lozbass

Again, after months of promises, I finally had a chance to take some photographs of my Ripper this morning. I bought the bass from A1 in Manchester in '79: it had been there for a couple of years and had experienced a hard gigging life - it played beautifully and sounded stunning (just like Patrick Djivas' bass) and was my first expensive bass - about £280 I think. I was well-chuffed to get hold of it and it served me fantastcally well during the second period of my 'career' from around '79 to '86 (see the Status pages for period three!) I had the bass re-finished by the incomparable Ted Lee in 1981 - check out the 2 pack AC burst and attention to detail: the guy's a genius! Around a year later, I had a Seymour Duncan Precision pickup and a cloned Precision Special active circuit fitted. The bass gained a lot as a recording instrument but lost its original Ripper sound - not a great idea but I still absolutely love it. The bass is now retired as I only really play short-scale, however, playability is unbelievable and the bass has a great old school tone

Thank you gentlemen, you're very kind! The padauk Series II is a lovely bass but I must admit to giving it a good polish prior to taking the photographs

After promising for ages, I've finally managed to get some images of mine. This is a Series II, ordered by me from Sheffield Carlsboro Sound Centre and delivered in 1986 (Phil Oakey and his then partner - one of the HL singers - was in the shop when I visited to collect: they'd just finished a Saturday morning kids show on TV). It's number 251 and has a Padauk top. I used this bass for the second part of my 'career' (up until around '91). It is very heavily gigged but I looked after it so it's still in extremely good condition. The only signs of age are some greying of the lacquer at the sides of the fretboard (a bit of WD40 on the board helped with this but hasn't remedied it fully - thanks OTPJ!) The bass still plays beautifully and sounds thunderous (it's a Status!) Apologies for the poor quality of the images - my talent for photography is matched by that for playing bass

Yep...pictures crucial here...

What's the scale length etc?

[quote name='al embic' post='634468' date='Oct 23 2009, 02:23 PM']where abouts rya loz...maybe if you saw her in the flesh it might help to make up your mind?[/quote]
I'm sure it would, that's why I'm staying away!

In central Manchester - dangerously close...

Thanks neilb! I knew somebody on here would know. I'll have another look for the rig

As it says in the title really - electric proms gig. The player appeared to have a lovely old (GAS inducing) black Precision with a tort plate. Anorak on now...was that also a Hiwatt amp behind the bass spot?

Just a bump - I was playing my (old) Status Series II last night - these are stunning instruments! I'm very tempted!

The Precision really is lovely - not many of these around and the active circuit, although an early one, is excellent (I had one cloned around '83 and put into my Ripper). I had a Precision Special a couple of years ago - excellent condition LPB - but knackered the circuit as I clumsily tried to replace a non-original knob. There's something about the Specials - a serious upgrade with respect to the standard Ps of the time - indeed, I've never played a bad one (not to say they don't exist). I'm tempted...

Is this Special entirely stock, and what's the condition like?

[quote name='King Tut' post='630978' date='Oct 20 2009, 12:05 AM']Just a quick word about late 70's Fenders. I have a 77 sunburst/maple ash Jazz - it's the heaviest bass I own but my god does it sound awesome - indeedy! Funnily I don't notice the weight when I gig it as it balances well![/quote]
+1 - there's not a lot of affection around here for mid to late '70s Fenders, but I'm not sure that a lot of the negative opinions have much foundation in experience (however, I could be very wrong). I've owned a few such basses and all have been excellent - if basic - instruments following a good set-up. I currently only have a mid '70s Jazz - it's monstrously heavy, but has a stunning classic Jazz tone (from burp and honk through to a gut-thumping, smile-inducing slap). I suspect strongly that the mass of the body has something to do with the inherent tone and sustain of the bass. Playability is fabulous too - super-fast and ultra-low action and not a buzz anywhere.

The big brother of mine (ah250smx) - extremely versatile, solid and loud! A great man to do business with too

PM sent

Absolutely delightful - I've yet to play one but if this sounds anything like as good as it looks...

