Here we have a gorgeous Italian-made Manne Newport BN5 Satin (
http://www.manne.com/newport/ ) in trans-blueburst.
If I could get used to 5ers, this would not be going anywhere. The fit and finish on this is second to none and it is the most comfortable 5-string I've ever
tried to play (the neck is just superb and it weighs in at 9.2 lbs), however, the bum-notes due to my inexperience and my band-mate's subsequent stink-eye every time I hit said bum-note, is forcing the sale.
The neck is made from a multi-layered laminated ash center with maple wings and an F-Resin (phenolic) fretboard.
When I was researching this bass, I actually had Manne quote me one exactly like it and nearly choked at the $2685 price tag! When I received it, I was shocked at the quality of the bridge. Actually, I've seen MUCH better bridges on Squiers. $2685? Really?? That said, I looked around Manne's site and discovered that they offer a high-mass signature bridge (brass). I also noticed that they had Manne stamped tuners, so I immediately contacted them and ordered the bridge, the stamped tuners, and even a truss-rod cover (those two exposed channels stuck out like sore thumbs on that headstock). All in all, as you will see by the pics below, some tasty upgrades there for sure.
Now on to the electronics. This was originally passive with knobs controlling the neck PUP (Jazz) volume, bridge PUP (MM) push/pull series/parallel volume, and tone. VERY noisy and unresponsive. So I wired the MM in series and installed an active EMG BTC pre that is quiet and precise. The controls are now master volume, blend, and concentric tone (treble/bass stack). As you can see by one of the pics below, I also shielded the HELL out of this and properly connected each PUP cavity to the main cavity, providing a continuous ground. Of course, all these upgrades can easily be reversed (especially with the EMG QuikConnect system and the fact that I'm including all of the original parts).
Good general Manne infos for the uninitiated:
http://www.youtube.com/user/manneguitars
Killer player showing some versatility on the same model up for grabs here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY6C6pBSrto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0C7R5maeKg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XikU7ARmrQs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dwGVD14cLg
Comes with the original heavy-duty Manne gigbag (the most plush and rigid gigbag I have ever seen) and the original electronics, tuners, and bridge (just in case you're a stickler for originality).
- 24 (6110 Dunlop) jumbo frets.
- 864mm. bass scale (34″).
- 400mm fretboard radius (15.75″).
- Thin “F resin” fretboard to give a precise attack without dead notes .
- Double way working truss-rod steel bar, allows favorite neck relief adjustment.
- Hardened multi laminated neck, made up with 0.8mm. thick wood plies, with Maple sides.
- Asymmetrical (helicoidal) neck shape for comfortable playing .
- Tilted back headstock, one piece with the neck.
- Satin Blueburst on a Korina body.
- Deluxe Manne gigbag.
- Manne Pickups.
Since purchasing this, I've invested an additional $370 in previously mentioned upgrades, so needless to say, I'm losing my shirt here.
Here's a great opportunity to get into a high-end boutique on the ground floor:
$1200 $1050 or first & best reasonable offer, shipped ConUS! Price-drop due to the discovery of a hairline crack (since repaired) near the G-tuner. It is barely noticeable and does not effect playability.
Trades would include any 1.5" (Jazz taper) 4 stringers. Shoot me what you have to offer.
Piccies:
Thanks for looking!
