A friend is offering me his '73 Precision.  It is stock except the PUPs were changed and the bridge/PUP covers are missing.  I haven't even seen it, but I would like to help him out and keep the instrument in the family.  He is asking $1,500.  Is that a reasonable price for a sight unseen purchase???

Mike - I am not sure about a modified P-Bass of that vintage. However I recently ran into my old high school music director. I asked if he still had his 72 Fender P-Bass, he said he sold it,,,, I asked why he didn't call me?! (It was a great bass but more importantly, it had  been in the hands of many fabulous local bassists through the years...) I regress.
 
He did not tell me the exact price that he got for it but he mentioned that because it was modified (he had it professionally re-painted at a certified Fender dealer ~Ralph Hanzel~ in a certified Fender color) that he had lost $3,000 of value. . . :-(
 
Not sure if this information helps - good luck.
 
P.S. - I would be carefully discussing Fender's here - it is a touchy subject with some :-D

Mike,
 
There are a number of factors that influence the exact price of Fenders. You could search eBay to see if you can find comparable instruments that have sold recently.
 
Here's one that sounds simlar that sold for $1350
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180374573457
 
And here's one on sale now for $900 with no bids
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110412996904
 
Just my personal opinion, but this doesn't sound like an investment grade instrument, so $1500 sounds a little high.
 
Loch

Just saw some pics:  It's ROUGH... I'm definitely not worried about it being a refinish!!!  No PUP/bridge covers, SD PUPs, at least 1 knob is not original, and the pots may not be original either.  I think I'll have to pass at the current price.

Mike:
 
According to the Blue Book, a '73 P bass is worth the following:
 
98% mint condition  - $3000
95%  exc. +           $2500
90%  exc,             $2100
80%  v.g.+            $1800
70%  v.g.             $1500
60%  g.               $1200
 
The finish may also effect the price.  Certain finishes add 10% - 100% to the value.  
 
Bill, tgo

Another thought on price. Go to www.bassnw.com and see some of the prices that are listed there on the used Fenders. There is a 73 P-bass in great condition for $2299. They've had some beat up ones for around $1200-1300.
Look under used and special sale basses
Again it depends on any mods that were done or not.
ciao.

It is definately a buyers market in todays economy.
 
OO

Mike,
Make him an offer if you wish, some of the 70's P basses are good players and finding parts to restore it is not too hard.  
I love my '74 P bass for that 'old school' tone.  Original pickups are available on EBay now & again (prices vary significantly), or a Lindy Fralin pickup is even better.  The knobs & cover are easy to find, heck, Fender still sells them.  I agree it is silly that the assembly line P basses originally costing a few hundred dollars are fetching such high prices. The design and parts have been the same since the 50's! But if it ain't broke, don't fix it...I still enjoying playing mine as a change from the Alembics.

Mike - buy it!
 
Early 70's Fenders are becoming highly collectable despite being quite heavy and inconsistant in quality.
 
Also they are hard to break, always deliver the goods and the more they wear the cooler they become.
 
Would make a nice passive contrast to your Alembic.
 
I agree with southpaw - the Lindy Fralin pickups are superb and a Leo Quan badass bridge always improves the sustain/overtone imho.
 
John.

Mike, I recently sold my 74 sunbust, blond neck, p-bass all org/no case for $2500. I think its a good buy. If you want to remake it's vintage quality it would be no problem to buy era pic ups online.That being said. Finish is all important.

I have chatted with many Fender enthusiast and have been told the era does not always matter for quality.  Yes, the 70's Fenders tend to be heavier but I have been told by many long time Fender collectors that there are just as many pre CBS dogs out there too, but the label of pre CBS makes them more desirable (and expensive) but not better.  
I have a '75 Jazz bass that I believe will match any era Jazz bass; weighs 8.5 lbs, the body is swamp ash with slight flaming and is almost one piece (the second piece is only 3/4 by the controls). The neck is to die for and it roars like thunder.  I got lucky to say the least.  As I mentioned before, my '74 P is a great bass too, normal weight, good quality.  The moral of my little story is, if it's a player & it speaks to you, bring it home! Don't worry about the year, the finish or knobs... If not, keep searching.

Have to agree with Paul on this one!
I bought a 75 P bass from my best friend (now deceased sadly). He knew he was dying, and offered me this bass.
Finish......crap!!....... beat up to hell but looks so cool!
Build quality......OK
Spray job......seems the black tends towards green at some points?
 
Sound........Stranglers tone!!
Roll off the treble, and it sounds like Clotted Cream
To my American friends who have never tried Cornish Clotted Cream with strawberries.........pin your ears back guys and gals....WOW!!
 
(Message edited by georgie_boy on July 24, 2009)

As long as we can skip the jugged hare.

I just couldn't justify the purchase.  I half-heatedly offered $1,000.  Unfortunately, he only got $900 for it on Ebay.

Not toooo far off topic (I hope):  Bill, what's the blue book say a slightly used 1983 Steinberger L2 is worth?  I've got a similar situation to mike1762...