GuyR

Not questioning your diy credentials!!! 🙂

Until the laws of gravity change, a floor rack removes an element of risk.

Thanks for the string recommendation. I'll go with that. 🙂

9 hours ago, BigRedX said:

Could you do me a big favour and measure the width of the nut from the lowest to the highest string. It would be interesting to compare it with the Fender/Squier Bass VI which IMO has an overly narrow neck.

And you are right in assuming that it was originally intended to be strung EADGBE like a guitar only an octave lower. The scale length is really too short to go much lower than this, and while you could go A-A baritone guitar tuning, the single pickup and its position is more suited to bass tones rather than down-tune guitar.

The overall width of the nut is 49mm and the distance between strings - the centre of the low E string to the centre of the high E string is 41mm. 

There was a set of strings in the case, so I thought it would be rude not to give it a whirl. Unfortunately they are too thick a diameter for the brass nut, so three of them don't touch the zero fret, knocking the intonation out. Still using the top three and using the others as drones, it's quite an interesting crossover instrument for the uninitiated. The string spacing is narrow, the neck quite manageable  for a six string - surprisingly easy to play finger style and quite precision-like in sound. The strings with it were suitable for a low B - perhaps this bass is designed to be strung E-E?

No, it's not really my cup of tea. nice to have a different bass round the house. Will take it to the gallery next week when I am back at work for a set up.

Thanks Paul, have signed up. There's a forum for pretty much everything these days 🙂

I was unexpectedly invited in to a neighbour's house today to give an opinion on a bass guitar, which I have brought home.

He has had it 30 years and it has lived in his shed for the last 10. It is in pretty good condition, the finish is a bit crazed, some of the screws are a little rusty, but the neck looks straight. When he bought it he was told it was rare - fewer than 100 made.

I had never heard of a 6 string Shergold marathon bass. The serial number is 7040, stamped on a metal plate on the back of the headstock.

Does anyone have any useful further information?

cheers, Guy

I think the mis build aspect doesn't detract from the future value at all. The communication from fender in writing is contemporary with the receipt for the bass, so is sufficient provenance. Keep the paperwork safe !!!

wicked looking bass, btw.

Zabriskie Point has several Pink Floyd numbers unavailable elsewhere, including a "come in number 51, your time is up" a more violent version of "careful with that axe, Eugene" set particularly effectively against multiple angles of a large remote house being exploded as the climax of a late 60s arthouse film.  Very effective 

Always ask for/ provide a receipt. Particularly for high value/ vintage. Why would you not?

On 15 March 2018 at 18:45, Painy said:

About 18 years ago we had to total up the value (new prices) of all of the band's equipment (which also included a custom built box-trailer admittedly) and the total value was just over £38k.

I dread to think what that would be at current prices.

I love this post. I can now total up the value of 2x 62, 64 and 65 jazz basses (new prices) and not feel the least guilty.

On 15 March 2018 at 21:34, ambient said:

I bought this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-Shine-Guitar-Spray/dp/B000A6ASQU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521149641&sr=8-4&keywords=d'addario%2Bspray%2Bcleaner&dpID=41DKDGdxUwL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

And this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000EEHJS8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Together they made my Sei look amazing.

Your Sei looked amazing already

Great credit to you Andy. You are a proper gent.

1 hour ago, thepurpleblob said:

Of course, a shop floor (and the bit of it your bass is sitting in) costs the trader real money. I used to get this all the time when I ran a specialist shop (not music but similar) - "I wish I was on your hourly rate" and such. Well, that's fine, here's my telephone bill, rates bill, insurance bill, wages bill etc. 

Same story in all retail/high street. Some customers understand the value added by having a physical store, choice, service, convenience, advice, back-up etc. Some customers think a shop is a free showroom for Amazon.

A friend of mine has recently closed his bike shop, open for three generations. Couldn't make it pay. One customer typified it for him. Came in, asked about locks, had the full range demonstrated to him. Said he would think about one that was £20. Came back into the shop a few days later with the same lock and asked my friend to fit it. Cost him £15 on Amazon.  My friend said "no problem" that will be £5. Punter says"you must be joking. You've just lost a customer" the irony was wasted on him. Use it or lose it.

Good question. Because the shop is adding value at an equal proportion whatever the price of the bass. If, through their reputation, database and expertise, the shop gets, for instance, 20% higher than the private sale price, they deserve a proportionate cut of the value added.

Also, for the shop not to lose revenue, a fixed cost per transaction - worked out as an average of the commission on each sale- would need to be at a level that sellers of cheaper basses would be disinclined to tolerate, so the shop would, in effect alienate a significant proportion of its customer base, reducing footfall and related sales.

As it stands, the sellers of high-end basses are subsidising those less well-heeled, rendering the Gallery a perfect model for a socialist utopia.

That's why.

I have sold a relatively low value bass on commission and bought two high value (to me!) basses through the same shop on commission. The bass I sold was around £300. I was paying 15% and the service I received was excellent. I suggested reducing the price after a month or so but the shop disagreed and told me to hang on and I would get the full price, which I did a few weeks later. The very easy option for them would have been just to agree, cut the price and make an easy sale, but they didn't. 

That judgement and expertise in the market is what you are paying for, along with the value-added in the confidence of the buyer in purchasing through a reputable and established trading entity, rather than of some random bloke on a forum or auction/classifieds site and all the uncertainty/risk that entails. I don't concern myself with what their process was to achieve the result. On the occasions I bought on commission basses, the first (custom colour 62 jazz) I was phoned to say they had something interesting in stock and they kept the shop open an hour late to let me try it. The second (ex-pino 79 fretless stingray) I was in to buy strings, it was pointed out to me, and I went home with it. In all cases an exemplary service was provided to buyer and seller. Same thing with auctions, buyer & seller know the terms before they trade. The company is a market-maker, attracting a buying public wanting to buy and with the means and confidence to buy. That, along with convenience, is what you are paying for. 

It's a more expressive instrument, played well.

If it plays well, any cheaper would have been cheeky

Nice problem to have. Original 66 looks v nice, particularly if you can afford and can get a good deal, there are worse places to park a few quid. The other options all look tempting, though.

I'm a regular customer and work locally to the shop. I can't recommend them highly enough. I have bought, sold, had setups, refrets, more major surgery, and always been very satisfied with the service, quality and price. They are top guys to deal with.

Lovely bass & amp also!!

Nice bench

Handbags ready!!!😀

City of tiny lights with Frank Zappa would be fun.