White Reflex 4H in excellent condition at Guitar Center in Harrisburg for $1119.99. It's miscategorized as an electric guitar. It seems like a good price but it's hard to find much price info on the 4Hs. Here's the link: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Sooooooooooooooo... about this bass...
First, I'm an insanely crazy Pre EBMM, and EBMM fanatic, of sorts.
I had a thought. With My current collection of both... I was thinking... "wait, I don't have one of those." I wanna "try" one, since they sport the exact same "guts" as the Big Al. I have 2 of these. A 4H, and a 3SSS. As to not be "redundant" in body style, and... to vary my collection, I figured that I'd "try" the REFLEX. If I didn't like it as much as my Big Al 4H, I'd list it and get my money (or most of it back). If I dug it... I could sell my Big Al and make a few bucks. NOPE.
I called and inquired.
Here's how it went. I loath typing, sooooo... I'll shorten it just enough to get my point across.
Salesperson answers; "hello GC, blah blah blah..."
Me; "Hi, I have a few questions about "the bass in question."
Salesperson; "Oh yeah, beautiful bass. I'm looking right at it."
Me; I can't see from the pictures, does this bass have black binding, or white?"
Salesperson; "I couldn't really tell You. I'm a guitar player, and don't know much about Basses."
Me; Do You know what a Les Paul is?"
Salesperson; "Absolutely, who doesn't?"
Me; "Well... You know those white stripes that go around the front and back of the body?"
Salesperson' "Yes."
Me; That's binding."
Salesperson; "Oh, cool... Let me go look." Comes back with, "No binding."
Me; "Soooooooooooo... it's just ALL WHITE?"
Salesperson; As far as I can tell."
Me; Listing says that it comes with a case. Is it the PROPER Music Man case for this bass?"
Salesperson; "Let me go check." Salesperson returns after about 5 minutes. "I really can't be sure, it only says 25th anniversary on the side." (Obviously... yes... it's the proper case).
Me; "How's the action/truss rod/frets/electronics?"
Salesperson; "Well Sir, as I stated... I'm a guitar player." (now... just to let Y'all know... this guy was really nice)
Me; "OK then, can you grab it, and see if the neck has a bow, and that the strings are close, or far from the fretboard?"
Salesperson; "Oh wow, they're way up there. I couldn't play this."
Me; "OK, thanks for your time."
Salesperson; If You like... I can take Your number, and have a manager call You back after we have one of our tech's check it out."
Me; "Sure, why not." (information gets exchanged, I forget about it)
A couple of days go by, I get a phone call...
Manager; "Hello Marc?"
Me; "Yep."
Manager; "This is M***" from GC. You were inquiring about the Reflex?"
Me "Yep."
Manager; "Well... we had a tech look at it, and there seems to be a SEVERE bow in the neck."
Me; Yeah, that's what J***** said to me."
Manager; "Are you interested?"
Me; "Not really. Especially for that kind of $$$, and coming from across the country. Especially, if it's that out of whack. But... can it be FIXED?"
Manager; "Well... we're gonna put it back in the case overnight, and see if that fixes it."
Me; "***?!?!?" (I was actually MUCH nicer than this...)
Manager; "Sometimes it's as easy as this."
Me; "OK, let me know." (yeah right)
A couple of days later...
Manager; "Marc?"
Me; "Yep."
Manager; "Well... we let the bass sit in the case for a while, and it seems to be better."
Me; "Really? Like... it's playable, and the truss rod still tightens?"
Manager; "Not really sure. The tech hasn't really had time to get to it. But, it seems fine to me."
Me; "Good to hear. Keep my number, and after the tech can get to it, give me a call an let me know what he thinks."
Manager; "Well... we're really backed up here, and the tech won't be able to get to it for about a month, but... we can ship it out today."
Me; "I'm in no hurry. Just kinda wanted to check it out. Let me know once your tech goes trough it/sets it up, and what he says. You have my number."
Manager; "We really don't do setups on used instruments. So, what it is now, is pretty much what it's gonna be."
There ya go folks.
I've read the horror stories on TB, about GC.
I have never purchased from them online. This GUARANNTEES that I NEVER will.
I really wanted to try this bass out. Oh well.
Even though shortened... this is my longest posting here, to date.
Sorry to take your time.
Marc
for $1300 when I decided to retire.
. A week ago I contacted a luthier who used to have a small shop in town until two years ago and had a minty 25th anniversary 4H on display. Bingo! the bass was still available. Negotiated a little on the set price and drove to his atelier yesterday to fetch it. What a beauty. Does anybody have a clue how many MM 25th anniversary basses were produced?
