1971 Fender P Bass - whats it worth?

[andyonbass]

Attention Fender aficionados!

I have the opportunity of first dibs on a 70's P Bass, here's part of the email I received

[Quote]

Fender Precision Bass (early 70's - can't remember the exact year - it was quite a while ago!!). Serial Number 326564.

It has a Tortoise Shell Scratch Plate, original Fender Case and all the original chrome fittings . (All in Excellent condition). [/quote]

The guy is the second owner from new, the first being his mate who sadly died so he bought it from the widow and has hardly used it since.

What would be a fair price to offer?

Thanks

Andy

Edited November 12, 2013 by andyonbass

[gjones]

This might help. Of course there'll be a mark up on these basses so bear that in mind. [url="http://www.andybaxterbass.com/guitars.php?cat=1"]http://www.andybaxterbass.com/guitars.php?cat=1[/url]

[Roland Rock]

I'd say between £1800 and £2200 depending on condition (and how much you like how it plays/feels)

[bh2]

heh... I was going to go around 15 to 2000, but could go for a lot more, a collector would prob not wince at 3 to 4 grand. Mint mind.

[iconic]

3 or 4k.....for a 70's p?!?!

[Lozz196]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1384292711' post='2275023']
I'd say between £1800 and £2200 depending on condition (and how much you like how it plays/feels)
[/quote]

Sounds about right to me.

[molan]

£2K is absolute top of the market for an early 70's P.

There's a million things to be sure of before parting with any money. Every single details that isn't 100% original will start knocking value off that price.

I've seen refinished early 70's drop to as little as £1,100 on EBay. In fact I think one went last week for about £950.

You really need to get it checked out properly to be sure it's what it purports to be. I'm not saying the seller isn't trustworthy but you never know what may have been done by a previous owner.

I saw something earlier this year from a guy who wanted to sell a relative's bass. He was very straight and I trusted him. He had a '63 Jazz that his father had told him had been owned since '64 and hardly ever played.

Had it checked over and it had a poly refinish, '80's repro guard, 'no-name replacement pickups and pots (also probably 80's) and a few other things that didn't ring true. We were pretty sure it had been subject to a massive makeover at some point in the '80's and his dad had simply forgotten about it!

[andyonbass]

Thanks guys, that was sort of the ball park figure I thought.
[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828] [/color][/font]
[quote name='molan'][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I've seen refinished early 70's drop to as little as £1,100 on EBay. In fact I think one went last week for about £950.[/quote][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'll look that up - it'll be good haggling ammo![/font][/color]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1384305395' post='2275148']
You really need to get it checked out properly to be sure it's what it purports to be. I'm not saying the seller isn't trustworthy but you never know what may have been done by a previous owner.
[/quote]

Wise words! Where could one take it to get checked over?

[Musky]

[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1384318012' post='2275165']
Wise words! Where could one take it to get checked over?
[/quote]
Check out Molan's sig!

[bh2]

Agree... my 4k is over the top... ! Damn inflation.

[Roland Rock]

Here are some example from BC sales. Of course it's possible that the asking prices were haggled down a bit:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207600-1971-fender-precision-bass-sold/page__p__2077778__hl__71%20precision__fromsearch__1#entry2077778

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191980-fsft-fender-197071-precision-bass-fretless-l2k/page__p__1898441__hl__71%20precision__fromsearch__1#entry1898441


http://basschat.co.uk/topic/220728-sold-1971-blond-fender-precision-owned-by-willie-weeks/page__hl__71+precision__fromsearch__1

[andyonbass]

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1384331347' post='2275236']

Check out Molan's sig!
[/quote]

Will do when I get home (can't see it on my mobile!)

[andyonbass]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1384336121' post='2275303']
Here are some example from BC sales. Of course it's possible that the asking prices were haggled down a bit:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207600-1971-fender-precision-bass-sold/page__p__2077778__hl__71%20precision__fromsearch__1#entry2077778

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191980-fsft-fender-197071-precision-bass-fretless-l2k/page__p__1898441__hl__71%20precision__fromsearch__1#entry1898441


http://basschat.co.uk/topic/220728-sold-1971-blond-fender-precision-owned-by-willie-weeks/page__hl__71+precision__fromsearch__1
[/quote]

Thanks for taking the trouble to find those, a great help :-)

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1384343808' post='2275435']


Thanks for taking the trouble to find those, a great help :-)
[/quote]

No worries. Hopefully you can use the pics to help confirm the authenticity of this one :-)