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There’s still many that are playing fours. Some with a low B. I’ve had a number of fivers , but have never bonded.

They seem to have just about everything in Japan.

Are those tuners on the front?

Recently turned 72 and still gigging. One local mentor has some years on me , and is still going strong. My barometer , if he can still manage some dignity and grace on the gig I feel there’s still some hope for me. He still nails it. I remain optimistic.

Both wonderful setups , especially the Forte !

The big music retailer in Canada , L&M , apparently carry Darkstar , but I’ve never seen anything of theirs there.

I picked up a used TMB30 , the short scale version. It’s got inherent neck dive , and the neck is fairly chunky. I replaced the bridge pickup with a Tbird humbucking pickup. I bought it to mod , I liked the basic shape as it reminded me of Paul Barth’s designs from the later 50’s. I replaced the pickup and then got distracted and put it aside. Recently picked it up again and this time found the chunky neck quite comfortable. It came with black tape wounds , I think I’m going to replace those with LaBella light flats. Might replace the pots , I’d prefer something with a more even taper , we’ll see … Mine sounds pretty good , no issues with fretwork or any build issues. I’ve been enjoying the time I spend on it. Surprisingly nice bass at that price point.

Those are hard to find over here. Is that cab a210? I’d love to get your impressions.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome , and post your progress with the Wal inspired project!

Not everybody likes big hollow bodied basses. The buyer might well change his/her mind. It’s worth holding out for the 5123 because of the TV Jones pickups.

They’re about , but it’s been some years since they were available. I was quite amazed to see three pop up when I went looking.

After I showed a picture of the bass to Herself , and she said “get it” I started the search. And immediately found three for sale. I was quite surprised. Now I’m in Nova Scotia and this run was never sold in Canada , two were in California , one was close to Boston and had a hard shell case. I made an offer on the one in Boston and received it days later. After exchange , shipping and duties it was a bit more than I expected , I was also dinged with a brokerage fee. And despite all that , am very glad I got it. So there was a run for sale in some UK stores and more through Thomann , there will be some popping up for sale every now and then. And some will find the large body too cumbersome. These were Korean made , so the price was reasonable , they have the expensive pickups. They were a good deal ! With a little digging you might well find one for a reasonable price.

The neck is not that thick , comfortable , the body is large and does take some getting used to if you’re just accustomed to Fender style basses. It has a wonderful woody thump. The bridge is set about a third of the way into the body so it doesn’t feel like a shortscale. F is a good reach. It’s a true hollow body , does not have a center block , and is not heavy. So it’s got character , I love the sound , and enjoy playing it a lot. I’ve played some other large bodied hollow basses before so I knew exactly what I was getting into.

It’s the med scale G5123B . Originally it was a special run for Guitar Center in the US. Every store was to get one. They were never available in Canada. Just orange. They were Electromatics , built in Korea , but had the TV Jones pickups you normally found in the more expensive models. Later there was a run made for Thomann , and I think one of the distributors in the UK might have had them. The European run was also available in burgundy , as well as orange. So they were a quick run , made about a dozen years ago. Reasonable price with TV Jones pickups. There was speculation at the time that they might become a regular model , but it never happened. edit … I mostly prefer short scales these days , but was an old Pbass guy that got into Rics. I don’t have any hand issues or physical complaints , I just came to prefer short scales after picking up a Dano Longhorn about 24 years ago.

A friend recently bought a pink JrJet , she was playing one in the shop , and called me to get an opinion. I said that most user reviews were great , and told her that if she felt any positive attachment to it … to buy it. The shop has a good return policy. She has no intention to return it.

That does look like a ton of fun.

there’s some truth there

Years ago , a friend I was playing with had a late 50’s orange Gretsch 6120 , and I thought it might have been one of the most beautiful guitars I’d ever seen. The one day he announced that he didn’t need an expensive guitar , he sold it and bought a cheap Washburn Tele copy. Put in a sliding pickup on a rail. And he still had his signature sound. That must have been thirty years ago , he just retired the Washburn about a year ago. I’ve had a thing for orange single cutaway Gretsches ever since.

This was the pic I showed to Herself. She immediately said “get it”. And when it arrived thought it might well be the most beautiful bass she’d seen. I found this in Boston so it wound up being a little more than expected by the time it landed here in Halifax , but no regrets. I had been looking at these for about ten years , they never were offered here in Canada.

you heard about the bass player that locked his keys in the car … took him two hours to get the drummer out

You are a lucky one. I am thankful that Herself thinks some basses are worth picking up. Just before Christmas I showed her a picture of a big orange hollow body Gretsch , she took one look and said “get it”.

Every year , in early spring , I hear of a couple of impossibly great finds that actually happen. Old Pbasses that go for $35. Yard sales and flea markets. People getting rid of a relatives stuff etc etc . It does happen. But it’s never me finding the original deal. I’ve heard it can take several sales before something fetches market value.

I like seeing Tbird pickups on shortscale Fender Shaped Things.