Basses you hardly ever see for sale

[KingBollock]

Westone Raider I in silver/grey…

 

I keep looking on Google but all I ever find is a BassChat page that was posted while I was on a break from internet forums, so I missed it!

 

 

I believe that there is a chap on BassChat that owns one, that he mentioned he keeps in its case on top of a wardrobe. But I can’t for the life of me remember who it was! I think he may have said that it was his first bass, so I felt it would be too cheeky to ask if he would sell it. Especially with how much I regret selling mine.

[Terry M.]

33 minutes ago, itu said:

Sorry, I need to meet a pro optometrist!

 

What I like in piezo is the versatility, but it also means quite a lot of adjustments. Wide frequency range gives possibilities, but there's that extra hassle. I think that two outputs and two preamps would be the ultimate solution, but who wants to carry all equipment to the gig, I don't know. 

 

All in all, Affirma is a different instrument if you are after something else and want to experiment.

I would love to stumble on an original Japanese 5 string version as I find the design extremely ergonomic.

[Terry M.]

On 11/06/2025 at 06:27, Cornwall Steve said:

I'm trying to get my hands on a Yamaha BB425X or 1025X but they seem as rare as a five legged horse, though there is the occasional overpriced one often in some remote corner of the country 'collection only', or from overseas with shipping costs half the price of the bass! 😂

Rigby Music in Stockport are advertising a red BB424X for £350 if anyone is interested however whether it's still for sale I couldn't say (what is it with music shops and dealers who persist in advertising guitar stock they sold six months ago ?🤔)interested

Cheers, Steve

Just tried "your" 1025X in The Gallery in Camden and I have to say that tonally I would take that P bass pickup soloed over an actual Fender P bass (I've had a few).Now I'm REALLY curious as to what it has over the 425X 🤔 Their used red BB735A (I know you're not after one) in red felt superior in my hands however.

AFR5 issue has been solved,it sold.

Edited Saturday at 15:28 by Terry M.

[Stub Mandrel]

I'd find it hard to resist if a Riverhead Unicorn came up.

[itu]

7 hours ago, Terry M. said:

I would love to stumble on an original Japanese 5 string version as I find the design extremely ergonomic.

...and the neck is wide, 19 mm string spacing!

[Cornwall Steve]

3 hours ago, Terry M. said:

Just tried "your" 1025X in The Gallery in Camden and I have to say that tonally I would take that P bass pickup soloed over an actual Fender P bass (I've had a few).Now I'm REALLY curious as to what it has over the 425X 🤔 Their used red BB735A (I know you're not after one) in red felt superior in my hands however.

AFR5 issue has been solved,it sold.

Hi Terry, makes me realise how much I'm missing out living so far away from civilisation - Still the beaches here are nice ! 😂

I've been in touch with Andertons again today to try and obtain a bit more info on their secondhandhand White BB425x. I didn't so I still think it's a bit on the high side - and they won't drop a penny.

I've tried researching as much info as I can to find out if the 1025x is really worth the extra premium over the 425x. Seems those in the know have divided opinions 🤔

Actually Terry I quite like the735a. I know many have a lot to say about the capabilities of the 735 - or rather lack of. I've had a go on the 735a (at the Yamaha store in the West End) but never even held a 425 or a 1025 so no idea how they compare 🤔

Are you disappointed the AFR5 has gone ?😔

[prowla]

3 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I'd find it hard to resist if a Riverhead Unicorn came up.

Yep - I'd like one of those, to go alongside my Flyte.

 

[Terry M.]

2 hours ago, Cornwall Steve said:

Hi Terry, makes me realise how much I'm missing out living so far away from civilisation - Still the beaches here are nice ! 😂

I've been in touch with Andertons again today to try and obtain a bit more info on their secondhandhand White BB425x. I didn't so I still think it's a bit on the high side - and they won't drop a penny.

I've tried researching as much info as I can to find out if the 1025x is really worth the extra premium over the 425x. Seems those in the know have divided opinions 🤔

Actually Terry I quite like the735a. I know many have a lot to say about the capabilities of the 735 - or rather lack of. I've had a go on the 735a (at the Yamaha store in the West End) but never even held a 425 or a 1025 so no idea how they compare 🤔

Are you disappointed the AFR5 has gone ?😔

Hi Steve.

Yes my family journeyed to Cornwall 5 years ago and indeed the beaches are lovely. It seems the days of haggling on the price of used gear in larger stores is now in the past. PMT(RIP) used to be generous in that regard as was Guitar Guitar. I found the 735a pretty capable and well put-together from my limited experience of noodling in shops including the Wardour Street main store but I prefer the looks of the previous 425/1025. The latter however as I'm sure you know features not a pickup blend knob but a 3-way toggle switch which may matter to some. 

I'm actually relieved the AFR5 has gone to be honest as I can now stop staring at a bass I never needed in the first place 😂

 

Take care mate...

 

[Cornwall Steve]

Yep, with you on that one mate. I much prefer the older BB's to the present ones 

As for the AFR5, the number of times I've bought basses on-line only to be disappointed when they arrive and plug 'em in. Like you say, basses I never needed in the first place. Nicely put .......

trouble is there are just too many out there needing a good home 😳 plus I'm a sucker for a bit of retail therapy too. Made worse by retirement and too much time on my hands !😂

All the best.....

