To make a short story long
...... My original plan was to get a NS Cleveland this year and I received a courteous and prompt e-mail reply from Wil at New Standard a while back related to finish options and payment schedule. I had asked Wil about the possiblity of a sunburst finish but .... no-could-do. At the last minute, I thought I would check in with MollyKay so I contacted her to see if she knew of any sweet vintage plywoods available. When it comes right down to it, I am a sentimental fool and I like historical semi-rare seasoned American plywoodies with stories, battle scars, and subtle sunburst finishes.
MollyKay encouraged me on my choice of the Cleveland. She also told me they had a couple of basses they would consider selling from their collection. I asked her to send pics. She sent pics of a great-looking 1935 King ("Dolly") and a circa-1960 Gibson Epiphone B-5 ("Reds"). When I saw Reds, I had to breathe deeply into a paper bag for several minutes to cure the hyperventilation I experienced
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I knew they really liked Reds, especially Bass Monkey, since he had spent a lot of quality time with the bass. Even though the bass was in mostly-excellent condition with original equipment and finish and no major repairs or cracks, he had restored some edges and dressed some battle scars. He also had installed a new ebony fingerboard (and scooped it), endpin, bridge, soundpost, tailgut cord, and Dominant strings.
I asked them if they were really serious about selling and gave them chances to back out. After we closed the deal, there was some "seller's remorse" but I assured them that Reds was just on an extended vacation Out West and would someday return to their Epiphone family. I told them that they would have first shot at buying it back should I decide to sell the bass and that it would be in my will that the bass returns to them upon my demise.
Who knows ...... I may end up with a Cleve next year since it seems I've been buying a-bass-a-year so far over the past 3 years
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Front and rear shots of the B-5 hangin' out in the back yard with The '40 Kay O-1 .... Gambas Rule ....
