Golats

I got this Encore P-bass yesterday - was absolutely filthy and in very poor condition. I actually bought it because I felt sorry for it (I'm sad like that) Anyway, I'm cleaning it up and wondered if anyone could give me an approximate date? It's very heavy, easily as much as my USA Precision. There's a QC sticker on the back and something that looks like it was once a "made in ######" sticker but I can't read anything on either. One unusual thing I've noticed, which may help with the dating, is that it looks like you have to remove the neck to access the truss rod. Also, I reckon the paint is nitrocellulose as it comes off if you wipe it with an ethanol-soaked cloth. There are a few pictures, which may help, and that show you what a sad state it was in. The guy I got it off said it "might need a bit of a clean" Understatement of the year!!!!! My wife won't even let me bring it in the house so I've been taking it to bits in the garden :-)

It does indeed, thanks Bassassin. It's in good nick for a 22 year old! I'm very happy I've actually got a bargain; I usually JUST miss out on them.

Thanks bartelby, just googled it and yes; it looks like one of those.

I know, couldn't believe it myself - just popped up on Gumtree and I got in first. Do you know what the model is?

I picked this Aria Pro II up yesterday for £25. Does anybody know which model it is or how to get the manufacture date from the serial number? I've been doing the usual Google searches but it's only adding to the confusion.

That's right - British Celanese! I couldn't remember the old name for it. What a shame it's nearly gone. There were about 1800 people working there when I was there, and about 20,000 in its heyday if I remember correctly.

Hi SpondonBassed. Would that be Spondon in Derby? I used to work there in the 90s at (what was) Courtaulds Chemicals. I spent a happy few years down there.

Hello everybody and greetings from Tyneside. I'm 52, been playing since I was 17 and I use a USA Standard Precision and a 1980 Ibanez Blazer that has been in the wars. You can probably tell there isn't a great deal of tonal variation between these two beasts but I love them both. I'm a no frills bass player and I go for punch and girth as a rule. I've joined to see what's going on, get some advice on gear, and hopefully contribute something! Well it's actually quite pleasant here today for a change so I'm off to sit in the garden with a couple of cans.