Above is a real-deal 1957 Fender Precision Bass. Here is a video of it:
There is good and bad to owning a real vintage electric guitar.
Good: It has “that sound” and “that feel”, which for some is worth every penny you pay for one.
Bad: It’s old. Really old. And when you get into really-old territory, you encounter problems.
What counts as “vintage”?
The general rule of thumb is anything over 25 years old. For example, in many US states, to get a “historic” license tag, the automobile has to be at least that old to qualify. And yes, this does mean anything built in 1989 or earlier does qualify as vintage.
What are the common problems with vintage electric instruments?
Here are some problems you will get with vintage instruments, even if they are in perfect or near-perfect condition.
Severely stiff or severely loose tuners
Tuners on vintage guitars will either be so stiff they can barely be moved, or so loose that that they can barely hold strings to pitch without wildly going out-of-tune just with light playing.
The rule of thumb is that if the tuners are stiff, they can be still used normally. If they’re loose however, there’s not much that can be done without destroying the authenticity of the instrument. You can however easily replace the tuners with new period-correct vintage-style, and set aside the originals should you want to sell the instrument later while keeping its authenticity in tact.
“Bakelite” plastic
Modern plastics are a wonder of modern engineering. But some of the plastics of the 1950s were just plain crap. Bakelite is one of them. It was one of the first plastics used and was seen on many electric instruments of the 1950s. The major issue with Bakelite is that it’s simply not that strong of a material, disintegrates early, and when used as a pick guard, sunlight can warp it all too easily.
Disintegration/Erosion issues
There comes a point in any machine’s life (a guitar is a machine) where things just naturally start disintegrating.
As any luthier knows, most woods can be saved and repaired.
When it comes to everything else however, that’s a different story.
A simple example of this is a pick guard screw. In extreme situations, screws that are over 50 years old can have their heads crack right off. The screw either wasn’t tightened down properly, or “crept” up naturally over time, the elements worked their way under the screw head and the thing just disintegrated. On first turn of that screw, *plik*, cracked head, ruined screw.
Thinking of buying vintage? Know what you’re buying
What does “know what you’re buying” mean? It means you are buying something really old. It means it’s used. It means you will have to put extra care into keeping the instrument functional, such as taking into account the humidity level of wherever you store the guitar, understanding that old metals and plastics are fragile, and so on.
Do you think real vintage is worth it?
Some do while others do not, but feel free to express your opinion on it by posting a comment or two below.
Remember this however: Anyone can buy a vintage instrument, because all that takes is money. But it takes a lot more effort to actually build a bass. And some would argue that the joy of completing your own instrument is much more satisfying compared to spending several thousand dollars for a vintage instrument you can’t even play like you want to.
What do you think?
No. I would use the money to finish my 5-string build.
I have been fortunate enough to have owned both a 1973 Fender Jazz (bought new) and a 1978 Fender Jazz (pawn shop find). I ended up trading the 1973 for a G&L Legacy L-2500. The 1978 is my main bass playing in a 60s/70s/80s cover band. I ended up changing the pickups out with Bartolinis. The touch on the bass with Sadowsky flat wounds is totally awesome. I’m going into a Fishman preamp to get a little more oomph out of the Bartolinis. To me it is the perfect bass for me.
Just to be accurate here: Did you trade the 1973 for a G&L Legacy (LB-100) or an L-2500? They are two VERY different instruments. The Legacy, or LB-100 (post Zon request to change the name), was/is G&L’s take on the Precision. The L-2500 is a current 5 string that is its own beast.
I own a 1973 Fender Precision Bass and I am very proud of it, but I also bought a new MIM Jazz Bass to use at gigs. The P Bass is great but not worth the worry of something happening to it. I guess what my opinion is , that they are nice to own, but not for club gigging.
Another thing to consider is just how ‘vintage an instrument is. I purchased an ’84 left-handed Fender Precision – mainly because it had the ‘pancake wide/flat neck and a maple board – a rarity for us lefties. Once I had it on the bench I realised that the pickguard was from a more modern ’62 reissue, the bodywork had been touched up and, although the electronics were correct the pickups were probably (hard to tell) ‘upgrades’. Buyer beware! However, I cleaned off the new paint, had a period-correct pickguard made by the wonderful people at Pickguardian and fitted an ’82 (dated) pickup, with period-correct white covers, sourced from Ebay. So now, as near as possible, I have a ‘genuine’ ’84 and its sounds great – even if it did cost me an extra $100 or so to get right!!
