Obscure Musical Backwaters - The Great SGC Nanyo Thread

[Linus27]

A couple of Bass Collection's up on Ebay at the moment. Check this thread for links.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34573"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34573[/url]

[Russty_dub]

Best bass ive evry owned!

ive got a 1988 active 5string which has been modified by chris from Overwater Basses in eary 2000s!

its forsale in the forsale section!!

[hongohones]

Hi
My first post on basschat.
Been quite an interesting read about the Bass Collection Basses.
I bought one (a 301 I believe) 4 string, passive, in '92 from a mate
Played it for about 6 years, did many, many gigs.
It's been stored for a while and I want to restore it to give to my son, who's going to love it.
I think it only needs new screws, strings, maybe a pot or two, but, I am wondering about the neck p bass pick-ups though, if I scratch on the bridge J-Bass pickup I can hear it, yet this doesn't happen with the P-bass ones.
Does anyone know if this is normal?
The bass works fine with all pots in all positions, although a couple of them are fairly scratchy.
If I decided to replace the pots, can someone let me know what type they used?

Thanks in advance, I'll update you with my progress regardless.

Hongo

[doctord]

Hi,

New member - posting solely having discovered this thread!

I bought my Bass Collection new - way back in '92 (!).
SGC Nanyo - made in Japan
Model: SB405, 5 string, active, J-J, black (quite rare - I guess from this thread)
S/N: 884919.

I paid the princely sum of £420 in '92 which was a steal at the time (the store manager was a friend of a friend). The store had a honey display model, but I ordered the SB405 which took ~3 weeks to arrive "fresh off the boat from Japan". This now seems odd given it must have been 3-4 years "old" when I ordered it (given the S/N) but perhaps there wasn't the demand for this model. I can remember stripping off the SGC Nanyo packaging with what I assumed was original manufacturer's Japanese writing. I also remeber opting for the 400 series based on the upgraded hardware - specifically the bridge.

Anyway (cut to the chase) a few years after I bought it, I was changing the battery for the active electronics and noticed (for the first time ) a small switch on the PCB behind the block with the S/N (see pics - small white toggle switch). To this day I haven't even tried to work-out what this switch is for. By this time the store i bought from had closed, and I couldn't track-down a "manual" anywhere (I don't recall ever having one one). So - can anyone here tell me what the switch does / what it's for or point me in the right direction? (Is it simply an "active/passive" switch - like SiBob's post). Apologies if this is a dumb question.

[attachment=20988:Switch_1.JPG][attachment=20989:Switch_2.JPG]

Over the years I've had a number of other basses, but the SB405 has been the only one that I've kept! I still consider it a real bargain!

[slevster]

Hi

Unfortunately it has come time to sell my Bass Collection guitar. Having not used it in a good ten years I know very little about it but still have fond memories of playing a few gigs when I was a lot younger! Having now read this great thread I am a little more clued up (eg. I now know where the serial number is). I think I have an SB301 from 1991 but I have included some photos if anyone could confirm that it is the SB301 model (and whether it's active or passive)?

I do have a couple of questions though which I would be grateful if anyone could assist me with:

i. Does anyone know where's the best place to sell a guitar - I was thinking ebay but was wondering if there were any better places online or in London that specialise in selling second hand guitars that people would recommend?

ii. Does anyone have an idea what sort of price I could get for a 1991 SB301 in mint condition with all its original 'bits'?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

R

ps. I also have a Peavey TKO 75 amp which I used with my bass which is in mint condition too - can anyone advise how much this might be worth?

[doctord]

Active/Passive is simple - if you have to take the back-plate off to change the battery, then it's active. If there's no battery-powered electronics in there then it's passive. Sorry - can't help with the questions re: pricing and best place to sell.

[Happy Jack]

The SB301 was the entry-level instrument and was always passive.

These basses are now so hopelessly under-valued that there is no "good place" to sell them. The highest price for a top-of-the-range Bass Collection (320, 325, 330) you'll normally see anyone ask is around £300 but they won't get it. £250 would be a good price to achieve for one of those and I'm currently offering two here on BassChat at £200 each!

For an SB301 on eBay you'll be doing well to hit £150.

Sorry, but there you have it.

The reality is that, if you've owned it for a while and like it, it probably makes more sense to keep the SB301 as a tried-and-tested backup bass than to turn it into (not very much) cash.

