Opinions on this bass

[theod3]

I picked up this bass the other day and need some opinions on it. Also would like to know the specific model of pickups it has. Here is a description:

Custom Fender Mexican Jazz Bass ‘91. Has an aftermarket pickup kit from Seymour Duncan, an aftermarket bridge from Leo Quan, and a custom fabricated Diamond Plate Pickgaurd. The neck was bought separate, it is a Fender Mexican Jazz neck that is Airbrushed with flames and a Indian Rosewood Neck. And lastly it has a set of custom made Steel core/Bronze outer wound strings.

Looking for more information that will help me sell it, not selling it here, also a possible price estimate would be nice.

Thanks

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Opinions on this bass

Welcome to the forum.

Valuation on that bass is a little tricky. SD/Basslines Quarter Pound P/J pickups and Badass II bridge are upgrades. The cosmetic alterations are a matter of subjective taste. Most potential buyers would use them to knock the price down.

 

[theod3]

Re: Opinions on this bass

Welcome to the forum.

Valuation on that bass is a little tricky. SD/Basslines Quarter Pound P/J pickups and Badass II bridge are upgrades. The cosmetic alterations are a matter of subjective taste. Most potential buyers would use them to knock the price down.

I just need a general idea as I am not planning to sell it for cash. I traded a cool little mandolin I paid $90 for this bass. I'm going to see if I can trade it for something else and see how high I can get with my $90 investment. Just need a general idea of value to know what range of trades I'm in.

Just in parts I think I'm ahead. I looked on eBay for mim jazz basses and they seemed to avg around $350. So I'm thinking maybe somewhere around $500?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Opinions on this bass

Just in parts I think I'm ahead. I looked on eBay for mim jazz basses and they seemed to avg around $350. So I'm thinking maybe somewhere around $500?

Most of the time, upgrades don't have much impact on the selling price. Unmodded instruments in nice condition tend to go for as much or more than ones with upgrades, especially if they come with a hard case. You can start off asking $500, but you may end up selling it for $350. Don't be shocked.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Opinions on this bass

Even stock, it's probably a $300 bass, and that's max. Add in the fact that pretty much nothing is original (not even the neck), and the mods are pretty white-trash, and you will probably have a hard time getting even that for it. You might get $300 from the right buyer, though.

The way to make the most money from that thing is to part it out.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Opinions on this bass

I'm gonna guess those strings are acoustic strings.

It doesn't look bad, but to a person looking for a jazz (genre) bass, they won't want to pay too much. You might be able to sell it to a rock or metalhead and get a decent price for it.

 

[dg27]

Re: Opinions on this bass

I'm gonna guess those strings are acoustic strings.

I can't remember which manufacturer it was (possibly D'Addario), but years ago I used copper-colored electric strings. I think they used "reds" in the name. These might be those.

Apart from that, I agree with the others. You may make your $90 back, but this is gonna be a tough sell.

 

[theod3]

Re: Opinions on this bass

The strings are custom made.

If I get over 300 value for it I'm more than happy. Not looking to hit a home run. Goal will be to trade it for something that isn't an instrument

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: Opinions on this bass

The strings are custom made.

You're going to have to prove that one. I work for GHS Strings, and know what goes into prototyping and making custom sets of strings, and seriously doubt they're custom (could be, but doubtful).

I'm guessing they could either be an old set of Randy Jackson sig strings from Dean Markley (that were gold), the strings that dg27 mentioned from D'Addario, or just plain old phosphor bronze acoustic/electric strings. How do they sound? That's going to be the biggest giveaway if they're phosphor bronze or not.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Opinions on this bass

D'Addario did indeed manufacture strings for electric guitar and bass guitar with copper coloured outer wraps. They were called XL Reds. I only remember 009-042, 010-046 and 040-100 gauges. This was thirty years ago.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Opinions on this bass

The strings are custom made.

Not really a selling point. The first thing I do when I buy a used guitar or bass is change the strings. No telling what sweat, oil, dirt, and bacteria is on them.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Opinions on this bass

I've just noticed the Peavey triangular string guides. Two of them "guiding" the same string!!!

In my opinion, it would be worth your while sourcing a generic Fender style bridge and some budget pickups. Sell the bass in budget trim. Keep the American parts for a future project instrument.

In fact, why not purchase a Squier VM series bass with a PJ pickup configuration and swap the relevant parts between instruments?

 

[dg27]

Re: Opinions on this bass

D'Addario did indeed manufacture strings for electric guitar and bass guitar with copper coloured outer wraps. They were called XL Reds. I only remember 009-042, 010-046 and 040-100 gauges. This was thirty years ago.

Yup--those are the ones I used (about 30 years ago).

 

[theod3]

Re: Opinions on this bass

I don't play myself. So the guitar is useless to me. Just getting a feel for what I can get out of it. Once I get back.from honeymoon I'm going to take it somewhere and have them test it out for me.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Opinions on this bass

Once you find out if it works, you're looking at around $300-400. Maybe a little less depending on who you sell it to. You're pretty much gonna have to find a rock or metal guy or sell it to a someone of any other genre who's going to strip it down and refinish it.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Opinions on this bass

^
+1 for selling the bass on as a project for somebody else to complete.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Opinions on this bass

^
+1 for selling the bass on as a project for somebody else to complete.

I mean, I would play it, but I'd replace the p bass pup with a j bass one. And the diamond plate pickguard is completely stupid. I'd probably actually change out a lot of stuff. Put a one piece maple neck on there.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Opinions on this bass

In other words, you would be looking to buy an unmolested MIM Jazz Bass then, maybe, add the bridge and pickup upgrades to suit your tastes.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Opinions on this bass

The way to make the most money from that thing is to part it out.

What he said. You might be able to get your $90 back just from the bridge, about $40-60 for the pickup, $30-60 for the tuners, $10-20 for the pick-guard, $80-160 for the body depending on its condition, and maybe $40-60 for the neck. That's almost $300 just using the conservative numbers.

The chances of you getting $300 for the whole bass are pretty darn slim.

 

[dg27]

Re: Opinions on this bass

I think the pickguard and the neck will the toughest parts to unload. I believe they appeal to a somewhat narrow demographic (to put it politely).

I don't think there's any chance of getting anything close to $300 for the bass intact.