[quote name='alanbass1' post='623129' date='Oct 11 2009, 02:38 PM']Fender used the method of spraying with woodedn baton screwed into the neck pocket early 1963, so you would not expect to see the bare wood for this period of guitar. Also, the shim material is consistent with what Fender was using back then. 10k is a lot and probably too much in the current economic climate but, and it is a big but, where else would you get an original item in this condition.[/quote]
Thank you - this place is an education

[quote name='mattbass6' post='622343' date='Oct 10 2009, 11:28 AM']Thanks for that breakdown and especially because I am super interested in the single cut Sei bass Can you elaborate further for me what was lacking in the sound? I love the fact that it has a wide, flat neck, which is what I wanted to hear but the electronics bother me. I have never owned a bass with Barts in and to be honest, I haven't heard that many great reports about them, but if you could tell me you exact thoughts on the tonal range, I would appreciate that.[/quote]

PMd with some (hopefully useful) further details

Cheers, Lozbass

Personally, certainly not in the current market (I think £6k would be the outside - I really wouldn't pay that either). Someone with much superior knowledge of Fenders will know - why no paint stick mark in the neck pocket (and is that a shim I see)?

These are a good, practical unit and don't take a lot of getting used to or extensive programming (much easier in a live situation than a pod pro xt for example). £120 is extremely inexpensive - it's a class bit of gear!

Epifani ul610

I'm a sucker for beautiful, figured timber tops. For solid colours (on Fender shape basses):
Sonic blue (with MHS and rosewood board)
Shell pink (with MHS and rosewood board)
Olympic white

I've seen a few late '60s or early '70s Mustangs in orange with competition stripes and that looks really cool. I also love Plexiglass and foolishly turned down the offer of an original for £30 in the '70s (far too heavy though)

Simply a big public thanks to Dunlop for excellent customer service (credit where due etc.) I recently lost one of the retaining circlips from a set of Dunlop straplocks. Davebass5 very kindly helped out by sending me a new one (and wouldn't accept payment - not even postage - a star!) Prior to asking on BC, I'd contacted Dunlop. I received an email response, then yesterday a package from the US containing several circlips, some stickers and a handful of plectrums - all for free. It's fantastic to receive such service, so as it says in the header, thanks to all at Dunlop - a great product and faultless service!

[quote name='NAS' post='615701' date='Oct 3 2009, 02:10 PM']This might help:

[url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351838&highlight=epifani+902c"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.p...ht=epifani+902c[/url][/quote]

Thanks - it did!

I use a 502 and I'm very happy with it. As far as I know, it has the same front end as the 902 but a Class D power section. Does the 902 have a Class A? (and bear in mind, I could be talking though my backside - I haven't checked the Epi site for specs). OBBM - how would you describe the difference, i.e., is the 902 "better" in terms of tone or some other factor - power, versatility re: powering various cabs etc?

Absolutely bl**dy lovely - I'm off to get me old Status out (I'd forgotten how much I love 'em)

That finish is stunning - I'm surprised this is hanging about at this price

Status basses seem to slap reasonably well (!) and most Fender Jazz style basses slap very neatly. I agree with Outtoplayjazz - proximity of the neck pickup to the board is an issue. I had one 26 fret bass with an elongated board and there was little gap between it and the pickup (that said, the bass wasn't designed fundamentally for a slap style). I've found SGs to be a problem, along with some other traditional (non-Fender) styles

[quote name='retroman' post='615656' date='Oct 3 2009, 12:46 PM']I too am having major issues over a bass I paid four figures for......................[/quote]
I'm really sorry to hear this and hope you receive the resolution that you deserve. I'm also very intrigued - I know that there are some 'mass manufacturers' and boutique builders charging four figure sums and would be interested to hear who is the cause of your dismay and irritation. Good luck with the bass and the outcome - do tell if and when you feel you can (i.e., if this will not compromise your position) - it's good to see the names if somebody is letting the bass community down