Early Smith......

[CORBS]

It's missing all the controls and there is no where to put them! I don't see how it's playable until that damage is repaired, unless you run the pickups straight to the output jack.

That being said, I'm glad a TBer got it (someone who can appreciate it), and I would be very interested in hearing some sound clips when the repair work is done, whatever that may be. As historical and interesting as it is, 3500 is a lot for a broken bass of any kind. I would send it to Ken Smith and have him repair/refashion it. It's the same bass, just repaired and usable, IMO. You could gig with Anthony Jackson's bass. Imagine that head trip

 

[Leo Smith]

So you're not going to have the broken body wing replaced? (I'd say "repaired", but that is not possible) Without a new body wing, it's not playable. Are you going to mount it on the wall as a memento? (not that there's anything wrong with that)

It seems we have different definitions of what playable is. Mine is being able to play the strings and feel the instrument. Correct me if I'm wrong, but yours seems to be getting a sound from the bass to an amplifier.

I'm not going to fix the wing. I'm going to make a small plate of thin wood to fit where the control plate originally was. On the new plate I'll put at least two volume knobs and a jack. I have all the parts and it should not take that long to do.

And yes, actually I am going to put it on the wall.

 

[Baird6869]

If he were to rebuild it like that, it would look nice again, but would it -really- be AJ's bass? The one he played and toured with? Not to me; all its historical value would be lost.

Just curious as to why you wouldn't refinish it? Still MOSTLY AJ's bass if you did, but playable electrically and giggable. a Ken Smith refinish would definately not hurt the resale value but possibly only the sentimental value.

Cool piece in any case, but personally if I found one of AJ's (or Townshed's, Strummer's, Jaco's, etc.) basses partially/fully mangled, I would go to great efforts to have it taken back to it's original glory.

P.S. Do you know what the "household accident" was? Be cool if he whacked a burglar upside the head or something.

 

[LowEndGroover]

I've got a Smith serial #76 and the headstock snapped off. And no it wasn't broken over a burglars head. It's much better than that, I was........vacuuming. Lol.

Anyhow, I agree with getting it restored. I personally spoke to Ken after my mishap and he advised me to go to Fodera since they have the original jigs that built the bass. By the way, Ken's reply to my story was typical "well it WAS a nice bass".

Fodera might be an avenue you would entertain if you ever decide to get it restored. Great piece of bass history and best of luck.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I agree with leaving as is and enjoying it. If fixed, no one would remember the story or would question if it was really that bass. As it is, there's no doubt.

Awesome score!