[pete.young]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='427313' date='Mar 6 2009, 04:22 PM']For an SB301 on eBay you'll be doing well to hit £150.[/quote]

+1. There was an SB310 on there the other day for opening bid of £80, no takers :-(

[slevster]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='427313' date='Mar 6 2009, 04:22 PM']The SB301 was the entry-level instrument and was always passive.

These basses are now so hopelessly under-valued that there is no "good place" to sell them. The highest price for a top-of-the-range Bass Collection (320, 325, 330) you'll normally see anyone ask is around £300 but they won't get it. £250 would be a good price to achieve for one of those and I'm currently offering two here on BassChat at £200 each!

For an SB301 on eBay you'll be doing well to hit £150.

Sorry, but there you have it.

The reality is that, if you've owned it for a while and like it, it probably makes more sense to keep the SB301 as a tried-and-tested backup bass than to turn it into (not very much) cash.[/quote]

Thanks for the response - not sure if it's really worth selling for c.£100 as I have fond memories of it and think it’s pretty awesome.

However I am a little confused as the post from Doctord (5/3/09 11:56 PM) said that if there's no battery-powered electronics in a bass then it's passive. However i've taken the back plate off and it has a battery so I guess that means it's an active bass and therefore not an SB301 (if the SB301 was always passive as you mention) - does this mean I've got a 320/325/330?

Thanks again in advance for everyone's assistance!

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='slevster' post='427584' date='Mar 6 2009, 09:09 PM']However i've taken the back plate off and it has a battery so I guess that means it's an active bass and therefore not an SB301 (if the SB301 was always passive as you mention) - does this mean I've got a 320/325/330?[/quote]

Judging by the photos, if it's an active bass then it's very probably an SB310.

[allan]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='428144' date='Mar 7 2009, 06:15 PM']Judging by the photos, if it's an active bass then it's very probably an SB310.[/quote]

Hi,
I have a bass collection bought in the early ninties, its an original japanese number with gotoh heads et all and its active. It was the entry level active model and a far as I can be certain it was labelled as a SB401, think i paid £350-£400.
Lovely it is....

[pete.young]

Somewhat off-topic, but how come this thread got un-stickied? I reckon it's still worthy.

[polospants]

Hi folks

I've just found this thread and thought I would upload some pics of my SB401 which I bought brand new in the early 90's. It was a special order left handed one and it cost me about £750! Us leftys have always had it hard, but the Warwick equivalent at the time was closer to £1000 which I just couldn't afford.
It has SGC active pickups and black Gotoh hardware and it feels as precise as a swiss watch. It has the uncanny ability of making all other guitars I have played feel bloated and clumsy, so I will never sell it. The fingerboard is finest ebony and the body is made made of rock maple as far as I remember. The sound is punchy and clean and it's so easy to play.
Hope there are still plenty out there being enjoyed.

Best wishes

James
[attachment=25545:IMG_3336.JPG]


[attachment=25546:IMG_3338.JPG]


[attachment=25547:IMG_3350.JPG]

[polospants]

.....or was it called a 460 and not a 401? The number rings a bell, but it is nearly 20 years ago now.

James

[Happy Jack]

I've not seen that exact model before, and I've never come across either an SB401 or an SB460.

The active pickups + black hardware suggest an SB310, but the ebony fretboard suggests an SB325 (5-string) ... maybe it's an unusual take on an SB320, which was always my favourite Bass Collection.

[polospants]

I remember wanting the 5 string version at the time, but it was unavailable left handed so I 'maxed out' on this one which I think was the top of the range 4 string model. I originally wanted it in black, but that was also unavailable so I had this one which I now prefer. I did have the brochure before I bought the guitar. I'll pop over to mothers sometime in the faint hope that it might still be stashed somewhere.
Let me know if you want any more pics. I'll let you know if I find the brochure.

Cheers

James

[polospants]

Update! Just found this for sale.


[url="http://nitroelectronics.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=143"]http://nitroelectronics.com/shop/index.php...products_id=143[/url]


It looks identical to mine (only right handed) and it's described as a 501. They want 1599 dollars for it!!

Nanyo's numbering system is very confusing.

James

Edited May 20, 2009 by polospants

[Happy Jack]

Interesting - that's virtually identical to my old SB325 (apart from the 5th string, of course).

Slightly worried by their description of the bass as a "set neck". I'll take a sizeable side-bet that if you ask them for photos of the back, there will be four large screws there ...

