2elliot Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 (edited) Wow, this thread takes me back to the mid 80s. Windows Arcade, Newcastle upon Tyne had a music department in the cellar of the shop. I remember when they first had this style bass guitar in. I'm sure they originally sold the Tune Bass Maniac then started selling Bass Collection. I think the first Bass Collection necks had Phenolic Resin finger boards. A great bass, light as a feather with a fast neck. Edited November 13, 2012 by 2elliot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenFerguson Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 My higher bass teacher at the school recomended I buy one, I went for a schector stilletoe, lovely bass but this dude did know what he was talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='StephenFerguson' timestamp='1352853079' post='1868564'] My higher bass teacher at the school recomended I buy one, I went for a schector stilletoe, lovely bass but this dude did know what he was talking about. [/quote] I gigged a Schecter Stiletto Custom 4 for a while - sounds great with the EMG's, bought a Custom 5 but couldn't get used to the narrow string spacing. I've never tried a Japanese Bass Collection but I did buy a cheap Speakeasy copy on ebay a few years ago and the neck was great. With a pickup upgrade it would have been a great backup bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiceboy Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 OK New member here, first post and joined specifically for this thread. I have been looking for info on these basses for a while before stumbling across this place. I have a Bass Collection that looks identical to the one in the pictures Bass Bunny posted on page 9, same colour, pickups, hardware etc. I loved the weight, feel and sound of it, the only issue I had was it picking up buzz on stage and in rehearsals I currently live in California and the bass is back in the UK but I will see if I can get the serial number next time I am back Is there such a thing as a guide that tells you what key points to look at in order to identify which model you have? Here is a picture of me rockin' out with it back in the early 90's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 [quote name='Spiceboy' timestamp='1354137298' post='1882685'] Is there such a thing as a guide that tells you what key points to look at in order to identify which model you have? [/quote] Nope, or at least nothing that I could find in May 2007. This topic here on Basschat is now the best single source for information on these basses, to the best of my knowledge. Welcome aboard mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 An interesting thread but missing 1 guitar, back in the very late 80's I owned a Bass Collection SB602 (the fretless version) which was my main gigging and recording bass I wore the fretboard out quite badly and ended up having an Ebony fretboard fitted by Pete Davis of Goddfellow fame, so if you've got that one I would like it back :-) Shortly after buying the 602 I was offered it's "sister" bass from the same source my 602 came from, I became the proud owner of the only SB801 that I have ever come across, it had a quilted maple top, through neck with a standard ebony board...it was a stunning guitar. Unfortunately I found that I tended to kick the G string off the side of the fretboard (poor technique me thinks now!) so it was sold on pretty quickly and replaced with a Tune Wood Bass that I also failed to get on with. I still have some photo's of it somewhere (just to prove it really did exist) if I can find them I will get them uploaded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I've know of the 300, 400, 500 and 600 series but not the 800. Would love to see those pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Found the pics today will get them uploaded as soon as I can, it was a real beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I bought a brand new SB301 in 1992. It was Sunburst and cost £225. I sold it two years later for the same price. Great bass but i put the money towards a 1974 Fender Jazz which i bought for £400. That still makes me extremely happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) As promised 3 photo's of the previously unknown SB801, I wonder what happened to it? Edited December 11, 2012 by Roger2611 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 That quilted top reminds me of my old Goodfellow: [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20SOLD/Goodfellow%20Custom%20Classic%201985%20SOLD/DSCF3630.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 That 801 (and HappyJack's Goodfellow) is gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fumps Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Drooling over the Bass Collection love When i first started playing I used to think (And still do) that they looked & played like kittens lol. I still admire them even now.....what a cracking thread. I now play an Ibanez SB which always reminds me of a Bass Collection bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I still miss the stripey 3 piece suite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Many thanks for posting those pictures Roger, looks like a lovely bass. I've never seen another 801. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahfish Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1355229663' post='1895586'] As promised 3 photo's of the previously unknown SB801, I wonder what happened to it? [/quote] that's an odd mixture of gold hardware with black control knobs. Looks great otherwise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 This SB460 just sold on ebay - very tempted to put a bid on it. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Collection-SB460-Custom-Bass-Guitar-EMG-PUPS-/170981887679?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27cf508ebf"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Collection-SB460-Custom-Bass-Guitar-EMG-PUPS-/170981887679?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27cf508ebf[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 £280? Someone scored a bargain there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1359486070' post='1955541'] £280? Someone scored a bargain there! [/quote] Seems to have been relisted - it's not mine btw but if I had £280 to spare I'd be bidding on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Not convinced by this one. It has been messed about a fair bit (pickups & wiring, brass nut, missing trc), I'm not sure about the "brass truss rod bolt", he describes the switch as both "a bit dodgy" and "like new" requiring only "contact oil" to get it working properly ... in that case use some before listing it for sale! In all original vgc this would be a decent price. Personally I'd give it a miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsieblue Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1359543359' post='1956262'] Not convinced by this one. It has been messed about a fair bit (pickups & wiring, brass nut, missing trc), I'm not sure about the "brass truss rod bolt", he describes the switch as both "a bit dodgy" and "like new" requiring only "contact oil" to get it working properly ... in that case use some before listing it for sale! In all original vgc this would be a decent price. Personally I'd give it a miss. [/quote] agreed - Happy Jack - as we know you are the global guru on Bass Collections. I had a look at this and made a cheeky offer at a price I thought it was worth a punt on. It sold fairly soon after. I wasn't happy with the swapped out pups and electrics - probably a very nice bass in there somewhere though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1359543359' post='1956262'] Not convinced by this one. It has been messed about a fair bit (pickups & wiring, brass nut, missing trc), [/quote] Wasn't the brass nut standard on the top end BC basses? I'm pretty sure the Pudak/Maple capped ones I drooled over in the Bass Centre had brass nuts. *cue monkey joke* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1359549734' post='1956378'] ... as we know you are the global guru on Bass Collections. [/quote] No way! And no false modesty either ... there are plenty of people here on Basschat who know way more than me, I'm just the guy who started this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1359551509' post='1956434'] Wasn't the brass nut standard on the top end BC basses? I'm pretty sure the Pudak/Maple capped ones I drooled over in the Bass Centre had brass nuts. [/quote] The Rev is right. I can confirm that my SB465 has both a brass nut and a brass truss rod adjuster - haven't had the rod out so I don't know what the rest of it is made of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsieblue Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1359554733' post='1956515'] No way! And no false modesty either ... there are plenty of people here on Basschat who know way more than me, I'm just the guy who started this thread. [/quote] Fair enough Happy Jack - let's agree that you are a very wide man indeed then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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