Official Bolin NS Design info & registry

[lictor4]

Well I've finally got me hands on a Bolin NS-5. I'm no expert but it is, by far, the best bass I've played/owned, so I'm very pleased.

Through the course of drooling and GAS I had trouble finding info about these instruments so I thought it would be nice to create an official spot here. I'll start by attaching reviews from Bass Player and Bass Guitar magazine, but I'd love to here from other members and gather details about the production run, etc.
Edit: John Bolins partner, Jim Frost has said that the production run went to #0150

Here are the articles in pdf...
Bass Player Magazine -Feb 2002
Page 1
http://db.tt/M9Gay3sc
Page 2
http://db.tt/tZJonvTp

Bass Guitar Magazine -May 2003
http://db.tt/q33TZGYI

If you'd like to "register", add to the list below...

Serial #- strings, frets?, finish, pickups
_______________________________

#---- -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -previously warwickhunt
#0075 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -peterkidd
#0077 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -David @ Link Removed (claims its the bass that was reviewed in the Bass Player article, cool!)
#0088 -5string, fretless, brown(or red)- 1 soapbar & piezo - Thomas @ https://groups.google.com/forum/m/?fromgroups#!topic/alt.guitar.bass/UWjf6D9V6QE
#0123 -4string, fretted, black, piezo - j5eugene
#0124 -4string, fretted, amber, 2 soapbars -warwickhunt
#0131 -5string, frettless, violin brown, 2 soapbars & piezo -lictor4
#0141 -4string, fretted, green, 2 soapbar & piezo -warwickhunt

 

[peterkidd]

Yes, you are correct, it Is the best bass.

(imho)

I've had well over 100 basses and nothing compares.

I have 0075, single pickup, piezo, 5-string.

I found the best strings (for me) for it are the Dean Markley SR200's, think formerly known as Will Lee's.

The tapered ball end really assists the low action.


I'll try to get a few pictures up the the near future.

 

[lictor4]

Oh ya more pictures the better! Thanks for mentioning your preferred strings too, that's a great addition.
I havent changed my strings yet but I'm told the current ones are "likely" elixirs, definitely light gauge. They are tapered as well so I know what you mean about low action.

 

[warwickhunt]

My first foray into Bolin territory was this 5 string. It is still in the Uk and I was tempted to buy it back last year as it has a fabulous tone but I just struggle with 5 strings!

**** 'Fiver'

I sold the Fiver and bought this green Bolin (2 EMG mags + piezo) off a USA ebay seller in Feb 2008 (Melobarguitars - I believe he was the distributor for Bolin). It has been a mainstay instrument for sometime and not just for the superb piezo tone (I've never been happy with the magnetic pup tone of 'this' Bolin) but also for it's comfort.

0141 'Greenie'

I decided that I needed a back-up to Greenie and as they are rare as 'Hen's Teeth' I snapped up this amber Bolin from the same USA seller (Melobarguitars) as the green Bolin. No piezo but oddly a better mag tone!

0124 'Jaffa'

 

[lictor4]

Thanks warwickhunt, you just double our"membership" in one post!
I love the green, so stunning.

I've been calling my color "violin brown" but I'm not sure if it's any didn't than your "amber" 4 string. Bolinguitars.com lists color options as:
Honey Amber, Blue, Emerald, Red, Violin Orange, Black and Violin Brown.
But its hard to tell just by photos.

 

[lictor4]

Not sure how I missed this one but here are some great studio shots of a Bolin 4 (also updated the registry with the serial number) Invalid Link Removed

 

[ChrisCassisi]

Been looking for a Bolin NS 4 for awhile. Anyone here interested in selling or trading?

 

[graham1945]

Sorry, can't get my bass added to the first post here, but I also have an NS5 s/no. 0097, 1 x EMG plus piezo in transparent black. Super light and comfortable to play. Graham 1945, Bournemouth, England.

 

[lictor4]

No problem I'll update the original post shortly.
The black finish is my favorite I think, got any pictures?
Thanks for chiming in.

