So I have been searching for a new bass in the upper midwest for a while. This search took much longer than I had expected (lots of string shops, but no bass shop). But just this week I picked up an Epiphone B5 from a local bluegrass player. It was his second bass so he didn't play it all that much and I can only presume the previous owner barely touched it since the condition it is in. It looks to have a slight cave in on the top in its past, but has been professionally repaired and is holding well. Plays and sounds great and has a shallow bevel. Giant f holes and nicely flamed back. {} {} {} {} {}
Nice! Here's a good resource about old Epis from a fellow TBer: http://www.bassmonkey.net/epiphone.html
Great score everything looks correct and in great condition too. You did very well. Enjoy it knowing you have a great bass that will be come a faithful music companion.
Congrats Matt ! Just so you don't feel like The Lone Ranger around here .... I also own a Gibson / Epiphone B-5 (SN # 392) that looks a lot like yours ... Our basses are close-siblings .... Probably finished by the same guy / gal that specialized in the ruddy red / orange sunburst pattern at Gibson in Kalamazzo, MI. I don't think there are that many B-5's that look like ours. I have only seen one other that was up for sale awhile back (way back) here at TB. I also love Giant F-Holes. {} {} .... Mine has some battle-scars too ... On the back .... But it is a really-great bass and is my favorite to play bluegrass and country on. Nice to see someone else from a far-north state that starts with "M" around here . I know a number of 'Sotens here where I live that have set up home in Montana . And .... I meet a number of new ones every year at our local ski-hills. Have Fun with your new G / E B-5 Matt !
And Matt ..... I think someone cleaned-up your engraved tuner plates before you bought it. Your picture is too pretty . Rumor has it that the B-5 plates are actually gold-plated. I was tempted to "de-patina" mine but decided against it .... {} . But I did have it worked over thoroughly by a good luthier ..... different strings, new nut, new adjustable bridge, FC pick-up, new endpin and cable, afterlength tuning, and mode-matching .... money well-spent. {} {}
Thanks MT Spaces. I don't think the tuners got cleaned up, more likely this bass was sitting in a corner of a house never played for a long time. The over all condition of the bass is pretty good. Both of your basses look to be in great shape.
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