*Rare* Status Series 1 through-neck with exotic book matched top. £925 Derbyshire, UK

[HeadlessBassist]

Yes, it's definitely a Series 1 with the through-neck option. (The Eclipse of the same mid nineties period had a single piece curved top and the Energy only had three volume/tone/style sweeper controls.)

 

As you'll probably know, most of the wooden necked [with internal graphite rods] Status basses were cheaper bolt on instruments with the small composite square at the bottom of the neck. This one is a very rare through neck model (which was an option in 1994).

 

You can see how the wood through-neck build was identically constructed to the graphite through-necks on the Empathy during the same period, with a rock maple stepped design neck set into the walnut tone block, and the mahogany wings added to the sides, with a book-matched exotic wood top cap.

 

The bass has obviously lived a life since the mid-1990s and there is some stable lacquer peel to the back, but no deep buckle rash. There's also a very small area where a players thumb-tip has worn through the top veneer when they've repeatedly perched their thumb on the top of the neck pickup. It's not perfect, but it's obviously been loved and played hard & often.

 

The original pickup covers would have been the red branded "Hyperactive" ones, so the other "Status" branded pickup may be a replacement unit or just a replacement cover. Either way, both work just fine.

 

Sound: This bass does the Status snap and howl very well indeed. It's very punchy and the tone is warmed by the walnut tone block. It's only a 9V preamp, but it has massive punch. Controls are Volume, Blend, and two-band Treble & Bass. There is also a 'bright switch' circuit controlled by a micro-switch.

 

The 24-fret neck is utterly lovely. Fret work is excellent as you'd expect and the gloss finish has gently gone slightly satin over time. It's a joy to play.  

 

The bass has had a thorough clean and service since being picked up, and the truss rod has been tightened a small amount to reduce the relief. Action is low and very fast as you'd expect and it's been strung with a new set of Elixir 40-95's. The preamp battery has also been changed. This bass is ready to blast!

 

Comes complete with a generic non-Status hard case.

 

Payment via Direct Bank Transfer or cash only. Buyer to collect from DE7 in Derbyshire, or will meet halfway up to a reasonable distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by HeadlessBassist