How much is a '78 Fender Jazz bass worth?

[starman]

Hi fellow Basschatters

I've been offered a 1976 Fender Jazz bass for £1200. The bass itself has a few knocks and scratches. Is this a fair price?

Thanks for your help!

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Edited June 8, 2010 by starman

[Cat Burrito]

It is if it has the original parts that have been replaced with it as spares. 3 bolt neck though & have you checked it out? The weights can be ones to watch. An all original 78 Fender is just the wrong side of £1500, without going on much more than those photos I'd say that was priced fairly.

[Cat Burrito]

There are a couple on here who know more about 70s Fenders than me but I do know a bit and own a 1978 Precision. The 3 bolt neck isn't a problem but can be on older basses. Weight is the main thing to watch for on late 70s Fenders. If you are not sure get advice. The vintage market is different from spending £1200 on a new Fender. Potentially I wouldn't be put off with this bass but do your homework before committing to a sale. Best of luck

[Platypus]

What year did Fender change to a 4 bolt neck for the p bass?

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

[quote name='Platypus' post='837653' date='May 14 2010, 09:38 PM']What year did Fender change to a 4 bolt neck for the p bass?[/quote]
P bass never had the 3 bolt

[JTUK]

I had a mid 70's Fender and it as a dog..not quite a dog with fleas, but just an average bass. Nothing special from the pickups, the 3 bolt neck moved and the MoP was poorly fitted. And it was heavy.

I'd be very glad to get £600 now... so look very carefully at what makes it seemingly worth the amount they want.

I think that era were very variable in quality and there is a lot of hype going on.
There might be something about that bass that might fetch a premium..but it does not have original parts so it is a modded Jazz..
Just being made in '78 isn't enough IMV...it has to be a great example as most weren't that good, IME.

Edited May 14, 2010 by JTUK

[AndyTravis]

This is remarkably similar to the one i tried a couple of months ago at Johnny Roadhouse in Manchester; If i didn't know better, i'd put money on it being the same one.

4th picture down, just behind the 3 bolt neck there is a noticeable recovered/resprayed/photoshopped area - The one at JR has the paint missing, but that photo looks dodgy.

They're advertising theirs for £1199. It's still on the website.

[url="http://www.johnnyroadhouse.co.uk/secondhand/1677-fender-jazz-bass-78"]http://www.johnnyroadhouse.co.uk/secondhan...er-jazz-bass-78[/url]

It's worth £900 at most, heavy and pretty uninspiring.

It has the Preamp, and the original electronics too - no covers, but original case?

That preamp is awful too; if it's the same one.

Hope this has stopped you buying a dud.

Trav

Edited May 15, 2010 by AndyTravis

[AndyTravis]

I'm putting money on it. 99% certain it's the Johnny Roadhouse bass - Looking at the photos.

I was looking at this to strip and respray. But walked away - A dead bass.