Top-notch Carl Thompson on eBay

[Angus]

I don't think there is any "bass history" in this instrument, beyond what was created around it by Carl's website administrator. It isn't anything more than his normal instruments, outside of the ebony top (which is not expensive, I might add).

The price on this one, in my opinion, is completely arbitrary. But hey, someone will probably pay, so maybe the seller is the smart one (though the lack of pictures would prevent me from ever feeling comfortable purchasing it).

 

[Charles Farley]

To me, all of Carl's basses are special, and I wouldn't trade my 4 string CT for any bass including the 10 Million Dollar Bass.
BTW, here are some other ebony topped CT basses from pics I've taken in Carl's shop over the years.

2006 - Madagascar Ebony and Cocobolo

2007 - Madagascar Ebony

2008 - Macassar Ebony

2008 - front - Macassar Ebony and Bocote

2008 - back - Macassar Ebony and Quited Maple

 

[Angus]

Yeah, that's what I was getting at- I've seen and played a few (and almost purchased one I played yeeeears ago), so this particular one doesn't seem particularly special by any means. One that I played was substantially nicer!

 

[cosmicevan]

What is so sensational about it.

i think the fact that it is pointed out as a specific piece of carl thompson history makes is sensational.

much like the bass of doom...every now and then a specific instrument is pointed out as being special either for the way it was built (ritter royals, certain Fodera or Alembic, or any known builder or anniversary instrument, etc) or who played the instrument or where it was played that make it valuable and sensational. i remember seeing the bass used in jaco's modern electric bass video selling somewhere in nyc several years ago for an insane price tag. something happened (the modern electric bass video) that made that specific bass valuable/sensational. it was just another vintage JB when you think about it, but then again, is it?

whether you dig carl's style or not, something has to be said about the importance of his career in the universe of building basses. for this...and the rarity and wait for his instruments, there is a somewhat cult following and demand for his work. that makes all of his instruments somewhat 'sensational'...but this is a specific piece pointed out in his history. if you value instruments as art, it makes a lot more sense...

another great comparison i always hear with basses is cars. so this would be the equivalent to a special edition bentley. surely you'd consider a special edition bentley as something 'sensational'?

but then again, one man's bentely is another man's pickup truck.

 

[cosmicevan]

T
2006 - Madagascar Ebony and Cocobolo

man, that one always kills me. so elegant and so nicely orchestrated! just gorgeous.

i dunno, i think that the 10 million dollar bass is something special. i think that there are a ton of basses that are nicer (including the one i'm lucky enough to own)...but something about it being the last one from carl's old shop and it being specifically designed with such attention to detail makes it an important piece of carl's history (much like Les' basses) seems like it would be worth more than even the wildest CT out there.

 

[cnltb]

i think the fact that it is pointed out as a specific piece of carl thompson history makes is sensational.

much like the bass of doom...every now and then a specific instrument is pointed out as being special either for the way it was built (ritter royals, certain Fodera or Alembic, or any known builder or anniversary instrument, etc) or who played the instrument or where it was played that make it valuable and sensational. i remember seeing the bass used in jaco's modern electric bass video selling somewhere in nyc several years ago for an insane price tag. something happened (the modern electric bass video) that made that specific bass valuable/sensational. it was just another vintage JB when you think about it, but then again, is it?

whether you dig carl's style or not, something has to be said about the importance of his career in the universe of building basses. for this...and the rarity and wait for his instruments, there is a somewhat cult following and demand for his work. that makes all of his instruments somewhat 'sensational'...but this is a specific piece pointed out in his history. if you value instruments as art, it makes a lot more sense...

another great comparison i always hear with basses is cars. so this would be the equivalent to a special edition bentley. surely you'd consider a special edition bentley as something 'sensational'?

but then again, one man's bentely is another man's pickup truck.

I see what you mean, but in my understanding of the words,whilst all of this might make an instrument "special" in any specific way,none of it does necessarily make it in any way"sensational".

 

[cosmicevan]

Like I said one man's bentley is another man's pickup truck. Similarly someone's jb is another man's ct. I personally don't find any jbs to be sensational but that's ok, if we all liked the same thing there would be no variety in basses available.

 

[Charles Farley]

if we all liked the same thing there would be no variety in basses available.

Agreed. What I like about Carl Thompson basses are the people that play them (like reading cosmicevan's posts). Typically, we don't get too vocal or bent out of shape when people in every CT thread makes a thinly veiled criticism about them looking like a wish basses, or a badly done wood shop project, etc, etc.

My 4 string Nordy and CT bass get equal playing time, and while they typically appeal to a mutually exclusive set of people, I like them both, I play them both, and could care less about about the keyboard drama.

Here's hoping that the 10 million dollar bass goes to a good home.

 

[lamarjones]

I see what you mean, but in my understanding of the words,whilst all of this might make an instrument "special" in any specific way,none of it does necessarily make it in any way"sensational".

I took it that Carl said something was special about the bass, that would mean more to me than anyone up here.

I hear what someone said about the 'web admin' pumped it up, but I thought Carl himself had something to do with it.

 

[Bassflute]

They sure are interesting basses. I hate to say it, but they all look like some kid made them in shop in high school to me, but that's just personal taste I guess

They remind me of hippie hash pipes...

For that kind of money I'd have a couple basses made I think.

I'd get a couple of very nice MTD's...

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[cosmicevan]

Here's hoping that the 10 million dollar bass goes to a good home.

if I could spend that kind of money on a bass, I'd definitely give this a good home.

I took it that Carl said something was special about the bass, that would mean more to me than anyone up here.

I hear what someone said about the 'web admin' pumped it up, but I thought Carl himself had something to do with it.

decide for yourself...

http://ctbasses.com/index.php?f=10millbass

if you like carl's work or not...doesn't matter much. but consider the Fodera 25th Anniversary instruments (they made 25 of them - i have no idea what one costs, but i'm sure it's price would stir up some discussion as well)...found this one with a quick web search...

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would you consider this a 'special' or 'significant' fodera (whether you think it is awesome or ugly is irrelevant)? agreed that the word 'sensational' tends to be more related to one's tastes, so let's use 'significant' or 'special' instead.

there are countless examples of instruments that have some significant impact in the history of a luthier and these special instruments get collected (either as museum pieces or as living art that gets played). you see them sold on TB all of the time as a significant serial number, perhaps built for a specific musician or part of a limited series...they exist and are special (and usually pretty valuable) for one reason or another. in the world of carl thompson basses...the 10 million dollar bass is pretty significant.

i think it is pretty bada$$ (but that's my taste)...if nothing else, sure gives us something to talk about. sometimes it gets boring talking about which bass is best for metal.

 

[Charles Farley]

Sold for 13K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carl-Thompson-1...y-/180581995207?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a0b8692c7