Ashborygirl

1 minute ago, neepheid said:

 

So, you're going to completely sidestep everything I've said then?  OK, have fun with the bee in your bonnet, at least it agrees with you

 

Mr kettle, meet Mr Pot.

3 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

'Made in the USA' and 'Made in Japan' or Korea have long ceased to be any guarantee of quality. 

But what about 54 years ago?  I doubt Gibson shifted the name to Japan to improve quality.

40 minutes ago, Rich said:

 

Trace Elliott (sic) is budget gear..?

Compared to what it was, yes.  Unless you think closing down UK production in favour of far-eastern production was to improve the quality, rather than cut costs?

54 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

I take exception to Epiphone being categorised as being simply a trade name for budget gear.  I'd hardly call a Jack Casady Signature "budget", and right now they're making better T-birds than Gibson have managed to since the 60s.

Furthermore, Gibson bought Epiphone in 1957, so they're taking an awfully long time to kill them off...

USA Epiphones were out of production for nearly 50 years.  In that time the name was used exclusively on cheaper Japanese & Korean made instruments.  Hardly progress from their pre-Gibson heyday.

Gibson, their QC hit rock bottom 20+ years ago & it's been downhill from there.  The fact you now get a QC checklist signing off things that have clearly never been checked really takes the piss.  

Oh & their dedication to buying out promissing companies to kill them off.  Trace Elliott, Steinberger, Tobias, Epiphone, Kramer & now Mesa Boogie.  All either disappeared or now just trade names for budget gear.

On 08/02/2024 at 11:28, spencer.b said:

I don't know where that seller would of got that info from, there's a lot of conflicting information online for these basses and I can see an older advert also stating 65-68 but all the legit historys I've seen of Kay instruments don't back this up,the Teisco era kays do have serial numbers but I don't think they can be dated from them as they didn't keep records , a 1965 Kay would be a US made speed bump pickup bass and be worth closer to a grand , your bass is a Taiwanese made Teisco bass , I'm not trying to start an argument or rubbish your bass , looks great and a good price

 

I've got a 1938 Kay upright and a few 60s US Kay bass guitars  and have geeked out on Kays for a while  but if anyone had one back in the day or has any more info I'm happy to be proved wrong on this 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kay_Musical_Instrument_Company#:~:text=Early history (1890–1931),-Products by Stromberg&text=The Kay Musical Instrument Company,and renamed to Stromberg-Voisinet.

https://wesleyguitars.co.uk/2014/03/31/kay-k-20b-bass-guitar-short-scale-rickenbacker-4001-1970s-teisco/

One dating feature that seems to be universally recognised is the zero fret, which was only introduced after WMI bought the rights to the Kay name in 1969. 

I cut my teeth on a Kay 20b, £59 from Cleveland Music circa 1980.  I remember my dad kicking off because the shop gave me some free plectrums with pictures of marijuana leaves on them.  I was 11 years old.

34 minutes ago, ricksterphil said:

I've been drooling over it but Mrs Ricksterphil would not be amused if I bought another bass

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission! 

Doh, 1.4 inch nut.  Amended accordingly.  

Offered for sale is my Markbass Micromark.

An astonishing amplifier, there is no way a 45 watt amp of that size can possibly sound anything other than lousy, right?  Well, it not only sounds superb, but it's also damn loud too, you can see in the pictures where I have the volume in the house, any louder & I get complaints.  This is an excellent practice amp, the best I have found by some distance.

£199 shipped to your door - assuming that's Zone 1 UK, all other locations will be more.  Alternatively, save £15 & you can visit Great Ayton - twinned with itself; 6000 residents, 4 surnames.  A cup of tea & a warm welcome awaits and I definitely won't ask if you want to see a cool trick with a pair of handcuffs. 

With a heavy heart, I'm selling my Nordy Cat bass.

I think everyone knows how good these basses are, they may look like a toy but they are superb basses.  Don't think this is an instrument with some idiosyncratic tone that may find a home on the odd song, it kills in every application and has a huge range of tones on tap.  You could happily pitch up for a session with a cat & be sure that it will fit in, no matter what the genre.  Factor in the super insane weight (under 7lbs), short scale, 1.4 inch nut & 17mm string spacing and the thing almost plays itself.   

This one is in superb condition, with no dents, dings, cracks or scratches - you'd not know it wasn't a new one.  It's currently strung with a new set of GHS stainless flats - although I think I prefer D'addrio nickel rounds on it if I'm honest.  

I don't have a case or gigbag for it I'm afraid, just the original shipping carton & a lot of those foam peanut things.  I would strongly suggest collection for this one, I can repack it all for your courier to collect but I'd really advise against it.  When it arrived here I was expecting it to be in bits but it somehow wasn't - your choice, your risk though.  I'm just south of Middlesbrough, in a quaint little village - just ignore all those news reports about visitors disappearing, nothing's been proved.  Yet.

 

These things are unbelievable, no bass should be this good or this versatile at this price.  I've had to sacrifice most of my gear recently but my cat is staying.

1 hour ago, Quasar79 said:

Thanks! How do they sound? ( i believe good, but maybe you can describe the sound;)  )

I always struggle describing sound.  What I'd say is, until I was told they were BKs, I assumed they were likely vintage units.  I find most current vintage voiced Jazz pickups sound way too honky at the bridge - like it's come to define the vintage J bass sound.  The 68 I've had use of had the honk but it wasn't overpowering & it isn't with the BKs either.  It's a smoother, more balanced tone that still has that burpyness going on but more besides.  If I was looking to upgrade a J bass then the BKs would be on my go to list. 

Bare Knuckles, although not sure which models (or if they do more than one model!)

