For sale is one of my Vantage VS-600B basses. Made at the Matsumoku factory. This is a 1980 and it comes with the original hardshell case.
This is a very beautiful precision style bass. These basses were mass marketed during Fender's "Dark Years" where quality was poor and many people associated Fender with poor quality control and an "antiquated" mass-marketed design. All Fender owners did in those days was replace parts-- pickups first, then pots, then bridges, etc. I remember my first teacher so well- he had a Fender P bass with every single part replaced!
This bass puts a differeent spin on the P bass. Similar tone but more "botique" sounding due to the wood and of course the classical looks and pinache that come with! The factory precision style pickups were modeled after DiMarzios which were the premium pickup of choice in those days.
This bass is in some ways a Gibson SG/Fender P Hybrid lookswise and designwise. It has a 3 point bridge and symetrical body. Put flats on this (as I have on some of my other Vantages) and it just thumps! It also has a mediam scale of 820mm which equates to just over 32 inches. Very easy to play, especially for long sessions. And it is light in weight despite its huge tone!
This comes with the hardshell case. As the pics show, the previous owner went to town "livening it up." AS best I can tell this is just regular paint that can easily be removed if you want to restore the case to its stock look, but either way the case protects this bass ideally as it was tailor made.
Thes bass is overall in great condition. There are a few dings as pictured. Most of them are quite minor. The most substantial is on the belly cut as photographed. The bass is missing the truss rod cover and that bothers be more than the ding which is hardly noticeable. I believe chandler can replace the cover. A generic Gibson style cream colored truss rod cover would look very much like the original.
I am asking $250 shipped anywahere in the CONUS in the OHSC. If you are outisde the CONUS the price will be higher as shipping is considerably higher so OM me to see what we can work out.
I would prefer a straight sale, but I may be willing to trade this if you have something unusual and interesting and made in Japan. I could also combine this with my Aria Pro II Cardinal which is for sale (asking same price) for a trade (I give you both, you give me somethign in the $500 price range).
I think this just about covers everything. Please PM me if you have any interest or questions.
Thanks for looking.
RBM