Nope not unless I want to keep it for investment purposes only. There are plenty of other bass guitars out there much better than Fender for a fraction of the cost. Better in build quality, sound, and playability.
Yep … a great , fun investment you can actually play .. !! but cannot/shouldn’t Mod … been there , done that … i’ll stick with my Warmoth builds … but an older instrument can be a good investment if bought right .. !
Vintage basses are worth the money.But,I built a 51 P-Bass copy from parts and did the correct yellowish finish myself.It has a quartersawn maple neck-swamp ash body-Seymour Duncan quarter pound pick-up and and Fender pick guard-Hipshot Light weight tuners.The fret board is maple, fretless no lines.You cannot find a bass like this anywhere and I built the whole thing for around $450.00.It’s a better quality bass than a Fender vintage 51′ and does’nt cost $3,000 – $6,000.
I have owned vintage, I have owned non-vintage. There is a lot of false information about vintage instruments – and newer instruments. One is that vintage is “better”. That is not always true. Every instrument has had a life, some hard, some gentle. Sometimes the hard life makes the instrument better (weird, yes I know), sometimes the gentle life has a worse effect on the instrument. Yes, it sounds like a contradiction. But after 50 years in music, having played all the vintage gear when it was brand new or simply “used” gear at the time, I can say that some of the current production instruments are better. Yes, in many cases you’ll pay vintage prices for the current crop… but the instrument will last forever – and without all the problems vintage can bring with it.
No. Vintage why in 25 short years you can own a vintage.
Vintage basses are a tricky thing to justify. I love the feel and tonality of an old Fender( I recentlly played a 53 that’s in perfect shape) but I would never gig one, just play for studio work. I had a knock off Jazz that was made in France in the 60’s that sounded so sweet( till the neck completely gave way). If you feel that it’s the right instrument that’s whats important, and finding a good builder that will work with you is so important. As of late I’ve been really disappointed with most of the new basses that are being mass produced and for the money a custom is the way to go.
Own so many Fender basses but two of my favorites are my 51 p bass modified with two soapbars & mim jazz bass my main tool. Been playing Fenders since 1967
If I had the money I would buy the perfect bass for me. I think a vintage Fender etc etc would deffinately nail it, but I would take my time to compare everything. I am more fond of luthier instruments couse they are made for you.
I am a certified Fender tech for all stringed inst., a bassist and guitarist for over 30 years, and pro musician-last gig 3 yrs. in Vegas and lots of well known working musicians there as clients because even if I had a gig the same day I would stay up all night cuz I would promise a 24 hr turn around and may not get the bass (usually) ’til the last show of the nite was over so pulled lots of all niters to say the least and oh yeah not that it’s important-I’m female which I had to pick up lots of chins off floors when clients sent their first inst. to me..lol–the reason for the back story is this-had the pleasure of playing hundreds of vintage Fenders and owned a 1966 precision completely stripped of finish and neck and fingerboard smoothe as butta-stolen in Nashville and not recovered. I’m obviously a Fender fan-atic plus other name brands but my bass of choice is built by Lincluthier because it weighs less than 7 lbs. -Purple Heart and bubinga -sustains so well I can put it on a stand go make a sandwich and comeback and it’s still going-can make it sound just like a vintage Fender with the awesome Barts it has, my second fave was My 5 string Brubaker with Lane Poors-need I say more-Ok if money and economy were not a problem I would indeed buy a vintage Fender bass, I actually had two-had forgotten about the other one but both played great (set up by Moi) in both replaced caps and that was it. I would have another just because I’m a ol’ hippie bitchin’ guitar tech who knows knows gold when she plays or hears it! Honestly tho I have for sale in my shop right now-a Chinese won’t say name but initials are IBANEZ that I fixed circuit board on and installed new battery compartment – this bass is ridiculously good -active pickups, set up is probably too low for most people, I can change that-but it just goes to show ya you can stumble across a gem you’d never think you’d find especially in a brand you aren’t particularly fond of even tho they make some killer inst. – I would use this bass as a back up anytime if something happened to my Linc…..after all I couldn’t take a chance on taking out a vintage Fender now could I? But, the one thing I always do is whatever bass I use, I try to make it sound like as close as possible to that 66 precision -guess you can take the girl outta the Fender Music Shop but you’ll never take the Fender away from the girl it’s in my head if nothing else. Thanks!
Had a 68 Tele that i played from 71-79, gave it up cause i never found that Fendergirl that understood basses, Now where is your
shop!
ask yourself thia – do you want to be gigging regularly with a $10K instrument?
