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Beautiful basses you wish you'd bought.

#21
jd56hawk said:
nothing worse than missing out on one and regretting it.
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i remember wanting/liking a certain alembic back in the 70's or early 80's (i think). i remember thinking that having it would make me the envy of all. but i also remember that it wasn't quite 'perfect' for me....i just liked the thought of owning and playing alembic. i was young and foolish: but not foolish enough to actually purchase it. and FWIW: i've never played an alembic since which was right for me --- beautiful instruments! --- just not for me!

i've generally always liked/preferred the ax that i was playing right there and then! that doesn't stop me from appreciating all the great instruments i view on TB, daily! you cats play some nice/cool axes! :thumbsup:
 
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#26
I had one in my hands at a Guitar Show and didn’t buy it..
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#27
I had a chance to buy a Ritter classic 4-string in 2004 for like, $1600. In fairness, if I were my parents I wouldn't have loaned teenage me $1600 either, but given that a new bass from Jens now starts at like five grand I feel pretty silly.
 
#29
Fender Iron Maiden Precision Bass. Better known as the first generation Steve Harris bass. There was one locally and I low-balled the guy. He countered at a totally reasonable price. I kind of strung him a long because it has a few nicks, but mostly because I didn't know much about them at the time, I didn't know how rarely they come up for sale, let alone locally, OR that I'd never see one again anywhere close to that price. After I lost it, I started hunting them down, and couldn't find one within $500 bucks more than he was asking. I was a damned fool!
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#30
Happened just recently,...but my story has a happy ending,......was trying to raise funds for this bass,.....
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But it sold before I could raise the funds,.......I whined about it on FB,.....and lo and behold,.....who PM's me but Mr Benavente himself! We've chatted a few times, I own a gorgeous 4 string of his,......and he offers to build me the same bass in the pic , and , at a price I couldn't refuse. It'll have a different buckeye top, not as dramatic as the one pictured, but still quite lovely! I expressed my appreciation for his offer, and he replied that he appreciated me for being a big fan of his work. Sending him a down payment this week. Now I just need to develop enough patience for the build to be finished,.....think that's tougher than raising the money! ;) Here's a pic of my top for the build,...also, going with a flame maple board instead of rosewood. The one that got away, but didn't !
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#32
This 1978 Gibson Ripper. It was $1,200 and in awesome condition including the electronics. Came with original Gibson case also in awesome condition. I offered $50 less as it was a 'second'... which was really dumb on my part because for something that old in such great condition really didn't matter. Kicking myself ever since and have not to this day seen one this nice for so low a price.
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#34
Here's another one I regret not buying. I got hung up on finding out details from the seller that someone else bought it while I was waiting for answers. A Dean EVO XM Bass that was either modified by a previous owner or a USA custom or DOA one of a kind. Can't recall the price. Was sold from a brick and mortar music store on Regurge. Yeah, go ahead and poop on it because it's a Dean but its a cool looking little active short scale bass regardless of what name is on the headstock.
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#35
Very early 80’s(80-82) Charvel PBass. The model with the heavy brass looking bridge I set in the body l. It was a $1000 used with a case. I found it in a small mom and pop music store. I had the money , but also a girlfriend too. I’d still have the bass but she woulda left a long time ago( mid 90’s). One of closest friends has a factory fretless he got brand new. He still plays the hell out of it 30+ years later.
 
#36
hardtop said:
Fender Iron Maiden Precision Bass. Better known as the first generation Steve Harris bass. There was one locally and I low-balled the guy. He countered at a totally reasonable price. I kind of strung him a long because it has a few nicks, but mostly because I didn't know much about them at the time, I didn't know how rarely they come up for sale, let alone locally, OR that I'd never see one again anywhere close to that price. After I lost it, I started hunting them down, and couldn't find one within $500 bucks more than he was asking. I was a damned fool!
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Never played that version...but I picked up a newer version with the crest on it, and no joke it had to be 12lbs. It's seriously the heaviest bass I've ever picked up. Didn't even play it because I kept laughing at the weight. No wonder Harris is always hunched over playing! :)
 
#37
niki z said:
Never played that version...but I picked up a newer version with the crest on it, and no joke it had to be 12lbs. It's seriously the heaviest bass I've ever picked up. Didn't even play it because I kept laughing at the weight. No wonder Harris is always hunched over playing! :)
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I believe these 1st gen MIJ basses were basswood with a pretty chunky neck and the BA bridge, so they weren't light, BUT they were significantly lighter than the current signature model. I don't know why those new ones are so heavy.
 
#38
B-Mac said:
This 1978 Gibson Ripper. It was $1,200 and in awesome condition including the electronics. Came with original Gibson case also in awesome condition. I offered $50 less as it was a 'second'... which was really dumb on my part because for something that old in such great condition really didn't matter. Kicking myself ever since and have not to this day seen one this nice for so low a price.
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replying to my own post...

Oooops, I did it again! And I ain't talking about Ms. Speers song either.

Over a lousy $50 again!

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Was for sale on regurge for $1099 plus $75
I offered $975 plus $75
they declined and countered with
$1050 plus $75
I declined.
It sold 2 days later for original price.
So I did it again over $50!
Was really nice shape and the price above was a price drop price!
Before I saw it was listed for $1249
I don't think I'll ever see one like this again for this good of a price!

So that is two iconic basses I lost out on over a lousy $50 each!
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
 
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#39
There was a Franken P bass on TB several years ago with a 60's neck which had been repaired. I thought about it until it was sold. I contacted the seller asking if they would let the buyer know I'd be interested if they ever decided to sell, but the Richard Cranium never even bothered to reply. So much for TB brotherhood.:rollno:

Anyway, it's the only bass I've every really kicked myself for not buying.
 

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