nick

[u][b]*SOLD - PENDING PAYMENT* 1984 Ibanez Roadstar II RB850[/b][/u]

another fine Japanese specimen being culled from the herd...

Plays like a dream and sounds monstrous - wide range of tones from the 'Super J6' humbuckers thanks to coil taps on the volume & tone pots, along with the blend control. In good condition for it's age, but I've tried to show in the photos, the white pearl finish has faded a bit in places with age, there's also a few dinks & marks though nothing that major. The bridge has become a bit tarnished. The neck and frets are good, and the truss rod functions well.

[url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121122_zpskt4zyyq7.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121151_zpsgkdgvqx7.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121215_zpscbdgsus1.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121231_zpsawozlkvc.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121248_zpsstmwyvof.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121257_zpsnyej5lsy.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121341_zpsbaykp9r3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_121358_zpsavjxl0vt.jpg.html"][/url]

£220 ono.

I'm based in Bristol/Bath. Local collection is OK, and can drop off locally. If necessary can despatch UK & Overseas.
Please PM me if interested or requiring further info/photos.
Thanks

*SOLD - Pending Payment*

[u][b]Yamaha BB1000 (1978)[/b][/u]

a lovely vintage MIJ bass, produced (according to S/No.) in August 1978. A real precision killer this bass....
In pretty good condition for its age. The frets have plenty of life left in them, the beautiful ebony fretboard has a nice grain going through it. The neck is pretty much p-bass dimensions and is straight & true. The truss rod functions fine. There's a few minor dinks & marks on body & back of the neck, but nothing major or very visible.The tuners are smooth & hold their tuning well. A definite feel of quality with this bass, better than what Fender was mostly producing during this period (IMHO)

[url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_120544_zpscuj4omvy.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_120635_zpssl3jyclh.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_120659_zps3k1ecvsz.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_120737_zpselqd09tz.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_120834_zpso21ruh7n_edit_1438083030659_zpsuicrvjlt.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150728_120905_zpsqvr5oieu.jpg.html"][/url]

[s]£325 ono.[/s] £300

I'm based in Bristol/Bath. Local collection is preferred, but could drop also off locally. Can despatch if necessary in UK & to overseas. Please PM me if interested or if further info/photos needed.
Thanks

Not had the pleasure of trying an original, but my Mutron III clone does it for me when it comes to Bootzilla tones ☺

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1435419144' post='2808626']
I've ordered a PCB for the Ginger, I thought about veroboard but the PCB should make for a nice, small build. There are still a couple of places with the 2N5457 in stock, so I should be OK.
If I like it, it should make for a nice small pedalboard with just the Ginger, my Superfuzz clone, a tuner and DI.
[/quote]

I've done vero & the PCB versions, but it's easier to get it in a 1590B with that PCB layout. Regarding 2N5457's I'd steer clear of Tayda ones, I've got a bag of about 30 useless ones, even a batch that I got from Bitsbox a short while ago, were no good either.

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1435478689' post='2809045']
Was like watching a mental patient rant inside a large microwave oven / breville toasted sandwich maker.
[/quote]

Brilliant!

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1435486745' post='2809154']
Of course you won't like it if it's hip hop. I have never had a conversation with a middle aged white bloke about Kanye... or even classic hip hop (DMC/PE etc.)
[/quote]

What a daft thing to say...Quite a big generalisation.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1435325142' post='2807722']
Interesting, which FETs did you use? The 2N5457 seems to be getting hard to find.
[/quote]

I used 2N5457's. True, it's becoming a pain to find (good) ones unfortunately, as they're out of production. Beware of counterfeit ones.

I've built a few of the Ginger pedals now. I like it, probably my favourite low gain overdrive. I prefer it to the SFT (old and new versions) & original circuit Blueberry, though I do like them too. I think it shines with flatwounds, more touch sensitive than the SFT, less compressed to my ears & a sweeter EQ section.

Just picked this beauty up whilst on a trip up north: 1984 Ibanez RB850
I had one (exactly the same) back in the day & sold it to buy another Ibanez, an '83 RB920 which I still have.
Cleaned it up, quick set up, fresh strings, and it plays lovely. Pickups are as monstrous as I remembered them. The humbuckers with individual coil taps on each control, which provide a wide variety of tones for a passive instrument. This is a cracking bass, really good build quality.


