BlueMoon

If there is a slight weakness - and this might be a personal choice - check out the pickups.

Some folks exchange MIJ/CIJ Fender pickups citing "thin" sound and/or hum.

I've never found it a problem aside from an Aerodyne Jazz, which is a PJ configuration and hum from the bridge p.u. is expected. 

It might help you if negotiating a deal to check this out if you get chance to demo the instrument.

Good luck.

I guess it would depend on the circumstances and which bass I had with me to lend. Some basses, yes; some basses, no. 

Although I might make a few exceptions if it were Pino or Macca doing the asking 😀

Every example I've owned or played has been consistently good. 

The worst example I saw (and paid money to see, I might add) was at a concert of the band Widowmaker back in the mid 70's.

Lead guitarist (Ariel Bender a.k.a. Luther Grosvenor) and Bob Daisley were having a right ding dong, which ended in one spitting in the face of the other.

High on drugs, part of the act, who knows? It was awful.

I remember that, but not very much of Bob Daisley's bass playing.

In true "Blue Peter" fashion - here's one prepared earlier.

There are a few coloured ones on ebay.........mostly from the far east. So no idea of quality, but assume poor.

I have several DIY examples that I have spray painted (base + clear coat) using a Fender tug bar as the basis. I have to admit that they are more for asthetics than function, since I don't play with my thumb.

Avalon U5

Gorgeous!!

Come on guys!!

This is giving me all sorts of problems seeing it still available. 

Bernie's best  - indeed! GLWTS

2 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

And then if it doesn't get confiscated, but gets lost in the post you can only claim up to the value you said it was worth.

And good luck with that!!!

4 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

I guess it was kicking round in the factory for a while!

Pretty normal practice in Fender at the time, according to folk-lore

I've found lead-free ok, if it is all new work that I'm dealing with. It's where you try to make repairs to old boards with lead-based solder on them using lead-free solder l that I've had problems. The two formulations don't play nice together.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^

And watch for spurious "administration cost" which courriers sometimes add if they act as go between.

2 hours ago, bubinga5 said:

This might sound stupid but what if you declare the value of the bass as less than its worth.?

Sounds like a good idea until they check at customs or you have a claim against the courier if lost or damaged. It quickly ends in an expensive potential short-cut. Customs are switched on to most prices and will over-estimate in cases of doubt and levy a fine for trying to declare value below their estimate.

For 2nd hand gear, it's about 25% on top of the price paid locally to import.

10 minutes ago, itu said:

10 % inspiration.

90 % perspiration.

...........and when you've been there it's 100% satisfaction.

Great pictures that show the bass at it's very best. GLWTS.

3 minutes ago, BaggyMan said:

 

Is Bacchus and sub brand to FGN, same headstock, same high level of workmanship???..

I have an FGN mighty Jazz which is brilliant, and this look in the same ball park, so its gonna be good.

 

I think they are part of Deviser. https://www.vintagejapanguitars.com.br/en/tag/deviser-en/

Not sure if FGN is a Deviser brand though.

20 hours ago, hanzepans said:

That is a very good price for such a nice Japanese made bass.

I'd agree. Usually "Made in Japan"  stuff sells at a premium to their Global series range (made in Phillipines).

Transposing on the fly is fun though? 😟

In order to realise a profit, don't you have to sell the bass? That's my problem 😃.

46 minutes ago, Newfoundfreedom said:

There have been two basses on here that I would have bought over the past couple of months if it hadn't been for the gift that keeps on giving. 

I'm with you there!!!

Not a GAS killer, but reduced my enthusiasm somewhat.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jóhann Ásmundsson - Mezzoforte (Funk/fusion band from Iceland)

Abe Laboriel - Koinonia

Agree totally..........this bass is a real bargain at that price. GLWTS.

I have gear sourced from all over the place. I don't start out with a "it must come from this country or that" outlook. Quality-first is more my aspiration. Second-hand quality gear can often be a wise buy, when you can find it.