I'd like to raise some money for the right bass to replace a majority of my collection. If a couple of these sell, I'll add one or two more.
First up, a Squier Classic Vibe 50's P.
Purchased here a while back. The original owner made the 5-ply black/white pickguard, installed a Seymour Duncan pickup and CTS pots, and shielded the bass. I've changed the Electrosocket to a Switchcraft jack on a football plate.
Sets up with pretty low action, and is fairly light. I just don't need a single coil P.
Only major ding is the one shown here, on the edge of the forearm contour:
Price is $300
Next up, MIM Fender Midnight Wine with a Mighty Mite Ebanol fretless neck.
I got this bass, with the original fretted neck, in trade. Never thought I'd like this color, but it is quite excellent. I put the MM neck on it, which was sold as a P-width, but is actually J-width (1.5" nut). Tuners are from a Squier, I think, but work just fine. Electronics and hardware on the body are stock, except the pickguard is from a Fender CIJ P bass. All screw holes lined up. I sanded the base of the nut down quite a bit to get the action nice and low.
There are several dings, and the neck wasn't a perfect fit, but it's maybe 1/16" off. Obviously, since it's unlined fretless, it makes no difference. The sticker can easily be removed.
Price is $350
Also available, a Peavey T-40.
Got this one on eBay. A previous owner crudely 'routed' a spot in the back for a battery, shown here:
It's not pretty, but the cover they installed is flush with the body, so you can't tell it's there when playing. The electronics were put back to stock. Both pickup rings are cracked, but fully functional.
Only a couple dings in the finish, but the upper bout, from the strap button to the forearm contour have something like buckle rash, we'll call it "wrist-watch rash". Not through to the wood, just in the finish.
Asking $350
Here we have a rare Ibanez Black Eagle.
I e-mailed the guy at Ibanez Black Eagle Bass - Home page for some info. Apparently, due to the lack of serial number or any marking, this particular bass is from the earliest days of construction, pre-June 1975.
Finish is cracked all over the body, frets are really worn from 1-7, the truss rod needs some attention, the bridge needs new saddle height screws, and the control plate is sort of corroded in spots. Like many of these, the weird headstock was also broken.
The bass was clearly upgraded by it's original owner with an original Badass bridge (which is countersunk into the body), Grover "Wavy Titan" tuners, Schaller strap-lock buttons and cream Dimarzio or Shaller humbucking pickups.
Unfortunately, I think the truss rod was shimmed previously, and it can't be adjusted properly. When I tried to tighten the rod, went completely crooked and popped the nut off. Overall, the bass needs a bit of work to become playable.
Due to the rarity of these basses, I'm setting my price at $500
And finally, an Armen Guitars custom fretless.
This is an awesome sounding and playing bass - mahogany body, maple neck, ebony 24-line fingerboard, passive J/JJ (two J coils in an MM shell) with interesting electronics. In the few months I've owned this, I haven't been able to quite figure out their function.
The 5-way switch definitely selects pickups and coils, but there are caps and stuff attached that make the knobs react almost like bass and treble cut or boost, I'm not really sure. At any rate, it sounds great, and you can get a plethora of excellent tones out of it. Super lightweight, and a really thin neck front to back, but not quite as narrow as a J bass side to side.
I'd like $1000 for this one.
Here are more pics of each bass for anyone who's interested!
These prices are posted as "or best reasonable offer". Buyer pays shipping costs as well. I will pack these nice and secure, either fully assembled or with the neck detached to save space, whatever you prefer. I have a few hardcases that I could spare, but they would come at an additional cost, and aren't necessarily the prettiest things around.
I cannot trade up, unless it is two or more of mine for one of yours, straight trade no cash involved. The only things I'm interested in trading for are a Rickenbacker or a Dingwall Combustion in Orange, or preferably a Dingwall ABZ. Those are my top choices, but I would consider a Fender Deluxe Precision, Fender P-5, Schecter Diamond P5, several varieties of Lakland, or maybe the right parts PJ (preferably 5-string).
