| In the years after Fender was sold to CBS, quality suffered. As
a result, Pre-CBS equipment is more highly valued. This is not to
say that all pre-CBS stuff is great and all post-CBS stuff is
terrible, but in general, pre-CBS quality is better. Also, the
years following the post-CBS move, some changes were made in
the instruments that are considered less desirable (e.g., three
bolt necks).
The collectors market has driven the prices of pre-CBS gear through
the roof.
Jim
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| My guess is that Jaco Pastorius is almost singlehandedly responsible
for the outrageous prices on pre-CBS Jazz basses. Jaco paid something
like $90 for his (with a case!). As Jim says, pre-CBS Fenders are in
demand because of quality and also 'mystique', but this alone doesn't
account for the prices on J's. You'll pay about twice as much for a
comparable year/condition J-bass as you will for a Precision.
Of course, they are great basses too.
/rick
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