machinehead Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) I have the opportunity to buy a 1976 sunburst Fender Precision and I could do with some help on valuation as I have no idea what to offer. The bass is described as in good general and original condition but with buckle rash through to the wood. Here's the hard part - it belonged to Phil Lynott as a back up bass, and has a signed letter from his mother to state this. I'm sure I can check this out but it seems genuine as the bass used to be displayed in a glass case in a local guitar shop. The guitar shop bought it from Phil's mother. So, if the bass was worth say £1000 as just another 1976 Precision, what value would the Fender experts put on this one? Impossible question I know but even your thoughts would help me as I have no idea what would be a reasonable offer. I will be checking the provenance of course. What a cool bass to own. I'm very interested in this. Help please. Frank. Edited March 25, 2012 by machinehead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Holy moly I have no idea what it would be worth but what ever they are asking for it... pay it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Well, I'd be very careful here. Establish some provenance independent of the seller - preferably written or pictorial - before you part with any cash. Back-up can mean almost anything. Thing is, I very clearly recall Phil's actual 'number 2' back-up P-bass - black, m/n with mirror scratchplate etc - being sold at one of the Rock Memorabilia auctions in London (Bonhams or Christies, I forget) about 20 years ago - maybe longer ago than that. It sticks in my mind because it went for £800 and I could easily have afforded it at the time. Let it slide because I assumed it would be thousands. It wasn't then, but would be now. Lynott's stock was a bit low in the 80's. So, this might be [i]a[/i] back-up bass, but it's not [i]the[/i] back-up bass. And I've never seen any pictures of him with a s/b P, though obviously [i]that's [/i]not conclusive. TBH, I vaguely recall reading about him playing a fretless P in the studio at one time. Some connection, maybe? In any event, if his mum was happy to give a letter to the shop, I'm sure she wouldn't mind being contacted (independently of the guitar shop, of course - maybe via a management company) to verify matters. And there are some Lizzy forums out there you could post on for further information. As a matter of interest, how much are the guitar shop asking for this? [color=#ffffff].[/color] Edited March 26, 2012 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I would take on all of the above advice. I think in the first intance and before I were to make any further investigation, I would be treating as a I would for any instrument purchase i.e. doing all the usual checks: Electrics, Truss Rod, Frets etc. The above would allow me to ascertain what I would be happy paying for a standard 76 P. After that I could then attempt a decision on what I would be happy to pay for an instrument owned by a famous musician. Good luck and let us know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Wasn`t a Ibby Blazer his main back up bass? Sure I read something about it a couple of years ago. I suppose with a touring "name band" there could be a number of back ups. Would be nice to own something Phil played though. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassintheface Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 You could possible get some info off his former band mate Darren Wharton - ex Lizzy keys player. You'll find his info if you search for Darren Wharton Dare. He now resides in Conwy, N Wales but I'm just guessing he may be able to help confirm this also..?? [url="http://www.myspace.com/daredarrenwharton"]http://www.myspace.com/daredarrenwharton[/url] [url="http://www.dare-music.com/"]http://www.dare-music.com/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmig Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I know a local bassist in Ireland who knocked around with Lynott for years (played bass for Lynott when he went solo, I believe), a chap by the name of Jerome Rimson. You could probably get hold of him easily enough to ask about this...facebook etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Thanks for all the replies so far. To respond to some of the points made and questions asked: The bass was bought from the shop a few years ago when it was about to close. It's now in private hands. It wasn't for sale in the shop (Just displayed in a glass case) and the buyer knew the owner who sold it to keep the shop open and pay some debts. I also know the (ex) shop owner (Shop sadly closed eventually|) so that would be a good line of enquiry. I'll be chasing that one up at the weekend. The seller hasn't put a price on it. He doesn't know what to ask and I don't know what to offer. He doesn't seem to need to sell and he responded to a "wanted" ad I posted locally. Thanks to those who gave me names to contact. I will try to do that after I see the bass and get a general feel for the possible deal. Exciting times. I saw Thin Lizzy in the Ulster Hall in Belfast in 1972/3 I think. We were sitting on the side of the stage within touching distance of the band. The view was great but the sound could have been better from seats down in the main hall. I'll let you all know how this goes. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Very interesting thread - thanks for posting it, Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 (edited) [quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1332748818' post='1592316'] Wasn`t a Ibby Blazer his main back up bass? Sure I read something about it a couple of years ago. I suppose with a touring "name band" there could be a number of back ups. Would be nice to own something Phil played though. Jez [/quote] +1 Definately a blazer. I played with a drummer a few years ago who had done a wee bit with Phil in his younger days (3 or 4 sessions I think). He had a photo holding 2 of Phil's basses in his house, another with Phil and another with Philomena (Phil's mom) from a few years ago. I definately remember the blk/maple/mirror Precision and the Blazer from that photo. Would be sweet if the P Bass was the real deal though. hope it goes well Edited March 27, 2012 by basshead56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmig Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Noel Redding lived in a town nearby me in his latter years...I recall hearing that he made quite some cash picking up basses, signing them, and passing them on a couple of weeks later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Thanks basshead56. I would have loved it if you'd said you remember a SB Precision but still interesting information. schmig. I've seen a few Noel Redding jass basses for sale where the seller claimed he went to Skibereen (?) and had Noel "refresh" his signature. Always seemed iffy to me. