Help Talk Me Out Of Another P-Bass

Feb 25, 2005
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...We’ve seen this before, I know.

So here’s the deal. I’ve got 3 P’s already, all a bit different. Oddly enough they’re all MIJ Fenders from 83-84...One “straight-up” P, one PJ and a single coil P.
A friend of a friend is selling a ‘62. It’s been cleanly re-fretted, all hardware, electronics, PG and alum shield are original, original HSC. When the bass was his main player in the 70’s-80’s he had a J pickup installed. Since then it’s been removed, filled and the body refinished in black nitro. The refin looks to be of factory quality and done by a respected dude.
I love my MIJ’s but keep thinking about this ‘62. Im not crazy about the fact that it’s a refin but the fact that I know it’s provenance is keeping me interested. I haven’t tried the bass...probably would have if not for this pandemic situation.
The price seems pretty fair(to me), think I could get it for $3K.
 
... A friend of a friend is selling a ‘62. It’s been cleanly re-fretted, all hardware, electronics, PG and alum shield are original, original HSC. When the bass was his main player in the 70’s-80’s he had a J pickup installed. Since then it’s been removed, filled and the body refinished in black nitro. The refin looks to be of factory quality and done by a respected dude.
...
The price seems pretty fair(to me), think I could get it for $3K.
Hmm... an all original '62 in decent shape would be well worth it, but this is in no way original. Despite being professionally done, it's still a refin. So, for a collector, pass.

As a player? The only way to tell if it's worth it, to you, is for you to play it. One man's "plays like buttah" is another man's "too soft!"
 
Hmm... an all original '62 in decent shape would be well worth it, but this is in no way original. Despite being professionally done, it's still a refin. So, for a collector, pass.

As a player? The only way to tell if it's worth it, to you, is for you to play it. One man's "plays like buttah" is another man's "too soft!"
Yea, I’d have to agree about the butter.
I’ve never really studied vintage values enough to know exactly what refins are really selling for regularly, I’m also thinking that’s what’s remaining in the neck pocket that’s still original(not stripped or sprayed over) is going to have a small impact on value.
 
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