Bassassin

I liked this one - quite touchingly honest: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-Bass-One-year-old-Very-little-use_W0QQitemZ220168704282"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-Bass-One-year...emZ220168704282[/url] Jon.

It's now later, so here's a few more. A couple of southpaws, a Hondo P: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200175276950"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200175276950[/url] And a Westone Thunder 1. No,[i] really[/i] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260184089210"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260184089210[/url] Edit: [i]three[/i] lefties - another Westone, this time a Speccy: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ270188551239"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-bass-guitar_...emZ270188551239[/url] And the T-bird copy Nick posted presumably got pulled for having an unambiguous listing - so now it's relisted so nobody has a fecking clue what it is. Except us lot, of course: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270188516192"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=270188516192[/url] That's actually quite interesting. The serial number's consistent with Fujigen Gakki's numbering - which would make it a '77. However, I've no idea what it might be - never seen a factory fretless before, and the bridge & pickups - plus the pickup positioning - are quite different to the Fujigen T-Birds I've seen. Moving on - if my band's guitarist had his way, he'd have me playing something like this: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130175582713"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=130175582713[/url] Prog behemoth or what? Jon.

A couple of Westones, both in hard cases & very short lisings: A Spectrum, with a highly inappropriate jazz ashtray slapped on it. Have some people got [i]no[/i] aesthetic sensibilities? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-SPECTRUM-ST-BASS-4-STRING-1980s-JAPANESE-MADE_W0QQitemZ320184086433"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-SPECTRUM-ST-...emZ320184086433[/url] And - [i]another[/i] Thunder I! Hasn't everybody already got one? Lovely bit of wood, though. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-1-BASS-GUITAR-WITH-HARD-CASE-VGC-LOOK_W0QQitemZ290182376473"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-1-BA...emZ290182376473[/url] More later, I expect... J.

I think this one is an example of an "oh, it's big, postage'll cost loads" Ebayer - very inexperienced (4 feedback since 2005) & definitely never sold a bass before. He won't understand why his Streamer only sells for £60 and won't bother again. Actually, just looked at the item details again & postage is now amended to £15! Presumably because he's had bids he can't alter his actual listing. If he's got any sense, he'll cancel the auction & re-list. In the meantime, anyone want a Streamer for about £75 delivered? J.

I think Mr Happy Jack might consider a punt on that one... It's on my "one of these days" list, along with a Westone Quantum... Jon.

The Jet King is Ibanez plagiarising their own 60s back catalogue: That's an Ibanez Rhythm Series 1900, from 1960. You're gonna kill me when I tell you one of those (the same one) has been through Ebay twice in the last few months. Jon.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='89496' date='Nov 16 2007, 04:34 PM']All the same, Jon, £300 with over nine days to go? For something he pretty much accepts is a fake? That's pretty impressive speed-bidding ...[/quote] If he's got contact details for any of the bidders, he'll do OK even if it does get pulled. Looks like his reserve was around the £200 mark. Although, don't you find those "bidders' ID hidden" auctions [i]just a bit[/i] suss? I'm half persuaded to think he knows damn well it's a fake, but is playing ignorant to encourage bids. Based on the photos, it's a pretty convincing copy. J.

That hole on the edge looks very much like it's been for a jack socket - I can't think of a reason why a P would have that done, other than using the original jack hole in the plate for an additional pot - perhaps because of an extra pickup. Makes me very worried what kind of nightmare excavation might be hidden under the scratchplate. Jon.

And another one pokes its curly head above the parapet: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150183675535"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150183675535[/url] Bit of a mystery - seems to have genuine hardware - hence the serial number - but a single truss rod in a 4001/4003 never happened. Pics are a bit iffy, but that Fireglo looks unconvincing, too. With so little detail I can't even guess at a maker - but it's not a Tokai - they never did a 4001 copy. Unfortunately the ad title means it's doomed to near-instant extermination. J.

Not much. Another Westy Thunder One - really, these are so common, they should just give 'em away & be done with it. I'll have one. I suppose it shows how good/durable they are, that there's so many still in circulation: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250188137540"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250188137540[/url] Epiphone ET-280, Matsumoku, 1974-ish: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320182811278"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=320182811278[/url] And an unidentified (crap pics) Rickencopy - on an inevitably short-lived listing: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150183675535"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150183675535[/url] And if there's anything else out there - I missed it. J.

[quote name='grosa' post='88687' date='Nov 14 2007, 10:14 PM']sorry but 50 quid postage?? not like its heavy or big for that matter bollocks [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Rockbass-Streamer-2-pick-up_W0QQitemZ280172565161QQihZ018QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]evilbay streamer of impending postage doom[/url][/quote] He even states that he'll use Royal Mail 2nd class standard parcels. It will cost him a whole £10.84 to post that bass to UK addresses. J.

