Sambrook

Just bought Sean's Ibanez ATK. All went very smoothly, a decent chap with an excellent name.

Cheers from Sean...

On 19/07/2025 at 23:37, AndyTravis said:

Balls. That’s mega tempting 

To paraphrase Sir Bob:

You gaze into the doorway 

Of temptation's angry flame

And every time you pass that way

You'll always hear your name...

(and I could be in Manchester some time soon...)

eBay, I think. I measured the distance between the strap button and the top of the bass, then from that edge to the bridge.

I think it was for a guitar, but it works perfectly...

Certainly.

Bought some years ago to learn from, but as these things go, we never did. It is as new, all in excellent working order....

Has it's own case, so happy to post...

Not had this very long, bought this and a les paul copy to see which I preferred, and the les paul won! 

Only just though - it's a great instrument. Very playable neck, not heavy, and the neck pickup sounds particularly good.

I've modified it slightly - tortoiseshell pickguard and cream covers and knobs. As you can see, I didn't do a very good job of enlarging the pole piece holes to fit the bridge pickup cover. I will include the original white guard, covers and knobs in the sale.

Also put Graphtec string trees on.

Lovely satin black finish, with the relicing on the back. The fingerboard is either reliced or played in, or both! It's great...!

It's from 2012, by the way.

I've had great fun and satisfaction out of this instrument. It is much modified, as you'll see, and it took me a couple of years to get it to just where I wanted it. I've really enjoyed having it, but have moved on in my mind, so happy to pass it to someone else.

Specs:

30" scale

Semi hollow 

38mm nut width

Mahogany body and neck

Maple top

Bound fingerboard, not sure what wood (likely rosewood), 20 frets.

Modifications: (loads!)

Tuners - Wilkinson gold Y tuners

Neck - I don't like shiny, so I took the neck back to bare wood, then danish oiled it. It feels fantastic, very tactile. I'm not good at fine finishing, so the points where I left off sanding are obvious (see pictures)

Body - same as above, don't like shiny. Back and sides have just had the shine taken off, but I went to town on the top - took all the finish off, then danish oil. It's a matte finish that allows the wood pattern to present well. Again,  see pics for a couple of bits where I went too hard...

Tailpiece - I wanted to use a long scale set of TI flats, so fitted the tailpiece. This has worked very well, with a couple of unexpected benefits - the usual 3 point bridge 'problems' have been bypassed. Also there is a pleasing natural saturation to the tone. It's very much a blues bass.

Pickups - as you can see, I've replaced the 2 mini humbuckers with 3 matching AliExpress specials. I really like the Thundertron vibes, and they sound excellent.

Controls - wired the pickups to master vol/tone and a 5 way selector. I don't like positions 2 and 4, but each pickup on it's own sounds great - real plummy warmth from the neck, P vibes from the middle, and just a tighter P sound from the bridge.

So there we are. I think it looks splendid, you might disagree. I believe the current examples have 42mm necks, so this one might appeal to those who prefer a jazz neck...

Very happy to answer questions, or take any good natured abuse...

Bought this just after they came out. It's a fantastic bass in every respect, but I just cannot bond with it. I can't explain it...

2 mods: changed the strings for La Bella Super Polished rounds; moved the strap button to the top horn. I did this properly, injected resin whilst hung upside down. That didn't work, so once the blood had left my head, I tried upending the bass. That was much easier..., and now the bass hangs properly from a strap.

So... a tremendous instrument, with real weight and authority in the tone. As new condition (one rehearsal, otherwise hasn't left the house). Comes with a rather flimsy gigbag. I could post, but would MUCH prefer collection/meet up. I'm happy to travel halfway, depending...

I would think so, they are the same scale length. I don't know for certain though...

30" scale baritone from Harley Benton, in excellent condition.

Poplar body, maple neck, purpleheart fingerboard.

Passive, 2 P90 pickups (I think...?), vol/tone, pickup selector.

Medium weight and nicely balanced.

I've had this a couple of years, from Facebook marketplace. The seller had put fancy strings on, but the name didn't stick in my mind. They certainly sound and feel like quality. Tuned A to A at the moment, with no rattles. This plus the low action makes for a very good playing 'experience'.