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmig Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Yeah, Redding used to live in Clonakilty, a stone's throw from Skibbereen...as a teenager I'd see him lurking around pubs trying to bum weed from kids... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 [quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1332849013' post='1593844'] Thanks basshead56. I would have loved it if you'd said you remember a SB Precision but still interesting information. Frank. [/quote] Hi Frank, Yeah mate, wish I could've been able to verify that for you-as an avid 70's Precision and Thin Lizzy fan, I'm right there with you! [quote name='schmig' timestamp='1332860516' post='1594086'] Yeah, Redding used to live in Clonakilty, a stone's throw from Skibbereen...as a teenager I'd see him lurking around pubs trying to bum weed from kids... [/quote] My mum's from Castlehaven (down the road from Noel's old place- she used to go and see him play on Friday nights) There's a signed "West Cork Tuning' LP at home somewhere too I'm sure. Jeremy Irons also owns a castle around there too- West Cork- like Hollywood, but with more hippies! Kinda homesick now.haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRichards Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Backup basses range in prices, no matter what the artist. A McCartney played Yamaha BB would sell for about 10% of what a McCartney played Ric or Hofner would. Since Lynott was known for the black with mirror P bass, any one of his basses authenticated that were in that color scheme would probably sell between $2K and $3K sight unseen. A plain old sunburst that there probably arent any pictures of him playing, not more then a '78P in good condition. Here in the US, about $1500-$2000 USD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 [quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1332951408' post='1595441'] Backup basses range in prices, no matter what the artist. A McCartney played Yamaha BB would sell for about 10% of what a McCartney played Ric or Hofner would. Since Lynott was known for the black with mirror P bass, any one of his basses authenticated that were in that color scheme would probably sell between $2K and $3K sight unseen. A plain old sunburst that there probably arent any pictures of him playing, not more then a '78P in good condition. Here in the US, about $1500-$2000 USD. [/quote] Very intersting and less cash than I had thought for sure. Any others like to attempt to put a value on it. BTW, I can't see it this week due to things at home but I will see it next week. or maybe even at the weekend. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 [quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1333022463' post='1596265'] Very intersting and less cash than I had thought for sure.[/quote] My thoughts too, given what a non-name 76 P usually goes up for here on BC. Perhaps there is less interest in Lizzy / Lynott gear in the US. Given the resurgency of affection over here for Mr Lynott, I'd have thought a [i]lot[/i] more than £1500-2500 for a provenanced black Lynott P. Because, afaik, there were only two of 'em. Prices? I dunno. Thing is, it's a specialist market and depends on who's 'in the room' on the day. Get two people who want the same thing and the sky's your oyster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 (edited) Couldt be this? Hard to tell if that's SB or a trick of the light i and this is different: [but not SB] Edited March 30, 2012 by Twigman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Slightly unrelated, what was the price Lorne had on his Lynott-used Mockingbird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Even more unrelated, Scott Gorham's face always does my head in... maybe it's the teeth I dunno. Mind you have you seen Gary Moore lately... looks like someone's taken a blowtorch to a Nick Nolte wax work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1333123859' post='1597846'] Mind you have you seen Gary Moore lately... looks like someone's taken a blowtorch to a Nick Nolte wax work. [/quote] Being dead for a year will do that to a dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1333124092' post='1597848'] Being dead for a year will do that to a dude. [/quote] Oh yeah I forgot. Muppet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsebass Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Being a massive Lynott fan I can safely say that ive never seen, or read, or heard about Lynott [i]playing [/i]a sunburst bass. As far as i know he played the legendary black fenders, the red one (thats pictured earlier) and a BC rich bass (although that might have only be in the video for "do anything you wanna do") and an Ibanez Roadstar (i think) That doesnt say that he didnt own one - according to many books, his first ever bass was a Fender P Bass given to him by Brush Shiels, but nobody ever said what it was. However, the Phil Lynott Exhibition in Dublin bought out this gem..[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauranagle/5588262767/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauranagle/5588262767/[/url] but i doubt it would ever be for sale, and theres no history behind it - it could just have been a donated bass for the exhibition that was signed. I guess though, that if you do the usual checks, and it seems fine - then ignore the history and offer what you think its worth, and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1333123859' post='1597846'] Even more unrelated, ...... Mind you have you seen Gary Moore lately... looks like someone's taken a blowtorch to a Nick Nolte wax work. [/quote] Not nice. The bloke's brown bread fuh'faak-sake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1333188994' post='1598483'] Not nice. The bloke's brown bread fuh'faak-sake! [/quote] Yeah but on the bright side at least Phil's still with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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