GeeCee

If the serial number is 71392 it was likely built in '87 and would be around the 1,392nd bass built. It's a Series III Mark King model (so it would not have a funk groove). The push button P/U selector is a feature that was introduced with the Calibas model. I think the first Calibas came out in '88 so I would guess it is a later addition, replacing the normal rotary P/U selector. It's an unusual feature on a MK. The cherub inlay is not the standard design used on the "StarChild" bass (MK's white one). Black MK's are somewhat unusual. Oh, and it's not a through neck; it's set neck - look closely at the heel. Hope that helps.

I believe Jaco owned one (a Steinberger).

As I recall the story, Jaco did not have his bass with him, so someone in the audience offered to let him borrow his own fretless jazz bass. Jaco declined wanting something different and took the Jaydee off the wall. I think the US importer of Jaydee basses was a sponsor of the show (Aspen Pittman at Groove Tube) which is why the Jaydee bass was there. That particular bass is now owned by Mark Manley. I think this was also the show where Jaco and Aspen agreed on the idea of an open commission for Jaydee Guitars to build him a bass. This led to the Jaydee jazz basses mentioned earlier.

MK's Pangborn bass was sold at a charity auction in Netherlands and last seen adorning the wall in a bar in Amsterdam(?) - there is a video on the net somewhere of the auction. The dragon inlay bass never belonged to MK, though he was pictured with it in a music magazine so everyone assumes it was his.

Hmm, that's going to be tricky. Superglue? Anything that attacks that will likely affect the finish. Acetone might be too aggressive, perhaps rubbing alcohol with some gentle heat with a hair dryer to soften? Might want to ask John or Andy what they would do.

Thumb rest? Is it screwed or stuck on?

Not bad for a beginner - is that a wear spot in the finish of the yellow Roadie? Where did the fretless go?

Yes and no. There was a period where there were definitely some dodgy instruments built, but the same guys tend to chip about their bad experience across multiple forums whenever the topic comes up and I think that tends to overstate the issues. Just a question of educating yourself about what to look out for and spending your money wisely.

I'm not on FB, but it's an open group so you can see the pictures. There's no comparison with the porn section. Most of the guys who would chat about JDs here have migrated to FB.

You need to go to the Jaydee group on Facebook.

OK, so its a Mark King model with a funk groove, so almost certainly a S2 and probably from around '85-87. The serial number should be five digits with the first number representing the year so by way of example a serial number like 71141 would be from 1987 and roughly the 1141st instrument made. On thinking about it a 84 or 85 might have a lead zero, so 04XXX or 05XXX where XXX is the number of instruments made.

Yes, most of the time. There are a few quirks. What is your number (and type of bass)?

Is the bass a Chieftain or a Warlord model? I believe Nick Smith (doctor_of_the_bass on BC) has a single P/U Chieftain with B/T active circuit. Why don't you send him a PM. He may be able to help you.

As others have said, finish cracks extending from the neck pocket are extremely common in Shergold guitars and basses. It's a natural stress point on any bolt-on, but exacerbated in these models because of the soft wood (Obeche), thick polyester finish, and the fact that the truss rod adjustment is often on the back of the body where the neck sits in the neck pocket (less wood there too). If in doubt, just remove the neck and take a look to see if the cracks extend into the wood. Even then it wouldn't necessarilybe a deal breaker for me, but would be a negotiating point. Original cases were just square back and generic. The bridge cover was black plastic and almost always removed and then lost. There is a guy on the Shergold website that will make you a reproduction one if you must have one. Remember they're plastic though and easily broken.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1384680629' post='2279315'] XLR outputs were a standard feature on the old Jaydee Supernatural basses. [/quote] Still are for all but the Roadie and Celeste series, but it's not a balanced line out. Just a Cannon alternative to the standard jack. I believe the early Overwater's were balanced (like Wals).

1. Jaydee GA24 2. Jaydee Calibas 3-4. Wal Custom fretted and fretless 5. Pangborn Warlord (graphite neck model) or CG3 Sorted

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1364069159' post='2021665'] No - I've done a few veneer jobs in burr walnut but that is quite different. This one was described on fleabay as 'Exotic Hardwood veneer'. Hopefully not the last slice of the last tree of the last species! [/quote] Looks like burr camphor or madrone to me.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1364318808' post='2024835'] I have never encountered it personally so I would reserve judgement , but I have heard stories ( make of them what you will ) about various makes of basses - not just Steinberger - with graphite necks from the 1980s developing discrepancies in the neck due to very slight movement of the graphite . It would seem that carbon graphite is not neccesarilly 100 % stable over the longer term , as had always been assumed at the time . Bear in mind that a bass neck only has to change shape by a fraction of a millimeter in order to start causing problems . [/quote] I had a Vigier Passion bass with a graphite neck that developed a bow and have played an early Status Series II fretless with the same problem. Neither could be corrected without a truss rod. I believe Musicman Cutlass basses can also be problematic and have heard similar stories about graphite-necked Alembic basses with problems, though I have never played either.

[quote name='basstheface' timestamp='1361967370' post='1993691']Just wanted to share this pic of my Pangborn Warrior bass as they are quite rare nowadays. Hope you like it![/quote] Yes, very much, but that is not a Warrior, it's a Warlord (and a Schaller bridge). Nitpicking