Bassassin

I'm another bedroom g*it*rist - I'd say 90% of my writing is done on guitar. I have written on bass, but I often struggle to compose other instrumental parts to go with basslines - whereas the other way around, I can come up with what I like to think are creative & complementary lines. I went through a phase in the early 90s when I wasn't gigging at all, just writing & recording - probably about 5 years, thinking about it - and I was pretty much exclusively playing guitar at that point, only picking up the bass when I needed to record it. It's somewhat different these days though - my writing's been going through a somewhat fallow patch for the last 18 months or so, and I'm rusty as feck when I pick up a guitar now! I messed around with keyboards a bit in the 80s but never really developed any proficiency to speak of. Jon.

That's a [i]hell[/i] of a lot of money for a badly made, bodged-together piece of crap like that. Jon.

Chancellor, James, Zender, Myung were all 90s (Mike Dirnt's technically 80s!) - and I saw Muse supporting Skunk Anansie in 1999... Tricky decade so far, there have been some great new bands, but no bassist has yet made much of an impression on me. I was going to say Martin Mendez from Opeth - but he first recorded with them in '99. /Gives up. Jon.

That is stupid cheap, though - you could take it to bits & make a profit flogging the parts... Not that I'd ever do any such thing... Jon.

I quite like the ornate-ness & attention to detail, this sort of thing is not what fashion dictates that basses should look like - and that's +1 for me. I don't like the fact that the photos are so busy showing the fancy inlays that you can't tell with any certainty what [i]shape[/i] it actually is! And no pictures of the back. At all. I'd also concur that this is not a £500 bass - £200 and under would be fine - this is a generic no-name, made in China/Indonesia/wherever cheapo under all the ostentatiousness. This has way more class, imo, and is significantly cheaper, shame about the crap pics, but these are stunning in the flesh: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200206165395"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200206165395[/url] Jon.

This topic came up a couple of months ago - there were some good tips for DIYers: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9776"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9776[/url] Still haven't done my Peavey 5 yet... one thing at a time. Jon.

Geddy Lee (Rush) Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper Group) Jean Jacques Burnel (Stranglers) Lemmy (Motorhead) Steven Severin (Siouxsie & The Banshees)

Go on & post it anyway - we don't see too many Vantages in the U of K. There's a few other things, starting with the obligatory Thestone Wunders: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290206943503"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290206943503[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280207695161"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280207695161[/url] A lovely neckthrough Washburn Hawk series: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180222149248"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=180222149248[/url] Another lovely Washburn - this time a Force 8: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280207043391"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280207043391[/url] Now this is really odd, I've never seen one of these before. Shame it's so expensive - a Riverhead Phantom (nearly) headless: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270218354664"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=270218354664[/url] Aria Pro II RSB Performer - £120 Buy It Now. Well, what are you waiting for? Do what the nice man says... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280207941719"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280207941719[/url] Franconia Jazz - I had one of these a few months back - not entirely sold on the idea it's Japanese - the construction materials say Korean to me. Anyway, £100 BIN, it would be better at the £75 start: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190205694320"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190205694320[/url] "50s/60s Fender Jazz" - Yeah right. The neck at least - and probably most of the rest of it - is from a Fujigen or Matsumoku, mid 70s. Both factories used the 3-piece construction with a quarter-sawn centre section. The £200 start is, frankly, ridiculous: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130205070914"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=130205070914[/url] And finally, an Aria STB-GT. This one's not a JapCrap, but I love these, gorgeous Precision/Ray hybrid, and a future KoreaDiarrhoea classic: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200206165395"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200206165395[/url] J.

[quote name='barneythedog' post='154065' date='Mar 9 2008, 06:11 PM']Jon, have you any ideas on [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290212327891&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019"]this[/url] (in my neck of the woods with this one ) ? It doesn't actually say it's Jap, but it looks quite tasty[/quote]Hard to say, really, the pic's not very clear, but I'm inclined to think it probably is Japanese. The block inlay rosewood necks don't appear on much other than 70s JapCrap, also it looks like it has the little cast-button tuners you see on many a 70s MIJ bass, and I think that's a truss rod aperture with its chrome cover missing... He's put a new scratchplate on, the original would have been tort, and it's also had ashtrays at some point. So at a guess, this is likely a French importer's equivalent to a Columbus, or similar 70s UK brand. Probably made by Maya/Rokkoman, almost certainly a ply body hidden by the black-edged sunburst. It's not bad, but don't pay too much. Might be worth asking the seller to mail you a few more pics. Jono - I think £150's a bit over the top for a no-name, no real description P copy, might not even be Japanese. I'd have the same reservations about the body of this that I expressed about the Jazz copy. Jon.

