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Kolstein Busetto travel bass * SOLD *
£3500


Clarky
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This stunning bass was originally bought in the US by BCer Greg Cordez direct from Kolstein. Since he (and Mr Bassman) owned it I have had a thicker ebony board added (by top London luthier Laurence Dixon) and strung it with Thomastik Spiro Weichs. It's an amazing convenient downsized double bass, as used by Sting, Lee Rocker and Miroslav Vitous. I don't need three DBs and I have had a very expensive summer so one of them has to go. On balance this is less likely to be used than my 3/4 DB (my choice for recording) or Baby Bass (feedback free and very portable). Comes with travel trunk for overseas gigging.

To import new would cost over £5k. I paid £3.5k and have spent a further £200 odd on the thicker ebony board and setup. I would like £3.5k back given its rarity value and quality. I would throw in the Ehrlund pickup system which was about £300 on top. Collection from London only

There's a bunch of clips of dudes playing Kolstein travel basses eg this one
[url="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m4s-Pa7sAlE&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dm4s-Pa7sAlE"]http://m.youtube.com...v%3Dm4s-Pa7sAlE[/url]

Neck removal [url="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_5Flm5yiI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJN_5Flm5yiI"]http://m.youtube.com...v%3DJN_5Flm5yiI[/url]

Kolstein website blurb [url="http://www.kolstein.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KMI&Product_Code=1LTB12&Category_Code=bass"]http://www.kolstein....egory_Code=bass[/url]

Edited by Clarky
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Here's a pic of the bass in action

[attachment=141816:Half Moon.jpg]

EDIT: for full diclosure, the endpin is very hard to move in and out - I think it may have bent slightly. It can be done, its just requires a bit of effort. I am sure a luthier could sort it in a matter of minutes, I just don't have time to take it to Laurence Dixon right now (just back from hols and in very busy period at work). Also, there is a gigbag which is a bit tatty but 100% functional

Edited by Clarky
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[quote name='PTB' timestamp='1377211810' post='2184988']
I've played this and it's a top piece of kit, great to play, sounds wonderful. Have a bump on me.
[/quote]
Thanks Paul!

Surprisingly there's even a full-page advert for this model of bass in this month's BMG (near the back)! Never seen Kolstein advertise in UK before, I guess it was the front page pic and interview with Lee Rocker that alerted Kolstein to BGM's existence

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[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1377240940' post='2185105']
Thanks Paul!

Surprisingly there's even a full-page advert for this model of bass in this month's BMG (near the back)!
[/quote]

Really? I can't find it in my copy :lol:
[attachment=142156:BMG_Summer_2013_Cover_Pic_page_001.jpg]

Bump for a top quality instrument

Edited by Mr Bassman
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Thanks Roger and Keith - I won't be terribly upset if it doesn't sell as its so lovely to play. But 18th/21st/50th birthdays in the space of two months, plus summer hols and unanticipated educational spend (A level retakes) have meant I have burned money faster this summer than ... erm putting 50 pound notes on a fire or burn-y type thing

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Yes, I have owned both (Roger/Bassace now has my old fixed neck version). This is about two years old and has the deeper body (I assumed this was because of the removable neck but I may be wrong). It also has the more decorous ebony 'chapel peg' tuners, unlike the other version I owned which had the more standard brass tuners.

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I owned this wonderful bass before Clarky persuaded me to part with it.

I remember taking it to a wedding gig and getting lost on the way which made me late. It was just a piano/bass duo for a drinks reception but we all know how much noise the wedding guests can make when they've had a few.

Well as I arrived I got a text from the pianist which said he'd had to start without me, just bring the bass in without the gig bag or amp as the room was crowded. Well I easily squeezed through the guests and slid in behind the pianist and started to play. When we took our first break I said I'd better go and get my combo, the pianist said "I wouldn't bother, it sounds great and is plenty loud enough"
So I played the whole gig unplugged!

It really does sound good and is so easy to transport, I believe Clarky used to take it on the tube I.i.r.c.

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Cheers Keith and Phil! If I were a pro, needing different basses for different occasions - as opposed to a part-time band player with a day job - I would definitely be keeping this beauty and finding another way to help pay for this summer's excesses!

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[quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1378660879' post='2202912']
Good on you Clarky! I know Roy: he's a very good guy.
[/quote]
I mentioned you to Roy (as you are an Edinburgh based BC'er) and he said he knew you veRy well too, Roberto :)

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