karlfer

Thanks once again J, a man amongst men. Right, here we go, brace yourself Mabel. Like I said, crap photos, including the obvious "Turn it down we have had complaints from Hurworth (8 miles via Crow)". Also on one of the black and white ones we were supporting the King Crabs. Bassist/vocals by a big fella called Jimmy Nail. Wonder what happened to him?

[quote name='Bassassin' post='563354' date='Aug 8 2009, 10:27 AM']Quite tricky, this - there isn't much info out there about these but from seeing them come up on Ebay (they're not too uncommon) there were definitely both Japanese and Italian versions of the same thing sold under the Shaftesbury brand. The set-neck & style of tuners on yours makes me inclined to think it's Italian, and this being the case it's pretty early, possibly even late 60s - but with no catalogues to cross-reference I'm just guessing! Anyway, Shaftesbury guitars initially seemed to be Italian-made copies (as well as Ricks I've seen thinline Tele guitars & 50s-style P basses) and UK-made (Ned Callan) originals but by the mid 70s they pretty much all seemed to be decent-quality MIJ copies, predominantly Matsumoku. That's just the history as far as I can make it out - I don't think the basses like yours were Matsumokus but the Japanese ones might represent some sort of transitional period in the Shafty range. I've seen MIJ Shafty P-basses too, like the Italian ones. Eko definitely supplied Shaftesbury acoustics & electrics so I'd be inclined to think the Rick "copies" (there never was a real Rick 330 bass) came from the same place There's some info about Shaftesbury/Eko on the [url="http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/general/shaftesbury.html"]Fetishguitars site[/url] but they've changed it a bit recently and the English version of this page has conveniently vanished! Jon.[/quote] Thanks once again Jon. I looked on the fetish sight, but could not find the bass in their catalogues (dating from about 64 to mid 80's). I really just want to as honest as I can be when I advertise it, so I will need to think carefully about what I say. I do remember seeing somewhere the Italian version had a narrow tailpiece and one piece pick guard , but I am b******d if I can remember where I saw that. Reality is I will be as honest as I can , but going out at £160 to BC'ers and £180 reserve on ebay, I am not going to worry into an early grave! Again Jon, many thanks, you have helped a lot of people with your knowledge sharing. Cheers, Karl.

Now I've remembered why I looked here the other night. Hopefully Bassassin can be his usual copy Rickapedia. Hopefully these photos will attach, (only poor camera phone I'm afraid) she will be going on sale soon. I bought this on ebay a couple of months back and unsurprisingly things weren't quite what they seem. The biggest problem is that it is medium scale and my fingers are long scale (and actually pretty fat scale, slightly resembling the centres of American Hot dogs). Anyway,I would like to describe as accurately as possible, so J, if youv'e got your ears on, any info gratefully accepted. Condition rather quite good except for some poor attempts at respraying(only visible close up). Neck has been re-glued at some stage, excess glue has not been removed, but other than that a good job. There are no model/serial number, or "Made in...." written on it. It was advertised as made in Japan. I cannot find it in any EKO catalogue, and I seem to remember reading somewhere that even Ibanez didn't start serial numbers until 1975. This is a good sounding, good condition, very light bass, that my fingers are too big for. Any help from anybody to help describe as accurately as possible would be gratefully accepted. Confused of Wigan.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='556668' date='Jul 30 2009, 10:59 PM']You don't see many of them. Or Ebay dealers who can't spell "Ibanez"!! Way to get the hits! J.[/quote] OK, I spent several nights trying to get a crap old picture onto here, then several nights in a psychiatric establishment to stop the screaming. Got to tell you bassassin, I love your sub-title, even though Attila the Hen (wife) did not take too kindly to being called it. She even paused when blow torching the toast.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='536667' date='Jul 9 2009, 06:10 PM']You missed a lovely Fireglo Kasuga a couple of weeks back - for some reason the listing's gone now but there are pics of it here: [url="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78514186083&ref=mf"]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78514186083&ref=mf[/url] You should put your pic from 1980 on there. Jon.[/quote] THATS a challenge I shall look forward to!

[quote name='Bassassin' post='533803' date='Jul 6 2009, 02:18 PM']Since you're only down the road from the guy selling the Hondo, why not ask if he'd be OK for you to go round & have a tryout? He might well be prepared to do a cash deal off-Ebay, he plainly knows the problems that selling one can involve - I'm pretty sure this one's been on before & was pulled. J.[/quote] Thanks J, in the process. So jealous of you, having a Kasuga. Still have photo on wall from 1980, brandishing mine at a 5000+ outdoor gig in Darlington. Had 3 real R's since, all long gone, but the Kasuga is still remembered as the best. Cost £110 on HP she did. Sold her in 85 to buy Gibbo Explorer bass. Happy days.

[quote name='Musky' post='533637' date='Jul 6 2009, 11:34 AM']Well Hondos are pretty much considered the bottom end of the Rickenfaker market - plywood, Korean made and generally not up to the quality of the Japanese stuff in the 70's. That said, it's relatively tidy and if it doesn't go too much beyond the starting price could be worth a punt. The bolt on neck can be a blessing in disguise, as some through neck Rickenfakers can suffer from a high action that can only be solved by some major bodging. If you're thinking about going for it, it's very much worth your while contacting the guy so that you've got a record of his email. Although the listing doesn't contain the 'R' word, if John Hall spots it he'll pull the auction. That way, if it does disappear, you might be able to tempt the guy with a deal outside of ebay. Edit: Just noticed that he's included his email in the listing, so he might angling for an deal off ebay anyway.[/quote] Gentleman and scholar of the highest water. Merky buckets. (French you know)

[quote name='Bassassin' post='532994' date='Jul 5 2009, 01:44 PM']'Nother Hondo: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hondo-ll-classic-bass-copy_W0QQitemZ320393608190"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hondo-ll-classic-bas...emZ320393608190[/url] Has this one been up before? Looks a bit familiar. J.[/quote] Hello guys, thinking about this one as live 5 miles from it. Good/bad? Expert advice needed for as muppet.

Thanks YouMa. Thought long and hard, and grateful for the offer, but a burst of realism tells me I need the cash for the vatman. Many many thanks anyway (I'm just glad you didnt mention the colour) Cheers, Karl.

Am I the only one to think my Japanese girl is beautiful? OK, the mobile phone pics dont help, but as she is going on that flee bay thing, I dont want her feelings hurt.