AKA Jon, who is currently bemused at failing to notice this thread nearly a year ago, and reeling violently towards shock-induced panic at the realisation that come May of this year, he will have been attempting to play the Electric Bass Guitar for thirty years. A self-proclaimed "depressed optimist" Jon shows disturbing signs of compulsive behavioural archetypes, which manifest themselves in a number of ways, most of which are unsuitable for discussion on a family-friendly forum. One particular trait is his voracious hoarding of what he mock-disparagingly describes as JapCrap - a class of musical instruments ordinarily manufactured in Japan in the 1970s and 1980s, Jon seems to feel he has some kind of mission to preach the questionable "virtues" of these instruments, a role he performs with a near-religious manic fervour. The BC community tolerates this eccentricity in the sort of way a kindly passer-by might tolerate a gin-soaked tramp, reeking of stale piss & vomit, trying pathetically to sing and dance in the hope of being tossed enough loose change for a fresh bottle of white spirit. Jon is a founder member and co-composer in Maya29, an original rock/prog/metal/goth/covers/occasional Rush tribute/freeform jazz band, his roles being bassist/backing vocals, recording/mixing/mastering engineer, artwork & website designer. Maya29 have played numerous gigs in the UK, Ireland & Europe over the past 7 or so years, and not one single band member, past or present, has ever got laid as a result. Jon is looking forward to a secure future as a drunken, piss-soaked tramp, shouting at disgusted passers-by, because he cannot dance. J.

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='153672' date='Mar 8 2008, 05:30 PM']More [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBANEZ-STUDIO-BASS-GUITAR-RARE-IN-GREAT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ220210300542QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Ibanez[/url], looks lovely. Looks HEAVY! Pluck[/quote] That's an ST-924, more or less a bolt neck Musician. I doubt two things very much - that there were only 300 made, and that it cost £600 in 1980-whatever. Also note that the fitted hard case, which will probably only fit this bass or a Musician, is not part of the auction. If you want it, you can buy it separately at an undisclosed price. Still, an interesting bass you don't see too often. J.

Here's my favourite Ibby catalogue archive: [url="http://www.ibanez.ru/info/index.php?catalog"]http://www.ibanez.ru/info/index.php?catalog[/url] RS800/900: [url="http://www.ibanez.ru/info/catalog/1979/09.jpg"]http://www.ibanez.ru/info/catalog/1979/09.jpg[/url] There will likely be some lovely wood under the refin - it'd probably be worth digging it out, I had a similar experience with my Cimar refurb project: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10819"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10819[/url] And that's a pretty decent BIN, I'd say - looks original & in decent condition, apart from the refin - and these are a lot more scarce than Blazers, for example. J.

Shame about that Pro Martin branded Kasuga - the seller refuses to either divulge the reserve, or consider posting it, even though it has a fitted hard case. Why do people put things on Ebay when they plainly don't want to actually sell them? J.

Janek is actually a member on here - perhaps he'll come & state his case in person when he gets a minute. Although I do remember some of his contributions to the old BW forum being a bit, err... [i]contentious[/i]. For my part, I don't really do "stunt bass" - although I can watch & appreciate with a mixture of admiration & gut-ripping jealousy. I'd love to be able to master some of the more advanced techniques - simply from the perspective of being able to do it. Although I have neither the patience to undertake the quantity of practice necessary, or any practical use for any of it in my own musical context. I see myself as a songwriter/composer whose main instrument happens to be bass, and as such, it seems to me that to have little or no technique or knowledge of theory would be akin to an illiterate attempting to write a novel. The other side of this (and I've been guilty myself) is to end up incorporating unnecessary techniques & complexity into a composition just because you [i]can[/i]. McCartney was mentioned earlier - I believe I remember he was quoted as saying he refused to learn theory or work on technique, because he was concerned it would be detrimental to his writing - he would be being directed by what he'd learned was "correct". Jon.

[quote name='Rayman' post='152941' date='Mar 7 2008, 11:03 AM']Is that how you spell irrelavant? irelavant, irelevant? Dunno.[/quote] Irrelevant. But that [b]is[/b] irrelevant! If I was in the market for a Fender, it'd be a used MIJ - these were built by FujiGen & many reckon they're better than the current Dyna/Tokai CIJs. Besides, it appeals to the JapCrap geek in me. Jon.

