Mokl Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 (edited) Popped into the local Cash Generator to cast a quick glance over the instruments. Never gotten lucky before, but I occasionally check in the vain hope that I might find a 60's Jazz for a tenner. Well, today I found something almost as good, if not quite as valuable. I almost missed the black shape in the corner with no price label on it, but I spotted it just as I was walking past. Close inspection revealed a slightly tatty, but cool-looking 5 string bass. First thing that struck me were the wooden machine-head tops, then the "G" logo with "Handcrafted in England" printed below on the headstock. I looked again, the shape was a little unusual.... what could it be that was handmade in England and beginning with "G", surely it couldn't be a Goodfellow?! I called over the assistant and took a closer look, ascertained the price, and decided that although I couldn't be sure it was definitely worth a punt as it seemed like a nice bass anyway. The guy behind the counter said he had searched for G Basses or Goodman guitars online, but found no match for it. As soon as I got it back to work I unscrewed the control plate.... printed on the PCB was the name Goodfellow! I whooped with joy and proceeded to plug it in. It works! It sounds killer - even with dead strings and the action all over the place. 20 mins tweaking has already gotten the action feeling good; I know that this is going to come up lovely with a bit of polish and lemon oil. Pictures to follow! I can't find much info on Goodfellow bass models online, perhaps some of the more knowledgable amongst you will be able to help me ascertain more precisely what it is. Age wise I reckon mid eighties, although I may be wrong, Can't find a serial number as yet and the bass is still at work (hiding from the wife!). Edited April 16, 2008 by Mokl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 i suspect we're probably more interested in finding out how much you paid for it. You could always give Bernie Goodfellow a call I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='177364' date='Apr 15 2008, 09:04 PM']i suspect we're probably more interested in finding out how much you paid for it. You could always give Bernie Goodfellow a call I guess?[/quote] It was an embarrassingly small amount (included an SKB case too!). I just hope there's nothing "dodgy" about how it found it's way into Cash Generator.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 i've always assumed most of the stuff in those places is all nicked... sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 No guilt man! we all get lucky just as much as we get unlucky! give Mr G a call and let us know how it turns out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thylacine23 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 NIce one, !!!!!!! congrats all round, cant wait to see pics, I love that stuff. on a similar vein, our John, got given a right old vox combo "for guitar", what a pile of rubbish, i wouldnt put it in the works van, talk about filthy, mice once lived in it yuk...... he fiddled with a couple of valves, and it only worked, !!!!!!!!!! one speaker mind, and sounded , well, really nice, but the smell, !!! sheeeez bit later we chucked it on the evilbay, for a laugh, 99p no reserve, on a five day listing, lol, THE SMELL only made £743.00p !!!!!!!!!!! Next morning 7.30 a m,, my house, blokes there with the cash, has a cuppa, and takes the amp out of it, only a couple of things, out she slides, then the starts getting well excited, like shaking a bit, turns out to be a forerunner prototype of the AC50 twin, cause its got the original wooden transformers or something, as rare as hens teeth or similar, this guys a dealer in this stuff, Vox, ect and hes chuffed big time, like the holy grail, hmmmmm our John and me, well, were chuffed, we got £743.0 for it, well pleased, so we went to the pub to celebrate, great stuff. The blokes name was, Ted, from Teddington, true, I just remembered that bit, Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Nice one. There are 3 types of Goodfellow. 1. Bernie started making basses in the 1980's. The guy playing for Paul Weller on Live Aid (the original) is using one. 2. Bernie then did a deal with Lowden to mass produce basses in his name. This bear the Goodfellow name and are often sold as "Hand made by Bernie" but they are not. There have been some on here that I showed him that were not hand made. Bernie got ripped off on the deal so. 3. Bernie started making basses again. He could not use Goodfellow cos he had sold his name to Lowden so he called the new basses GB and the rest is history. This sounds like a type 1. Give Bernie a call. Even if its a Lowden they were good basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='thylacine23' post='177470' date='Apr 15 2008, 11:23 PM']Next morning 7.30 a m,, my house, blokes there with the cash, has a cuppa, and takes the amp out of it, only a couple of things, out she slides, then the starts getting well excited, like shaking a bit, turns out to be a forerunner prototype of the AC50 twin, cause its got the original wooden transformers or something, as rare as hens teeth or similar, this guys a dealer