I realise I'm new round here so feel a bit funny about jumping straight in with gear for sale, but here goes...
After several years of struggling with tendinitis I am finally giving up with long scale basses. Before I give up the bass completely though I am giving a short scale a try (and have just imported an SX). Fingers crossed. Anyway, that means that though it breaks my heart to do it I, I have two beautiful basses up for sale. I'm not looking for trades unless you have a Mustang (CIJ or vintage). Oh, and if you have a Rob Allen Mouse 30 then I may have some cash available......
Pickup in Finchley, North London, or I'm going to be in Oxford and Nottingham over the next few weeks if that's any help. I'd rather not send them by post, but I have all the original packaging if there is no other option. In that case I will add on the actual cost of posting them to the prices listed below. I can be flexible on payment method. I've got the original receipts if that's of interest.
[b][size=5]JO4 - £600[/size][/b]
4-string Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn in translucent 3 tone burst. Ash body with rosewood fingerboard. I bought this new in March 2007, and imported it from the US (from The bass xchange/The Amp Shop in California). The photographs really don't do this bass justice. In person it really is stunning. I don't know how Lakland get the finish so rich and warm looking, but it looks fabulous with some lovely grain in the ash. It's currently strung with La Bella Deep Talkin Flats and is warm and deep and very expressive. I have had the following work carried out by The Bass Gallery in Camden:
- V/V/T controls modified to Vol/Balance/Tone which I prefer (easy to change back if you prefer it the original way)
- Holes drilled for a neck pickup cover (the cover is not currently fitted, but will be included in the sale)
- Setup for an amazing LOW action
- Install Schaller strap locks (included in the sale)
I will also include in the sale a tort pickguard which I had made by Jeannie's and sent to the UK. For some reason it doesn't quite fit, though I'm pretty sure some very minor sanding will sort that out.
The JO4 has never left my house (other than going to The Bass Gallery) and is in the same condition that I received it from The Bass Xchange (other than the modifications listed above) and a single ding which I put into the top horn. There are two lines about 3mm long that don't go through the top laquer and could probably be buffed out very easily. They actually came out more visible in the photo than they are in real life. You'd have to know that you were looking for them to find them.
Overall I would give it a 9.5 out of 10. The neck is straight and the truss rod works perfectly. On a set of borrowed bathroom scales it weighs 9.2 lbs. You really won't be disappointed with it. Comes with the hard shell case from Lakland.
In person it's a less red in it than appear in the photos, though it does change anyway depending on the light.
[size=5]Fender American Standard Precision - £650[/size]
Black & maple. This has not had more than a few hours use. I bought it because I thought I had overcome my tendinitis, but unfortunately it has returned. This is the 2008 model, recently upgraded with the high-mass vintage bridge and lighter tuning keys. I have to say I think the upgrades are really worthwhile. The bridge is a vast improvement and the overall balance is great with the lighter keys. Also the tint on the maple neck is slightly darker which I think gives it a vintage vibe. I bought it new from Andertons in Feb 2008, and apart from going to the Bass Gallery it has never left my house.
I got the Bass Gallery to restring it with La Bella Deep Talkin Flats though will include the rounds that it came with. I also had them file the nut just a tad so that it is set up for a low action and they also drilled holes for bridge and neck p/up covers, both of which are included in the sale, though not currently installed. They also installed the B/W/B pick guard which I bought from Jeannie's. The orignal W/B/W pickguard will be included in the sale. It feels great, sounds great, and I think looks amazing. Classic, but amazing. Schaller straplocks are installed and included.
Other than the modifications made by the Bass Gallery it is in the same condition that I got it from Andertons. The only thing to note is that between the first and second fret there is a slight change in the colour of the wood. It's only noticeable in certain lights and looking from certain directions, and I'm unsure whether it is an inconsistency in the lacquer, or whether it is simply the wood itself slightly changing colour. It came like that from Andertons and doesn't affect the playing in any way. I've tried to photograph it but it given that you can only see it in some conditions it's not that easy!
Overall I would give it a 9.5 out of 10. The neck is straight and feels like a precision should. On a set of borrowed bathroom scales it weighs 9lbs. Comes with the hard shell case. It really is Precision heaven.
I would post the photos here, but I'm a technical incompetent and I dont know how! So for the moment they are at:
[size=5]http://www.flickr.com/photos/7611286@N04/sets/[/size]
Photos of the Fender Preicsion. Full size pics are at [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7611286@N04/sets/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/7611286@N04/sets/[/url] [attachment=11846:27375682...121cf396.jpg] [attachment=11847:27375687...242b6ce9.jpg] [attachment=11859:27384495...123d1c55.jpg] [attachment=11848:27375693...e1a9f45d.jpg] [attachment=11849:27375695...2e2961df.jpg] [attachment=11858:27384076...4710662e.jpg] [attachment=11850:27375696...d692157d.jpg] [attachment=11851:27375705...44a4457e.jpg] [attachment=11857:27384074...839f5c1e.jpg] [attachment=11852:27376111...1f6416ac.jpg] [attachment=11853:27375696...d692157d.jpg] [attachment=11856:27384066...a9c56c16.jpg] [attachment=11854:27375705...44a4457e.jpg] [attachment=11855:27384055...80a5bcf8.jpg] [attachment=11856:27384066...a9c56c16.jpg]