PM any questions or offers! I can get more pics! Happy Winter Solstice!
First up, a Squier Classic Vibe 50's P.
Purchased here a while back. The original owner made the 5-ply black/white pickguard, installed a Seymour Duncan pickup and CTS pots, and shielded the bass. I've changed the Electrosocket to a Switchcraft jack on a football plate.
Sets up with pretty low action, and is fairly light. I just don't need a single coil P.
Only major ding is the one shown here, on the edge of the forearm contour:
Price is $300
Next up, MIM Fender Midnight Wine with a Mighty Mite Ebanol fretless neck.
I got this bass, with the original fretted neck, in trade. Never thought I'd like this color, but it is quite excellent. I put the MM neck on it, which was sold as a P-width, but is actually J-width (1.5" nut). Tuners are from a Squier, I think, but work just fine. Electronics and hardware on the body are stock, except the pickguard is from a Fender CIJ P bass. All screw holes lined up. I sanded the base of the nut down quite a bit to get the action nice and low.
There are several dings, and the neck wasn't a perfect fit, but it's maybe 1/16" off. Obviously, since it's unlined fretless, it makes no difference. The sticker can easily be removed.
Price is $350
Also available, a Peavey T-40.
Got this one on eBay. A previous owner crudely 'routed' a spot in the back for a battery, shown here:
It's not pretty, but the cover they installed is flush with the body, so you can't tell it's there when playing. The electronics were put back to stock. Both pickup rings are cracked, but fully functional.
Only a couple dings in the finish, but the upper bout, from the strap button to the forearm contour have something like buckle rash, we'll call it "wrist-watch rash". Not through to the wood, just in the finish.
Asking $350
Here we have a rare Ibanez Black Eagle.
I e-mailed the guy at Ibanez Black Eagle Bass - Home page for some info. Apparently, due to the lack of serial number or any marking, this particular bass is from the earliest days of construction, pre-June 1975.
Finish is cracked all over the body, frets are really worn from 1-7, the truss rod needs some attention, the bridge needs new saddle height screws, and the control plate is sort of corroded in spots. Like many of these, the weird headstock was also broken.
The bass was clearly upgraded by it's original owner with an original Badass bridge (which is countersunk into the body), Grover "Wavy Titan" tuners, Schaller strap-lock buttons and cream Dimarzio or Shaller humbucking pickups.
Unfortunately, I think the truss rod was shimmed previously, and it can't be adjusted properly. When I tried to tighten the rod, went completely crooked and popped the nut off. Overall, the bass needs a bit of work to become playable.
Due to the rarity of these basses, I'm setting my price at $500
And finally, an Armen Guitars custom fretless.
This is an awesome sounding and playing bass - mahogany body, maple neck, ebony 24-line fingerboard, passive J/JJ (two J coils in an MM shell) with interesting electronics. In the few months I've owned this, I haven't been able to quite figure out their function.
The 5-way switch definitely selects pickups and coils, but there are caps and stuff attached that make the knobs react almost like bass and treble cut or boost, I'm not really sure. At any rate, it sounds great, and you can get a plethora of excellent tones out of it. Super lightweight, and a really thin neck front to back, but not quite as narrow as a J bass side to side.
I'd like $1000 for this one.
Here are more pics of each bass for anyone who's interested!
These prices are posted as "or best reasonable offer". Buyer pays shipping costs as well. I will pack these nice and secure, either fully assembled or with the neck detached to save space, whatever you prefer. I have a few hardcases that I could spare, but they would come at an additional cost, and aren't necessarily the prettiest things around.
I cannot trade up, unless it is two or more of mine for one of yours, straight trade no cash involved. The only things I'm interested in trading for are a Rickenbacker or a Dingwall Combustion in Orange, or preferably a Dingwall ABZ. Those are my top choices, but I would consider a Fender Deluxe Precision, Fender P-5, Schecter Diamond P5, several varieties of Lakland, or maybe the right parts PJ (preferably 5-string).
PM any questions or offers! I can get more pics! Happy Winter Solstice!