LeftyBassist.com

Black... but cool!
Is it me or basses made this year are harder to come by?
I see 78 often, 76 and once in a while 75 and earlier but not 77.

That seems to be right Paulo. This one is listed as a 77, but it in fact has a 78 serial number S836752.

OK, this begs me to ask the question - why are there so few '77's?

I believe it's along the same lines as the 1970 Fender Telecaster being a rather rare year. They made far more 1969 Telecaster then they sold. For 1970, the numbers were scaled way, way back.

If I also remember, sales in musical instruments were on a huge decline during this period (Late 70's).

They may have made a surplus of lefty parts and the orders just fell out from under them.

I had a '77 J and sold it a while ago. Rare rosewood fretboard too. It was a freakin' boat anchor (11+lbs).


'78 was easily the most prevalent vintage year for lefties, with P basses far out pacing the Js.

Afaik plastic hard case puts the bass even farther in time, should be 79 / 80.

I had a p with plastic hard case, it was a 1980 though it had a S8 serial.

^^ kangaroo is very correct ^^

As I mentioned to the seller, the decals were recycles up until 1982/83 so it could be a later model. Definitely not a 77'. Seller claimed he purchased in 78'. Not so sure about that but..... he is local to me but someone else is on their way to view the bass later today and he raised the price to $2350. I was trying to meet him but he kept having excuses why he couldn't meet. I bet its Geoff <BBL> thats meeting him.....

Even for a 77, I thought $1900 was too high considering the condition. Looking at the last picture shows that's it's pretty crusty. A lot of rust and moisture damage on all of the metal surfaces. The paint looks pretty bad pretty- bubbly texture. Almost looks like a poor spray bomb repaint. Repositioned thumb rest off the pick guard onto the body.The condition of the neck and it's hardware looks so much better than the body, looks like a mismatch.

By comparison I have a true 77 black on black maple neck P bass in excellent condition with no issues except a small nick on treble backside of the neck that you can't see unless you turn it upside down. Can't be felt when played. Original covers and lefty fender hard shell case. I would value at $2495. If it was in great condition and was a 77 or maybe even a true 78 (78 pot dates) the $2350 would probably be in line. The $1900 price would have been very reasonable. Just my 2 cents.

^^ The finish damage is from the residue inside the case. Seller said dye came off the inner lining onto the bass. That's baked on. I had red dye on my old beater 78 P bass years ago. I couldn't get rid of it. The rust could be from being stored in a storage unit. ^^

Wow what a mess! It looks like it was in flood. If you get to see it keep us posted.

Good example of sight unseen is taking a chance in the used gear market:

All I need to say is ask a LOT of questions on this one. I gave this bass a name.... "furry balls". It looks like a Dusty Hill ZZTop bass with black fur. The back is covered with baked in fur. That sh*t aint coming off easily and probably requiring a refin most likely unless you like the baken-In fur appearance .
The neck was killer but to many inconsistencies and faulty wiring, and the pots dated R1378206. Thats a Jan 1982 not 77/78/79/80/81. Truss rod turns freely. A LOT of TLC is required and appears to be stored for a long time.

Nice seller...... I made an offer, seller declined and wanted to wait for a few other parties to view then get back to me. Cash in Hand rules in my book........ I walked.

So Graves, asides from the cosmetics, how did it sound?

I am holding on feedback until I hear what the other 2 local prospects do on the sale. I couldn't get a clean sound out of it. Dead Dead Dead strings, and jack was jacked. I brought my "enabler" headphone amp to test but even thru it sounded like ass. Had to have the seller hold the 1/4 jack sideways just so I could get some output. Needs work.....!!!!!

I agree. Those thick skin finishes on mid-late Fenders are like latex. They will melt and get very rubbery if exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture. Mine also had some case residue felt stuck on it that I could never quite get off due to a flood.

So it sounded "furry"?

Or was it more "fuzzy"?

Or "wuzzy"?

kinda frizzy......