I'm surprised at the prices on them. Way under valued IMHO. Whoever buys them are stealing them at those prices.
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Elias Bass guitar.
- Thread starter Randall
- Start date
Wow that upright is crazy - but in a good way
It's really odd... feels more like a cello than a bass; fingering is more like an electric bass than an upright, since it seems to be a standard 34" scale. And it's designed to be played sitting. So played like a cello, but tuned like a bass...
Looks like there may be a few of these around, as the one Peter is playing in the picture doesn't match the one in the store, and there is what looks like another one hanging on the wall in the picture!
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I've put an AP-1 product sheet here:
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The 1982 Globe and Mail article is here:
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The 2000 article from The Strad is here: (the old link had expired)
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And the Elias Bass Registry is here:
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We have numbers as low as #015, and as high as #140... but with only five entries so far, there are some gaps to fill
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The 1982 Globe and Mail article is here:
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The 2000 article from The Strad is here: (the old link had expired)
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And the Elias Bass Registry is here:
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We have numbers as low as #015, and as high as #140... but with only five entries so far, there are some gaps to fill
Couldn't resist any longer. I picked up #060 on the weekend.
With the right length endpin, it is very anchored, balanced and easy to play. It has incredible sustain, and sounds great. And it's got the lightest action I've seen. Takes a bit of getting used to, but it's very cool!
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With the right length endpin, it is very anchored, balanced and easy to play. It has incredible sustain, and sounds great. And it's got the lightest action I've seen. Takes a bit of getting used to, but it's very cool!
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Stumbled across this this morning: #145 is for sale in Calgary.
http://calgary.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1890240585.html
http://calgary.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1890240585.html
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
how are the string volumes balanced? Or are they....
And too bad about the demise of NJAMS. Worked there briefly in the mid-90's (teaching). I hate seeing small businesses go under.
Thanks,
Cameron
$3000. is still a bargain. P and J pickups, sounds like an AP-2. I can't remember seeing an AP-1 with 2 pickups.
It's actually balanced pretty well. The P-style pickups are angled. They have some weird custom cover (carved? ebony?) over them, so I don't know what they are.
The flat J-style bridge pickup is obviously not original. The original pickup (split-J?) came with it, but I haven't had a chance to look at what's involved in getting it back to original condition.
I was surprised that the BadAss bridge works as well as it does, given the arc.
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The flat J-style bridge pickup is obviously not original. The original pickup (split-J?) came with it, but I haven't had a chance to look at what's involved in getting it back to original condition.
I was surprised that the BadAss bridge works as well as it does, given the arc.
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Due to circumstances way beyond my control, I've had to move a few files around, which will cause a few links in this thread to break. Here are the updated links:
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It appears I can't edit earlier posts(?), so some of the pictures in those will also disappear shortly. Here are current links to a few of them.
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The Link Removed is unaffected and can still be found here: Link Removed
If you have an Elias bass, please consider sending in a picture and some info!
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It appears I can't edit earlier posts(?), so some of the pictures in those will also disappear shortly. Here are current links to a few of them.
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The Link Removed is unaffected and can still be found here: Link Removed
If you have an Elias bass, please consider sending in a picture and some info!
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With that serial number, I would expect it's an AP-1, but don't know for sure. He's asking $2,500.
With that serial number, I would expect it's an AP-1, but don't know for sure. He's asking $2,500.
This is great! I was curious to see what would happen if I binged Elias and lo and behold a whole universe opened up.
I have a Left handed Elias bass, #5. I've had it for about 25 years or so. Bought in Toronto after my Fender Precision was stolen. Came with a handcrafted leather case made by W. Klassen, Asylum, dated 12/79. It's a beauty, had a lot of fun with it. Unfortunately I am getting old so it just sits there. I take it out and polish it every now and then...plug into the old Traynor TS-25B and for awhile relive some good memories. I am not sure how to post a picture otherwise I would.
Cheers
Rob
I have a Left handed Elias bass, #5. I've had it for about 25 years or so. Bought in Toronto after my Fender Precision was stolen. Came with a handcrafted leather case made by W. Klassen, Asylum, dated 12/79. It's a beauty, had a lot of fun with it. Unfortunately I am getting old so it just sits there. I take it out and polish it every now and then...plug into the old Traynor TS-25B and for awhile relive some good memories. I am not sure how to post a picture otherwise I would.
Cheers
Rob
Hi Rob,
I'd be happy to post any pictures here that you would like posted!
I'd be very interested in seeing pictures of your bass, and if you would like, adding it to the Elias Bass Registry, where I'm trying to document as much as I can about these rare and beautiful instruments.
The registry is viewable at: Link Removed
You can email pictures, history, information etc., or contact me at: [email protected]
Cheers,
Brian
I'd be happy to post any pictures here that you would like posted!
I'd be very interested in seeing pictures of your bass, and if you would like, adding it to the Elias Bass Registry, where I'm trying to document as much as I can about these rare and beautiful instruments.
The registry is viewable at: Link Removed
You can email pictures, history, information etc., or contact me at: [email protected]
Cheers,
Brian
Thanks for the pictures Rob! Your bass has been added to the registry.
This is the earliest one I've seen. Haven't seen one with a 21 fret fingerboard before!
Brian
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This is the earliest one I've seen. Haven't seen one with a 21 fret fingerboard before!
Brian
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With such a HUGE arch to the fingerboard how are the string volumes balanced? Or are they....
Thanks,
Cameron
So I just got #060 back. Since it came with all the original parts, Paul Iverson was able to restore it back to its original configuration, with the proper pickup arrangement, The pickups are DiMarzio; the bridge pickup is a split J configuration. And both pickups have carved ebony covers that match the curvature of the fingerboard. So now, the balance is much better!
Paul did a great job; refinishing it, going over the electronics, even getting a brand new stainless steel endpin made. It's looking, playing, and sounding great!
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In fact, it was there from day one. At some point in the past 30 years, the bridge pickup was replaced with one that the original ebony cover wouldn't fit over. I'm very pleased that both the original bridge pickups and the cover were still with it when I bought it, since the cover is certainly not something you can just pick up at Long & McQuade! Paul did a great job restoring the covers too... you can see some gaps in the Before photo, and the bridge pickup cover had some similar ones.
At some point in the past 30 years, the bridge pickup was replaced with one that the original ebony cover wouldn't fit over. I'm very pleased that both the original bridge pickups and the cover were still with it when I bought it, since the cover is certainly not something you can just pick up at Long & McQuade! Paul did a great job restoring the covers too... you can see some gaps in the Before photo, and the bridge pickup cover had some similar ones.