[quote name='nick' post='88111' date='Nov 13 2007, 10:00 PM']Satellite Jazz copy: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LATE-60-s-70-s-SATELITE-JAZZ-BASS-ELECTRIC-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ200173618505QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LATE-60-s-70-s-SATEL...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] Item 200173618505[/quote] Notice the way the seller tells us that the Satellite logo's rubbed off. Like it was a bad thing. Bloodaxe - wish I could go for the ZZB - but I really have a lot of clearing out to do! Also there would be the little matter of having to stomach the fact that the seller would be screwing £25 profit out of me on postage. Ouch. J

[quote name='Steve Rickwood' post='88101' date='Nov 13 2007, 09:40 PM']Not really - what does it matter if they are rich or famous? MY point is that you either like or dislike someones playing - fair do's; but its kind of disrespectful to critisise those who inspired you in the first place. Get it...?[/quote] Been reading through this thread & those are my thoughts exactly - I don't listen too much to many of the bassists who first made me want to play (can't quite get Rush out of my system, though ) but those guys & girls will always be important to me & to my growth as a musician - slagging them is, in a way, slagging myself. For that reason I could never compose a list of former favourites. BTW Steve R - back in the 80s when I lived in Gillingham, I played in a band called Abstract, with a great drummer called Tony Rickwood. Anyone you know? Jon.

I've always had GAS for the Maranello in red sparkle & pearloid. Looking like that, I couldn't give a rat's gonad what it's made from. Had a good drool over these at Music Live (although they didn't have a red Maranello - ) and I love some of the details - the Modulo's inline staggered lipstick pup is excellent: And it seems they do that in red sparkle, too... Jon

Evenin' all. And for tonight's update we bring you not one, not two, but yes - count 'em - [b]three[/b] Westone Thunder 1's! First - the ludicrously overpriced: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200173225595"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200173225595[/url] And the £75 start, reserve, no post: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260181842739"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260181842739[/url] And the one that will sell - sensible £10 start, no reserve, £12 postage: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120182976899"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120182976899[/url] Moving along, a Jazz copy, branded Avon. Possibly an early Fujigen, I once had a Cimar branded one, identical, apart from the pickups & badge: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250186793371"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250186793371[/url] And keeping it Jazzy, that Ibanez comedy cowboy bass, the Black Eagle, is back for another go. These are stupendously rare, but this one's constant presence on Ebay does suggest that happily, taste is still a factor: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230191382523"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230191382523[/url] And finally, flinging taste bodily through a 20th storey plate glass window, while pausing only to chainsaw a passing priest & deflower a virgin or two, the delightfully restrained & demure Aria Pro ZZB Custom: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280172585724"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280172585724[/url] I want that Aria. J.

Maybe somebody should tell "Russ" about this: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Jazz-Bass-1973-Black-Classic-Vintage-4-Bolt-Neck_W0QQitemZ110192453191"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Jazz-Bass-197...emZ110192453191[/url] J.

That 6-bolt neckplate suggests Moridaira as a maker - you see that frequently on their house brand Morris & on some import brands, including early MIJ CMIs. However, it's anyone's guess what name was on the original headstock of this thing - in fact a lot of early Japcrap imports were unbranded - and this looks early to me. Antorias were mainly sourced from the same factory as Ibanez, which was Fujigen Gakki during the 1970s. Jon.

[quote name='King Tut' post='86748' date='Nov 11 2007, 02:07 AM']Jon - I think I'll keep the bits - you never know when that allen screw or bush will come in handy! I gigged the Asama tonight and it was very nice. i used it in a classic rock trio, and it sounds very throaty, like a precision but more bottomy with less mid. New strings on a maple board made for some real nice clanking. I intend to put a sound clip on, when I get the time. Col[/quote] The bass sounds like a fantastic score for what you paid - I'm really quite jealous! Quite right about the parts - you can never have too many spares. J.

Not much to report today, but this might get someone's GAS juices trickling (can I have salad with my metaphors, please? Thanks.) if they don't mind a bit of a project - a slightly abused & worse for wear Westone Thunder IIA: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230190306997"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230190306997[/url] The original bridge has been (badly) replaced with a cheap & rusty Fender type, and just glancing at the state of the electronics fills me with deep horror - but if the rest of it's good & it doesn't go for much (the crap listing should help here) it might scrub up nice with a bit of fiddling. And from the same seller - an Avon brand P copy - which appears to have a bloody great split up the body - which the seller sums up thus: [quote]I mean there is nothing wrong with guitr just been used which is understandable I guess[/quote] Used for battering in fence posts, I guess: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ230190310149"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Bass-Guitar_...emZ230190310149[/url] A pity because late Avons like this were pretty decent quality, I think low-end Fujigen Gakki, judging from the similarities to Cimars. [quote name='King Tut' post='85369' date='Nov 8 2007, 12:03 PM']BTW, just ordered a new bridge and machines from Thomann to bring her up to the 21st century - the G tuner is pretty horrible, and the bridge is functional but v rusty and pitted. Col[/quote] What are you thinking of doing with the old bits? I'll take 'em off your hands, for a modest but negotiable consideration - I can always use vintage JapCrap odds & sods for my various projects & Frankensteins. J.

