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Bass guitar
- Thread starter Steve carleson
- Start date
The most common basses with an S on the headstock are, of course, made by Ken Smith. The bass in your image is not a Ken Smith, however. Not only have I never seen that particular body or headstock shape from Ken, the font of the S is not at all like that used on Ken Smith instruments.
There are a ton of very very smart people on this site so I hope to see an answer shortly. In the meantime I’ll keep looking.
There are a ton of very very smart people on this site so I hope to see an answer shortly. In the meantime I’ll keep looking.
That is the twin brother of charlie's (mingus) dog. Good find!
break that down in terms for me. It’s my husbands and I’m
Thinking about selling it.
By any chance does your husband's name begin with the letter 'S'?
Is there any kind of serial number, or other markings, on the back of the headstock? A serial number would be a good clue it is a brand-name bass (as opposed to a one-of-a-kind, custom DIY project).
Is there any kind of serial number, or other markings, on the back of the headstock? A serial number would be a good clue it is a brand-name bass (as opposed to a one-of-a-kind, custom DIY project).
It was not a custom for his name. I do know that. I cannot find a serial number anywhere.
The most distinctive part of that bass in my opinion is the bridge. It reminds me of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
More photos. My husband owned a couple
Recording sudios and has a lot of stuff left I’m trying to figure out brand
Attachments
Looks like a custom bolt-neck inspired by BC Rich and Warwick in parts - seems to be well-executed with good quality parts. Almost any small luthier could have done it, or it might even be from one of the small asian production lines. More pictures of the back (and back of the headstock) might provide more clues... Logo isn't Samick or Sadowsky..
##EDIT: just beat me to it with the pics!
I'm drawing a blank, but its almost certainly a luthier's custom one-off
##EDIT: just beat me to it with the pics!
I'm drawing a blank, but its almost certainly a luthier's custom one-off
Looking at the wood seam where the headstock meets the neck, I'm going to take a wild guess that it started life as an Ibanez Soundgear neck, and the headstock and body are custom woodworking (non-Ibanez). Or in other words, a "parts bass" built around an Ibanez Soundgear neck, and the reason you can't find a serial number or Ibanez logo on the headstock is because the entire headstock was chopped off and then reconstructed.
For example look at this early 90s SR1500: Ibanez SR-1500 1992 - Natural Bubinga | Reverb
I think your neck originally came from a bass like that.
For example look at this early 90s SR1500: Ibanez SR-1500 1992 - Natural Bubinga | Reverb
I think your neck originally came from a bass like that.
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That does look like the wood! Interesting. I don’t know what price to even ask for this?
The bridge is reminiscent of a Spector, but not exactly like theirs. The tuners are good quality gotoh. The fit in the neck pocket is very good. I can't find any indication as to the builder, but it's quality wood, quality hardware, and appears to be built very well. As for value.... No idea.
Looks like a custom bolt-neck inspired by BC Rich and Warwick in parts - seems to be well-executed with good quality parts. Almost any small luthier could have done it, or it might even be from one of the small asian production lines. More pictures of the back (and back of the headstock) might provide more clues... Logo isn't Samick or Sadowsky..
##EDIT: just beat me to it with the pics!
I'm drawing a blank, but its almost certainly a luthier's custom one-off
Thank you. It’s heavy, close to 10 lbs. quality seems great to me but I am not a specialist at guitars.
I have to say, when I have posted soenthing on a music site, it’s the nicest people I’ve ever had respond in a forum. Everyone genuinely tries to help and I appreciate it so much!! I wish everyone in this world was like this!
Which 'details' please? Can you point them out? (OP is not a bass expert so please try to be more specific.)
If it's not literally from a Soundgear, it's at least "Soundgear inspired." The combination of 1) the distinctive Ibanez angled neck pocket and 2) what looks like bubinga wood just screams "early 90s Soundgear." I remember those bubinga Soundgears very well. They had wonderful necks and sounded great.
Well, it seems to be basically the same model as this (more decorated) one from 2008, attributed to Antonio Tsai Arts (Taiwan/Vietnam):
The neck pocket slant is in the opposite direction of any Ibanez I've ever seen.
The nut looks wider than most Ibanez necks
The headstock wasn't chopped off and a new headstock glued on. It's a scarf joint for an angled headstock. common build method.
