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the one that got away...

A

accidentprone13

Dec 29, 2009
55
0
north carolina
#1
have you guys ever seen "the one" and known that it was meant to be your mighty thudstaff? i saw this beauty on craigslist, and it is such a project. over 22 years old, doesn't work, guy has no idea what's wrong with it and i am in love. i want it so bad! but he wants $100 for it, and it doesn't even work. i shot him a couple offers and he declined and said the lowest he'd take is $80.

is there something about bradley basses that i'm missing? i can find very little information on them except that they're gibson clones from the 60's-80's. i want this damn thing, but i'm not paying $80 for a clone bass that i'm going to have to pay to fix up anyways.
 

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#5
The guy budged on his asking price.

What more can you ask? There's plenty of people out there that would have just told you no and to get lost.

Even a Wal Mart special, First Act bass, and a Toys R Us Washburn Lyon Bass is more than $80 brand new.

$80 is NOT a bad deal, really think about the cost to get it to work, probably not much at all, it's probably a solder joint that's come loose over the years, maybe a bad volume pot, or a bad Capacitor.
It may require a bit more time and money to make it work great sure, but that fact remains even if he gives it away.

If you have that strong of a passion for the bass, grab it, work on it slowly over time.
$80 bucks is nothing, take a chance you may be grateful you did.
 
#10
If it's anything like the Bradly fake Strat I had you're in for a very pleasant surprise.

Nicest Strat neck (to me) I ever played, including Warmoth.

The "cheap" Japanese pickups sounded GREAT, better than most Fender Strat pickups, really.

Bradley was a MIJ house brand for Venneman Music, in MD near DC.
 
#11
GlennW said:
If it's anything like the Bradly fake Strat I had you're in for a very pleasant surprise.

Nicest Strat neck (to me) I ever played, including Warmoth.

The "cheap" Japanese pickups sounded GREAT, better than most Fender Strat pickups, really.

Bradley was a MIJ house brand for Venneman Music, in MD near DC.
Click to expand...

awesome, i'm excited. did they go out of business? i've found out that they were the house brand for venneman but i can't get any information on either company.
 
#12
This is a great thread topic! I lost a chance of getting a NOS USA Schecter Model T from the mid 90's. It was sitting in the store owners private collection untouched as I was seeking some advice here about it. Word got out about this gem and someone bought it before I could seal a deal with the owner.
 
#13
accidentprone13 said:
awesome, i'm excited. did they go out of business? i've found out that they were the house brand for venneman but i can't get any information on either company.
Click to expand...

I know next to nothing about them. I think the Bradley name was discontinued long before the internet got popular, so info is scarce at best.

A few years ago I picked up a Bradley P Bass off ebay because of my positive experience with their Strat.

I didn't care for the P Bass neck, but I don't care for Fender bass necks either, and that's probably why.
 
#14
GlennW said:
I know next to nothing about them. I think the Bradley name was discontinued long before the internet got popular, so info is scarce at best.

A few years ago I picked up a Bradley P Bass off ebay because of my positive experience with their Strat.

I didn't care for the P Bass neck, but I don't care for Fender bass necks either, and that's probably why.
Click to expand...

hmm very interesting! i want to play this bass and see what the neck feels like.
 
#16
I am not sure of your financial situation, however for me $80 for the "the one" bass would not sound like a lot to me, but that that is me. If you really want it I think the regret will get to you more if you don't buy it.
 
#17
klejst said:
I am not sure of your financial situation, however for me $80 for the "the one" bass would not sound like a lot to me, but that that is me. If you really want it I think the regret will get to you more if you don't buy it.
Click to expand...

i just worked a 40 hour week, so $80 really isn't a lot. i'm just trying to think more of the future and having to pay for new parts, and in the end maybe paying someone to figure out why it doesn't work if i can't!
 
#18
It's got to be worth that, surely.

I picked up a sunburst Aria P bass clone fixer upper for £40. Re-soldered the electrics, fitted 1/4 pounder, chromes and a tort pickguard and chrome bridge cover. I love that bass now and it looks, sounds and plays as good as any bass costing five times what I spent on it.

When you've fixed that bass up to suit your needs it will mean a lot more to you than if you'd just bought the equivalent in perfect condition, and it probably won't cost you as much.

Buy it!! ;)
 
#19
Maud said:
It's got to be worth that, surely.

I picked up a sunburst Aria P bass clone fixer upper for £40. Re-soldered the electrics, fitted 1/4 pounder, chromes and a tort pickguard and chrome bridge cover. I love that bass now and it looks, sounds and plays as good as any bass costing five times what I spent on it.

When you've fixed that bass up to suit your needs it will mean a lot more to you than if you'd just bought the equivalent in perfect condition, and it probably won't cost you as much.

Buy it!! ;)
Click to expand...

see i think that is what makes me want this bass so bad! i want to put hours into it and make it something that i'm proud of!

as an update, i emailed the guy telling him i was in and now he's "thinking about it." i feel a slight yanking at my chain...
 
#20
accidentprone13 said:
have you guys ever seen "the one" and known that it was meant to be your mighty thudstaff? i saw this beauty on craigslist, and it is such a project. over 22 years old, doesn't work, guy has no idea what's wrong with it and i am in love. i want it so bad! but he wants $100 for it, and it doesn't even work. i shot him a couple offers and he declined and said the lowest he'd take is $80.

is there something about bradley basses that i'm missing? i can find very little information on them except that they're gibson clones from the 60's-80's. i want this damn thing, but i'm not paying $80 for a clone bass that i'm going to have to pay to fix up anyways.
Click to expand...

If it truly evokes such emotion from your core being... it should be priceless... to you... worth at least $120 :bassist:
 

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