Apothem

*** SOLD ***

ON HOLD

That's very nice, with the Flea bridge typical of the period.

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[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1507341312' post='3384899'] Im surprised this hasn't been snapped up. F Clef's are awesome Jazz basses. [/quote] [quote name='KUSKU' timestamp='1507372797' post='3384999'] I give the reason to the partner I have 2 Fclef of 4 and 5 strings and are great bass. [/quote] Thanks guys. Anybody taking the time to go through Tamas' videos would realise why they're terrific. Just to confirm their cost, here's the link to a post where the seller paid USD 5,200 for a new 5-string in the USA, so excl. international shipping, VAT, taxes.... On the one hand he added a couple of custom options like block inlays, on the other hand he had an artist discount!! [url="https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fclef-bass-guitar.1255640/"]https://www.talkbass...guitar.1255640/[/url]

[quote name='Quatschmacher' timestamp='1507394127' post='3385219'] The grain on the body is phenomenal! It's got to be the nicest figuring I've ever seen on a MM bass. [/quote] Thanks for your words. The lacquer on the body has remained particularly clear still after all this time, and it allows the grain to come through in all its beauty.

[quote name='drewk_ie' timestamp='1507239439' post='3384239'] Still a stunning looking bass, deserves a free bump! [/quote] ... and it sounds great too Thanks.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1506688429' post='3380442'] I keep looking at this , always wanted a early stingray in this scheme [/quote] "let the dream begin, let your darker side give in...." "let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot fight..." LOL There's no cure for GAS mate, you know? Tell me about it.....

[quote name='ian147' timestamp='1506638265' post='3380167'] Thats a beautiful bass! Wish I had the money... might be one someone would regret selling tho [/quote] Thanks mate. I already know it will be missed, but I have no time to use it, so somebody should. I am scaling down / thinning the herd.

[size=5][size=5]For those of you who are not familiar with Fclef, they are an American boutique whose ties with Fodera go back a number of years (for instance Fodera NYC line has been produced for some time by the same people as Fclef's) and also distributed in Japan under the BottomWave brand. They make tremendous, high-end basses, and are well established in the USA, although still less this side of the Pond. Expect to pay Sadowsky NYC prices for a new one (starting around 4,000 USD for a 4-string, plus shipping, 20% VAT, 4% import duty....). [size=5][size=5]You can hear an extensive collection of sound clips (around 50-60) taken with various settings at Fclef's audio library:[/size][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][url="http://www.fclefbasses.com/mod-FileShare-category_display-cat_id-1.html"]http://www.fclefbass...y-cat_id-1.html[/url][/size][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]Alternatively, on Youtube you can see several videos of Tamas Barabas (Tomika here on BassChat) and others playing Fclef basses[/size][/size][size=5].[/size][/size][/size] [size=5]For sale here is a Jazz FCLEF 4 CUSTOM SERIES in nice, shiny Piano Black, with white binding and pearloid blocks, designed to look and sound as a '70s Fender Jazz clone when in passive mode, and as a slightly more modern take in active. [size=5]I just do not play much anymore, so I am scaling down.[/size][/size] [size=5]Full size ash body, slim maple neck, Seymour Duncan Custom Vintage single coils in '70s position, 18V Fodera / Mike Pope 2-EQ preamp (very transparent, it adds a touch of hi-fi without changing much the tone of the bass: volume / tone control working both in active and passive, pan, treble cut/boost, bass cut/boost; gain trimmer in the electronics cavity, instructions supplied). Pickup bell cover included. Set with a very straight neck and low action. Strung with (old) DR 45-105. Standard 19mm strings spacing. 4.4kg / 10lbs. Very good balance without neck dive.[/size] [size=5]Comes in a [/size][size=5][size=5] black tolex case [/size](Warwick, I believe) with black velour interior, with keys, in good shape and in full working order (handle, latches, hinges....). The bass is 100% original and with very light signs of use: a little tarnish on the bridge pickup polepieces and in general some grazing/swirls/light scratches (mostly behind the body, as a light buckle rash), although all superficial, absolutely nothing through the finish, and definitely no chips.[/size] [size=5][size=5]Price is £1,700 plus shipping, paid with a bank transfer. I will only post through the UPS website, as most couriers and all the agents like Interparcel now refuse to insure musical instruments above 250 quid. That makes is £50 for a mainland UK tracked and insured shipment (excl. some remote postcodes and some islands).[size=5] PLEASE no trades, they'll be politely refused.[/size][/size] [u][size=5][u]BassChatters with an established history and reputation / feedback on the forum but living outside the UK (although in EU) may contact me, otherwise this is strictly a UK sale.[/u][/size][/u][/size] [size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]You can find my feedback at the bottom of the page.[/size][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=5]Thanks for looking.[/size] [size=5]Claz[/size][/size]

[quote name='drewk_ie' timestamp='1506320728' post='3377791'] Stunning bass, I too was contemplating making an offer last time round... GLWS [/quote] Thanks mate