[quote name='NancyJohnson' post='85831' date='Nov 9 2007, 10:59 AM']That was my thought exactly. I was a little surprised that this guy didn't know some of the most basic details of the signature model (ie the neckplate) and even with a nod from his employer would actually have the audacity to post saying 'Hi. I'm Geddy Lee's tech and I'm searching for a '72.'. <sound of cash registers chinging!> I mean, let's face it, Mr Lee probably isn't short of a few bob, so why would he instruct anyone on his staff to go searching so publicly on a forum like that? Surely if there was any urgency, he'd have his channels for obtaining an instrument - I'm also sure that Fender would have a few stock models from that period kicking around for a high-profile endorsee. Plus, there's always Gmall or Elderly, eBay etc. P[/quote] According to all the pre-tour guff about Geddy's gear, even his original '72 is now fitted with a Geddy Sig neck - presumably because the original is a bit too rare & delicate for the rigours of the road. I understand that the sig model's neck is an exact replica of the original, which has unique dimensions because it hails from a time before CNC manufacturing processes, and would have been hand-finished. I think it's highly unlikely that Geddy would send his tech (who has been on the road for months & would probably quite appreciate a break) on some wild goose chase to find a bass - which wouldn't be the same as the first one anyway. I think the guy seems completely implausible. Jon.

You might have a long wait if you insist on being that specific - these things are pretty rare in general. Going back through the topic, our very own Dangerboy was selling one back in September - it's a Fujigen copy, the odd finish made me think it was an originally an Electra - they sold their Corsair bass in the same colours: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=6146&hl=copy"][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=6146"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=6146[/url][/url] This was likely a private import, Electra was a US brand name owned by Saint Louis Music, and as far as I know, not sold in the UK. I think they're great - but then I'm not bothered how authentic they look, I like 'em for what they are. J.

[quote name='Buzz' post='86282' date='Nov 9 2007, 09:41 PM']Daft question, but what "brands" are the best for Rick copies, ie, the most authentic and sturdy? I hear: shaftesbury, hondo, aria, kay and ibanez bounded around alot. I'm possibly looking into possibly getting some jap-crap ricalike, so I'm trying to get clued up.[/quote] Really, these things are so scarce & often so overpriced when you do find them, it's not very realistic to be specific about what brand you want. The brands you listed are the same ones in the title of the last Ebay listing on this thread - out of them, Kay didn't make a Rick copy per se - it was a trashy Taiwanese plywood medium-scale catalogue bass, and not worth considering as a serious instrument. Ibanez copies are for the most part, very unauthentic - they have EB-0 type mudbuckers, and could never sound like a Rick in a million years. Nonetheless, they're beautiful instruments, but the brand does mean they're very expensive. Hondos were mostly made in Korea in the 70s - and the quality was some way behind the better Japanese instruments. Plywood body & cheaper hardware means they're a bit cheap & cheerful - some would say cheap & nasty. The upside is they're not quite as overpriced. Shaftesbury was a UK importer brand, and as a result are a bit more readily available. Quality seems to be OK, and build & components quite authentic. They are neck-through, as are some of the Ibanezes, and unfortunately, both brands have a tendency to be constructed with an unadjustable high action, because of the neck set. Arias are generally good quality - and generally pretty much absent from the UK market, because of the predominance of importers' own brands in the UK in the 70s. However, basses from the same factory (Matsumoku) were sold under a variety of other names here, including Arbiter & CMI. Very few of the well-known brands - including Ibanez - actually produced their own instruments - production was tendered out to various factories. Matsumoku, Fujigen Gakki, Kasuga, Rokkoman & various others all made Rickenbacker bass copies which were sold worldwide under hundreds of different brands. Additionally, Rick copies were made in Italy, Brazil, the former Czechoslovakia, and right here in the UK. It's worth considering that Rick copies, because of their scarcity, can sometimes fetch insanely high prices for what they are. Ebay listings usually get removed, but if they go through, prices exceeding £500 are far from unheard of. This is patently ludicrous, when you consider that a genuine Rickenbacker can sell for around £600 outside of Ebay. Jon.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='85808' date='Nov 9 2007, 10:11 AM']Now if I mix your two together Jon, I'd have the Kawasaki z1000 orange sparkle that I quite like... but in transparent.[/quote] I was drooling over that at the Scottish bike show a couple of years back - in real life, the colour's actually remarkably close to my EDA! I think transparent orange sparkle is [i]definitely[/i] the way forward... J.

Nah. This is the sort of thing you want! My tasteful & understated Ibanez EDA900: [attachment=3396:eda900.jpg] And something I recently picked up at a car boot, for a fiver: [attachment=3397:hondo.jpg] Jon.