 06:54 PM']Thanks again for the replies guys Might grab that book, also interesting re the serial number, why do you think bassdirect are saying 81 ?[/quote] The serial numbers basically stopped at S9xxxxx for a few years, until '81/'82. It might be '81 based on pot codes, or seller's provenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 [quote name='lojo' post='1182648' date='Mar 30 2011, 07:54 PM']Thanks again for the replies guys Might grab that book, also interesting re the serial number, why do you think bassdirect are saying 81 ?[/quote] Fender's organisation got a bit bessy around the late 70's. That neck serial could be late 70's, but the pots likely date it as advertised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.