bubinga5 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) Ive played it on a few rehearsals now. First off, Its not a Jazz Bass..But really its a modern sounding bass that looks a little bit like a Jazz, as the Sei Looked like a modern Jazz and sounded like a modern Jazz. The Sei was so well made it had a clarity across the fretboard and this instrument is the same, but just sounds a little different. Its a double hum bucker 34' scale beast with an 18v powered GB preamp. Ive never been a fan of the light show that he offers so I'm glad it didn't come with any of those tarty bits that seems to add a lot of money to an already great bass.These GB's are being sold for well over £2000 used because of these options. I just wanted a great bass that had some growl. And that it has, with a super tight B string. Ive put some new strings on it being my die hard favourite DR Fat Beams that sound so cool when set at the right action. I had a preconception that GB basses sounded like a super modern Mark King zingy Jaydee Alembic sounding bass which im not a fan of. Not the case. I can dial in some really old school sounds from this instrument as well as some more MTD sounding tones.Playing Dangelo tone off stuff is cool. Its EQ is fairly easy to work out. It feels wonderful to play neck wise. I will say its not as comfortable to play as the Sei Jazz because its neck is a little and I mean a slight difference depth wise at the nut end. And there is no cut away on the back by the neck bolts. But it is super nice to hold. You feel like your playing something very special and well made. UK bass royalty one might say. The flame neck is insane with purple heart strips. Insane Birdseye maple neck. I soooooo dig the burl walnut on the back of the headstock, a really cool touch. . The body is swamp ash with a Burled Walnut top with a purple heart sandwich. . All in all this instrument is just as good as it gets depending on your flavour. To be honest it could be a bit more Jazz like, but im being picky. What it does it does incredibly well. A joy to play and it makes me smile when im playing funky soulish stuff with the band through a 212 Aguilar. I believe Harry from this very forum asked for this bass to be made for him by Bernie. So if your about dude, please chip in if I have missed something. Edited October 12, 2019 by bubinga5 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Stunning bass and nice write up. I had a Goodfellow, back in the day, which was amazing but this looks even better. Congrats. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebassmusic Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Darn it! I was too slow in breaking the piggy bank for this one 😥 Glad your enjoying it. Lovely looking bass 😀👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Acebassmusic said: Darn it! I was too slow in breaking the piggy bank for this one 😥 Glad your enjoying it. Lovely looking bass 😀👍 You and me both! 😁 Is this the one that Jay had up for sale? I didn't manage to persuade him to trade me it for a bass that I've now managed to sell. Timing eh! Edited October 13, 2019 by Al Krow 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassfan Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Beautiful. What a buy! 👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Awesome bass. If I ever have a J style bass again I think it’ll be a GB Spitfire. I’ve come so close to owning one several times but haven’t quite found one yet - most seem to be five string. Enjoy it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 7 minutes ago, ped said: ... most seem to be five string. Enjoy it!! Surely, by definition, they're the best sort?! 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Just now, Al Krow said: Surely, by definition, they're the best sort?! 😄 Quite possibly, but unfortunately I am, by definition, a bit crap at them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassfan Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Just now, ped said: Quite possibly, but unfortunately I am, by definition, a bit crap at them Not just me then! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassfan Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Surely, by definition, they're the best sort?! 😄 No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 2 hours ago, Al Krow said: You and me both! 😁 Is this the one that Jay had up for sale? I didn't manage to persuade him to trade me it for a bass that I've now managed to sell. Timing eh! Yeah it belonged to Jamie. Lovely guy. We met in a hotel room. Was just like an elicit drug deal.😆 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 20 hours ago, bubinga5 said: bass.These GB's are being sold for well over £2000 used because of these optio Theres a lefty on ebay that can't get to its reserve of 500 at a few times of asking. Criminal. I can't justify it myself no matter how much I know its a snip. Tis a beautiful looking bass, glad it hits the spot for you tone wise too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Beautiful detail. Love the matched rear headstock.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 31 minutes ago, uk_lefty said: Theres a lefty on ebay that can't get to its reserve of 500 at a few times of asking. Criminal. I can't justify it myself no matter how much I know its a snip. Tis a beautiful looking bass, glad it hits the spot for you tone wise too. So how hard would it be to start playing basses left hand then? You guys seem to get all the best deals! 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 He does knock a decent bass together doesn't he old Bernie?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 On 13/10/2019 at 12:34, Al Krow said: Surely, by definition, they're the best sort?! 😄 Nah, I agree with Ped. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 4 minutes ago, 4000 said: Nah, I agree with Ped. 😉 What? That 5 strings are quite possibly the best sort but you're a bit crap at them...? That's very honest of you to 'fess up to 😁 On 13/10/2019 at 12:35, ped said: Quite possibly, but unfortunately I am, by definition, a bit crap at them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I played one of these at a SE Bass Bash and it was in the top two instruments I've ever played - really nice articulate tone and a colosally powerful pre-amp as I recall Lovely top wood on that one too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 12 hours ago, Al Krow said: What? That 5 strings are quite possibly the best sort but you're a bit crap at them...? That's very honest of you to 'fess up to 😁 😁 The one advantage most fives do have for me is narrower string spacing. Two of my 3 main fours have 16.5mm spacing (the other is 17mm), and very few fours are that close. I’ve often toyed with getting another 5 and then taking a string off, but I can’t find one I really like the sound of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 1 hour ago, 4000 said: 😁 Two of my 3 main fours have 16.5mm spacing (the other is 17mm), and very few fours are that close. Ibanez SR per chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 2 hours ago, Al Krow said: Ibanez SR per chance? Nah. Vintage Rics. Ibby SR 5s have that spacing, but not the 4s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burno70 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Stunning bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 On 13/10/2019 at 20:56, uk_lefty said: There's a lefty on ebay that can't get to its reserve of 500 at a few times of asking. Criminal. I can't justify it myself no matter how much I know its a snip. Tis a beautiful looking bass, glad it hits the spot for you tone wise too. Is that the reserve price? I've bid on it a couple of times even though I would have no need for it. I may bid £501 next time. I had a 4 string Spitfire which I didn't fall in love with. However I did have a (unbelievably beautiful) Rumour at the time which was a very difficult act for it to follow. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Bernie's work and the fact he is a complete gentleman and a joy to deal with. Unfortunately, as well as being great instruments to play, most of his creations are beautiful works of art - I never felt comfortable taking mine out of my home - sort of defeats the point of having them really. Hope that you're braver that me and get to enjoy this for the reason it was made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Crikey that's a looker! Just like mine 😁 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted October 17, 2019 Author Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, visog said: Crikey that's a looker! Just like mine 😁 Wow. Have you any more pics of this Spitfire.? Specs? Looks like a neck through.? Edited October 17, 2019 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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