I read on the Carl Thompson site that a Sam Ash store had a fretless Carl Thompson 4, circa '78, that the manager sold for $750, because it looked weird and he didn't know what it was. I told this story to a friend of mine, who said that he knew one of the guys that worked in that store. He said that the manager went to his boss, and bragged about unloading that "ugly bass", and made a pretty good profit. That's when "it" hit the fan. He said that they called the guy who'd bought it, and offered him $1500 for the bass. He said that the guy didn't say yes or no, he just laughed really loud and hung up the phone. I love it when that happens.
While the initial bass was cheap, Dave has sunk quite a bit of money into the bass to get it playable. I think it is time to give the bass the nickname "The Money Pit."
Yeah, probably a little, but, at this point, I think he is planning on keeping it for the time being. I showed him this thread, and he just said, "Ain't that the truth," and went to pick up his deadly little Hohner from getting it repaired. Wow...I really like to use, like, commas...
I could probably still make a profit, albeit a smaller one than I had initially hoped! Although, as bassmonkeee points out, I have no intention of selling it. Briefly, as many of you know all about this bass, it's a 1977 CT. I got it from a guy in Atlanta for $650, and it was a hull.. no pickups or electronics, in need of a fretboard truing and fret job, pretty beat overall. It's been to Carl's shop and back, and to a couple of people here. It's just about right.. just needs the electronics set-up switched from volume/tone/blend to volume/volume/tone. I've got about $2000 in it at this point. Might invest in some different pickups, but not anytime soon. Here's a pic..
Man Dave thats awsome i've never seen anyone who actually owns a CT, i played one in tokyo but it was 3000 billion dollars. Its was an amazing experience, good luck w/ the bass