For Sale – Godin LR Baggs Acoustibass Fretless Bass – 1991 with orig. case - Reserved - - *SOLD* £900 Builth Wells, Powys, Wales

[D-luxx]

Selling my stunning, rare original Godin hollowbody fretless, as it does not get enough use these days and unfortunately, I need the money to finance another purchase.

 

These basses were handcrafted in Canada, and this is the original Acoustibass version with LR Baggs pre-amp, and a clever 12 time metal harp system attached below the bridge that resonates in sympathy with the top. This creates a complex and rich tone and makes it the closest thing to an actual double bass.

 

These basses are far superior to the later A4 and A5 basses from the same manufacturer.

It features a single-piece chambered, black, mahogany body, with aged white binding, gold tuners, a solid spruce top, hard maple neck, and an ebony unlined fingerboard.

 

The piezo pickup is boosted by the LR Baggs preamp, that features volume control and a 3-band equalizer. The preamp is powered by a 9 volt battery. A fresh battery can be installed by unscrewing and lifting the cover of the amp. Note that if the battery is drained, the bass does not have a passive fallback option, and it will provide no output to your amp.

 

This copy is from 1991. I verified the serial number with Godin to confirm. I bought this bass in the Netherlands (sticker on headstock), as I am Dutch, and brought it with me to Wales. Is is in fantastic condition. There are 2 or 3 very minor spots near the pre-amp, which I struggled to photograph. You would not notice them unless you looked for it. Other than that the bass is immaculate. It has been professionally serviced last in 2022. At that point the jack socket was replaced by a superior product (the original had deteriorated and drained the battery even when not plugged in), the electrolytic capacitors in the pre-amp were replaced, all amp sliders were cleaned and treated, and finally the fingerboard was sanded and oiled. It is currently fitted with flatwounds, with a nice low action and no string buzz.

 

It comes with its original hard case. The case tolex shows some signs of wear (see pictures), but the case itself is in great condition and the bass fits snug and safe.

 

You can hear this actual bass on recordings that I played on, for example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKkZ4MSWmB4&list=RDGKkZ4MSWmB4&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZtZ1gu0uHs&list=RDkZtZ1gu0uHs&start_radio=1

 

and most recently

https://walsaurus.bandcamp.com/track/time-has-told-me

 

Ideally, I’d like the buyer to collect in Mid-Wales (you can try out the bass), or meet up within reasonable distance. Alternatively, I can ship within the UK as well at the buyer’s cost. 

Edited Saturday at 17:15 by D-luxx

[Hellzero]

Excellent bass, and with that harmonic harp inside the body, far superior to the actual models tone wise.

 

I had a few of these over the years and always liked them a lot.

 

GLWYS.

[silverfoxnik]

Great sounding bass - GLWTS! 

 

Really like the recordings by the way.. Singer has a great voice, and that's a fab version of 'Time Has Told Me'! 👏👍😊

[D-luxx]

Thanks a lot for the nice comments.  

[Richard R]

That's a fab bass.

GLWTS!

[D-luxx]

Practically sold now. Did not take long. Should be gone by Saturday.