 

[lictor4]

I guess editing the original post is only availible for a limited time, so here is the revised list.

#---- -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -previously warwickhunt
#0060 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar -http://www.ebay.com:80/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?item=160694773999
#0075 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -peterkidd
#0077 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -David @ Link Removed (claims its the bass that was reviewed in the Bass Player article, cool!)
#0088 -5string, fretless, brown(or red)- 1 soapbar & piezo - Thomas @ https://groups.google.com/forum/m/?fromgroups#!topic/alt.guitar.bass/UWjf6D9V6QE
#0097 -5string, fretted, black, 1 soapbar & piezo -graham1945
#0123 -4string, fretted, black, piezo - j5eugene
#0124 -4string, fretted, amber, 2 soapbars -warwickhunt
#0131 -5string, frettless, violin brown, 2 soapbars & piezo -lictor4
#0141 -4string, fretted, green, 2 soapbar & piezo -warwickhunt[/QUOTE]

 

[graham1945]

Hi there, thanks for adding my details, yes it is fretted. A couple of pics are attached.
Cheers,
Graham

 

[warwickhunt]

Hi there, thanks for adding my details, yes it is fretted. A couple of pics are attached.
Cheers,
Graham

That's nice!

 

[lictor4]

Yep love that black!
There is a great blue NS5 on ebay right now(lined fretless, first one I've seen!) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bolin-5-String-Fretless-Rare-Immaculate-/261063722832

Also found a couple articles on the Bolin NS guitar, have a look:
Guitarist Magazine - Reviewer Dave Burrluck January 2003 - link
Guitar Buyer Magazine - Reviewer Mick Taylor February 2003 - Invalid Link Removed

I realized I've yet to post some pics of my own bass so that will follow shortly

 

[lictor4]

Couple pics of my fretless
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Ebony knobs made by Link Removed on ebay(great result, super fast delivery)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I did a little custom work to install a strap-lock on the swing arm(drilled&tapped the button, dremelled the swing arm to allow a bolt to countersink into the arm) works great.
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It works great, such a relief to have the strap locked into place.

 

[Peredur]

I bought warwickhunt's 5 string but then sold it. Then I bought it back and then I sold it again. I loved everything about it but could not seem to love it as a unit no matter how much I wanted to. The piezo tone was everything I had hoped piezos to do but had never found it before. If I come across a twin pick up one I might well try again

 

[Peredur]

Good work on the strap lock thing!

 

[lictor4]

Just noticed this cool lookin piezo-only 4 string on ebay

Cheap too!

#---- -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -previously warwickhunt
#0060 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar -ebay
#0075 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -peterkidd
#0077 -5string, fretted, violin brown, 1 soapbar & piezo -David @ Link Removed (claims its the bass that was reviewed in the Bass Player article, cool!)
#0088 -5string, fretless, brown(or red)- 1 soapbar & piezo - Thomas @ alt.guitar.bass
#0097 -5string, fretted, black, 1 soapbar & piezo -graham1945
#0121 -4sting, fretted, violin brown, piezo -ebay
#0123 -4string, fretted, black, piezo - j5eugene
#0124 -4string, fretted, amber, 2 soapbars -warwickhunt
#0131 -5string, frettless, violin brown, 2 soapbars & piezo -lictor4
#0141 -4string, fretted, green, 2 soapbar & piezo -warwickhunt

 

[lictor4]

I guess this would be the "Honey Amber" color

First time I've seen it, amazing!

Also I got curious about what my bass would look like if the NS Design was taken one step further... so with a lil photoshop I added an NS Design bridge!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[neonrich]

Morning!

Just wanted to show you this amazing 4 string Bolin '0119' i picked up for a stupidly low price.. i guess the previous owner just didn't know what it was that they had in their possession!

I have to agree that it's amongst the best of the basses i've been fortunate enough to play & can see why they are sought-after instruments.

This one currently resides in Bournemouth, UK!

 

[warwickhunt]

2 pup + piezo... fully spec'd up then. Well it also appears I'm not unique in owning one of that spec in the UK!