Is this still worth something?

WhenTheDrumsStops

WhenTheDrumsStops

Nov 9, 2015
380
278
4,571
Netherlands
#1
I have this old Dean bass sitting in a corner for ages all covered in dust and was wondering if it is actually worth something now as a 'vintage' bass. It is a 'Dean Edge DS Tropical' and I originally bought it in 1991, so it has probably been made in 1989/1990. I have never seen this model being used by anyone else and I have no idea how long they made this model. I tried to play on it yesterday and noticed that he pots are not reponding well anymore (crackling sound) so those might have to be replaced.

Is this bass good for the fireplace or does it has it some decent value (as early vintage)?


P.S, Not sure what that 'attached pic' is, must have upload that too accidentally.
Dean Edge DS Tropical 1991-1.JPG Dean Edge DS Tropical 1991-2.JPG Dean Edge DS Tropical 1991-3.JPG Dean Edge DS Tropical 1991-4.JPG
 

Attachments

  • JDtop590.jpg
    JDtop590.jpg
    38.4 KB · Views: 34
#7
First - nice looking bass with lots of potential to look great with some cleaning and string trimming. Playablility can only be determined by a player. I have several Deans that I like. With that said, something that the guys on "American Picker" often say comes to mind. "Just because something is old doesn't make it valuable." Off the top, I'd agree with Snakeman106 above.
 
#10
WhenTheDrumsStops said:
Yeah if that is the price range then the bass will become trash soon. Just want to be sure I am not throwing away something that is worth or going to be worth something. It is/was actually a pretty solid bass and it was one of the more expensive Dean 'Edge' at that time. A super heavy bass though, great for back injuries :)
Click to expand...
Why not sell it instead? If you're going to throw it away, why not make 250 bucks with it?



(Maybe you could give it to me)...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ductapeman
#12
WhenTheDrumsStops said:
Yeah if that is the price range then the bass will become trash soon. Just want to be sure I am not throwing away something that is worth or going to be worth something. It is/was actually a pretty solid bass and it was one of the more expensive Dean 'Edge' at that time. A super heavy bass though, great for back injuries :)
Click to expand...
Do you often throw away $100 dollar bills? o_O
Rather than letting it become trash, if you aren't interested in the effort of cleaning it and selling it for a couple $100s, how about donating it to a high school music program.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Oleran, Goldfieldguss and 23 others
#13
Vintage is a word that has become more perverted than 'political integrity'. Yesterday Craiglist had a '97 'vintage' bass.
Even 70's Fender basses, and Gibson guitars, once poo-pooed as being junk, and now being called vintage, and collectable. 2008 kicked the crap out of the vintage market, and collectors lost their shirts, but still prices have crept up, not to their pre '08 value.
Nowadays, since vintage means nothing, it's a matter of supply and demand. If you own it, and somebody wants it- it's collectable, if it's old, and nobody wants it- it's worthless.
To more serious collectors, only made in U.S.A. (with some exceptions- Ibanez law-suit etc.) made before about 1965 qualify as gems.
IMHO your bass is just a funky old used guitar. Play it, or sell it for SOMETHING. Don't bank your retirement on it
 
  • Like
Reactions: alesreaper9
#16
The body actually looks pretty cool, not sure about headstock.

I second what’s been said: if a couple hundred bux isn’t worth the effort of cleaning it, at least try to donate it to school, Music School, religious facility... hell, find a kid on your street and give it to him/her. (Just don’t be creepy when doing it!)

May be out of your way but start someone else on a new path. (Or not, but why not try...)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reedt2000, yodedude2, Misfit Wookiee and 3 others
#19
dan1952 said:
The only good thing about those old Dean instruments was the Dean Guitar Girls ad campaign...
Click to expand...
RobTheRiot said:
The body actually looks pretty cool, not sure about headstock.
Click to expand...
IMO: most of the headstocks on those dean guitar girls were ornamental...it was all about the body...right? :laugh:



sorry OP.:D
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan1952
#20
dan1952 said:
Google Image Result for https://www.guitar-muse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/dean-guitar-ad-girl.jpg

The only good thing about those old Dean instruments was the Dean Guitar Girls ad campaign...
Click to expand...

This pic makes me think of a potential Spinal Tap dream sequence:

"I go to the girl in the water,
...she hands me the guitar and I play it in the water with her by my side.
...she hands me the guitar and I take it out of the water to play it and leave her in the water.
...she hands me the guitar and I take it out of the water and then go back into the water for the girl.
...she/I drop(s) the guitar in the water?!

Maybe I'm overthinking it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan1952
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back