[BaggyMan]

On 14/06/2025 at 17:35, Cornwall Steve said:

Hi Terry, makes me realise how much I'm missing out living so far away from civilisation - Still the beaches here are nice ! 😂

I've been in touch with Andertons again today to try and obtain a bit more info on their secondhandhand White BB425x. I didn't so I still think it's a bit on the high side - and they won't drop a penny.

I've tried researching as much info as I can to find out if the 1025x is really worth the extra premium over the 425x. Seems those in the know have divided opinions 🤔

Actually Terry I quite like the735a. I know many have a lot to say about the capabilities of the 735 - or rather lack of. I've had a go on the 735a (at the Yamaha store in the West End) but never even held a 425 or a 1025 so no idea how they compare 🤔

Are you disappointed the AFR5 has gone ?😔

I have owned 424x (still do its my third) 425x and 1025x's.  On my current 424x  changed out the bridge on the 424x for a Babicz and wouldnt consider buying a 1024x if one came up to replace it.   Honestly the tonal difference isnt anything to write home about (between the 42Xx and the 102Xx series) and the difference iapeears to be hardware.  The 424x hardware is good, a simple bridge upgrade makes it a 102Xx equivilent for less money.  

I'd love to have a 425x or 1025x 5 stringer but i'd happily do the same upgrade on a 425x with a babicz and be done and happy. 

 

 

As for the replacement design that saw the end of the 'x' line  I dunno they look dont look as complete.

[Terry M.]

1 hour ago, BaggyMan said:

As for the replacement design that saw the end of the 'x' line  I dunno they look dont look as complete.

That sums up how I feel pretty much 👍

[Cornwall Steve]

4 hours ago, BaggyMan said:

I have owned 424x (still do its my third) 425x and 1025x's.  On my current 424x  changed out the bridge on the 424x for a Babicz and wouldnt consider buying a 1024x if one came up to replace it.   Honestly the tonal difference isnt anything to write home about (between the 42Xx and the 102Xx series) and the difference iapeears to be hardware.  The 424x hardware is good, a simple bridge upgrade makes it a 102Xx equivilent for less money.  

I'd love to have a 425x or 1025x 5 stringer but i'd happily do the same upgrade on a 425x with a babicz and be done and happy. 

 

 

As for the replacement design that saw the end of the 'x' line  I dunno they look dont look as complete.

That's very interesting to read and food for thought. Thank you 👍

[leschirons]

On 15/05/2025 at 07:44, snorkie635 said:

Roscoe Beck V in Candy Apple Red. (Maybe they only made two or something?) ☹️

And I had exactly that and sold it in France. It's my biggest regret.

[HeadlessBassist]

6 minutes ago, leschirons said:

And I had exactly that and sold it in France. It's my biggest regret.

 

Those Roscoe Beck Fenders really are a Unicorn Bass these days. I'd imagine most are in the hands of collectors. I used to play one occasionally at a Jam Session in Nottingham in the 90s. Back then, it was just another nice Fender.

 

Speaking of which, here's a nice one for sale on Reverb...

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by HeadlessBassist

[Terry M.]

3 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

 

Those Roscoe Beck Fenders really are a Unicorn Bass these days. I'd imagine most are in the hands of collectors. I used to play one occasionally at a Jam Session in Nottingham in the 90s. Back then, it was just another nice Fender.

What's ironic is the high status those basses have achieved coupled with (some) people's snobbery of Pau Ferro fretboards. I have no issue with PF and would really like to try a Roscoe Beck to see what I've been missing. Never seen one though so...

[HeadlessBassist]

Yes, I think Pao Ferro fingerboards are either something you like or dislike. The 'furry' feeling when they're new can be odd, but it's a very hard wood that stands the test of time, second only to Ebony.

 

The Beck Basses are nice, again, I thought of the one I played a few times as nothing special, but it was a punchy thing for a passive bass. I guess they just gained legendary status by being a rare, sought after item. 

 

 

[snorkie635]

37 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

Yes, I think Pao Ferro fingerboards are either something you like or dislike. The 'furry' feeling when they're new can be odd, but it's a very hard wood that stands the test of time, second only to Ebony.

 

The Beck Basses are nice, again, I thought of the one I played a few times as nothing special, but it was a punchy thing for a passive bass. I guess they just gained legendary status by being a rare, sought after item. 

 

 

You are correct, they're not as wonderful, amazing, tremendous as legend would suggest. I've got current fivers that are as good, or better, but I just fancy one in CAR. One day ...

[Terry M.]

1 hour ago, Terry M. said:

What's ironic is the high status those basses have achieved coupled with (some) people's snobbery of Pau Ferro fretboards. I have no issue with PF and would really like to try a Roscoe Beck to see what I've been missing. Never seen one though so...

Talking about this has stirred my memory. I HAVE tried one,it was in Bassbros. The fact that I'd completely forgotten about it may speak for itself.

[Terry M.]

1 hour ago, HeadlessBassist said:

The 'furry' feeling when they're new can be odd

I don't remember a furry feeling when I tried new basses in shops that had PF fretboards. Or maybe just didn't notice it.

[LukeFRC]

I tried a 5 string fretless at bass gallery a while back, good curr for rosecoe beck gas!