Now sold.  Thanks for all the interest.

Due to the ongoing saga of the daughter's car I am forced to part with this magnificent bass.

Everyone knows about Bravewoods, they're truly spectacular instruments, and this one is no different.  Having owned various Road worns & Custom Shop relics, a Nash, a Suhr Antique & and an Xotic, I can safely say this trumps all of them.  That is no mean feat since they were some exceptional basses.  For some reason though Bravewood seem to have found the secret ingredient that takes the relic thing as close as it could ever be to an original.  Having had long term access to a '68 Jazz I can say the Bravewood sits way closer to it than any other bass I've played.  You just have to look at that rosewood fingerboard, super dark and glossy just like the real deal.

Anyway, exceptional build quality & attention to detail, exceptional tones & playability and at half the price of a Fender CS.  Whoever gets this bass will love it.  Everything works as it should, frets are tip top & its nicely set up with a new set of Ernie Ball Cobalt flats.  Bass comes with a Hiscox hard case but I have no packing materials so this is a collection only job.  It means you get to visit Great Ayton, a beautiful village, population 4000 and only 6 surnames.  It's twinned with itself & most of the locals still point at planes.

No trades thank you, poppa needs to eat.

SOLD

A brand new, unopened set of Elite Detroit flatwound strings.  Guaranteed to turn George Osborne into Joe Osborne, Gordon Kaye into Carol Kaye & Fiona Bruce into Jack Bruce.  £20 delivered to your door - assuming it's in the UK.

Offered for sale is a Rebel Relic aged bridge for a P or J bass.  Good quality product, cost @ £60 new.  £20 posted to your (UK) door, note - no mounting screws are included.

For sale is the ubiquitous Seymour Duncan SPB 1.  Its still one of the best vintage P bass pickups out there but is comparatively cheap as it's not sprinkled with sweat from some distant cousin of James Jamerson.  Leads have been trimmed to fit a typical P bass & you'll need your own mounting screws too.

£50 Inc of UK postage.  If the lack of magic pixie dust concerns you, I know a bloke who once stood next to Bob Babbitt at a urinal - I'll see if he's got any splash back to rub on it.  That should improve the sound no end.

On hold.

Now sold to the man with the, frankly magnificent, beard.

Hello folks, my daughter's car has gone bang in a very terminal way so I need to move a bass or two on or she'll sit round the house giving me shade all day.

This is a Nate Mendel that is rather special because....er........ok, I got nothing, it's just the stock Nate Mendel that we all know & love.  Everything works as it should, it's strung with Elite Detroit flatwounds, sounds great & that neck is as wonderful as everyone says.

Only issue to be aware of is that, at some point the previous owner fitted an SPB 1 pickup & appears to have made a screw up.  In the pickup cavity there is the remains of a broken height screw, it's not in the mounting screw hole, it's above it & sits about 2mm proud of the wood.  However, you obviously cant see it & it doesn't interfere with the mounting or range of movement of the pick up.  I suspect ham-fisted Harry probably started screwing in the mounting screw in the wrong place (not the existing hole) & it sheared off.  Only mentioned for full disclosure.

Otherwise, we have the Fender gigbag, tags etc & the original shipping carton.  If you want the bass shipped I can pack it but can you organise your own courier, local pickup is always welcome too.  Not looking for any trades - unless it's a city car with an auto-box & less than 2000 miles on it.  I know folks like to make offers but in this case it's as cheap as it gets for a Mendel so don't look the proverbial equine present in the mush.

 

Plumps cushion.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284557668342?hash=item4240f56ff6:g:Qx8AAOSwcMBhri06

£1000, ONE. THOUSAND. POUNDS.

Love that the description says 'no offers' but the listing includes a best offer option.

Hello Folks

I've decided to sell my Fender Japan Jazz after finally getting a Bravewood that I've coveted for some time.  From what I can gather, this was 1 of 15 basses made by Fender Japan for sale in Europe & North Africa and only 3 came to the UK (if anyone knows any more PM me).  The build quality is the best I have seen from Fender &, coupled with the spec & original RRP of £1795, they clearly went for it with this model.

Body:  2 piece selected ash, centre joined.
Neck:  Maple with rosewood fingerboard, blocks & binding.

Truss rod adjustment:  Headstock access.

Pickups:  Fender Custom Shop 60s Jazz.
Bridge:  Fender USA High Mass with top-loading or thru-body stringing.

Tuners:  Fender USA lightweight with tapered shafts.

Finish: Nitrocellulose.

Case: Fender ATA moulded hard case

Weight 8lbs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The jazz is super light & resonant and sounds fantastic.  Condition wise it is excellent, just a couple of pin head sized impressions near the bass side of the bridge.  Currently strung with Ernie Ball Cobalt flats (amazing strings, if you like the feel of flats but the sound of bedded in rounds, these are perfect).  Sale includes all the case candy, including the little book with the specs in it.

I have a suitable box for shipping but please can you arrange your own courier.  Local try out / pick up is always welcome - I'm 6 miles south of Middlesbrough in a very picturesque village famed for its superb ice cream & pork pies!

Not looking for any trades, I have the Bravewood now.  Somewhat reluctant sale, I will consider an offer but it'll need to be very close to the asking price of £1200.  No better Fender Jazz out there at this price.

My old bass, it's a stellar example & Marleaux is a great bloke to deal with.

Pretty sure it's the old cross-head at the heel of the neck job so neck off is required.  Historically accurate but I so wish Fender would 'do a Musicman'  & update the access on their reissues.  In every other respect these 70s reissues are wonderful.

Rob's best ever bass IMHO.