[led2life]

Hello. I am a newbie and have a question.

I have a single pickup cream colored (Classic white my guess) Thunder bird IV bass. The serial number is 81896602 - made in the USA below it. Above it, it has a Custom Shop Edition logo on it.

It has stress cracks in the paint, over all condition is very good. It was altered for a pick up. Someone added three small switches for an active pickup. They are not working as the original pick was put back in.

It is definitely a reissue ,,, these basses were made only in 1985-86 in small quantities ... they are not listed in any price guide

Could you tell me the approx. value of this bass?
I am interested in buying it and want to make a fair offer.

Many thanks,

[eb2]

Were the switches mini-toggles that were drilled into the top of the bass from the control cavity? Was the pickup rout widened or altered at all?

[jules]

Hi, and welcome - yeah a lot depends on how much has been done. You are right that only a few were made then - so that increases the value, but non-reversible changes will decrease the value to. I would cautiously estimate a value of $1000 - $2000 but the only real way to find out is to see what someone will pay for it.

[led2life]

Here is my 1977 RD Standard and the Thunderbird. As you can see the switches are very small. Would that change the value a whole lot.

[eb2]

Unfortunatley, drilling holes through the face of the bass has a negative impact on the value. It is an instance where size really doesn't matter, as it is a non-reversable alterartion. A good refinishing guy could plug and fill those holes and match the finish to cover them up, but you could always tell by looking in the cavity. Sad, because with push-pull pots, pretty much anything that those were doing could have been done without removing a splinter. Mini-toggles are cheaper up front, but very expensive years later. The pickguard is ood, but it can always be replaced.

It is not horrible damage though, and it looks all there - except the mirror guard - and pretty nice. Crazed finishes have character, I think. The single pup basses are pretty rare. If it floats your boat, and you have the cash to spare then I would suggest trying to bargain down the price. Jules' range is a nice way to guage it. It is really up to you what to pay. Either way, good luck.

[led2life]

Boom,
Thanks for the info. Yeah, the pickguard actullay came on the bass when it was made. I was told that between 85 and 86, they started got enough orders to prompt them to start the reissue in 87. Not sure if that is true or a good story to go along with the bass.

TRUE about the push-pull pots! Great point!


On my RD standard, I was reading somewhere online that they are rare, to only sell if you need the $$$ as they will continue go up in value.

Thanks,
A

[jules]

Yeah thats a nice Thunderbird. They certainly don't come up too often in any condition. I'd say that $1700 to $1800 was fair - not a bargain but not overpriced either

Are you going to get it?

[led2life]

Hey Jules,
Yeah, I think now, with the input I feel better about making the offer. Thanks!!! I am glad I came across this blog site.

Could you give me your insite on the RD Standard I have? It is a 77, in great shape. No real dings. Is this something I should hold onto for the a while as it will increase in value. I spoke with one guy in a guitar shop and he showed me the worth just 4 years agos at around 445 and said they are up to 1100 -1200. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[doom]

Prices have been going upwards steadily the past 5 years. The RD Standard is around 900-1100 on Ebay. The Artist 1100-1400. Black and Burst specimens usually go in the upper range and naturals are'nt as sought after and go in the lower region. Sell or not? If you like it, keep it. If you need the money and don't like it then sell it. Instruments that go up pricewise hardly ever go down and no matter when you sell you'll see some years further ahead they've gone up. That's a part of life.

[jules]

re the RD:
From the pic it does look in very nice condition. I have been surprised how quickly the RDs have been going up in value - more than some others perhaps - so from an investment point of view - yeah keep it as long as you can afford to!

I take it (by the fact you are questioning keeping it) you don't play it so much? Is this because of the Tbird, or do you have something else as your main bass?