Thinking about buy this. What do you think?

[tuffnelljohn]

Hi guys

Im thinking about buying this:



Do you think its a good deal? Is the EMG J a quality pickup? Ideally Id rather a P bass, but this may do the job.

If I decide to view it, are there any pertinent questions or things I should check for (obviously action, play it through an amp etc). Im curious about the neck repair its had on it.

Thanks

 

[tuffnelljohn]

Cant seem to share the facebook ad, so heres screenshot:

 

[MrAB4003]

Ideally Id rather a P bass, but this may do the job.

Ideally Id rather a P bass, but this may do the job.

There's your answer! Don't settle for something that you don't ideally want. You will regret it later.

 

[tuffnelljohn]

There's your answer! Don't settle for something that you don't ideally want. You will regret it later.

Haha, I should clarify my statement: "Ideally Id rather a P bass AND a J bass"!

 

[J-Bass RMR]

The E8 serial decal was used into the 80s - it's a common misnomer that this neck would be a '78.

The real anomaly here is that the neck is Dot & Bound with the bullet.

Not uncommon that it could be a "factory parts bass" from this period, but there's no way of knowing that someone didn't just assemble it from parts after the fact.
Not sure what the neck repair is....
A shim is not at all unusual, and the seller answered his own question; "nice low action". (but most ads say that anyway)
The only way to determine if it's worth the price is to play it.

 

[kmon]

Neck repair, sketchy build status, additional routes and mods…seems pricy for what it is. I’d be a hard no.

 

[HardNHeavy]

give em $800

 

[JimB52]

A bit spendy for a Frankenfender of dubious pedigree, with parts from the tail end of what many view as Fender's low point.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

More pics, please. What is the "small neck repair"?. He's obviously removed the neck as he knows it has a walnut shim. Why was the neck removed?

BBB

 

[ravelax]

All reasonable responses above, but heck, I think it looks awesome!

 

[Kubicki Fan]

All reasonable responses above, but heck, I think it looks awesome!

Take a picture.

 

[tuffnelljohn]

Thanks for the comments. Ive actually found a video of the guy talking about it. He's a legit guy, so no malintent or BS, (unless Im massively naieve) (the whole video is worth a watch actually).
Further pics...

 

[J-Bass RMR]

EDIT
After further review...
It comes down to; are you comfortable with that neck repair.
(he mentions the truss rod need constant adjustment)

At the end of the day, it's an '83 neck, an '83 body and "parts".
The neck combination is a bit rare, but it's also been repaired...


From the photo, it almost looks like the nut and frets were caulked in - doesn't seem to show up that way in the video though.
Tuners & Pickguard are not original.


from 2014:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ra...z-dots-binding-70’s-spacing-bl-maple.1087357/




View attachment upload_2024-5-12_12-55-11.webp

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Are you related to Nigel?

 

[BobKos]

I would not buy that bass. The fingerboard is cracked from someone reefing on the truss nut. I would bet a lot that there are shims or spacers under the nut to try and eke out more adjustment on a maxed out truss rod. Sometimes a 40+ year old bass is dead and should be retired....

 

[Ellery]

Neck repair, sketchy build status, additional routes and mods…seems pricy for what it is. I’d be a hard no.

^^THIS^^
There are too many J basses out there to jump on this one, at that price you can do better than that.

 

[Killing Floor]

A little high for a parts bass but it looks really cool and I’d play that in a second.

 

[tuffnelljohn]

Are you related to Nigel?

No. Whos that? Im in the UK.

 

[tuffnelljohn]

Thanks for the comments guys. Not the feedback I was hoping for, but I appreciate the honesty.

I noticed he said that the neck needs regular adjustment. Its much easier to adjust the truss if its a bullet isnt it?

The neck is a bit of a concern, especially the crack in the fingerboard by the bullet.

Heres some more photos. I will go and check it out and see how it plays.



Some have said there are better 1970/80s J basses out there. Ive been all over eBay and Reverb and I dont see any. Are there other website I should check out?

 

[tuffnelljohn]

Just found a couple more videos:
video 1
video 2