NO. It does not have “that sound” or “that feel” that I would want. It exists only as a test for money /common sense ratio.
If you have the money to spend, find a Bass you like, you own a good new (technology updated) Bass, then why not? I am more concerned with finding good guitar players to invest in…
I had a 61 Precision in 1970 that I exchanged for a 65 Gibson EBO.Oh how I regret that. I’ve wanted to find another pre CBS Fender for years but the world is crawling with fakes
I have a 73 Jazz fretless and a modern 5 string Jazz but nothing compares to that 61.
I bought a 1976 Fretless Fender Precision bass for jazz (I play upright already), and I ended up de-fretting another bass so I could have the bridge pick-up sound.
However, I absolutely adore my Fender, and when I get an opportunity for that sound in small combos that need an electric instead of upright, it’s my go-to instrument. I also prefer it in my latin band.
However, if I didn’t stumble upon a fretless vintage, I would have never purchased a vintage unless I had loose cash (HA). But that maple neck just hits the spot.
Interesting question. I have notice recently the cost of these basses are way too much. Having owned a 1970 Fender Telecaster and thought wow the action is really high and just continued to play it. Who knew you could lower the action. I wished I knew then what I know now. Having a 1977 Precision, I have to say compared to the other 5 basses I own, the stone is unmatched. Would I pay 3,000 plus for it? probably not… If my lively hood and career was music…then yes.
No. I own ’76 P bass. It’s OK, nothing special. I have built myself much better basses, and my ’87 Ibanez SR-885LE is also much better. I have played some nice very old Fenders, but they are not worth the money. And regarding the video, why would you play that nice bass through that garbage amp?
I have a vintage Univox Lawsuit P bass 1970/71 Precisley and the tone and feel is great in my opinion.
I own a ’79 MusicMan Stingray which I bought used when it was not quite a year old (in 1980). More recently, I bought an OLP (MM Stingray clone) which I defretted (because it’s next to impossible to find a fretless MM neck). Even more recently, I bought a Variax 700 (by Line6) that, among other things, emulates a MM Stingray. Most recently of all, I bought a Sterling SUB (by MM). The emulation on the Variax is indistinguishable from my original MM. I paid $300 for the original MM way back when. I paid $500 for the Variax, and just $200 for the OLP clone. They all sound so similar that you would literally have to do a one after the other comparison to detect any sonic difference. The newest one, the SUB ($260 brand new), has incredible action and great tone. Personally, I think you are more likely to get screwed, unless you are a vintage bass specialist, buying an older instrument. I think it’s important to choose a bass based on the tone you like, and the sound you want, rather than how old it is or how impressive you want to look on stage. I never gig with the original MM because I don’t want it damaged or stolen. If any of the other ones disappeared, I could easily replace them. So, I guess the answer is NO, I would not buy a vintage Fender even if I had the money.
My USA Laklands will go head-to-head against any vintage instrument. I play the crap out of ’em all the time and it shows…lotsa battle scars. Wouldn’t change a thing on these!!!
I had a 68 precision in high school 1975.Wish I had it back along with the bassman 100 amp
I think “vintage” guitars are like vintage cars – they are old and not something you can use reliably. It is true that there are cheap guitars nowadays from overseas, but the quality of these guitars if phenomenal compared to that of guitars that were comparably priced when I was young (in the ’60’s). It is really hard to believe the quality you can get nowadays for $200.00-300.00. If you are willing to spend more, you can get a really beautiful axe that sounds and plays like a vintage guitar, but with everything working like new. So, the only reason I can think of to buy a vintage guitar would be to say, “I own a vintage guitar”. If you really want to play it, and the neck isn’t warped by now or many other issues (which was the case with my Hoefner), you have to perhaps change hardware, pickups, and what have you, and it is no longer authentic, just as if you want to drive your classic car. So, basically, I love to see those instruments in a museum, but as a gigging musician I really would rather spend money on something I can use.
I definitely would have made the purchase at one time, but not today. The values have gone up to the point I would never take it out to gig. I know a guitarist in a touring blues band that owns a ’57 Strat. Every time I saw him play a festival, he was playing a reissue. The ’57 became too valuable to play. Eventually he didn’t even take it out on the road. I know tha’s where I would end up. I’ll just keep playing newer / cheaper basses…..
so the critical element is “if you had the $” and of course that becomes self-evidently – of course. If, like most normal folk, $’s are an issue that changes the equation slightly. There are some superior instruments available now that out perform anything, and there’s a cost. I’ve owned a 71 JB for over 35 years and love it. For me its the gold standard for feel, playability and tone. I’ve tried others, as others here have. I needed a gig bass, not wanting to take the JB out anymore. Unimpressed with commercial offerings, I built several and they all play well, have Lollar, TV Jones and Joe Bardens in them. The 71 now has Lollars also and it just made it better. Played Carvin basses that are very good for the $. Would I buy another 71 JB like mine, in a heartbeat, can you get as good new – yes, are all goods the same? ….
