HELP, ASAP...do you think a 78 p-bass in mint condition be priced for $500?!

[Iceman Irwin]

hello guys, i'm about to meet an old guy who's selling his 1978 p-bass for 500 bucks...

Is this worth it?

I'll try to obtain pictures someday for you guys and maybe ask you what you think of it.

Your immediate reaction would DEFINITELY help this desperate guy....

[bruiser_dup2]

Iceman,

 

I'm not a Fender guy, but I just went on E-Bay and searched the Fender Bass category for "1978" and found two P-basses, both starting at $500, one with a "Buy it Now" price of $825. Neither was completely original, though. Nobody had bid on either one yet.

 

Bruiser

[jeremy c]

The price for a bass like that could be anything.

 

It depends on the bass, the condition, and whether the seller knows about current prices.

 

It's still selling for more than the guy paid for it, if he bought it new.

 

I'm "an old guy" who sold a 78 precision for $400 about 20 years ago. I have no regrets.

 

If you like the bass, it's a good deal.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Originally posted by jeremyc:

If you like the bass, it's a good deal.

Agreed.

 

I've seen P basses from the '70s range from about $600-$900 on-line and in local shops.

 

I'm guessing, though, that the term "mint" may have been used generously. In my experience this has often been the case. However, it probably means the bass is really in very good condition.

[mpbass]

Hey guys, I just came across the forum and it's great! I have a '77 p-bass I bought a couple of years ago in decent shape (It's been used well, but I like some character.) I paid $400 from a pawn shop and feel like I got a great deal. It even has the original Fender bass booklet/manual from the year. If it looks and feels good, then go for it. I just put a set of EMGs in mine and I'm almost playing it more than my active USA jazz... almost.

[BenLoy]

I bought a '78 precision for $500. It was a pretty unremarkable instrument...the late 70's were notoriously spotty for Fender in terms of quality...and I definately got one of the lemons.

 

I ended up selling it for $250.

[davebrownbass]

I obtained a scarred and refinished 78 from a guy who traded 3 months of lessons for it.

 

Then, I had it refinished by a different guy for 3 months of lessons.

 

Then, I had new pots put in, for $25.

 

But I don't like it and don't play it much...seems like the p/u's are way too boomy....the thing is hard to control. Plus, it has it's frets pulled and I needed it to be fretted. Plus I have a vintage Schecter P bass that does a better P bass sound.

 

I would just say...

 

Don't buy this bass as a "collector's item." If you like it; if you'll use it...buy it as a good bass. That collecting BS has taken a lot of incredible basses out of circulation.

[PhilMan99]

I'd check:

* Any fret-buzz (try every string/fret combo!)?

* How high is the action (high can be a warning-sign for neck problems)?

* How's it sound (noting the type of string it has)?

* All the controls work?

* DOES THE TRUSS-ROD ADJUSTMENT STILL WORK!?

[Iceman Irwin]

yo, i just went out to see the bass...yo know what...the finished checked...and the screws got rusty...well i don't collect basses and i don't usually pay attention to finish condition but as long as the neck still works that'll be great with me...soo...i'm going for it..i had him to lower to 450...

you might wonder why but...i had in my mind to upgrade it to a hot rod type...i have a battered ibanez bass that i upgraded to an active-passive type and i had a pickup change, a QP Basslines and an addition, an emg dc...the sound?...it is so versatile that i usually bring it both for gigs and studio work...i've been using it in the studio for over two years and it never let me down...

so my way of going for the p-bass is a long term sound upgrade which would basically be functional in nature...

thanks guys for the tip...

again...good thing the truss rod still works...

[Iceman Irwin]

oh yeah... the controls are still working fine but i'll change mostly the pups and hardware...it's going to be my back-up actually so thanks for the areas where i should pay attention and check for upgrades...

down here...where i live, we don't have that much kind of wood for luthiers to work on and for that kind of design and wood (alder, it's natural finish), that would simply lessen my luthiers job...

any further tips on what i should look out that i might possibly improve?...

thanks...