[url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-06/20150623_104449_zpst39hajpg.jpg.html"][/url]

I've just put a pair of custom wound 74's in my Greco jazz bass. They sound great.
Hot Rod delivered them quickly, and good communications from them. I'd recommend their pickups.

I acquired this lovely 1977 Greco JB-500. Can understand your sudden infatuation with Grecos.I've got a few quality vintage MIJ basses myself, and also had a fair amount, and this one compares well to the best Tokais etc I've had. It's a beauty..
However, like most of the MIJ basses from that period, I think they benefit from pickup upgrade. I've swapped the stock Gotohs on this out for pokier custom wound 74's from Hot Rod Pickups (ex Wizard)

[URL=http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/20150503_114936-1_zpsydbz7zeq.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j476/nickonbass69/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/20150503_114936-1_zpsydbz7zeq.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

'Hot Rod' pickups are pretty good.

Ondrej bought my lovely Farida FJB-20.
Great guy to deal with with.
Recommended.
Thanks
Nick

My MIM 'Roadworn' is one of the best precisions I ever played.

I got a couple of golds,pinks & a candy purple. The finish is alright, looks pretty hard wearing. From what I gather from messaging them, there will be more & not a one-off run.

Bumpage!

Bump for this fantastic jazz killer.
Can also possibly deliver in NW (Manchester) area or Bristol/Bath.

Spent the weekend fettling this bass...
Changed all the black hardware (bridge & control plate) back to chrome, think it looks better IMHO. The nut slots were too high, so filed them down a bit, few tweaks on the truss rod, fresh set of DR Sunbeams - now it plays really nice. I swapped out the 500k cheapy pots that came with it for some decent 250k CTS ones & wired in a .047uF PIO cap for the tone control.
Installed a pair of custom wound Hot Rod 74 pickups in cream covers, which sound great. Think I've got a killer vintage MIJ jazz bass now, very happy with it.

[url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/20150503_114936-1_zpsydbz7zeq.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='luckman67' timestamp='1430055752' post='2757501']
You have a great bass there for what you said, the price of a modern Squier.Looking forward to seeing pictures with the chrome parts put back on, what are the original pickups like?
[/quote]

Cheers...the stock pickups are Gotoh marked as "classic" with cloth wiring, the neck measure 6.9k & the bridge 7.2k. TBH they're not bad, sound typical jazz-like, pretty much the same as most of the other more expensive named 'vintage' jazz pickups I heard. They're not microphonic either. With being used to precisions, I guess I'm just after something with a bit more punch & presence (but not too much) , being still retaining that identifiable jazz tone. I've tried Wizard 74's & the Fender 75 reissues in the past, and liked them. Thought about Dimarzio 'Model J', but they're bit too much away from what I think is that jazz sound, personally.
....but there again, I might give the stock Gotohs a bit more time, may grow to like them.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1430051158' post='2757432']
Lovely classic 70s MIJ Jazz. Probably a Fujigen build if it's '77.

Glad you're going to swap the hardware back to chrome - will you use a BBOT, or go for an "upgrade"?

Jon.
[/quote]

Hi Jon, I'm going for a slightly higher mass bridge on this. I've kept BBOT on my P-Basses which I prefer. I can hear a pokier tone with thoseon precisions which I like, but for this I fancy one of those higher mass bridges with tracked saddles, or a cheap secondhand Gotoh if I can find one. Something similar to the original BBOT, that doesn't require more holes. I don't like the look of those Badass ones either.
[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1430051571' post='2757437']
Kudos for going back to chrome. That's a nice tort guard too and the sunburst is reminiscent of early Fender examples.
[/quote]
Cheers. It's a lovely pickguard, also nicely aged. It pays like a nice old Fender too.
[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1430051874' post='2757440']
Was this the one that was on Ebay from Swansea?
I was keeping an eye on it but the price went higher than I was prepared to pay.
[/quote]
Aye this was the one, but it was quite a way outside Swansea in a small village for pickup!
I'm happy with the price TBH, though I wasn't gonna pay much more. I got a vintage MIJ bass with JV Squier quality for the same money as a modern Squier. One piece body & neck. By all accounts those late 70's Grecos were made before FujiGen started using CNC machinery for their manufacture. It's a dream to play.

