Rare Basses in the uk

[funkgod]

i am sure once you start getting into 60 and 70s basses there must be a fair few rare ones in the uk,
but what about 80 90 2000 ones ?? by the big manufacturers ( mass produced)
future classics ?
i can think of a few
but the one i am going to start the topic off with i feel is one of the rarest in the uk.
and according to " doudoubass" only 3 seen in france as well.

is a GL L2000E ( series E) i have only ever seen no more than 5 in the uk ( are there any more??)
henry thomas still uses one as his main bass now ( has for years)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGbIoii9A-4


I also remember in the 80s my friend had a fantastic ibanez mc924 ebony unlined fretless, he would not sell it, and could i get one, christ i looked everywhere i just gave up in the end and got my MM.
but did not sound as good,

So what else did you lust after and could not find?

Edited March 28, 2016 by funkgod

[cybertect]

[quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1376782931' post='2179182']I also remember in the 80s my friend had a fantastic ibanez mc924 ebony unlined fretless, he would not sell it, and could i get one, christ i looked everywhere i just gave up in the end and got my MM.
but did not sound as good,
[/quote]

You just missed one for sale in Middlesborough yesterday

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-Musician-MC940-924-fretless-bass-MIJ-1980-/161083736641?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258156c241

[funkgod]

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1376785154' post='2179196']
You just missed one for sale in Middlesborough yesterday

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-Musician-MC940-924-fretless-bass-MIJ-1980-/161083736641?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258156c241"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item258156c241[/url]
[/quote]

Well thats just F*&£!n amazin in it ??
EDIT..just sent the owner a message, thanks

Edited August 18, 2013 by funkgod

[kevin_lindsay]

I was going to bid on that, untilni noticed that the seller had listed another one using the exact same details and photos - seemed a bit odd to me

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=161087069962

[BigRedX]

I think nowadays if you are prepared to spend the time looking in the right places and be patient, pretty much anything will eventually turn up for sale.

I own a Yamaha BJ5B (essentially a cross between an SBV and TRB5). Signature bass of Terry & The Blue Jeans who are a very popular surf band in Japan, made in a limited edition of only 50. I probably own the only example outside of Japan, but if it was possible for me to get this I believe that almost nothing is rare that it will never turn up.

[W11ATO]

In the very early 90's I had a fretless LAG, can't for the life of me remember the model but I'd not seen one before nor since.

[wateroftyne]

I think I've owned a couple of rare'uns:

1983 Fender Walnut Elite II - I bought it in Santa Monica. It now resides in Texas:







1981 Fender Walnut Precision Special - first version:

Absolute tone monster. Bought in Germany, now with a BC'er:



Roscoe Beck IV in sunburst and Maple - I'm not aware of another this colour in the UK. Currently resides with me :-) :

[funkgod]

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1376810376' post='2179257']
I was going to bid on that, untilni noticed that the seller had listed another one using the exact same details and photos - seemed a bit odd to me[/quote]

Seems gen, he has been back to me the buyer has paid and its being collected tomorow,

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376810940' post='2179261']
I think nowadays if you are prepared to spend the time looking in the right places and be patient, pretty much anything will eventually turn up for sale. I believe that almost nothing is rare that it will never turn up.
[/quote]

But its the painfull waitin game i hate, i have a wanted ad on here into its 4th year i renew it now and again, and also
i do look around the uk, even got andy baxter keeping an eye out, i have only ever seen 2 for sale in the uk,
i know there is an early natural one in Ireland, i missed it by days when it went up for sale on "adverts ie"
[url="http://www.adverts.ie/"]http://www.adverts.ie/[/url] about 2 years ago, seems the only choise is to get one in from the usa, which means its abit
of a lottery , one will turn up. "eventually"

Edited August 18, 2013 by funkgod

[BigRedX]

Why is buying from the US "a bit of a lottery"?

I've bought nearly all my rare instruments either from the US or Japan. It's pretty much the only way to guarantee getting what you want. If you limit yourself to waiting for something to turn up that's already been imported into your country then yes you are going to be in for a long wait.

[niceguyhomer]

Not many of these Clovers in the UK

[URL=http://s5.photobucket.com/user/homerplaysbass/media/2bc7d2f6-0259-4ee1-8a9d-9a8a9fb6253b_zps6fcd0fac.jpg.html][IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/homerplaysbass/2bc7d2f6-0259-4ee1-8a9d-9a8a9fb6253b_zps6fcd0fac.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Roger2611]

My old Bass Collection SB801 doesn't actually seem to have existed other then the photo I have of mine. I also have a Godlyke 5 string bass which I think is very rare in this country

[andytoad]

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1376785154' post='2179196']


You just missed one for sale in Middlesborough yesterday

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-Musician-MC940-924-fretless-bass-MIJ-1980-/161083736641?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258156c241
[/quote]

How comes our man did not put it on the forum, the fee?

