For background/sob story/slightly cringe worthy content, you can check out my almost-16-year-old gear wanted thread here:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/found-looking-for-my-old-black-rose-custom-or-l-2000.153128/
The short short story is that I had this bass built for me in 2001-2002 by John Wymore who had a company called Black Rose Customs at the time. Took delivery in February 2002, loved everything about it, and played it in my originals band for a few years. I sold it in the wake of an identity crisis when that band broke up. Regretted selling it as I was driving away from the UPS store, and have been searching almost the entire time since.
It surfaced this past fall, and after some twists and turns, finally landed back here in NJ today - and the neckplate with my name is somehow still on the back. Thanks to @ra33ra33 for taking such good care of it all these years.
I've spent so long looking for this bass that it's pretty tough to put into words how it feels to have it back. Yes, it's a collection of (very nice) bits of wood and metal, but tracking down and being able to buy back my "one who got away" is really a special thing, for me at least. Surreal even.
specs are:
I could write a book about this whole saga (which probably wouldn't be that interesting actually as it was mostly waiting), but for now I'm just really excited for my new/old bass. Thinking my others will be seeing less action for a little while, and a few of them are probably in danger.
Here's some new pics - the blue is hard to capture but these are pretty accurate. Would love to share a couple of old pics from my old band, but alas I'm in the middle of a move, and my things will be in storage for a couple of weeks.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/found-looking-for-my-old-black-rose-custom-or-l-2000.153128/
The short short story is that I had this bass built for me in 2001-2002 by John Wymore who had a company called Black Rose Customs at the time. Took delivery in February 2002, loved everything about it, and played it in my originals band for a few years. I sold it in the wake of an identity crisis when that band broke up. Regretted selling it as I was driving away from the UPS store, and have been searching almost the entire time since.
It surfaced this past fall, and after some twists and turns, finally landed back here in NJ today - and the neckplate with my name is somehow still on the back. Thanks to @ra33ra33 for taking such good care of it all these years.
I've spent so long looking for this bass that it's pretty tough to put into words how it feels to have it back. Yes, it's a collection of (very nice) bits of wood and metal, but tracking down and being able to buy back my "one who got away" is really a special thing, for me at least. Surreal even.
specs are:
- USA Customs body and finish (back when the finishing was a separate unit called Roxy Guitar Finish)
- Warmoth quartersawn neck, with some flame I had forgotten about
- Duncan Vintage (Neck) and QP (bridge)
- Stacked V-T for each pickup
- Hipshot hardware with a d tuner.
I could write a book about this whole saga (which probably wouldn't be that interesting actually as it was mostly waiting), but for now I'm just really excited for my new/old bass. Thinking my others will be seeing less action for a little while, and a few of them are probably in danger.
Here's some new pics - the blue is hard to capture but these are pretty accurate. Would love to share a couple of old pics from my old band, but alas I'm in the middle of a move, and my things will be in storage for a couple of weeks.
but i can see that it was all worth it --- it's a great looking ax! congratulations on re-finding your exceptional piece, and on your new, old instrument! 
Almost gave up looking a few times, but in the end I'm glad I didn't. As one of the posters in my Wanted thread said, if it doesn't show up the first 6 years, keep looking for 6 more. The bass world is small enough that it will probably turn back up some day.