[size=4]Had a trip into deepest south Wales yesterday & picked this beauty up[/size]

[b]*Sold - pending payment*[/b]

[b]Farida FJB-20 (ash/maple) [/b]

Fantastic 70's style jazz bass. Plays like a dream, really good stock pickups with plenty of poke & growl - I usually change pickups on most basses I get, but kept these in because I was so impressed. As can be seen in the photo, the two piece swamp ash body has a lovely grain going through it.
A real quality instrument, on a par with basses that cost three times as much IMHO, and blows all those other budget jazz copies (Squier, J&D, SX etc) out of the water, again IMHO . This model (FJB-20) is the top range of the excellent discontinued Farida basses. Plenty of positive opinions & reviews about these cracking basses on Basschat & elsewhere on the net.
In pretty good condition, a bit of scuffing to the top of the headstock, few slight dinks in the body, but as shown in the photo nothing highly visible.
I'll be sad to see it go, but as I've just bought a Greco Jazz, I just can't justify having two of them particularly as I'm more of a P-Bass sort of guy anyway.


[url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Farida_zps3boqwxn8.jpg.html"][/url]

Please PM me if you have any questions or would like further info etc.
I'm based between Bristol & Bath. Can do local collection, possible drop off locally & can despatch UK.

£170 ono

Thanks

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1429388603' post='2751073']
These are the curent GK importers.

[url="http://www.polaraudio.co.uk"]http://www.polaraudio.co.uk[/url]
[/quote]

They are unfortunately a waste of time IME. Overpriced spares, and at the time I attempted to deal with them, didn't have a clue on technical advice for my 400RB that I needed. Shame as such great amps deserve a better distributor IMHO.

[quote name='Turnaround' timestamp='1429470691' post='2751710']
I've a real soft spot for 80s Tokai guitars and bass's. They're better than a lot of 70s Fenders and close to but ultimately only replicas of the 60s Fenders that inspired them. Excellent instruments though in every way.
[/quote]
I know they did replicas of 50's & 60's classic Fenders, but the neck on mine is closer to a 70's P-Bass

[quote name='Glorianah' timestamp='1429470881' post='2751712']
Wow, such a beautiful bass nick! How do you know/find out which year it is from? I'm guessing mine might be from the 80's aswell.. It's hard to find enough info online i think i've been surfing a bit about it. Just got this guitar from my uncle, he said i could sell it if i wanted to but i thik i will hold on to it for a while ^^
[/quote]
Thanks...I worked it out from the serial number & the logo shape. Check out the Tokai registry website, but I'd guess yours is maybe an 83/84 one. I'd keep it, get a decent pickup in it & you've got a killer P-bass there.

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1429470957' post='2751714']
Highly rated in the 80s at the time.
[/quote]
You know, I remember in the 80's a lot of people (wrongly) treated them as second rate to Fender, same as a lot of other Japcrap. TBH, I think Tokais as well as Grecos are now more highly regarded than back then IMHO.

I've got an '84 Hardpuncher. It's one of the best precisions I've ever played. and heard. A lot of basses have come, and gone through the years. This one has stayed...
It has a lovely neck, 70's style narrower (B width) than the standard width neck, though not as narrow as a Jazz bass, and a deeper profile though not a bassball bat.
The standard pickups are not much cop IME. I've put a vintage Dimarzio in mine, plus CTS pots, PIO tone cap & switchcraft jack. I've slso swapped the original b/w/b pickguard for a nice tort one.
Here it is:

[url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/84Tokai_zps73b20dc5.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1429132488' post='2748464']
CanI just ask where's the best place to buy decent quality components in small (10 or 20 off) quantities nowadays? I used to order religiously from Doctor Tweek, but his shop's been down for a while and supplies of the usual suspects (10KΩ resistors and 100nf poly box caps) are dwindling...
[/quote]

I use Tayda for resistors,caps, knobs, enclosures etc...but definitely not jfets!