Gear you lusted for but could never find

[Miles_ONeal]

Just wondering what basses or other bass related gear you gassed for over the years but could never find at least at an affordable price. There have been a few for me over the last 10 or 15 years. Prices have risen on some things such that I just wouldn't buy today even if I still wanted it. For most the lust for these has come and gone and I have moved on (its not a wanted ad )

• Warwick Stage 2 4 string - These are few and far between but have gotten more expensive over the years. I found one up here in Canada but it was $4k. I bought a Streamer LX instead
  
• Modulus Funk Unlimited/Flea - even ran a wanted ad and found a couple of sellers who both backed out. I built a Sterling Ray 34 with a graphite neck and Lane Poor copy pup....didn't sound the same
  
• Ampeg B15 - the prices have risen on these too
• Audiokinesis cab - ordered one and waited over a year and eventually bought a Subway 115 instead which did the trick

I wanted a Gibson Thunderbird (preferably an early one), but could never justify the price. Then I discovered Epis, and haven't looked back.

 

[kodiakblair]

Back in the early 80's I saw a couple of basses which ignited GAS, both were unobtainable due to availability and price.

Only dealer was down in London and I was a stony broke Scottish schoolkid.

When I moved to London in the mid 80's the dealer no longer sold them Trail went cold all throughout the 90's, 00's and even the 10's

2017, deadbeat after a 1000 mile round trip to London I get an alert. One of the basses has surfaced in Japan.
Apart from buying a house it was to be my most expensive purchase

Tune Bass Maniac

Hot on the heels of that I bought the 2nd long lusted for bass

Vigier Arpege

 

[bassclef112]

I've got one of those magnums. It's not heavy by most standards. No where in the vicinity of the T-40 I owned. I'd say it's probably between 8-9lbs.
View attachment 4096448

The one I've always wanted but only one in reasonable condition has presented itself, and it was hundreds more than I was willing to spend.

Several weeks ago, after years of lusting, this Magnum IV showed up, at not only a great price but crazy clean!! I agree in that I don't find it excessively heavy at all. It's an amazing instrument and I had to grab it, despite not having any gigs for the forseeable future.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Several weeks ago, after years of lusting, this Magnum IV showed up, at not only a great price but crazy clean!! I agree in that I don't find it excessively heavy at all. It's an amazing instrument and I had to grab it, despite not having any gigs for the forseeable future.
View attachment 4101204

...never seen one in Black...very nice!

 

[bassclef112]

...never seen one in Black...very nice!

It's actually Silverburst, gray to black edges. The guy I got it from bought it in 1987 off a kid going back to college! Other than a few rare recordings it spent its time in his closet!! Not even any buckle rash or scratches!! I indeed lucked out!

 

[ELG60]

LOL, a cheapoView attachment 4096582

I picked one up at a local shop this year for a very reasonable price . . . Recently re-tubed as well. They're out there:

Here's my 2 on which I either missed out or can't find:

Edit: Oh, and this:

 

[ELG60]

EBMM Sabre Classic.....drool....

There's one on Reverb now. I remember them. Thought they were cool. Ended up with a '69 Jazz instead.

 

[ELG60]

Not the exact same model, but there's a Kramer 8-string listed for sale right now in the L.A. Craigslist.
View attachment 4097196

There's a 4 string Kramer in the Tampa area Craigslist as well. I've heard that the aluminum necks are a nightmare but have no firsthand experience.

 

[ELG60]

Fender Adam Clayton Jazz Purple Sparkle.

I'll find one .

I got one here on Talkbass a few years ago. It has an Audere preamp in it with the original control plate in the case. When I'd occasionally bring it out to a local jam, a bass player acquaintance of mine who has been playing since the 60's always HAD to play it . . . Sounds that good.

I subsequently found its mate as well:

 

[Kijuer]

I picked one up at a local shop this year for a very reasonable price . . . Recently re-tubed as well. They're out there:
View attachment 4101356

Not in Italy. The cheapest I could find was from Germany at around 2700€ plus shipping. Ouch.

 

[Parzival]

Wal MKI Black and Gold (Geddy). If one ever pops up, I will be seriously convicted. In the past I was young and poor. Now I have funds, but am stingy. You never know.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

I really wanted to try a Kern IP-777 preamp, but I never found one available when I had the cash on hand. Now I'm pretty happy with the convenience and sound of a good quality class D head, but I -do- occasionally wonder what I'm missing.

I also went on a quest to find a Fender AVRI Jazz under 8.25lbs and never located one. I did find a great deal on a team built CS jazz than I consider the perfect four string, so it was a successful hunt, in a way.

 

[devnulljp]

I always found the Ibanez '79 MC800 single PUP really cool:
View attachment 4096357

But in the 11~12 lb range.

Always wanted a Wal. Used to see them in my local music store where they were easily 2~3x the price of anything else in there. Never seen one in the wild, let along to buy, let alone at a price I could justify.
Same with a Shergold Marathon 6 string. Impossibly to find.

 

[russellh86]

There's two for me. . .

Kubicki Factor. They come up on the classifieds every once in a while, but the stars have never aligned for me.

The other is an AVRI '62 P in Fiesta Red.

 

[nixdad]

Wal MKI Black and Gold (Geddy). If one ever pops up, I will be seriously convicted. In the past I was young and poor. Now I have funds, but am stingy. You never know.

You have good taste!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I got one here on Talkbass a few years ago. It has an Audere preamp in it with the original control plate in the case. When I'd occasionally bring it out to a local jam, a bass player acquaintance of mine who has been playing since the 60's always HAD to play it . . . Sounds that good.

I subsequently found its mate as well:
View attachment 4101403
View attachment 4101405

If you ever want to let one go..... let me know!!

 

[ELG60]

Not in Italy. The cheapest I could find was from Germany at around 2700€ plus shipping. Ouch.

Yeah, that's a tough assignment.

 

[scuzzy]

I picked one up at a local shop this year for a very reasonable price . . . Recently re-tubed as well. They're out there:
View attachment 4101356

Here's my 2 on which I either missed out or can't find:
View attachment 4101357
View attachment 4101359

Edit: Oh, and this:
View attachment 4101389

I've got one of those big Al's in the dd2 finish. Never seen another one. It's a great bass with a great look to it.

 

[JES]

Two that got away in 1997 when I went to Chicago to find my first 5-string: a sunburst G&L2500 that I should have gotten, and a Modulus Q5 that I couldn't afford.

 

[mtdkingstonheir]

I've got one of those big Al's in the dd2 finish. Never seen another one. It's a great bass with a great look to it.
View attachment 4101672

I've lusted after both a Dargie Delight finish bass and a Big Al, since they first came out. I couldn't afford them then, and can't begin to afford them now. Someday, perhaps.