spongebob Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) I've been window-shopping, and a 70's bass in my dream model has popped up on my radar at a decent price. Thing is, I'm thinking electrical issues, plus a million other things..... But how giggable is a 40-year old bass? I'd love a YOB bass - but it would mean me trading or selling my 2014 to fund it......I've had vintage before and (loved and foolishly) sold them, but never had one as my only bass...which this would mean. Edited April 6, 2015 by spongebob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 People gig with 40 year old (and older) basses all the time. Some idea of what it is might help, so people with experience of that bass can comment on potential problems (if any). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Assuming it's in decent playable condition I don't see how it would be any less giggable than a new(er) instrument - an old proven bass might be a better bet than a new and relatively unproven bass when it's the only instrument you own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I gig my '73 Precision, and indeed bought it [i]to[/i] gig. Just make sure you check it out in person before you buy. And if the electrics work, they work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 A '74 Ric 4001. My dream bass - had them before - my never my YOB. I've had a '77 and a '78, and numerous 4003/04, but I'm current a mono-bass owner, and kind of would like to stay that way! The older stuff before always had a back-up. It's the idea of sticking with an 'old' instrument - never done that before with no safety net! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 If a bass was good in 1970-whatever, there's no reason why it shouldn't be good now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 [s]Here's why I sold my Rickenbacker[/s] No no no NO [b]NO![/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 If it is a better bass than your current one then ok.. if not.. what are you doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 ......because I can't resist a 4001.......especially a YOB! Just he idea of owning a 40-year old instrument as my sole bass worries me a bit, as I wouldn't drive a 40-year old car as my only transport! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1428338559' post='2740389'] Just he idea of owning a 40-year old instrument as my sole bass worries me a bit, as I wouldn't drive a 40-year old car as my only transport! [/quote] Basses aren't cars. Don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I mainly gig my '79 YOB precision, but I have no qualms about it, as it has been refinished, has a new bridge, new pickups, new scratch plate, so it's never going to be a collectors piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I had a Jetglo '74 4001, and an earlier one (and this was in the late 70s/early 80s, so they were a lot younger then). My "dream" basses quickly became my nightmare basses..... But don't let that put you off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 My gigging bass is my 78 Precision. I had the pots and jack replaced - kept the working originals - as wanted some newer ones that I would have a bit more faith in, simply as they were new, so knew they`d be unlikely to fail. But other than that, no problems gigging a 70s bass. It already has knocks/genuine road-wear on it so I`m not precious about dinging it, and like JapanAxe I bought it to gig it. It`s such a lumpy bit of kit it would take some serious intent to damage it, plus unless I`m playing it it stays in its hardcase at gigs anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) I was going to say you should have no issues with gigging a 70s bass... ...but a RIC?? Oh no, no, no good at all. It will fail on you for sure! It'll fall apart after five minutes! Not really - it'll be fine. Don't worry about it. The issue is not about gigging the bass, it's about being a little bit more vigilant re theft prevention, imho. Edited April 6, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1428339600' post='2740402'] I was going to say you should have no issues with gigging a 70s bass... ...but a RIC?? Oh no, no, no good at all. It will fail on you for sure! It'll fall apart after five minutes! Not really - it'll be fine. Don't worry about it. The issue is not about gigging the bass, it's about being a little bit more vigilant re theft prevention, imho. [/quote] I've had more attention at gigs with my Precision than I ever had with my Ric 4003's before - Fender's seem to be a magnet for idiots around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswareham Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I gig a 1979 bass and have on the past gigged with a 1977 one that's now a back up. No problems with either of them, as I had them checked over when I bought them, and the only things showing wear and tear were the jack sockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I gig my 1970 P, it's already had it's fair share of knocks so nothing there for me to worry about. Unlike a new bass. As far as running repairs I just had the pickups rewired (not rewound) as one of the wires had come off one of the coils. I also had a new nut cut when I bought it and had the input jack replaced.. it's a few years away from a re-fret, other than that it's been good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I don't gig my more valuable vintage instruments, not because of concerns about reliability but purely through fear of theft and/or drunken punters causing damage. My main gigging basses are G&L's from the 80's. Over the last couple of years I've enjoyed rehearsing with a 60's and a couple of 70 P basses, with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1428344673' post='2740446'] Over the last couple of years I've enjoyed rehearsing with a 60's and a couple of 70 P basses, with no issues. [/quote] Off-topic briefly, I enjoyed playing your 66 P Gary... ooh, yeah. Edited April 6, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1428344780' post='2740449'] Off-topic briefly, I enjoyed playing your 66 P Gary... ooh, yeah. [/quote] Thanks Mark. Do you know just opening the case on that one is a pleasurable experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I gig a 1979 Gibson RD Artist with some of the wackiest onboard electronics and it works fine. Just about everything is less mental than it, so you'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) Electrical issues are nothing to worry about, very little to fail mid-gig. As Discreet says - biggest issue (if at all) is theft. Even the £11k Fodera is replaceable with an identical model but a dream vintage instrument will be unique. Personally, I'd be careful not to be blinded by the whole 'YOB' route. It's a nice romantic sentiment, but you want a great instrument, and the best one out there might not be made the exact year you were born. Edited April 6, 2015 by Drax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1428344673' post='2740446'] I don't gig my more valuable vintage instruments, not because of concerns about reliability but purely through fear of theft and/or drunken punters causing damage. My main gigging basses are G&L's from the 80's [/quote] This is my main concern. Depends on how replaceable your YOB bass would be. I also use a mid 80s G&L but am increasingly aware of how would I find another one it cane to grief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Go for it if that's what you want. A good, sound 40 year old bass will be as reliable as a new one. I've played some 70s P basses that I'd wager have more than another 40 years in them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 There will be no issues. Buy it and gig it. My 79 Stingray and my 68 Mustang have been, and are, gigged regularly and have never had a problem, In fact I've never had a failure with any bass on a gig or seen someone else have a failure come to think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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