HeadlessBassist

Lovely collection you have there prowla

I just always preferred the two-band, as that's what I had in my original 1988 Series-II and also later in a couple of Streamlines. I have board 302 and 303 in the current ones.

Onboard active preamps can be very variable, as they're all set at different frequencies, so some will sound very clean and others over boosted and artificial. I tend to use a small amount of treble and bass boost (just a little more than the centre detent) on the instrument and then do the main boost on the amplifier. This ensures a very clean and honest sound.

Oh, sorry! I thought you were replying to me re the Space Bass 5

Hey Terry, I've been nothing but pleased with it over the last year. My main basses (apart from the workhorse Jazz basses) are Status, so I have very high expectations from a headless bass. You have to drive the input gain on your amp a little, as the 9v MarkBass preamp is a little underpowered in output terms (there's no trim pot inside, either), but give it a chunk of bass boost and a touch of treble and you get some very nice sounds. It's very light and easy to play for a five-string too. For the money, I can't recommend it enough.

They look really nice. If my own Space Bass 5 is anything to go by, they’re doing some really good stuff these days. Congrats on your new purchase

I'd say the difference there is that the person on FB Marketplace needs the money. Tony clearly doesn't - I was at his house yesterday. Lovely drive through Holmfirth and across the moors coming back, too. I'm quite shocked at how negative some people have been on this thread. A guy with a bit of permanent GAS usually sells some nice basses (it's up to you whether or not you think they're expensive - that's down to you and the depth of your pockets.) So here was I thinking you'd all like to look at some nice instruments that a nice guy advertises on Gumtree and all you can all do is moan about his prices and make assumptions. It's all very sad, pathetic and typical social media. 😲

Picked this up today at the end of my GAS burst. First Ibanez I've had for about twenty years. A very nice condition 2017 SR1400 Premium. Spent the latter part of the evening setting it up, as someone had set the neck flat and raised all the bridge monorails to compensate! All fixed now with a low action

Looks like a nice piece of Alder to me... Here mine as a comparison. (Not a vintage, but a 2017 American Original.)

I'm watching the "All About The Bass" video as I type and my instant response is, "spend a little more on a Cort Artisan Space Bass 5." Mine has proved invaluable, and always lives in the car boot. (It's always in tune as well - There's a lot to be said for headless basses!). Great lightweight teaching bass and 'always at the ready' instrument. As for the HILS, I quite like the white/tort 5-string. Makes it a little more interesting, I suppose. The pickups sound a lot nicer than the ones in the Ibanez EHB range, but I don't particularly care for the shape. The white 30" scale 4-string passive one would pass for a headless 'Bootsy' bass.

A very valid point. I do about 25-30 dates a year with the three tribute live show & many other jobs, and when I need to take a vintage looking bass, it's always an American Fender (sometimes it's two!) They really are very hardy when you find a good one.

You would only be liable to taxation if you earned a profit on belongings you sold. I suspect most of these instruments are being sold at a loss, or at the break even point just like the rest of us.

At the end of the day, we all know there's a law of diminishing returns that applies to the more you spend. Is an American Standard Fender worth three times as much as a Squier Classic Vibe? Of course not. But if the bass feels right in your hands and the sound it makes is pleasing to your ears, then the amount of money is immaterial. I always tell students to try before they buy. I've played absolutely belting new £2-300 Squier Affinity basses and some very 'meh' £1500 basses (and also some lovely ones). It's usually down to which one fits your hands and ears. As others have already said, there's also a lot to go at on the used market for up to £1500. I, for one, will be interested to see what you eventually settle with. Good luck with your 'Bass Quest'.

This is sounding more and more like an episode of the "Smith and Sniff" Podcast. I can only comment with one word... "SPOWAATAAH!" (Trans. "Sport" in a fake Essex accent.)

Jonny Smith from 'The Late Brake Show' will make a 'Barn Find' episode on YouTube with you and your Allegro!

I recently picked up a Sandberg Strap from a friend's store for my slightly weighty KingBass MkII 5 stringer. It's similar to the old "Comfort Straps" with the stretching closed-cell neoprene foam arrangement attached to the leather. Highly recommended.

A proper Japanese one, as opposed to the cheaper TRBX? They must be difficult to shift. I think a lot of the pricing issue is down to how much people need the money. I always sell the bass for what it's worth.

Maybe the £525 one is either someone desperate for the money, or it's a cheaper TRBX-5?

Not bad, Beedster. Swedish prices are a little on the spenny side.

Glad to see this thread is keeping you all busy... 🤔

I was telling Tony exactly the same thing in person the other week!

Go onto Gumtree.co.uk and type "Bass Guitar" into the search & "Ashton-under-Lyne" into the location box... These are all legit basses from one private owner (who I met last week and bought a couple of basses from), who is trying to thin down a massive herd in order to retire and downsize his house. Some lovely bargains here, from very reasonable Squiers to some high end stuff. Apologies in advance for the forthcoming GAS. 🫣

Multi scale with fanned frets always looks cool/odd, but feels surprisingly natural to play. I've only played a couple of fanned fret Dingwalls in dealers like Bass Direct, but found it incredibly easy. I guess if you have a technique that relies on the shape of the left hand, it comes very naturally. As for going headless, I have one suggestion - I've got one of the Cort Space Bass 5's with the MarkBass preamp as a compact bass to carry around schools when teaching. I also use it sometimes when I play as house bass player at a local jam session. It's got a lovely clear sound and masses of tone for such a reasonably priced instrument. I was sitting playing it yesterday morning when a pupil failed to turn up, and I got 30 mins of paid practice in on the Space Bass. I'll give you a link to a lovely guy I know near Manchester who has one for sale at the moment... https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/cort-artisan-space-5-string-headless-bass-star-dust-black-set-up-new-strings-wow-/1492731377