I own a 1962 Jazz Bass with lots of miles on it, and it plays and sounds better than anything else I’ve ever owned. I do use it on gigs… it’s my baby and I love it, and I’m leaving it to my son in my will.
Nope. I had a ’73 P-bass that lived a good life, but is pretty well dead. I sold it to a sucker looking for a vintage instrument, and bought a Squier fretless. With a few upgrades, it’s better than the clumsy P-bass. Vintage only counts for upright basses when the wood starts to get “that sound.”
I’d love to own a pre-CBS Fender Jazz Bass in good working condition, but it wouldn’t definitely be my main axe. Not that I would leave it collecting dust either, but it would be more of a collector’s prized item for me.
I’ve owned a ’66 P since 1971 and would put it up against any modern bass of comparable build. It has a sound that you cant describe!
My I was 16, I played a shortneck Danelectro/Sears which was all I could afford. One night our band’s manager brought me his 1953 Precision to use for our gig. It was extraordinarily heavy, but it played and sounded great, and wanted so much to own it. And that’s the single reason I’d like to own one today.
I bought a vintage bass. I’s a 1974 Fender Jazz Bass. It’s perfect in every way I wanted it to be. And I got it for a steal! How? Easy! I bought it factory new, from a reputable music retailer in NYC…in 1974! And it only cost me $285.00 shipped (no tax!)…with a Fender hardshell case! How’s that for a bargain?!
I own a 74 jazz bass, it kills, it’s solid, and I’ve used it for 15 years– it is currently in semi retirement, because touring extensively definitely wore her down– once restored, she will be for studio only-
Oh yeah, if I had the money, I’d buy vintage. But right now, they’re making P basses that are as good as any that have ever been made. The only one I can think of that HAS to be bought vintage is the ’68 Tele Bass because it actually SOUNDS different (it is the absolute nastiest sounding bass Fender ever made)–had a maple fingerboard, heavy ash body, fiber-bobbin single-coil pickup AND now-unobtainable Fender nickel flats.
I play my ’62 P-Bass on gigs regularly. Yes it gets beat up, but it reliable as can be, and since I know I am never going to sell it, I may as well play it.
having both at hand I’d say the new ones are better for gigging,but for lower volume recording there is nothing like an old maple fingerboard precision.
Of the several vintage basses and guitars that I own, my ’73 Precision has stood the test of time. Still rock solid, still maintains that “P-Bass” tonality and feel. Though I play Warwicks (own five of them) in the numerous bands I play with, I always go back to the ’73 when I’m looking for that particular sound on a recording, or on a gig where that particular sound is required. And I never hesitate to take it out of the house — probably because I’ve always been of the attitude that you use the instrument to achieve a particular end. I certainly respect treasuring an instrument (e.g., my ’42 Gibson LG-2), but for me the thrill is playing it live. (I foolishly modified the ’73 P early on, adding a Jazz pickup in the tail and slapping on a Badass bridge, although I have to say in many respects I’m glad that I did!)
I was fortunate to have a close friend work at a high end boutique shop local to me and they had at least two dozen vintage Fenders at crazy prices. I played almost all of them and while some sounded better than others I was performing an A/B test with a 4,000 dollar SADOWSKY that I just purchased from Roger himself. I went back and forth for a few hours. While the vintage Fender looked cool and would have earned me a ton of points with the hipster crowd whom just want to see vintage Fenders to my ears the SADOWSKY had a much bigger and richer sound. So to each his own. I personally think the Vintage market more times than not is an overpriced overhyped scene.
My son taught me an important lesson one day at the local music store. The kid is a serious player with great ears for tone and tune. He whent about playing various guitars in the shop until he finally said, “dad this is the one!” He never considered the brand name. It turned out to be a mid $300. instrument, name not necessary, which is my point. He gets plenty of comments when folks hear it played. So now I just check for quality build, how it feels and the way it sounds when I’m looking for a backup instrument. My main basses I’ve custom built just as I like so throwing a bunch of dough at a vintage doesn’t make much sense to me. I play an older MM Stingray also & every time I get into a recording studio there are no complaints.
