NBD: SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB310 (I think)

[neepheid]

As mentioned in the SGC Nanyo thread, I have joined that gang - yesterday I acquired what I think is an SB310 with a Glockenklang preamp.  Spent the afternoon restringing it (it came to me strung BEAD - my poor little brain can't handle that!) and giving it the once over - a clean, lemon oil on the fretboard, new strings, full setup, sorted out a little niggle where there was an odd screw in the bridge which stuck out because the head was too big to fit in the hole - found an M3 machine screw in my spares which had a small enough head to fit in the recess.  Chrome instead of black, unfortunately, but it's a lot less noticeable than before!

 

Only thing left to do is new knobs - these are press fit knobs but the pots on the Glockenklang are solid shaft so they kinda work but want to keep turning after the end of pot travel.  Got some tasteful black flat tops coming in which are set screw fitting.  I tried to find period correct ones but it seems the bevel topped ones with the white dot like the ones which SGC Nanyo used back in the day are only available as press fit - boo!  I might revisit this though, been looking at ways to convert press fit knobs into set screw...

 

Anyway, enough guff, here are some pics:

 

Edited 12 hours ago by neepheid

[80Hz]

I had the distinct pleasure of a brief noodle on this bass yesterday. Being tuned BEAD it felt a bit like the time I tuned my baritone to Bolt Thrower tuning (whatever that was).

 

My point of reference for basses of this era is my ‘94 Ibanez Soundgear (also a PJ). In comparison the SB310 felt a little bit more substantial (perception more than reality I would say, maybe a slightly deeper neck profile) but both seem to spring from the same design brief.

 

Anyway I appreciated the chance to play something a bit esoteric that I’d hitherto only read about!

 

[uk_lefty]

Something about this design just makes me think it would be great as a fretless. I have no idea why, having never played one. I've only heard good things about them, and with a fancy preamp I'm sure this is quite the versatile, playable bass 

[HeadlessBassist]

These are lovely basses. I played a few of them back in the 80s. Not the most interesting thing to look at, but a fantastic sounding and slick to play instrument. Congrats

[pete.young]

6 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

Something about this design just makes me think it would be great as a fretless. I have no idea why, having never played one. I've only heard good things about them, and with a fancy preamp I'm sure this is quite the versatile, playable bass 

 

Like this? It works very well, although the original preamp isn't great.

 

[Terry M.]

Briefly had a 5 string version in black. The preamp had to go so in went a Glockenklang. Really great basses these. Good find 👏