Good clear and warm tone from the neck pickup, strong and well defined from the bridge (great with distortion).

I really rate Harley Benton, and this is a good example. Just bought an HB guitar, so this has to go.

Set number 2 now withdrawn, been cut down to fit a shortscale rather beautifully...

👍🏽

As far as I know, there's only one set of these available from Thomastik. Gauges in the picture...

Just flicked through 22 pages (day off, bored), only 2 pics of the Cheyenne (or Laramie or some name like that). Laredo?

I mention this because I find the Rickenbacker too 'fussy' visually - blocks, binding, knobs/switches, pickup surrounds, massive scratch plate etc etc...

However, the Cheyenne/Laramie/Fort Worth model has the lovely Rickenbacker silhouette without all the clutter, just the essentials. Imho etc..

Is this model just less popular, or is there another reason...?

I await your comments/scorn with interest...

Saw Hejira last night in Kendal, playing Joni Mitchell's 'Jaco/jazz' period. 

Really excellent show, great playing by all. Bass player (Dave Jones?) on top form.

Thoroughly recommended...

I would second the above thoughts about not being scared of the 'bare' fingerboard. Your fingers already know the correct spacing, even if your eyes disagree...

I'm a huge fan of Thomastik strings, rounds and flats. Low tension, so supple, and great tone.

I'm not sure how I've accumulated so many sets, but the descriptions below might shed some light:

1. Single B string, in great shape. £15, but can combine it with one of the other sets.

2. 4 string set, cut 4 inline, BUT with a busted G strings (cue sniggers). The G seems to be a weak point with these rounds, as it's happened to me more than once. Not whilst playing, but when putting on different basses. The string retainer on a Fender style headstock seems to wear/expose the core...  £20 posted. (Also, the A has an exposed core)

3. Same as above - 4 string, 4 inline, but another busted G! £20 posted.

4. Another 'slight seconds' - this time the G is just shorter. Cut for 4 inline, the G has some silk on it, but would only reach a 2 a side G tuner. £25 posted.

I'll number the pics, which should help. Cheers.

More mystery; I know they're D'Addario, but that's it. Can't remember how I came by them, but I'm not a fan of roundwounds, unless they're Thomastiks, so here they are for sale. Not heavily used. They've been on a 2 a side bass, but judging from the winds on the G, I think they were cut for 4 inline.

Price includes postage. Cheers.

Know hardly anything about these strings, can't remember where they came from (on a bass, separately, in a lucky dip?), or the gauge, just that being D'Addario, they are very good!

Price includes postage. Cheers.

1 mystery set of short scale flats: black silks at ball end, light blue at t'other. They play nicely, but I prefer lower tension.

Maruszcyck flats, very smooth indeed, but fairly stiff, so not for me.

Don't know the history of either set, I've played them on and off, but more off than on. Tons of life in both sets.

Price includes postage. Cheers.

I absolutely love Thomastik rounds, got these 2nd hand here. Supple, smooth and very toneful. They're listed as medium scale, but fit 30" very happily. Unfortunately, the E string is noticeably duller than the others. If you can cope with that, these might be just the thing for you (!). Price includes postage. Cheers.

Bought these from the marketplace here, they're nicely worn in - bright with the tone fully open, warmer with tone down. I'm not a fan of roundwounds, so here they are. Don't know the gauge, or composition, sorry. I think they're nickel...

Price includes postage. Cheers.

Bought these from the marketplace here, as a trial. Decent tone, but too stiff for me (TI weakling). Cut 4 online.  Don't know which version they are, or the gauge, sorry. Price includes postage. Cheers.

These came with my Epiphone Jack Casady fretless, so I don't know which 'group' they are, or the gauge.

I was pleasantly surprised by them, as I'm a Thomastik flats snob; these sound good, and reasonably supple.

34" scale, cut for 2 a side, played for only a couple of days. Price includes postage. Cheers.

Excellent strings, but sold the bass they were destined for. Played for maybe a couple of days?

Descriptions in the photo. Medium scale, but fitted short scale very happily. Price includes postage. Cheers.