This is a black Hamer CH-12 “Chaparral” 12-string bass, the import version of the BL12 played by Doug Pinnick of King’ X and a number of other big names. Each of the four bass strings is paired with two strings tuned an octave above-Eee Aaa Ddd Ggg. With a pick and bit of overdrive, it sounds like Godzilla bowling with battleships, or like dropping a Mack truck into a rock crusher. The usual repertoire for these things includes King’s X, Galactic Cowboys, Pearl Jam, Cheap Trick, etc, but my personal favorite 12-string tune is the late Allen Woody playing one on Whipping Post with the ‘90s version of the Allman Brothers.
The bass is about eight years old—I’m the original owner.
The body is basswood and the neck is maple with two trussrods, with a rosewood fretboard and 21 frets. This is a 34”-scale, set-neck instrument—the neck is glued into the body. The pickups are passive EMGs wired to a 2-band active preamp, which has master volume, treble, bass, and blend (mix of neck and bridge pickups). The bridge is a two-piece rig, which is actually quite nice and allows for a lot of fine adjustment. I had the nut professionally replaced about three years ago, and have had no trouble with it since. It stays in tune quite well, and has a nice low action (pro setup about 9 months ago). There is one scratch in the finish on the lower side of the body, about the size of a fingernail—it doesn’t show up in photos, but it is there. The bass comes with the original TKL hard-shell case. I installed straplocks. Trust me, you’ll want them.
I’d feel like a jerk if I didn’t say this, so full disclosure—this isn’t an instrument everyone is going to enjoy, but an acquired taste or a tool for a specific job. The neck on this thing is pretty massive, and if you have small hands or are accustomed to slender necks, you may find it uncomfortable. I would also suggest a nice wide, grippy strap, because it weighs a bit and tends to neck-dive. Gig bags are also out because this thing just doesn’t fit in them.
Your guitar players will probably hate you, too. On the other hand, you can lay off the rhythm guitarist, pay the bassist 50% more, and count the difference as profit.
Asking $550 (firm).
All sales are final. I do not provide a warranty, and do not accept returns (if it’s broken, I don’t sell it, or disclose that it’s broken when I sell it).
I take Paypal, cashier’s check, postal/money order, or cash. Please do not mail cash. If you mail a check, I will wait for the check to clear before shipping. I am opening to negotiating discounts if you’re buying more than one item.
I will ship UPS or USPS at cost (meaning cost of item plus cost of shipping) with delivery confirmation, or will deliver if the buyer is near Springfield, MA. I do not and will not ship outside the US.
