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Killer Garage Sale Score

Yaralag

Yaralag

"Oh, it looks good on you though!"
May 7, 2015
394
678
Houston
#1
I drive by a garage sale and two bass shaped objects catch my eye. Might as well stop! I figure it will be the usual. Some forgotten, back bowed wretch from the attic. As I got closer I saw a Traben
with a gaudy chrome sun gracing the front. I look just beyond that and almost dropped my coffee. A super clean Fender Jazz Bass Special!! I’ve wanted one of these for a long time. $375 and I think I got a helluva deal. Plays like a dream!
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I was very surprised to see a plain neck. I thought these had a glossy black neck. Nonetheless, I am thrilled. With the exception of the strap buttons it appears to be 100% original.
 
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#10
My best friend has a couple of those including that same color.
When I ran sound for him I was always happy when he played it because it had the magic tone. Every aspect of it's sound was perfect for FOH reproduction, and he loved it through the amp, too. His black one was great, too, but the silver with light green tinge was special.

He would gladly pay more than you did for another.
 
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#12
KeithAlanK said:
My best friend has a couple of those including that same color.
When I ran sound for him I was always happy when he played it because it had the magic tone. Every aspect of it's sound was perfect for FOH reproduction, and he loved it through the amp, too. His black one was great, too, but the silver with light green tinge was special.

He would gladly pay more than you did for another.
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The pearl white was always the one I wanted but the silver with light green tinge (perfect description) is growing on me by the second. It looked very green to me when I first saw it, now it looks more silver and I barely see the green. I’m still getting the pickup height where I want it but it does have a great tone regardless. Next I’m trying to decide what kind of strings to use.
 
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#16
bolophonic said:
I have never seen a Traben in the wild. I kind of like that Eagle body shape, but I’ve never exactly understood the appeal of those “extreme” bridge designs.

Nice score on the Fender.
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I don't know anything about Traben myself. It's not a bad shape by any means but I don't like that headstock at all. I am very particular that way. That silver stuff on the front is also a turn off for me. I am just very traditional. My first bass was a 68 Precision that was with me for 20 years. When I look at a bass I seem to compare them all to that one in some way or another. The most exotic I ever owned was a Travis Bean. Heavy as all get out but worth 10 times more than I payed for it back in the early 90s. I wish I had hung on to that one.
 
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