Killer Pawn Shop Find. Can't find much info!

[JSandbloom]

So, I was at the pawn shop today one of the guys at the guitar area who knew me pointed out a bass that they just got in. A fretless that says Runic on the headstock. He said it was made up in Oregon by a guy that used to work at Breedlove and Warmoth. I played it and can't stop thinking about it. It plays and feels top notice. They are asking $995 for the bass and its probably worth it. Does anyone know what these guys are fetching or have any information on them? Thanks!

 

[bolophonic]

No knobs? Looks homemade to me.

 

[JSandbloom]

No knobs? Looks homemade to me.

It’s pickup selector and an on/off switch. It feels wonderful. The person knows what they were doing.

 

[ajkula66]

That's a great looking bass. No clue on its value, though. Apologies.

Use your best haggling skills and get yourself a nice gift this holiday season.

 

[JSandbloom]

Well, I went and put some money down on it!

 

[Diamond_Dave]

There’s a few TB threads with Runic basses in them... do a Google search. One mentions a Runic bass in a GC in Eugene, Oregon which syncs with the Oregon builder thing.

Plenty of basses don’t have tone knobs. Volume is more unusual. You can always adjust at the amp or with pedals though. Maybe an eq pedal with a gain knob and volume pedal.

 

[sleddogn]

one for sale on letgo
https://www.letgo.com/en-us/amp/i/product_bdba1f6a-e680-408f-ba42-25a6997ae91e

 

[Iridescentone]

one for sale on letgo
https://www.letgo.com/en-us/amp/i/product_bdba1f6a-e680-408f-ba42-25a6997ae91e

That's the same bass.

 

[two fingers]

one for sale on letgo
https://www.letgo.com/en-us/amp/i/product_bdba1f6a-e680-408f-ba42-25a6997ae91e

That looks like the exact bass OP is holding.... like the actual bass. Not the same model, but the same object.

 

[JSandbloom]

That looks like the exact bass OP is holding.... like the actual bass. Not the same model, but the same object.

Matched it to the grain. I think it is too.

 

[sleddogn]

lol, sorry about that, didn't seem like a pawn shop ad. If you put money down, i'd ask them to remove that ad

 

[Blackie Jr]

Exhibit A of the axiom "it's worth what someone will pay"

I suppose an unlined fretless is the easiest to build - no math required, no highly accurate precision skills required...doesn't appear to have any Alembic type electronics going on...

If Eric Clapton plays one on MTV Unplugged the value will sky rocket...

 

[JSandbloom]

lol, sorry about that, didn't seem like a pawn shop ad. If you put money down, i'd ask them to remove that ad

It’s not from that pawn shop. I’m betting it’s an old abandoned ad.

 

[two fingers]

Exhibit A of the axiom "it's worth what someone will pay"

I suppose an unlined fretless is the easiest to build - no math required, no highly accurate precision skills required...doesn't appear to have any Alembic type electronics going on...

If Eric Clapton plays one on MTV Unplugged the value will sky rocket...

Could you be more outdated with your reference???? Eric Clapton did MTV Unplugged in (I believe) '91 or '92. There hasn't even BEEN an MTV Unplugged in probably 25 years. If anyone did MTV Unplugged today it wouldn't increase the value of anything on stage because nobody watches MTV for music.

 

[bassbooty]

It appears the builder may be a TB’er:

6 string Wenge fretless- Runic

 

[ole Jason]

This is one of those things you'll never get a consensus on because there is no market history

 

[Diamond_Dave]

Some more sleuthing revealed that the bass was built by an Angelo Dillon, whose work is very highly thought of by a few TBers who either played a Runic bass or wanted a custom Runic build.

If you have the grand, you should take a chance on it.

 

[thetragichero]

i like the bass but not the price
i'd play the long game, come back in a year or two and offer them half
maybe it's different on your side of the world but i see more in demand instruments hanging forever let alone a small builder
this is probably a much better instrument but unless you need it now save yourself some cash

 

[Maxdusty]

Looks nice enough but dont think I'd pay the going price unless it was exceptional. Value and worth is in the eye of the beholder though so if you really like it, then go for it. Guaranteed you wont see anything like it elsewhere.

 

[9c1ny]

I live in Eugene and have never heard of them nor seen one

Looks like a nice bass at a fair price though