what is your opinion of this early SB-1 I just won on ebay

pudgychef · #1 02-06-2009, 11:43 PM

I have had 'internet created' GAS for one of these for a long time and thought I would offer $375 for it. It was accepted.

Seem reasonable? Am I correct that this is a fairly early model? How long were 3 bolt necks used for? Sorry for the G&L newbie ?s

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

T'CharleS · #2 02-07-2009, 01:53 AM

From the looks of it, it's from the 1985-1993 period if I'm not mistaken (never been good at remembering History

) so it's not exactly early as in earliest models with slab bodies, single J MFD... but not as recent as the models that have the second headstock, chrome hardware, etc.

Price seems cool in any case. Too bad it lacks the black crinckle pickguard (but I think you stand a chance to find one if you look long enough)

Madcity Fats · #3 02-07-2009, 10:37 AM

Actually, that pickguard may well be the original. Some of the earliest 2nd gen SB-1s (1985-86) had a single-ply black pg like that with the black crinkle bridge. You usually see those early ones in burst finishes though. Looks like the knobs are the originals, as best I can tell from the photos.

Sweet price no matter what, I'd say. Congrats!

lmfreeman9 · #4 02-07-2009, 09:10 PM

Given the headstock. I agree 85-87. I have one. Great bass for $500+ let alone $375.

Mick Markey · #5 02-07-2009, 10:14 PM

It was always my understanding that the small Leo signature on the headstock would mean it was a bit later...like 89-91 time frame...my guess is this is an 89 or 90.

Nonetheless, what a cool bass for that kind of money...you just got a smoking American made P-bass for the price of a used Mexican...I'd do that all day long.

Spiritfield · #6 02-07-2009, 10:15 PM

I had one that looked just like that. Single ply black plastic pickguard is correct. Mine was a monster. You got a screaming deal.

pudgychef · #7 02-07-2009, 11:40 PM

thanks guys! I am really looking forward to it. Have to drive down to Buffalo to get it but for that price and a nice 90minute through Niagara I am in!

ljazz · #8 02-08-2009, 03:34 AM

Congrats!!!

I love my SB1! It's the most simple, reliable, comfortable and sexiest sounding bass I have. TI Jazz Flats..... it's a P bass killer.

Ljazz

BassJunkie730 · #9 02-09-2009, 09:21 AM

And It's mine now!

I am seriously stoked to get this SB-1 as it is EXACTLY what I look for in a bass let alone a G&L.

I've been looking for a player - one that will take a licking and keep on ticking - or beg for more.

I think this one may be a hit. Especially since I'm looking for a giggable version of my 57 p-bass clone.

So what is the story with the bridge? Did they change materials - or simply started casting differently?

**Chef** · #10 02-09-2009, 01:54 PM

paint vs chrome.

Mick Markey · #11 02-09-2009, 02:14 PM

Yours looks like it has the "black crinkle" finish on the bridge, which a lot of guys, including myself, like a lot.

It likely has a black crinkle finish on the neck plate, too.

It works well with the black crinkle pickguards that are usually on the pickguard basses of that era.

Some of my favorite necks have been found in the late 80's early 90's basses...hopefully, you get a good one !

NOVAX · #12 02-10-2009, 10:04 AM

Nodoubtaboutit....you scored.

BassJunkie730 · #13 02-13-2009, 12:44 PM

It's here!

Mmmmmmm.

may need a fret dress though- frets ARE worn.

And I think i'm going to get it plek'd - which should take care of both any adjustments AND fret dressing needs.

BassJunkie730 · #14 02-13-2009, 09:54 PM

And it smells like bong water.

Oh boy

needs an adjustment.

I wonder how must g&L charges for a Plek?

Mick Markey · #15 02-14-2009, 01:50 AM

Oh, boy...G&L are great, but getting a plek on an existing bass may be like trying to get a bj from the tooth fairy.

Sounds good, but probably not likely.

Try Michael Dolan or Mas Hino...depending on your location.

Mick Markey · #16 02-14-2009, 01:51 AM

By the way....how do you know what bong water smells like ?

oldrookie · #17 02-14-2009, 06:27 AM

It smells kinda like gold medals.

ljazz · #18 02-14-2009, 08:12 AM

LOL!!!

BassJunkie730 · #19 02-14-2009, 01:19 PM

How would YOU know what bong water smells like?

Peekamouse guitars does the Plek thing - and they are also custom builders.

I may be really inclined to do a plek on this insturment simply because it needs a fret grind anyway - and that's a part of the process.

the only thing that relaly gets damaged are the strings - that's why you need two pairs of strings to do a plek.

BassJunkie730 · #20 02-14-2009, 06:02 PM

So quick update on this bass.

I took it to peekamouse guitars in NYC - shop of Paul Schwartz.

He looked at it for about 15minutes.

Aparently the bass needs a full refret.

He said the frets had about .75mm of height and that's simply not enough metal to proper plek the instrument - let alone fret dress by ANY luthier.

And due to the very visible flatness of the frets - a grind would be necessary anyway - even if the frets were of adequate height.

SO - over the years - to compensate for the dwindling fret height - whoever owned the bass or whatever tech saw the bass - just filed the nut slots down to chase the fret heights.
Kind of a cheap way to do a setup on a guitar that grew closer and closr to needing a refret.

Good thing is I plugged the bass into the GT bass pre Genz Benz cab setup in the shop.

The thing sound absolutely MONSTROUS! no joking about those MFD pickups - HUGE HUGE sound.

I love it.

I love it so much I'm going to pay $750 for a full refret on a lacquered maple board with a new nut and the plek.

Since he's replacing the frets I'm going to see about getting smaller frets put on - i'm thinking more the lakland width - smaller than a jumbo.

AND I am supplying the strings - so tack on another$50 for 2 sets of custom light chromes (one pretty much gets destroyed during the process.

So yep - bass was acquired for $425 - and will get an additional $800 in work and strings.

So $1225 in toto - for this bad boy.

But then it will be set - for another 23 years or more since I'm a flats kinda guy.

Best thing Paul told me - was that the truss rod works nicely - which is apparently a real problem on older g&L's.

Time to sell stuff - lots of stuff.

And yes - it still smells like stinky SH** smelling cigarettes and bong water