Sparky Mark

You could email Andrew (John's son) at Jaydee Custom Guitars and ask how specs may have changed?

I have both lightweight and midweight cabs. The heaviest are my 56lb Bergantino HD210, the lightest are 29lb MB NY121P, with a few others in between. My choice for gigs depends partly on the venue, partly on the fee and partly on load in attributes. I use a folding trolley to move my cabs almost every time. My 100lb cabs went years ago, and I will be sad the day I can't shift my HD210s (one at a time). At 62 years old, I know that will happen before too long and I completely agree modern systems can be more accurate and go louder, but I don't want FRFR or huge volumes, so I'll gradually work my way down my cabs until I fade away.

I'm a little sceptical of Alex's choice of the extra compact Markbass JB combo for this comparison. One of the larger format MB single 15 cabs would've been a fairer comparison to the BF. Anyhow, my one single 15 cab is a Trace Elliot compact 15 ( can't recall the exact product reference number ATM) loaded with that Fane axiom driver. It sounds absolutely beautiful and I've gigged it in medium sized venues successfully for rock covers, no problems with being heard.

Yes,I did see that but wasn't sure what Brian's assertion was based upon? Perhaps a confession from the seller, or more photos not posted here?

Apologies, I didn't see that? Where's that confirmed please? Thanks

I'm not quite as sceptical about this bass. I like to refer to Geddy's Big Beautiful Book of Bass as a starting point on these occasions. There are examples of similar tortoishell around 65/66 in there, but I agree it could be a later replacement. The machine head design is the part I cannot find examples of around that date, but their condition/finish looks much more authentic than modern Road Worn parts. Photos of pots/wiring/cavity/pickup assemblies/windings and neck pocket are also essential evidence. The neck plate is correct for the neck date. Torres started with Fender early to mid 60s, so I'd expect his stamp to be nice and defined after only 3 or 4 years use. The Torres stamp looks in line with many other examples found via online searches. The neck decal looks correct to me for a 65 to 69 according to The Fender Bass (Black and Molinaro). Other than the machines, the neck looks genuine to me. I'd ask the Talkbass community about the machines in particular, as there's a lot of knowledge on there too. I'd be surprised if someone trying to create a fake of this quality cocked up by using the wrong machines. The body also looks correct to me. More photos as above are required, but I'm leaning more towards genuine overall. "What's the price?" is also relevant for a CBS Fender. Why bother faking a CBS era bass, when pre CBS commands much higher prices?

Agreed, most likely a refinished sunburst.

I would guess there's enough slack in the neck plate screws to allow that gap to be reduced at the same time as correcting the obvious neck alignment bias towards the G string.

I believe the fan cooled version came after the heatsink version. Fan cooled should be lighter weight as the solid aluminium heatsink is pretty hefty. Personally, I prefer the heatsink version as it has no fan noise for low volume practice and keeps the internals dust free.

Yes, the chamfered edges are quite rounded off, but still look good IMO.

Indeed, although I don't think the processes used by Avantguard and Spitfire are scalable to the numbers that would be needed by Fender CS. I cannot think of another reason why Fender wouldn't fit an admittedly expensive, but infinitely more accurate pickguard to its £4-5k+ instruments.

Thank you, and I agree entirely. Avantguard are as close as modern tortoishell pickguards get to early 60s IMO. All modern Fender "vintage" tort is distinctly average unfortunately.

Whilst I agree, it doesn't look so bad in situ.

Avantguard fitted vs Fender Custom Shop on right hand side.

I kinda agree regarding Fbasses, but *you did ask about any musical instrument. *correction; it was jazzyvee that asked the question.

30 years +

This guy from France gets closer than almost everyone else IMO; at a price though. https://www.avantguardshop.com/

Unfortunately, I'm now approaching antique status.

30+ years old is more commonly accepted as vintage for guitars.