LeftyBassist.com

As I am seriously looking into getting a Fender Precision, I am weighing my options.
There are a few used 70's and 80's on the Bay or CL that seem to go for a price ranging between $1000 and $1,500. If you pretty much pay the same price for a new one than those 25-35 yrs old Fenders, wouldn't you rather get a new one? (unless you are looking for a specific color, maybe?)
I know there are a lot of factors to take into consideration here, but quality-wise and sound-wise, the new Precisions are pretty awesome whereas the Fender CBS instruments 70's, 80's Fender are incredibly inconsistant with many quality control issues. It has been discussed at length on this board. More so, If you buy from the Bay, i.e. without the opportunity to try the instrument, chances are, you'll get a dog for the price of a new good bass.(that you could return if you think it is a dog). Any thoughts on that? Am I missing something?

well i got a 1975 p bass and nothing compares to it imo

So maybe it is not only hype after all... Did you try a new one?

Same here, I've got a 69 and a 75 and they sound great. I wouldn't care for a new one.

yes i tryed 2 american standards but i belive all basses are different in there own way no 2 basses are alike imo

accually my 1979 greco p bass copy blows away alot of fenders lol

I've not tried any of the current production Fenders simply because there are none to try in my neck of the woods. The only lefthanded Fenders I see around here are the ubiqutious natural or black MIM Jazzs (usually missing a few knobs and setup dismally).

My '75 Precision is the bass I judge all others by however it is heavily modified so it is probably not a good comparison to the typical 70's era instruments. But it is my belief that much of the despersions cast upon that generation of Fenders is overblown just as is the veneration of the pre-CBS instruments. Both decades saw its fair share of prizes and junk.

That said, there is very little disagreement about the quality of the 80's Japanese production and if you are looking for an older era Fender I would definitely suggest that you seek them out. The prices are steadily rising on the MIJs but they are still commonly available for half the price of the same years USA instruments. I have an 80s model MIJ '62 Reissue Jazz and it is a superb bass that is every bit as good as any USA model. In fact the only modification I made was to replace the bridge because the original was in pretty rough condition and quite honestly, I prefer a heavier bridge. I also had the grounding strip moved to inside the body and a new pickguard installed for purely aesthetic reasons.

Other considerations are the "Boutique" Fender-clones Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland which if you find them used are usually close to the price of a new USA Fender. And of course there is always our very own RGW or JohnK over on TB (who by all accounts builds a superb vintage style Fenderesque bass)..

I have very rarely been able to "try before you buy" but so far I have been lucky in that all those that I have had to buy sight unseen have been good instruments.

Whatever you ultimately decide I wish you luck and enjoyment in the pursuit.

Cheers!

I was not implying that American made Fenders in the 70's and 80's are bad instruments, I was just assessing the idea of buying one of those on E-bay for a lot of money when you really don't know what you are getting into, considering the consistency of the production in those times. If you can try the instrument, verify it is OK and like the sound, why not. In my mind, if anyone is holding onto a good vintage bass, chances are you won't see it on the Bay. If it does, and that's the one you bought, well you were just very lucky.
As to the new ones, I got to try them (I am fortunate enough to live in a very populated area where you can sometimes run into non-beginner lefties) and I was very impressed by the ones made after 2007.

I guess I got a bit carried away with my response

I agree with you, the inconsistancies would make me hesitant to pay "vintage" prices too. I have also seen generally positive reviews of the current crop of Fenders across many forums so hopefully Fender has truly regained its "spirit" as it were, let's hope so.

Keep your eyes peeled for a used G&L SB-1. After about 1985(maybe???) they took the single pup and made it into a split-pup (P-bass). I see one every once in a while, which is how I snagged my 1988 model. Very well made, VERY hot pickup!!!



I don't know how big this photo will be, but here goes.




Note - small chip missing at bottom of the pearloid pickguard. I am embarrassed to tell you how much (little) I paid for this.

Great post !

Agree on the SB-1, they are great instruments although if I was to buy one I would probably feel the need of replacing the pickup by a "less hot" pickup. In fact used G&L instruments are often great buys as they are rather underrated.

I've gotten used to Fender's inconsistent builds from the 70s. I've owned about 4 of them and they''ve all been at least very good. Not perfect at all - some have slightly misaligned strings and huge neck and pickup routes - but those things don't bother me much. If they did, I'd buy new or stick to Lakland or another builder known for great craftmanship.

I love my Lakland JO and my 76 Jazz equally, but for different reasons. And fyi, I've never lost money buying a used Fender.

Good point Geoff. I guess, It just freaks me out to buy those guys on the bay.
FYI: Eventually, I bought Cavernplayer's Red American Std P-Bass. It's a mid 90's model. We'll see how I like it after I receive it. Not too many lefty red P-basses around.

Ain't that the truth! Congrats, Looking forward to your review.

Nice. Looking forward to a review. (does it have a tort guard?)

After not liking the 96 P neck much, I've suddenly fallen in love with it. I made my fretted P with a 74 body, a Fralin pu, and a 96 neck. Cost about $900 or so.

I understand about the prices - it is hard to justify spending so much $$$ for such a simple passive bass. I've thought about buying new Fender CS or a Lakland Glaub and I just can't do it.

It does not have a tort guard but I might get one eventually. I think it is candy apple red and tort guards seem to look better with fiesta red like the pino palladino bass. I tried the same bass at the lefty guitar store called Le Gaucher in Paris back in 1995 and I had always regretted not to buy it. I am pretty pumped.