Anybody here bought this? John Birch 8-string doer-upper!!!

[scrumpymike]

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1476874515' post='3157926']
Scroll down and the original details are still there...
[/quote]

Thanks, done it.

Hey Ash, that's going to be a real beauty when it's been restored - definitely envious now!

[scrumpymike]

PS At least you can't say the timber hasn't been well and truly seasoned

[ash]

Remember the rescued John Birch 8 string? Well this is how it looks now. The original wiring is a write off but the pickups sound great and though I'm awaiting a shortscale 8 string set (I'll get them custom made from Newtone ). It plays, looks and sounds great! Thank you Paul Neild at Retro169 for the nitro refinish. At some point I'll put a restoration thread. Happy Christmas!

[chriswareham]

I'll repeat what I said on Facebook :-)

Wow.

Is there any sign of a serial number that could be used to trace the age and possible first owner? Can't have been a big seller, and somewhat specialised, so if the current JB staff have any records from the eraly days ...

[ash]

Hiya - no there isn't a serial number my other JB basses have had this hand engraved (rather roughly) on the bridge where the strings anchor but there is nothing on this. The pickups are signed/engraved by John Birch. Many custom basses were not given numbers as they were true 'one-offs' I think this is such a beast. It's now strung with 8 string and plays well, as good if not better than my old Shergold 8er - thanks to the shortscale - intonation is'nt the best at the higher end and will need work. I'm using an old Shergold Newtone set with Ernie Ball guitar strings for the octaves. I'll get a custom 8 set from Neil at Newtone who make strings for my Shergold Marathon 6.