Rick basses have always had 20 frets, right from the very first 4000 series bass in the 50s. There are a few very, very rare 21 fret examples from the early 70s - but there's never been a 24 fret Rick bass, and realistically, Rickenbacker are so set in their ways, I seriously doubt that there ever will be. Jon.

[quote name='nick' post='151836' date='Mar 5 2008, 04:28 PM']Will also be interesting to see how long it stays on before removal by Rickenwaffen, now it's been posted here [/quote] Hmm - you suspect a spy in our midst? :ph34r: J.

A Shaftesbury neckthrough, with a few been-chucked-down-the-stairs type issues: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250222341521"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250222341521[/url] I do think the seller's playing dumb. J

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='151784' date='Mar 5 2008, 03:09 PM']I'm swiftly becoming a JapCrap spotting addict! I hope you don't mind me showing off my finds...[/quote] Please do - I can't spot 'em all! I like the way some chancer's offered an £85 BIN for the RickenFaker! Obviously can't tell when a seller's playing dumb! J.

[quote name='nick' post='150887' date='Mar 4 2008, 10:03 AM']Cheers for the catalogue links Jon [/quote] Here's the entire site. [i]Wish[/i] I understood kanji! [url="http://brochures.yokochou.com/index.html"]http://brochures.yokochou.com/index.html[/url] J.

Really very, very little to report at the moment, but this deserves a bit of attention - something you don't see every day, in fact something you don't see any day, ever: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230228804063"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230228804063[/url] Pretty, ain't it? And if you're interested in what it really is: [url="http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-amp/kasuga/198x/p4.html"]http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-a...ga/198x/p4.html[/url] Kasuga SCB-900 Scorpion, from 1980-something. These were probably never available in the UK as Kasuga, and the "Pro Martin" name is almost certainly nothing to do with the CF Martin brand, probably Kasuga (or some cheeky importer) trying to capitalise on Kasuga's association with Martin - which ultimately resulted in the Sigma brand. If you're an appreciator of early 80s original JapCrap, the rest of the catalogue's worth a quick drool, too: [url="http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-amp/kasuga/198x/index.html"]http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-a...198x/index.html[/url] Looks like the Ebay bass has the original hard case, too. J.

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='149683' date='Mar 2 2008, 01:22 AM']i often wonder. old basses are obviously worth something. but if you split it up an old neck can be worth pretty much nout, same with a body, and surely it would be easier to pack the two seperatly anyway? just bolt them together in blighty? may not work if its a through neck though![/quote] Unfortunately it's a fixed neck, otherwise that's exactly what I'd do. Shipping a neck from the US isn't dear, another US based acquaintance sent me a replacement neck for my old Aria RSB Deluxe II (my original's horribly twisted & unplayable) and shipping was $32, with a declared value of $15. As for the value of this bass - how do you define that? In general, JapCrap is utterly subjective, and most people still see it as the throwaway junk it originally was. However - what someone's happy to get £18 for at a car boot can sell for £175 on Ebay, but the same thing might sell for £40 the next week. From my fairly well-informed perspective, it's really hard to say that it actually has a defineable market value. As far as this bass is concerned - I've never seen one on Ebay, and this one certainly isn't going there - I really do think that the guy who has it at the moment would be quite rightly outraged if I attempted to profiteer from his goodwill, so if I get it I'll be keeping it, useable or not. Reading the replies, I still think it's probably best to declare a nominal value, and possibly label it as for repair/restoration. The last thing I want is for some suspicious customs type to open it up & just randomly guess that it must be worth about £500, or something. J.

I don't think I'd get away with suggesting a bass was worth as little as £18 - surely they'd immediately assume it was the dumbest attempt at a scam ever - I wondered if declaring the value at something pretty nominal, say, $100, might be the best idea. How much duty are people paying on all these bargain SXes they're importing? J.

I'm in a curious situation where I might be obtaining a basket-case 70s Japcrap bass from somebody I know from another forum - who happens to live in the western US. I'm not going to go into detail, but basically he was given this bass, has no interest in it, doesn't have a clue if it's playable or if the electrics work, and just wants shot of it. It would be very much a restoration project to me, he wants no financial remuneration, apart from packing materials & shipping - so does anyone have any idea what kind of customs/VAT charges I can expect, on something that is essentially, in its current state, valueless? I'm aware shipping will likely be costly, I just want to try & work out if it's worth my while doing this or if I should just tell him to bung it in a skip! Jon.

[quote name='finnbass' post='149164' date='Feb 29 2008, 08:19 PM']Ah! That'll be for the team of sled dogs though... [/quote] Pedigree Chum ain't cheap over there... J.