BassApprentice

Ooops! Didn't see that thread after a quick look. Good spot from you though!

A smaller, simpler version of the GX series. Like the form factor a lot.

https://www.boss.info/us/products/gx-1b/

Price Drop - £230 or £250 delivered sound fair?

But the Nords are in the Blue finish below it? The SR500N-MAM

Some new models/finishes for the SR range - have to say the SR500 finishes look good. Just a shame you can't have the Nordstrands in the Mahogany finish.

Or Markbass.

Truth is, it is very hard to design a headstock that isn't a Fender style or one that most think is awful.

Maybe not overly helpful,  but would switching out the tuners for ultralights on one not get you close to saving that 0.5kg? 

So three different model numbers - but they are all basically the same price.

That's weird.

3 hours ago, Machines said:

Ok so it's a 24 fret Jazz bass with a lot of knobs. 

 

 

I see they didn't have the budget for stacked knobs....

I don't hate it, but 6 knobs and a switch is a lot...

Adding photos to show back and tiny knocks on the front.

PRICE DROP - £230 OR £250 DELIVERED

Picked this up from here last year and it's had very little play since. Looks great on the wall mind! With a small baby in the flat, 3 four string basses is probably excessive since I don't get the time.

It is a Yamaha BB414. Nice slim neck, plays great and sounds great too. It's had the hardware changed to gold and the pickup surround has been sprayed gold. Think the fact it's a matte finish stops it being too flashy. Had a bit of wear on the back from previous owners but the front is in very good condition. Currently strung with reasonably new light rounds (no idea of brand/gauge)

I'll try and source a box across the next few days but collection/meet up would be handy.

If they dont officially, earlpilanz on eBay is your guy.

Great thing about Ibanez is consistent quality and very reasonable used prices.

You'll find a bargain if you keep your eyes peeled.

I haven't played a bass with this short a scale, but I know ACG and Alpher make basses like this too. So you'd think they would be playable without suffering from the more compact scale

My first thought is contact Newtone and see what options they can do for 23" scale.

I'm going to say this is the first time someone has complained about marks on a reliced bass 😂

But jokes aside, I do understand that it doesn't quite look like aged wear. However, after a bit of extra playing it should fade into the distance.

Any chance of a picture of the bass? I can probably guess what Harley Benton it is, but always easier to pass comment if people know which bass it is.

Love these. Super versatile and the necks on these are brilliant.

Don't reckon Santa is bringing me one, but someone is getting a great bass here!

Similar to Hiscox - it will emerge in a slightly different form.

As others have said, you just don't see them on stages anymore. I wonder if they are more frequently used for recording than we are aware of...

Definitely a brand that needs a shot in the arm as I am sure they are quality instruments, even if they aren't "cool"

Anything from the Merry Axemas albums. Bit of a nostalgia when I was discovering bass and liked a bit of slap and shred guitars.

This has been stuck in my head for the past 3 days. Would absolutely love to be in a band like this.

Ashdown put the Capri on the hot wash and shrunk it a bit. 

23" scale now

https://ashdownmusic.com/collections/basses-22/products/roasted-capri-23

22 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

'Blade' used to be a top quality Japanese manufacturer but I'd be surprised if this is the exact same outfit even though the name and logo look the same.  

Seems it is the same company https://www.bladeguitars.com/blade-history/blade-history

On 07/12/2025 at 22:00, agoulding said:

The more I look at these newer headless basses, the more I feel tempted. Especially the ibanez. 

What has actually reignited the interest in these in recent years?...pardon my ignorance. Some really lovely headless basses out there now.

The pursuit for lightweight basses I presume.

It could just be here - but you'll notice one of the first questions asked on a sale advert is "What's the weight?". Headless basses by nature, tend to be lighter. Even websites like Sweetwater show the weight of nearly every bass they have in stock so the buyer can choose the option that suits them.

It's also provides a more modern look IMO. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea. Nice to have options though!

45 minutes ago, razor5cl said:

On this topic - how do the various vintage BBs compare to the 734a in terms of feel or sound? I've been looking online at BB300s and BB450s lately and the 450 in particular seems like it would have a fairly similar tone.

 

I've also been lusting after BB1200s online and whilst that only has a P-style pickup the few videos I've seen of people playing them, the tone sounds so growly and fierce, exactly like a newer 734.

I'd refer you to the BB mega thread - 394 pages all about Yamaha BBs 😅

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/302794-the-yamaha-bb-mega-thread/#comment-3263093 

The first VS5 Superlight with swamp ash.

Not bad.