cloudburst

Lovely looking bass - especially the colour. I’ve long admired these. I play an early passive BB5000 and am wondering if anyone has direct experience of how these compare? GLWTS CB

I had one of these back in the day, holding on to it for quite a few years. Mine was the same colour - exactly the same, in fact, apart from mine being unlined. From memory, the name for this model was the Wilkes Percussive Fretless. CB

I owned the same one of these twice, many years ago. Since I’m in Bangor, only a few miles from you, I’m wondering if this may be the very bass! CB

And I think there was Azureglo too (blue to you and me). CB

Yep - way too cheap. I’d been contemplating selling mine which is all its original parts and mint (only diff being it’s turquoise and has pearl fret markers), but you’ve scuppered that notion with this really crazy good price! GLWTS CB

In all seriousness, and daring to talk about the instrument, I have a Bongo HH 4 string. It’s well publicised how wide it’s repertoire of sound is. However, I’d just like to make the point, that within my collection of basses (which includes some really strong competition), the Bongo has just about the best playability and “easy” feel under the fingers. I personally prefer a gloss finish on the neck, but if you’re in the other camp, then this could be a perfect 5 string. GLWTS. CB

Bloos?

Great basses. I recently traded one of mine on this forum, coincidentally with a hard case like this; the hard case isn’t original equipment, but a much more modern item. These basses were originally supplied with a soft bag. I still have mine with my white XL-2. GLWTS. CB

Yep, I probably just got confused by that and the price etc. Apologies fot that. GLWTS CB

These are great basses. Until recently I had two - now just the one. You’ve only quoted the serial number and photos for one of your basses though. What are the details for the other? GLWTS. CB

Ha! I’m in Ballyholme. 🙂 CB

Cool! Are you in Bangor NI or Bangor Wales? CB

To the seller - just start using the pivot and it will help with a couple of your issues: - the first fret won’t be quite so far to the left and - since the pivot pivots around the centre of gravity of the bass, the weight will take much less of a toll on you CB

At this price, you could even view it as a “losing the cheat-lines dependency” trainer 🙂 Only small complaint I had about my Wilkes Percussive Fretless back in the day was that the body was heavy. Someone else will be able to confirm or deny my memory in that regard. CB

You’re right about the slap plates - that was exactly their purpose. I had one of these in the ‘80s, mine being exactly the same but in black, and equally markerless 🙂 I believe the actual name of the bass was a “Wilkes Percussive Fretless”. CB

I think it says LN #9 on the little tag in the photo. Could that be the answer? CB

The title and post are somewhat misleading. This is a Stingray - not a Stingray Classic. CB

Lovely bass. I have an almost identical instrument. Same colour, same age, same condition, but with maple fretboard and pearl block inlays. GLWTS. CB

[quote name='AlexiaSpring' timestamp='1482766409' post='3202592'] THE MATCHING NECK TOO [/quote] Matching neck and headstock is standard on the Bongo afaik. Nice colour! GLWTS CB

GLWTS These are great basses and someone will get a great bargain as I'd be looking £2k for my (admittedly near mint) XL2A. So many plusses: - small and easy to transport - immune to humidity - tuning keys don't get knocked around - stays in tune indefinitely - great fat sound - boomerang strap pivoted at centre of gravity means you can play all night without noticing CB

Are you Marco from North italy who plays bass for The Mooncakes? CB