lowregisterhead

Gone. Obviously didn't bother someone. Still a bargain!

I used to have one of these many years ago... not half bad basses.

Also, why is picture no. 2 of a 4-string bass??

They're OK basses, not Status's finest hour though. Nice enough to play, but a pretty gutless sound IIRC, and certainly not the 'Status sound' if that's your thing. I suppose there might be reinforcement bars in the neck, but otherwise there's not a scrap of graphite in them. Cheap enough though. Who am I kidding, it's horrible!!

I just bought a lovely Lakland 55-02 deluxe from Fred, and it was a very good experience - excellent communication throughout, and it arrived promptly, very well packaged. Thanks Fred!

Thanks Chris - it's not just a trip down memory lane, it's a real gem of a bass too. Some of the Japanese output in the 70's might be considered a bit suspect by today's standards, and I was worried I might be disappointed when it arrived, but it's really well built, plays beautifully and sounds great.

Between 1973 and 1976 I believe. There was a slightly flasher version, the SB75, which had block inlays on the neck instead of dots, but all in all any variant of the model seem to be very rare.

I had one of these in 1979, loved it, but had to take it back to the shop when the neck when banana-like within a couple of months. They couldn't get another one because Yamaha stopped making them in 1976 (things took a while to filter through to North-East Scotland in the 70's.) Then a couple of weeks ago I spotted this being sold by a dealer in Japan, and I think it's in better nick than the one I had nearly 35 years ago. The neck's been re-lacquered, but otherwise it's 100% original. It's bright, resonant, sounds great and is lovely to play. The body shape may be a slightly acquired taste, but it's the best jazz bass I've ever played, and gawd knows I've played a few. Makes me feel like a teenager rehearsing in my grandad's loft again... It's a Yamaha SB55, by the way! [url="http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/lowwregisterhead/media/SB55_zps0d7da426.jpg.html"][/url]

Now that IS a bargain! Slightly jealous, but even with the passage of time it would still drive me nuts trying to work it!

I had one back in the day and I took it back to the shop after a fortnight. Every button and slider had half a dozen functions depending on which mode you were in. Drove me up the wall.

I'm not into the vintage thing personally, but it is rarer than a very rare thing, and I love those stacked pots. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the bass holder. If I win the £80 million on Euromillions tonight I'll 'ave it!

Thanks for asking, but I got sidetracked and haven't got around to it yet! I shall report back soon

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384128812' post='2273162'] The moral for me is that bands as democracy have the potential to lose drive and fizzle out like a cheap firework. None of the really good bands I've been in have been democratic. I think a band like RUSH is very rare. I have a firm belief that one needs a good bandleader, someone with talent and creativity, vision and drive, quality control and discipline, with a tangible level of confidence in the songs and the band's performance. These IME will usually be high calibre singer-songwriters. Unless you have all those qualities yourself and start your own band, I would try to get in an established band who sound like they know where they're going. Talk to them first and get a feel for them. There are never any guarantees with a band though. [/quote] My experience too. These are the bands that tend to last, although if that control is too firm, at worst it can destroy everything, or at best it can result in a 'revolving door' as far as the supporting members are concerned, and sometimes a completely fluid lineup depending on who's available at the time. I've been in a few bands like that, but it's usually a less satisfying scenario as musically and personality wise it can sometimes be a bit too loose an arrangement. And as xilddx says, there are never any guarantees with a band. Getting a handle on the personalities within a band and the dynamics between them is essential. In my youth I was in a band that I thought was going great. I had a bit of a problem with the guitarist's sound, and at rehearsal suggested some changes he might make. He said nothing at the time, but when I went on holiday for a fortnight, the band 'split up' and reformed again with another bass player! Being young and naive, I hadn't factored in that we rehearsed in the guitarist's parents summerhouse, and he owned the PA. He was therefore in a position of great power, but was a serious conflict avoider. That was in 1979, and I haven't seen him since! Ah, memories. It's not easy to form a band, and even harder to keep one together, but when it works, there's nothing to beat it. Have a clear vision for what you want to achieve, make a plan, and go for it. Best of luck.

[quote name='Bassmonkey' timestamp='1384016259' post='2271968'] I love this. If it was in the UK and wasn't gonna cost me an extra £500 ti import, I would be all over it! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Music-Man-Stingray-Dargie-Delight-Limited-Edition-Bass-5-String-Martini-Inlays-/151155833625?pt=Guitar&hash=item233196fb19"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item233196fb19[/url] [/quote] As a rough estimate, it would cost you about £1750, including shipping and duties. Go on, you know you want it!!

All that effort for... poor timekeeping.