Need help pricing a 1996 Rick Turner Electroline Fretless

[jefflea]

I am interested in getting a rough idea of how much I might be able to sell this bass for, photos attached. I purchased it brand new in early 1997, and it is in excellent shape. I played this bass a lot for the first few years that I owned it, but it has just been sitting in the case untouched for well over a decade. It features a piezo pickup system and is strung with Thomastik-Infeld bronze-wrapped nylon Acousticore strings. The sound is very full and warm, much like an actual upright acoustic bass. I consider this to be a somewhat unique instrument, and was actually told that it was a prototype model played by Prince’s bass player at the NAMM show when I bought it (although I have no evidence of this beyond the salesman’s word).

Please let me know what would be a reasonable asking price for this instrument. I have seen anywhere from $1000 to $3300 for what seemed like comparable basses while browsing the Internet, but don’t know if I was doing an appropriate comparison. Any advice on pricing and best approach to selling would be most appreciated.

 

[eee]

Sorry, I didn't notice you were a paid member. My bad.

You didn't notice this person was a supporting member, but you went through the hassle of posting that anyway. Neat!

 

[Gorn]

You didn't notice this person was a supporting member, but you went through the hassle of posting that anyway. Neat!

Well, yes. That's actually exactly what happened. Is that really neat?

 

[mikezimmerman]

A blue one very much like it just sold on EBay for about $688

RICK TURNER EL-15 ELECTROLINE FRETLESS 5 STRING BASS

 

[Anachronism]

A blue one very much like it just sold on EBay for about $688

RICK TURNER EL-15 ELECTROLINE FRETLESS 5 STRING BASS

That's probably a good starting point. OP's looks to be in nicer condition than the blue one, so maybe $900-1000.

 

[Dluxe]

I bought one several years back from Bass Northwest but it was fretted and had the diamond shaped pickup. I believe I paid $900.

 

[Dluxe]

 

[Jeff Scott]

Are those M4S tuning keys original to the bass when you first bought it? I have only ever seen Hipshot Ultralites on the old models.

 

[jefflea]

That's probably a good starting point. OP's looks to be in nicer condition than the blue one, so maybe $900-1000.

Thank you, and to mikezimmerman. Appreciate the insight.

 

[jefflea]

Are those M4S tuning keys original to the bass when you first bought it? I have only ever seen Hipshot Ultralites on the old models.

Yes everything is original, no modifications at all.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Yes everything is original, no modifications at all.

Thanks. So, what buffer/preamp is in this bass?

 

[jefflea]

Thanks. So, what buffer/preamp is in this bass?

I just scanned and attached the spec sheet that came with the bass when I bought it (it's the Electroline 1). That's all the tech info I have with respect to preamp, hope that helps. Oddly I think the tuners that came with the bass when I acquired it brand new seem different from the description on the spec sheet, right?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I had the Highlander (There can be only one!) preamp in the RB5-FL I had in the 'oos.

And yes, the M4S tuning keys are odd, as what I expected to be on the bass, and what is in the Electroline brochure, are not what's on the bass. Hmm.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

You might pitch it on our Renaissance/Turner Basses Club thread.

Those things don't pop up for sale much, (I'm lucky enough to have both a fretted, and a fretless five-string), so rare - yes, definitely. But the bad news is they're also just not everybody's thing, so the target market is much more narrow. FWIW, I'd jump on any playable Turner bass for anything less than $1K. Good luck.

 

[jefflea]

You might pitch it on our Renaissance/Turner Basses Club thread.

Those things don't pop up for sale much, (I'm lucky enough to have both a fretted, and a fretless five-string), so rare - yes, definitely. But the bad news is they're also just not everybody's thing, so the target market is much more narrow. FWIW, I'd jump on any playable Turner bass for anything less than $1K. Good luck.

Thanks for your comments. I will check out that thread, and let you know if I opt to sell at your price point.

 

[jefflea]

I had the Highlander (There can be only one!) preamp in the RB5-FL I had in the 'oos.

And yes, the M4S tuning keys are odd, as what I expected to be on the bass, and what is in the Electroline brochure, are not what's on the bass. Hmm.

It is a really cool-sounding bass. I'm sad to think of selling it, but would be putting the funds towards something I expect to use frequently.