Fair enough, then I'll clarify - in the context of describing basses, the word "vintage" has been so misused (as in, thrown around like confetti) that I basically ignore it. That doesn't negate my ability to determine what a fair price for an instrument is.
This phenomenon is not restricted to basses and guitars. I've seen 5 year old Lego sets with the word "vintage" in their description. Cue much eye rolling and "what-e-ver" from me.*
It is possible that the word has evolved to mean "no longer available to buy new"?
* - more like yelling "EFFING VINTAGE, ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME? THAT SET HAS GOT STUDLESS PARTS FFS!" at the screen...