Stunning!! That's quite something, GLWTS

I bet it sounds fantastic!!! GLWTS

[quote name='Jebo1' timestamp='1505648560' post='3373306'] Looks like a lovely bass. I nearly bought this earlier in the year but couldn't scrape together £1500. Can't scrape it together now, either! [/quote] Thanks

The 3-EQ is a different thing altogether. I had a '95 3-EQ, but with a chunky neck, and there is general consensus that the 3-band is not equal to the 2-band plus mids control. In other words: the 3-band and the 2-band, both with everything flat and on basses with same woods combos (and strings) have quite different voices. Definitely more mids in the 3-EQ, even with mids flat. Cheers

[quote name='Orbs' timestamp='1505549019' post='3372692'] Great price for such an awesome bass, GLWTS... [/quote] [quote name='andysg42' timestamp='1505557276' post='3372783'] Great bass . Had one just the same . Year as well . Bought from soundwave bass Romford . These are rare pre Ernie ball 4 plate through body stringing . Started bridge strung bridge not long after this . Think they were made by charvel after musicman went bust . Great build quality . Best pre Ernie ball stingray I've had , and have had a few . Best of luck for the sale . Won't be around long [/quote] Thanks guys. I've had a dozen 'Rays, from pre-EB to standard/current production to Classic, from every single decade from the seventies to today. The warmth of the pre-EBs has been lost, and although the Classic is warmer than a standard Stingray, it doesn't sound so thick and focused like the pre-EBs I have had and played. I still own 2 1989, and they are diffferent beasts, more aggressive and "in your face" than this, which is much more balanced. But nowadays I play so little that I prefer to let this go to someone who can really appreciate it.

[size=5]For sale is a 1981 Pre-EB Music Man STINGRAY in Natural, 100% original, with its original Music Man leather strap and hangtags. Comes in a modern Music Man standard hardcase.[/size][size=5] This doesn't need any presentation, it's iconic as it gets, in the classic Natural / black scratchplate configuration.[/size] [size=5]I just do not play much anymore and cannot justify leaving such a beauty in the corner. Typical pre-EB sound, much warmer and full bodied than later years' production, with that twang that made the Stingray so appreciated. Strings through body, chrome battery cover, non-epoxy preamp (that stopped in 1978-79)... all the pre-EB works.[/size] [size=5]I am the second owner, the previous one bought it new in 1981. We discussed pots dates, serial numbers... and he confirmed that he never modded it or got to replace absolutely anything, not even a screw (apart from the strings, of course). Currently set with a rather straight neck and low action (actually the lowest I have ever found on a pre-EB), and I've had no problem in tweaking the trussrod.[/size] [size=5]Excellent general condition for a bass that is nearly forty years old. The body and the neck show the occasional little ding/knock/swirl here and there, but to be honest I have noticed them only when inspecting the bass for the sale, never jumped to my eyes (or fingers) before. A couple of scuffs on the headstock's edge and a little tarnish on knobs and pickup polepieces. Bridge still nice and shiny. The fingerboard bears a little bit of mojo, with the very thin upper layer / lacquered tint showing a little chip on the top side around fret 15, and being slightly frayed on the lower side, all of which is well visible in the pics. Again: [u]what you see is not a piece of fingerboard wood missing, [/u][/size][size=5][u][size=5][u]the chip (or the frayed lower edge) [/u][/size]it's only its very superficial laminated surface, only a few tenths of a millimeter thick[/u] and - like everything else mentioned - does not affect playability in any way, they're only cosmetic factors that can be easily rectified by a luthier, if so desired.[/size][size=5][size=5] There's a little fretwear on the first few frets, although plenty of life left in them. 4.7 kg / 10.5 lbs.[/size] The original Music Man leather straps has seen better days but still nice to have as part of the package, together with the original hangtags. The Music Man hardshell is the standard black current one, with latches and hinges in full working order. [/size] [size=5][size=5]You can find my feedback at the bottom of the page.[/size][/size] [size=5]Thanks for looking.[/size] [size=5]Claz[/size]

I have the same in black, and I vouch for every single word Miki said: tremendous quality basses, Mike Pope / Fodera preamp, good '70s Fender Jazz clones in passive (with a Master Tone pot as well) and very Marcus-like when active (especially with DR strings), hence a beautiful touch of hi-fi if needed. Very low action achievable. In order to have a good idea, listen to samples in the audio library in the Galleries at www.fclefbasses.com GLWTS, worth every penny.

SOLD

"Just-watched-Jerry-Barnes-of-Chic-at-Glastonbury-with-his-Atelier-Z" kinda BUMP

Price reduced to 1,700 GBP plus shipping. This is a serious super-Jazz and it also doubles up as a Stingray, with a very "transparent" preamp and a tremendous overall finish / quality. Atelier Z basses are raved about in the States where they are already established. Listen to Jino playing his bass (mainly as a J, but also as a Stingray from 00:58 in the background when he talks):[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RzZrvKSvjg"] https://www.youtube....h?v=4RzZrvKSvjg[/url]

[quote name='binkybongo' timestamp='1496041092' post='3308220'] Most bodacious!! [/quote] Thanks mate. Superb and rarer than a white fly.