Tacoma Thunderchief - 4 string fretless acoustic bass guitar- pre-Fender made in 2001

**Ukiah Bass** · #1 09-12-2011, 06:11 PM

For sale: Tacoma Thunderchief CB10FE4 - a four-string fretless acoustic bass guitar. This bass was the 11th instrument manufactured on February 5, 2001 by Tacoma, before the company was purchased by Fender.

The bass top is solid spruce, back and sides are solid mahogany, neck is bolt-on mahogany, fingerboard is rosewood, bridge is rosewood. Scale length 34" and 1.687" at the nut. 20 frets. Light satin finish. Includes a built-in Fishman Prefix Plus transducer with active preamp. Equipped with Status Graphite black nylon tapewound strings. Bass is in excellent shape except for a minor small indentation in the edge. (see second photo, below). Comes with original hardshell case in fair condition outside and very good condition inside. Also includes a custom feedback buster (see photos).

$900 paypal only, includes shipping via UPS or FedEx Ground to CONUS only.

With this setup, the bass sounds like an acoustic upright. Here are recordings of the bass at gigs:

The Stormy Weathermen - original acoustic music from Mendocino County, California

Thanks for considering!

A small indentation is on the outside edge of the bass top (below right of feedback buster)

Bottom of feedback buster

Standalone · #2 09-12-2011, 07:57 PM

I fell in love with these on 48th street in NYC right around 2001. Your band is killing it! I think I'll leave you guys playing while I surf on...

**Ukiah Bass** · #3 09-12-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Standalone

I fell in love with these on 48th street in NYC right around 2001. Your band is killing it! I think I'll leave you guys playing while I surf on...

Thanks for the compliment! The 'chief is at the top of it's class.

4Mal · #4 09-12-2011, 10:43 PM

Dave! Say it ain't so!

**Ukiah Bass** · #5 09-13-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Dave! Say it ain't so!

As it turns out, my project leader wants me to use my Fender so the Thunderchief has been unplayed for five months. That's the rule...if it's unused, it's sold. The Chief sure is a beauty....

justjake · #6 09-13-2011, 01:03 PM

if it were only fretted........i'd make an offer. good luck with your sale.

**Ukiah Bass** · #7 09-13-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justjake

if it were only fretted........i'd make an offer. good luck with your sale.

Thanks for looking. This bass is set up for the acoustic upright vibe. The black nylon tapewounds against the fretless fingerboard create a lower volume of acoustic sound than standard flats or rounds on a fretted ABG. Volume is not an issue once you plug in, and anyway you really can't get decent gig volume on a fretless or fretted ABG without an amp/cab.

The recordings linked above were made through a stereo microphone suspended a couple feet in front of the band. I played through a Euphonics Audio iAMP Pro and an LDS 12/6 nEarful cab, volume low but enough to fill out the music.

Jefenator · #8 09-13-2011, 01:23 PM

Great sound on those clips!

I really shouldn't have checked this thread out. (Make... the... GAS... pain... stop...)

tsarter · #9 09-13-2011, 09:23 PM

Sweet!

**Ukiah Bass** · #10 09-15-2011, 08:35 AM

One note about the feedback buster: I had it made for fear feedback was going to be a big issue at gigs. It hasn't: our acoustic instrumental act may be amplified, but it's not loud like a rock performance. In these trio settings, I've never had to use the feedback buster and elected to leave it out to enhance the acoustic overtones. Having it is a nice option just in case you need to use the 'Chief in a loud setting. Could also be a requirement if the band is larger and generating more stage noise.

The 'buster was made by Lawrence Pimental at info@customguitarsbylawrence.com. The material is spruce to match to top of the 'Chief. Nice tight fit, easy to pull out.

**Ukiah Bass** · #11 09-15-2011, 09:15 AM

**Ukiah Bass** · #12 09-15-2011, 10:24 AM

In case you're wondering how the preamp works, here's the manual for the Fishman Prefix Plus. It's extremely flexible and dials in all kinds of terrific tones.

http://www.fishman.com/files/prefix_plus_user_guide.pdf

**Ukiah Bass** · #13 09-16-2011, 08:04 AM

Quick note on the preamp battery access: the Fishman Prefix Plus pops open from the top side of the bass. The battery is slung underneath the preamp. Takes about 2 seconds to swap out. I've been getting very long life out of batteries provided the amp cable is unplugged when the bass is not in use. No different from any other bass with an active pickup.

**Ukiah Bass** · #14 09-16-2011, 11:54 AM

The question was asked why I hold the bass like I do in the videos above. Answer: positioning the neck in a more vertical position is most comfortable for me when standing, and I like to stand when I play. I do play it more "guitar-like" when I'm sitting, but that's rare. Interestingly, when the neck is vertical, I tend to play this bass more like an upright in terms of technique. That produces good results for me. Your mileage may vary.

**Ukiah Bass** · #15 09-20-2011, 12:26 PM

You know you want this bass. Do not resist this urge for acoustic happiness.

tsarter · #16 09-20-2011, 04:07 PM

I was able to meet Doug at a winery we were both playing at Sunday. Anyone who buys this will be dealing with a fine, upstanding person. As upstanding as a bassist can be that is!

t-ray · #17 09-22-2011, 04:20 PM

pm sent.

**Ukiah Bass** · #18 09-22-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-ray

pm sent.

An answer is in your in-box.

**Ukiah Bass** · #19 09-23-2011, 11:21 AM

Someone asked if the headstock rear had a split in the wood. The answer is "no." The headstock is in perfect condition. The photo above had a shadow. Here is a better photo:

t-ray · #20 09-24-2011, 05:58 AM

new pm sent.