[Mornats]

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1376828566' post='2179555']
My old Bass Collection SB801 doesn't actually seem to have existed other then the photo I have of mine. I also have a Godlyke 5 string bass which I think is very rare in this country
[/quote]

I'm intrigued, do you have a pic of the SB801?

[funkgod]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376825033' post='2179456']
Why is buying from the US "a bit of a lottery"?

I've bought nearly all my rare instruments either from the US or Japan. It's pretty much the only way to guarantee getting what you want. If you limit yourself to waiting for something to turn up that's already been imported into your country then yes you are going to be in for a long wait.
[/quote]

You are right of course, and i have basses i have imported, the ones i have imported look newish and so more a safe bet, most of the L2kE's i have seen in the usa look WELL used, moded and tatty, with few exceptions, I have been stung before hence i see it as a bit of a lottery,
If i find one in the uk i really want i will always go and collect it myself.
and look it over, when that luxury is taken away then chance comes into play.
But as you say, sometimes its the only way,

Niceguyhomer,
that bass looks great and so fresh.
never seen one of them before now.

Edited August 18, 2013 by funkgod

[niceguyhomer]

Thanks funkgod - it sounds as good as it looks

[tauzero]

I've got an Ashbory Mk II, of which there are (I believe) 73.

[uncle psychosis]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376810940' post='2179261']
I own a Yamaha BJ5B (essentially a cross between an SBV and TRB5). Signature bass of Terry & The Blue Jeans who are a very popular surf band in Japan, made in a limited edition of only 50. I probably own the only example outside of Japan, but if it was possible for me to get this I believe that almost nothing is rare that it will never turn up.
[/quote]

Just had a google...looks awesome. Any chance of some pics?

[BigRedX]

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1376917253' post='2180779']
Just had a google...looks awesome. Any chance of some pics?
[/quote]

TBH if you've looked it up on Google you'll have already seen most of the photos of mine. Here they all are in one handy place:


[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC03062.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC03068.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC03072.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC03070.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC03067.jpg[/IMG]

And a rare shot of me actually using it at a gig:

[IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/382462_500846643264414_171284646_n.jpg[/IMG]

[funkgod]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376920952' post='2180864']


And a rare shot of me actually using it at a gig: [/quote]

Wow, dont let prince see that, i could see him bee lining for it. and your pvc/leather pants

Edited August 19, 2013 by funkgod

[uncle psychosis]

Thanks, BRX. I really love those SBV-style basses, that one is particularly nice. I think I'd prefer chrome hardware, but other than that its really cool. You should use it more often, it definitely suits the Dick Venom vibe.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1376924629' post='2180947']
Thanks, BRX. I really love those SBV-style basses, that one is particularly nice. I think I'd prefer chrome hardware, but other than that its really cool. You should use it more often, it definitely suits the Dick Venom vibe.
[/quote]

I would if it wasn't so big and heavy. It is definitely the heaviest bass I have ever owned and really wouldn't want to be wearing it for much more than 30 minutes. It's also very long... Most of the places we're currently playing, our audience is only inches away. I'd be in danger of doing some serious damage if I used this bass (plus it doesn't fit sideways in the back of any car when in its case).

As for the gold hardware - it's a Japanese premium bass thing. Try finding an expensive Japanese bass that doesn't have it!

Edited August 19, 2013 by BigRedX

[EBS_freak]

eubassix made a nice little earner on that one... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251281014276#ht_292wt_988"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251281014276#ht_292wt_988[/url]

[BassTractor]

Thanks for the pix, BRX. I'll put it on eBay within the minute! Should go for a million.

[LukeFRC]

My old status shark II bass - two pickups, active 4 stringer in tobacco burst - my first bass and now well played living in birmingham. never seen another one like it.

Not many Valenti's this side of the pond appart from the one that RichardDD is selling at the moment, think there's another one or two floating about.

Peavey T45 ... even less than T40's

[scalpy]

Interesting that this thread should open mentioning a G&L. I was going to suggest the ASAT, as I've had mine 13 years, never seen another one in the flesh, and only seen three on the TV. There hasn't even been one on here for sale as I understand it in the 3+ (?) years I've been a member. They must be out there as anytime an ASAT is mentioned legions of the bass playing populace come out bleating about neck dive!