Mokl

Here's a couple of shots of the bass after an hour of cleaning it up - it's turned out very nicely!

I suppose the idea is that if I decide to sell it on then I don't have to feel like a complete bastard for trying to make some money on it - although why I should even care given the ridiculous amount of money I have lost on bass gear (mainly through this forum) over the years is beyond me. It's kind of disrespectful to any future purchaser, if I blab on and on about how I paid £1.50 for this bass, don't you think? That was never the point of this post! I'm not short-sighted enough to think that I won't ever sell it, because I know me too well, but I thought people might find my story interesting and perhaps inspire a few more bargain discoveries in Crack-Generators across the land. As it is I will almost certainly keep this bass as it will make a great back up for my function band duties. Got some of the dings touched up today, and it's looking much better already. Will post some more pics when I've polished it and have it looking dandy, for those amongst you who may or may not care.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='178477' date='Apr 17 2008, 12:26 AM']I think it's a Goodfellow Bass made by Lowden Guitars in Northern Ireland in the mid 90s; see here: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_Guitars"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_Guitars[/url] As I understand it, Bernie Goodfellow lost control of the Goodfellow name in the late 80s or early 90s and so he started Nightingale Basses in Denmark Street, London for a while before he finally set up GB Guitars in Brighton which is where he is now. Lowden bought/owned the Goodfellow Bass name and the actual body design was very much like an early Goodfellow bass. I had one of these for a while in 1995 which cost me about £700 at the time, and it had a mahogony core like a Wal Custom (hence the tonal similarity you mention) and Kent Armstrong pick ups I think. It was a very nice bass but not quite in the class of an early handmade Bernie Goodfellow 'Goodfellow Bass' (if that makes sense).. So, although it's not one of Bernie's originals, you've definitely got a bargain and these are quite rare basses, so congratulations on your good fortune![/quote] Thanks for the information, perhaps it is a Lowden model then. Oh well, still think I did pretty well as it's a great sounding and funky-looking bass. As for the pickups they have the wood-effect covers (like my Wal, again) with little notches in the bass side for your thumb to rest on - same as this one pictured on the gallery site. [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/goodfellowclassicfl.html"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/goodfellowclassicfl.html[/url] As I mentioned previously, there is no serial number on this bass which doesn't make it any easier to identify!

As for what I paid... it was in the region of second-hand Squier money (nothing wrong with those by the way!). Too cheap to not have a punt at any rate. Anybody able to tell me any more about the bass from the pics? Controls are pretty standard: bass, mid, treble, blend and vol.

Truss rod nut seems to be rounded off, but just about get away with 45 gauge strings, although I wouldn't mind slackening it a turn to allow me to fit a lighter set. Bridge is bit corroded and truss rod cover is missing.... also a couple of juicy dings, but nothing too awful. Can't really complain though, can I?!

Here's a couple of quick snaps. Needs a good polish and some touch up paint, but I think it'll polish up okay. Electrics all working well and sounding good - sounds not unlike to my Wal to be honest, and a similar feel too. If anyone can cast any light as to age/model/value, I'd be very grateful!

Will try and put some pics up tonight when I get the bass home. The logo is simply a "G", with the words "Handcrafted in England" written beneath. The machine heads all have the "G" stamped on the back too. Does that help to identify it's origins?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='177364' date='Apr 15 2008, 09:04 PM']i suspect we're probably more interested in finding out how much you paid for it. You could always give Bernie Goodfellow a call I guess?[/quote] It was an embarrassingly small amount (included an SKB case too!). I just hope there's nothing "dodgy" about how it found it's way into Cash Generator....

Popped into the local Cash Generator to cast a quick glance over the instruments. Never gotten lucky before, but I occasionally check in the vain hope that I might find a 60's Jazz for a tenner. Well, today I found something almost as good, if not quite as valuable. I almost missed the black shape in the corner with no price label on it, but I spotted it just as I was walking past. Close inspection revealed a slightly tatty, but cool-looking 5 string bass. First thing that struck me were the wooden machine-head tops, then the "G" logo with "Handcrafted in England" printed below on the headstock. I looked again, the shape was a little unusual.... what could it be that was handmade in England and beginning with "G", surely it couldn't be a Goodfellow?! I called over the assistant and took a closer look, ascertained the price, and decided that although I couldn't be sure it was definitely worth a punt as it seemed like a nice bass anyway. The guy behind the counter said he had searched for G Basses or Goodman guitars online, but found no match for it. As soon as I got it back to work I unscrewed the control plate.... printed on the PCB was the name Goodfellow! I whooped with joy and proceeded to plug it in. It works! It sounds killer - even with dead strings and the action all over the place. 20 mins tweaking has already gotten the action feeling good; I know that this is going to come up lovely with a bit of polish and lemon oil. Pictures to follow! I can't find much info on Goodfellow bass models online, perhaps some of the more knowledgable amongst you will be able to help me ascertain more precisely what it is. Age wise I reckon mid eighties, although I may be wrong, Can't find a serial number as yet and the bass is still at work (hiding from the wife!).

If you like the way the bass plays and sounds then I would strongly recommend that you take it out and play it! You'll get far more from it that way, using it as it was intended to be used. Anything will acquire some marks if you use it - most of us will know that sinking feeling when you spot a new dent or scratch in your car door when you return to the car park, but it's something you just can't avoid. If you're careful with it and make sure it sits in the case whilst setting up etc, you can minimize the risks. Personally I couldn't bear to have so much invested in a bass only for it to sit there unused.

Another vote for Mighty Brite. I gigged for the first time with one on saturday - coloured lights and my notes in plastic wallets... it worked great!

[quote name='nottswarwick' post='127444' date='Jan 24 2008, 11:34 PM']yep, it sure is. Defo not cables, batteries or anything else. Bugger, will dig the jiffy bag out of the bin![/quote] May not be this, but my multicomp will drive the front end of my amp pretty easilly if the gain is set much over 12 o' clock.

I really hope I can make this one. Subject to anything unexpected cropping up I should be along, would love to try my Fodera through a few different rigs!

Who needs bass when you have cigars?