[polospants]

Yes, you can see the cut out where the neck fits in, just like on all the Bass Collections.

[Sudonim]

Hiya everybody!

So pleased i found this thread. I bought my SB310 in about 1996 for £550 including hard case in leicester. Been loving it ever since... so much so i bought its "twin sister" identical model from same year on ebay about 2 years ago for £150... drove down to kettering to collect.

i do also have a 1988 sgc nanyo sb301 which i am not that keen on. the neck is not as smooth to play as the sb310's, so i will probably flog that soon.. also one of the pickup covers is cracked on it, so it needs some love from some one who likes that sort of stuff... on the other hand it is a very sexy black model.

any way, i started keep an eye on ebay again as I am playing in a thrash band, a system of a down tribute band and a faith no more tribute band....so i have my original set up with power slinky strings and tuned to cgcf, and my newer one tuned for drop c#, c#, g#, c#, f#... and i have been wanting an sb320 for a while... managed to pick one up collection only on ebay last week from luton for 176! bargain ( with hard case and a strap too!)... i lost a auction in cumbria a few weeks earlier for a beuty natural wood one with gold hardware.. but i am pleased i picked this one up its good and was cheap.

so in summary, i have 4 sgc nanyo basses, and i love them all...and would like to get more, but i cannot really justify it now i have one sb320 in E, and the twins in drop c# and drop c.

[kingofthestuntmen]

Pics please Sudo...

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Sudonim' post='502765' date='Jun 1 2009, 09:10 AM']so in summary, i have 4 sgc nanyo basses, and i love them all...and would like to get more, but i cannot really justify it now i have one sb320 in E, and the twins in drop c# and drop c.[/quote]

Welcome aboard Sudo, and I'm impressed - I thought I had gone OTT when I had three SB's at once!

Don't you get confused when you swop from bass to bass? Having three virtually identical basses, but with different tuning on each, would drive me bonkers.

[Sudonim]

i'll get some photo's... the newest one is brown not starburst.. so thats easy... and the one which is in csharp was damaged by a roady so its got a nasty ras on the back...

i'll show it in the pics...

i can tell which is which because the one in C has power slinky earnie balls on - so its got ropes not strings.. the "e" string in C is a 110 gauge.

I have stsyem of a down tribute band practice tonight so will have 2 of thm out with me, will try and get some pics to upload to photobucket and link to here.

i am going to sell the 4th one, the 1988 sb301 as its really not a nice as the others. if anyone wants one to do a fix up jo on then do let me know.. i am flexible on price...i paid too much for it at 150 maybe 5 years ago...so i'll take less.

my old passive marlon and encore's are in cases out the way.. and my brotherhas got my "hyperglobal" (goes from blakc to purple colourunder the heat of stage lghting) tanglewood active 5 string at his house for recording his solo grindcore album on!

I also have a cheap acosutic bass small bodies which i use for jamming on at home.

i am a bass addict. i really must get rid of some. the twins and the sb320 and the acoustic must stay though.

[Sudonim]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='503509' date='Jun 2 2009, 08:19 AM']Welcome aboard Sudo, and I'm impressed - I thought I had gone OTT when I had three SB's at once!

Don't you get confused when you swop from bass to bass? Having three virtually identical basses, but with different tuning on each, would drive me bonkers. [/quote]

actually yes. i did a gig with the twins in c and C# called leicester allstars where we have a rolling lineup of musicians, did about 8 songs with about 5 guitatrists, me and one drummer and 5 vocalists... i organised it to be as efficient as possible... but i ended up doing about 6 bass changes..

from nirvana heart shaped box to deftones, to tool, to velvet revolver to system of a down, etc.. i was tuned from drop c, dadg, drop c#, eadg, dadg... all over the shop.

it was great fun... but i did get confused at one stage. there was a girl by the front of the sage who was a friend of a friend who noticed the amount of swapping i was doing... after the gig when i was packing up she came up to the stage , looked at me, and just asked " was all that swapping those identical basses for effect, or did you actually have to do it?"

[Happy Jack]

For the [i]aficianados [/i]here, a bass that doesn't often surface ... the Bass Collection SB301 by Marina.

If my research three years ago was correct, then these were the first of the Korean-made SX basses, but still using Japanese pickups.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-Collection-SB301-Guitar-By-Marina-SGC-Nanyo-Japan_W0QQitemZ250473503059QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a51625953&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-Collection-SB30...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url]

[attachment=29826:Marina.jpg]