in this stuff, Vox, ect and hes chuffed big time, like the holy grail, hmmmmm[/quote] Great story. I've got one too but a little different. Found this Jaydee for sale on Ebay a few years back: From the listing he thought it probably wouldn't be of much interest and the starting price was £90. I made a quick call to John Diggins because it looked to me like someone had chopped the wings off a Roadie, given them a bit of a plane and stuck 'em back on. Only it turned out that this was one of a series of prototype basses that John made for Geezer Butler. So after pondering about whether I'll snap it up, I decided to tell the bloke instead. Turns out he was a really nice chap and a bit down on his luck financially. Geezer was one of his bass heroes too so he was well chuffed and said the bass was going up on his wall at home. Only thing was that it came back up on Ebay about 6 months later and made £560. Turned out that he still needed the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Will try and put some pics up tonight when I get the bass home. The logo is simply a "G", with the words "Handcrafted in England" written beneath. The machine heads all have the "G" stamped on the back too. Does that help to identify it's origins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='Mokl' post='177650' date='Apr 16 2008, 10:17 AM']Will try and put some pics up tonight when I get the bass home. The logo is simply a "G", with the words "Handcrafted in England" written beneath. The machine heads all have the "G" stamped on the back too. Does that help to identify it's origins?[/quote] Sounds like a Goodfellow - will be able to tell more with some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 If this story turns out to be an urban myth I shall be giving my mate a swift kick in the testes Friend of mine (proper friend not urban myth made up friend) is a Sparkie in a factory and his work mate (also Sparkie) did a bit of wiring work for a studio in Newcastle, he got the fiddle job as he plays a bit of guitar but not in a band or anything. Anyways the studio is being refurbed by the new owner who as it happened was running low on funds but offered this Sparkie a guitar rather than pay him cash but the guy knocked him back as he was happy with his Epi. In the end he takes an old Marshall valve amp which is in need of some TLC (it was cattle trucked), being a Sparkie and quite into valves he accepts this amp as the equivalent to (after some negotiating) £100 worth of work. Gets it home, manages to get it working with a little bit of coaxing but it is still a bit 'poorly', so he gets on to Marshall to ask for some schematics/guidance and availability of a few bits. They asked for the serial number etc to see what they could do... turns out the amp was one of several given to some bloke called Hendrix and may well have found its way into the studio via Chas Chandler. Me thinks he'll get his £100 back from any subsequent sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='177801' date='Apr 16 2008, 12:41 PM']If this story turns out to be an urban myth I shall be giving my mate a swift kick in the testes Friend of mine (proper friend not urban myth made up friend) is a Sparkie in a factory and his work mate (also Sparkie) did a bit of wiring work for a studio in Newcastle, he got the fiddle job as he plays a bit of guitar but not in a band or anything. Anyways the studio is being refurbed by the new owner who as it happened was running low on funds but offered this Sparkie a guitar rather than pay him cash but the guy knocked him back as he was happy with his Epi. In the end he takes an old Marshall valve amp which is in need of some TLC (it was cattle trucked), being a Sparkie and quite into valves he accepts this amp as the equivalent to (after some negotiating) £100 worth of work. Gets it home, manages to get it working with a little bit of coaxing but it is still a bit 'poorly', so he gets on to Marshall to ask for some schematics/guidance and availability of a few bits. They asked for the serial number etc to see what they could do... turns out the amp was one of several given to some bloke called Hendrix and may well have found its way into the studio via Chas Chandler. Me thinks he'll get his £100 back from any subsequent sale [/quote] Would be cool if it wasn't an urban myth. Hopefully it is the real deal... I love it when things turn out like that. I am a little sceptical though - remember the ebay amp that was sprayed with "the Jimi Hendrix Experience" on it? It was eventually auctioned off. Anyway, prior to the auction, it went back to Marshall to authenticate it but they were unable to determine it was Jimi's. It was deemed that it was more than likely his because it matched pictures... but Marshall could never verify the serial... