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Rare Basses in the uk


funkgod
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I don't know if it counts but I have a Westone Pantera Deluxe II X790. Flagship bass from Matsumoku in 1986. Not unique, but there aren't many about.

I posted a thread about it when I first bought it last year http://basschat.co.uk/topic/172300-westone-pantera-deluxe-x790-now-here/page__p__1695145__hl__westone%20pantera__fromsearch__1#entry1695145

Edited by Paul S
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I imported a Guild B402-A in from the States, one of only 335 made (assuming all serial numbers were issued and started from 1 - and that number is shared between the B402 and the single pickup B401), I guess that counts as pretty rare. Here's a picture of me playing it, wearing a silly hat.



Funnily enough I traded it for another lesser spotted beast, a G&L El Toro. One could argue that my G&L Tribute M-2000 is very rare indeed - one of a batch of 24-36 where the factory made a mistake - they were supposed to be the GTB model (white carved top body, black body binding, matching headstock) but instead they came out regular white body with matching headstock with vintage tint on the back of the neck, a combination not normally available in a Tribute. It won't make a bean of difference to its value, but it's got an interesting back story if nothing else :)

Edited by neepheid
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Not sure how rare but years ago I had a Washburn xs-8, one of my very early basses while I was still deciding if I really wanted to play regularly or not. Sadly no pictures of it but it was in white with black 'status' stamped pickups. Seen a pic of an advert for the model in black, never seen another one in the flesh though. There seemed to be a lot of xs models and I've no idea what was supposed to be the difference, maybe different pickup configs?

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[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1376990657' post='2181809']
I imported a Guild B402-A in from the States, one of only 335 made (assuming all serial numbers were issued and started from 1 - and that number is shared between the B402 and the single pickup B401), I guess that counts as pretty rare. Here's a picture of me playing it, wearing a silly hat.
[/quote]

Between you and BRX you're giving me serious GAS for hard to find basses...thats another lovely looking thing!

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[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1376990657' post='2181809']
I imported a Guild B402-A in from the States, one of only 335 made (assuming all serial numbers were issued and started from 1 - and that number is shared between the B402 and the single pickup B401), I guess that counts as pretty rare. Here's a picture of me playing it, wearing a silly hat.



Funnily enough I traded it for another lesser spotted beast, a G&L El Toro. One could argue that my G&L Tribute M-2000 is very rare indeed - one of a batch of 24-36 where the factory made a mistake - they were supposed to be the GTB model (white carved top body, black body binding, matching headstock) but instead they came out regular white body with matching headstock with vintage tint on the back of the neck, a combination not normally available in a Tribute. It won't make a bean of difference to its value, but it's got an interesting back story if nothing else :)
[/quote] ooh yes... the El toro - stuff of legends that.

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Not sure if it's rare but in 1975 I bought a new Arbiter "Ricken*****r copy ...sunburst,stereo...beautiful ! I paid £165.00 for it ,sold it a couple of years later for £125.00 saw it in a local shop ten years later for £125.00 (couldn't afford it!) I have only seen two others since ....one of which was green.

The latest sighting was in photos sent to me by my friend for one in a shop for sale at £495...still can't afford it!

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[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1376823707' post='2179436']
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 :-) :


[/quote]Hi, I've got a sunburst 5 er RB, bought from Adey on here this year.

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Its not a bass but I have an American Deluxe Fender Toronado. I've not seen too many of them about to be honest (a couple of the Mexican ones with racing stripes though). Should be a few out there I would guess..

I don't see many of those Fender 'Boner' Jazzes about, although there is perhaps a reason for that.

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I had one of these as well - washburn stage series B20 (right hand version tho) - I looked for one for ages - 10 years maybe after I saw Pete Way playing one - finally got one imported from the States and hated it and sold it for a huge loss :D - isn't GAS great

[url="https://picasaweb.google.com/pjmuck/1983WashburnB20Bass#5390318326385432386"]https://picasaweb.google.com/pjmuck/1983WashburnB20Bass#5390318326385432386[/url]

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have an old Yamaha BX1 headless bass.
Does my Warwick Thumb NT4 1989 with EMG's qualify as a rare bass. ?

With regards the MC924 I had a white fretted one. Great bass and I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple of those for sale on Ebay over past few yrs especially the mahogany ones. Unless it was the same bass. Very nice basses altho pretty heavy too.

Dave

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  • 1 month later...

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1378122612' post='2195907']
Zon Hyperbass? There can't be too many of them knocking around.
[/quote]

like this ?....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zon-Michael-Manring-Hyperbass-/271295068137?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f2a7237e9#ht_742wt_975

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I've had a couple of rare-ish basses before which I've imported from the USA. I had a beautiful custom G&L JB2 bass which at the time was a brand you'd never see over here. I haven't ever seen another USA JB2 in the flesh in the UK and especially not one as beatiful as the one I had!

Currently I have a beautiful Pelham Blue Gibson Midtown bass and I was told by the shop i ordered it from that I was lucky to get it as they more or less discontinued the pelham blue model after they offered them for sale (true but mad as its the most beautiful version!). He told me that no others had been officially imported (sales ploy?). Anyway it sounds great, looks cool and because of its rareness I thought it would be a sound investment!






Since getting it I have only used it once and now I'm starting to think it may be best if I do get rid of it and buy something else that I may use more...decisions!

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Back in the 80's
I owned a Shaftesbury Rick copy
It was a really nice bass too
I only got rid of it cos it needed re-fretting
and I didn't have the dosh for that

Now I'm sure many of you are thinking they certainly aren't a rarity!
But I haven't seen one in years
When I started playing again a few years back, I searched high & low
they would get pulled off ebay now anyway
but the last one I saw there fetched almost the same as an "original"

Damn good basses those Shaftesburys too - apart from the tuning pegs...
Folk reportedly stripped them if they couldn't get spares
Just wondered how many would be around now,
as I say, I haven't seen one since the 80's
I wonder how many have survived

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A rare 5 string Trace Elliot has turned up on Edinburgh gumtree - same seller has Status Energy 4 string for sale as well

[url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/trace-elliot-5-string-t-bass-rare-collectors/1036247859"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/trace-elliot-5-string-t-bass-rare-collectors/1036247859[/url]

[url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/status-energy-4-string-bass-guitar/1036252302"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/status-energy-4-string-bass-guitar/1036252302[/url]

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I've never seen another bass (or guitar for that matter) by US Masters.

[url="http://www.usmasters.com/basses.htm"]http://www.usmasters.com/basses.htm[/url]

I bought my Fretless EP53 from fellow a bass chatter. But they don't seem to have any sort of representation in the UK.

It's a lovely bass and plays as well as Stingray 5 Fretless I had a few year ago, anyway here's a pic.

[attachment=146819:IMG_2292.JPG]

So I guess this makes a rare beast

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