Author Topic: Going rate for a Hobbit?  (Read 6277 times)

Dave W

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 22242
  • Got time to breathe, got time for music
    • View Profile
Going rate for a Hobbit?
« on: August 06, 2013, 02:18:46 PM »
I played a very nice one in a shop today, didn't look at the s/n but had to be early 70s as it has a nylon saddle bridge. Asking price is $2300. That's high, isn't it?

Basvarken

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6877
  • hobby luthier. gibson bass nerd
    • View Profile
    • www.enkoo.nl
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2013, 02:26:30 PM »
I'd say yeah probably a bit high yes.

I think we discussed prices a while ago and the consensus was somewhere between 1500 and 1800 USD?

Was the one you saw a Les Paul Bass with large control plate (aka Triumph) or with the smaller oval control plate?

Dave W

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 22242
  • Got time to breathe, got time for music
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2013, 02:52:35 PM »
It had the larger control plate.

I do remember the thread where we talked price, couldn't remember what the conclusion was. Thanks. Considering the good condition and that it's in a retail shop with overhead, maybe closer to $1800 is reasonable.

Grog

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1566
  • Low Impedance LP's
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2013, 09:15:44 AM »
I haven't seen a nice one locally for a long time. That "Tilt-O-Matic" bridge must come at a premium cost!
There's no such thing as gravity, the earth just sucks!!

Basvarken

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6877
  • hobby luthier. gibson bass nerd
    • View Profile
    • www.enkoo.nl
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2013, 09:19:28 AM »
Call me crazy, but I actually prefer the Evertilt over the three point bridge.
Must be the unnotched nylon saddles.

Dave W

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 22242
  • Got time to breathe, got time for music
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2013, 10:21:20 AM »
I haven't seen a nice one locally for a long time. That "Tilt-O-Matic" bridge must come at a premium cost!

It's at Lavonne's down in Savage.

Looked up the last two actually sold on eBay. One in a little rougher shape than this one went for $1525; the other was listed at $1700 by a dealer and a best offer was accepted. Even the three Triumphs currently on gBase are $2000 or less.

Call me crazy, but I actually prefer the Evertilt over the three point bridge.
Must be the unnotched nylon saddles.

You're not crazy. I like the unnotched nylon saddles.


jumbodbassman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1339
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2013, 12:05:34 PM »
I agree on the bridge.....
Sitting in traffic somewhere between CT and NYC
JIM

planetgaffnet

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • Nancy Johnson
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2013, 12:57:38 PM »
Can I ask an obvious question here...?
The future I come from no longer exists.

Granny Gremlin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2942
    • View Profile
    • Granny Gremlin home page
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2013, 01:03:20 PM »
because they're short scale (vs, more modern Gibson LP basses which are long/regular scale).

Uwe logic.
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page (drummer and bassist of Deep Purple, Jake!)

Grog

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1566
  • Low Impedance LP's
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2013, 02:20:05 PM »
It's at Lavonne's down in Savage.

Looked up the last two actually sold on eBay. One in a little rougher shape than this one went for $1525; the other was listed at $1700 by a dealer and a best offer was accepted. Even the three Triumphs currently on gBase are $2000 or less.



Lavonne's use to come down a reasonable amount from the asking price, it's been a while since I've been there though. Some years back, they had one of the heaviest original Les Paul Basses I'd ever picked up. The logo decal was scraped off exposing a square MOP inlay.
There's no such thing as gravity, the earth just sucks!!

uwe

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 21432
  • Enabler ...
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2013, 09:23:14 AM »
because they're short scale (vs, more modern Gibson LP basses which are long/regular scale).

Uwe logic.

Small but fearless. With hairy feet.

BTW: I like the nylon saddles too - but they can easily be combined with a three point so all is well then!  ;D
We've taken too much for granted ... and all the time it had grown ...
From techno seeds we first planted ... evolved a mind of its own ...

Basvarken

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6877
  • hobby luthier. gibson bass nerd
    • View Profile
    • www.enkoo.nl
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2013, 10:48:00 AM »
You'd have to find someone who can tool these saddles then. Because the Evertilt saddles and three point saddles are not interchangable...
I've tried that  8)
« Last Edit: August 08, 2013, 03:31:36 PM by Basvarken »

Dave W

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 22242
  • Got time to breathe, got time for music
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2013, 01:28:42 PM »
Uwe, only vintage nylon 2-point saddles give you that vintage tone!  :P

I'm still thinking this over. They would have to come down a lot before I'd buy.


uwe

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 21432
  • Enabler ...
    • View Profile
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2013, 02:14:33 AM »
I might have mistaken this then with the very earliest three-points which still had nylon saddles, eg the famed SB 350ies/450ies!
We've taken too much for granted ... and all the time it had grown ...
From techno seeds we first planted ... evolved a mind of its own ...

planetgaffnet

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • Nancy Johnson
Re: Going rate for a Hobbit?
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2013, 05:27:35 AM »
Excuse my ignorance (again)...what model?
 ???
P
The future I come from no longer exists.