Good question and topic. I am fortunate to own a 59 precision bass with a great story. I got it when I was about 12, for $50, back in 1967. No case, already refinished (looked like a hand-brushed paint job). Somehow managed to keep it all these years – remember, back then no one knew from “vintage”, and like most teenagers what I wanted was “cool”. Had a pro refinish and refret done a few years ago. Its a wonderful bass, sounds killer and feels and looks great. But would I go out and spend the bucks to buy it in today’s market? I doubt it, unless cost was no object. I love the fact that I get to play a bass that has been around so long, that I’ve owned for 46 yrs, but there are so many good basses now, even if you like vintage feel and sound. I bought a Pat Wilkins Road-Tested Jazz bass that is an amazing bass, but if I wanted a real “62, would have to spend many thousands more.
For me this is not about a direct one-on-one comparison between a vintage and a new/modern instrument. I don’t believe that’s the way to look at it. Some years ago I was able to trade/buy into a refin 62 Jazz slab board. Wow! That finally convinced me as to what this vintage thing was about! Still, it had a minor issue that I felt I could improve on. One year later I traded it (and others) into a one owner ’66 Jazz, totally original. Certainly not a closet classic – played hard, and all honest wear. This one is it IMO, the reason to have one from the 60’s/very early 70’s. I feel that after that CBS began to work its spell and though old, I don’t feel those quite align with the earlier years. This 66 plays amazingly well, and the tone is what it’s about. I have 7 modern Jazz’s, all different pu’s/woods. All are excellent and each shines in its own way – none sound like this. The thing to remember is that not all old instruments are automatically “The Grail”. Many are mediocre, a lot of them plainly suck – they are, after all, assembly line output. But when you find one that really comes together, you understand the hype isn’t hype at all. No one was more skeptical about this than I was. Now I’m a believer and will hold on to this bass as long as I am able. I consider myself very fortunate to own it and I am sure I’d be hard pressed to find another like it. BTW – I gig it regularly. Great instruments are meant to be played, not closeted away.
Finally, after 15 years playing bass, I decdided to stop with MIM (I mainly play Fender basses, don’t ask me why, but I relly love their sound and feel) and to buy me an american standardjazz bass.To my eyes and for my music, ash is the right wood for the body and I love maple figerboards.
Here it was. a 2000 american standard found new in a shop. For the same price I found in a shop of a frind of mine here in Italy an original 1978 jazz bass. The doubts were many, the terror to buy something that could crack under my hands.compared to an american standard that besides played very well, in some ways that was a dream come true. In the past I never bought something so important because I somehow wanted to deserve it, to be able to play it well. Now it was the time.
I plugged the 78. No history at all. For a well trained ear the sound is completely different. the woods are dry when you touch them, if you knock’em the sound of the wood is another universe. 78 in not a 50, it’s worn, but plastics and tuners are in good shape. Now I play it for 2 hours a day since months and it ddoes not give any impression of breaking. On the contrary when I simply keep in my hands, even unplugged I feel proud. To ply something that has played for 40 years every kind of music. For a sound of tose epoque. Poetry.
And of course simply my point of view.
No, I own an early single coil 1957 and 1 is enough. I have a 73 Les Paul, 88 JapStrat, 99 PRS and other assorted older than new guitars.
it’s a good place to put your money. every old fender and gibson i’ve bought has appreciated in value. it’s like buying good art.
as far as musically, some new instruments are good, but many old instruments are good, if you know how to play them through the right amp.
the fender and gibson people are basically charging high vintage prices for their new guitars, so if you can get an original fender bass for under $2000, it won’t lose value. there’s nothing to indicate that anything recently made will have any collector or vintage value.
My older axe is a ’57 Precicion raised pole humbucker original. When I was stupid back in 1980, I had some routing done inside to hold a 9v battery, and had SD active put in. Now it’s all back to original, but I play out with either my MIM Jazz or my ’78 USA Jazz.
If you’re buying to make money, I suggest getting a Ferrari 308 GT. They have doubled in price in the past 2 years, and will again I’m sure. Last year, the average price was around 40k. Now, 80k plus.
I have a 73 p bass
And I have a p bass copy and for recording producers want my copy bass as it sounds better ( more vintage Motown sound) so go figure.
I got given this copy put a SD pickup in it and just love the thing .
The vintage bass is a bragging right but is it better ??
The tuners are better and the cool amber headstock is awesome
But over all
Not really