NDB - eBay you hateful b*stard!

[binky_bass]

I frequently trawl various 'instrument for sale' sites when I've got nothing better to do of an evening once the boy is in bed and after the wife and I have had some dinner... 8pm to 9pm is my prime hour!

 

I stumbled across a Conklin GTBD-7 on eBay yesterday, not too many of these were made, they were meant to be a cheaper, more accessible version of the USA Custom Shop Conklins, however they were very expensive to make and the quality was exceptionally good, not too far off that of the USA Custom Shop basses, so they stopped production after maybe a year or so. They did the GT-7 (the cheaper version) and this GTBD-7 versions with Bartolini pickups and preamp as well as a premium top and through neck. 

 

I've owned a couple of these over the years as well as two USA Custom Shop Conklins (one I still have and I will die with), so I'm very familiar with them vs the USA stock and they are really great basses. 

 

I made an offer on this one, we had a quick chat about logistics, and the offer was accepted! Should be with me Tuesday/Wednesday of next week. Comes with a spare set of strings and a hardcase too. 👍 

 

Damn you eBay for FORCING me to buy this! 😆

 

[Geek99]

Holy f*** 

[tauzero]

Nice.

[itu]

How do you tune that smörgåsbord? What's the scale length and string spacing in the bridge? 

 

Congratulations on a fine bass! 

[binky_bass]

4 minutes ago, itu said:

How do you tune that smörgåsbord? What's the scale length and string spacing in the bridge? 

 

Congratulations on a fine bass! 

I'll probably go with BEADGCF tuning. I have a USA Custom Shop 8 string Conklin, an ACG 9 string and a Bee Bass 10 string (Binky), so I'm used to these oversized beasts! Scale length I believe is 35", spacing I think is 17mm.

[Hellzero]

Have you ever played the USA Bill Dickens model, Russ?

 

I did at the Frankfurt Musik Messe, when they were released, under the surveillance of the master himself, who has huge hands that said.

 

It sounded really really really well, but even back then I found it very heavy, the bass, not Bill, though... 🤪😉🤔

[binky_bass]

No, I've not played a full fat US Bill Dickens, but I do own this US full fat Custom Shop 8 string Conklin, which I imagine wouldn't be too dissimilar! And probably weighs similar!

 

Edited 5 hours ago by binky_bass

[velvetkevorkian]

Nice score, that's a prettier top than the slightly wonky quilt I have on mine. I always assumed these were 34", I should probably check that.

[Hellzero]

Scale length of the GTBD-7 is indeed 34 inches @velvetkevorkian, not 35 inches @binky_bass. 😉

[Hellzero]

More photos and details here: Conklin GTBD-7 Bill Dickens Signature with Natural Finish https://reverb.com/item/11052050

 

[HeadlessBassist]

Lovely Conklin you've scored there - you'll be able to iron your shirts on the fingerboard in between string changes!

[Paulhauser]

Nice score Russ! The GTBD was on my bucket list for a few years albeit I was not succesfull in getting one. I had a GT-7 though for a few years, the regular overseas Conklin 7er and that was a great bass, heavy but balanced exceptionally well with the huge body and fat neck. I seem to remember that the neck on the Dickens model is somewhat narrower and thinner than the GT-7. I think you are up for a treat!

[binky_bass]

2 hours ago, Paulhauser said:

Nice score Russ! The GTBD was on my bucket list for a few years albeit I was not succesfull in getting one. I had a GT-7 though for a few years, the regular overseas Conklin 7er and that was a great bass, heavy but balanced exceptionally well with the huge body and fat neck. I seem to remember that the neck on the Dickens model is somewhat narrower and thinner than the GT-7. I think you are up for a treat!

I've had 2 or 3 of these over the years, then genuinely are very good basses, even at the price point they were when they were new. Looking forward to giving this one a blast in a day or two!