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3V17C Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 phew! for a minute there i thought you'd rediscovered my long lost Goodfellow serial no: 001 - damn i wish i hadn't got rid of that bass!!! anyways sounds like you got a good un - bring on the pics! peace c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='thylacine23' post='177470' date='Apr 15 2008, 11:23 PM']NIce one, !!!!!!! congrats all round, cant wait to see pics, I love that stuff. on a similar vein, our John, got given a right old vox combo "for guitar", what a pile of rubbish, i wouldnt put it in the works van, talk about filthy, mice once lived in it yuk...... he fiddled with a couple of valves, and it only worked, !!!!!!!!!! one speaker mind, and sounded , well, really nice, but the smell, !!! sheeeez bit later we chucked it on the evilbay, for a laugh, 99p no reserve, on a five day listing, lol, THE SMELL only made £743.00p !!!!!!!!!!! Next morning 7.30 a m,, my house, blokes there with the cash, has a cuppa, and takes the amp out of it, only a couple of things, out she slides, then the starts getting well excited, like shaking a bit, turns out to be a forerunner prototype of the AC50 twin, cause its got the original wooden transformers or something, as rare as hens teeth or similar, this guys a dealer in this stuff, Vox, ect and hes chuffed big time, like the holy grail, hmmmmm our John and me, well, were chuffed, we got £743.0 for it, well pleased, so we went to the pub to celebrate, great stuff. The blokes name was, Ted, from Teddington, true, I just remembered that bit, Enjoy[/quote] MB1. NOT........TWO TON TED FROM TEDDINGTON AND HE DROVE THE BAKERS VAN!........HES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF ERNIE THE FASTEST MILKMAN IN THE WEST! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Here's a couple of quick snaps. Needs a good polish and some touch up paint, but I think it'll polish up okay. Electrics all working well and sounding good - sounds not unlike to my Wal to be honest, and a similar feel too. If anyone can cast any light as to age/model/value, I'd be very grateful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Truss rod nut seems to be rounded off, but just about get away with 45 gauge strings, although I wouldn't mind slackening it a turn to allow me to fit a lighter set. Bridge is bit corroded and truss rod cover is missing.... also a couple of juicy dings, but nothing too awful. Can't really complain though, can I?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='Mokl' post='178214' date='Apr 16 2008, 07:11 PM']Truss rod nut seems to be rounded off, but just about get away with 45 gauge strings, although I wouldn't mind slackening it a turn to allow me to fit a lighter set. Bridge is bit corroded and truss rod cover is missing.... also a couple of juicy dings, but nothing too awful. Can't really complain though, can I?![/quote] MB1. ...DUNNO?...."What did you pay for her?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='MB1' post='178244' date='Apr 16 2008, 07:43 PM']MB1. ...DUNNO?...."What did you pay for her?" [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 As for what I paid... it was in the region of second-hand Squier money (nothing wrong with those by the way!). Too cheap to not have a punt at any rate. Anybody able to tell me any more about the bass from the pics? Controls are pretty standard: bass, mid, treble, blend and vol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJ1200 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 That's a lovely looking plank. Now will yer PLEEEASE tell us what you paid for it?? Huh? Huh? C'mon - it's only us... We won't tell... ... will we guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Nice bass. Guess where im going tomorow.. How much did you say you paid? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thylacine23 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 No, that is all true, on my life, hand on heart. Teddington to my place, is a three hour drive, so he left his house around 4.30 in the morning, !!!!! without phoning or nowt first, !!!!!!!!!!!!! Truth is stranger than fiction....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3V17C Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 (edited) well its defo an early goodfellow and if you got it fdr the price of a used squire thats a bargain! the body shape is the same as my old 001 with the bump out of the bottom and two strap buttons. mine had the same 'G' logo but not the writing underneath. here she be...when last seen for sale in a shop somewhere! doh - big mistake getting rid of that! [attachment=7800:Goodfellowbass.jpg] peace c Edited April 16, 2008 by 3V17C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 [quote name='610*c' post='178316' date='Apr 16 2008, 09:05 PM']Nice bass. Guess where im going tomorow.. How much did you say you paid? lol[/quote] There was a WAL on ebay last year that a guy had picked up from CC: he wanted over £1500 for it which was fair enough but told everyone how he got it and how little he paid for it which rankled a little! My CC never has anything decent in, I always check on Mondays which is the day many will be selling off gear (and I mean electrical) although I guess both meanings are true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 My mate was third in the queue for a Smith 6 string bass at his local CC .. £120 with it's case ... He sent me a pic and said "whats this? Is it worth £120?" I recommended he rush down the next day but he was just too late ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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