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FS T&G Martin Concerto 3/4 Double Bass **SOLD**
£4000


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I'd love to play this beautiful bass every day and gig it two to three times a week as was the case a year or so back, but it's simply not how things are now. So, this rather lovely instrument is up for sale, or possibly PX with a DB to the value of a maximum of £2000 value with cash balance my way. I have a relatively recent insurance valuation from Martin's at £7,500, which given the quality of the instrument, seems entirely reasonable. I paid £4200 used in 2013. The bass is in very good cosmetic and functional condition, the only obvious deviation from new being some play wear to the edges of the bass side upper bout.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Specs are on the Martin website here [/font][/color][url="http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instrumentsforsale/martindoublebassesforsale"]http://www.thomasmar...lebassesforsale[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], the Concerto is second from the bottom on this page. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]There's a TB review here [/font][/color][url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/review-of-a-thomas-martin-concerto.849738/"]http://www.talkbass....oncerto.849738/[/url]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]A BC review here [/font][/color][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/179985-review-of-a-thomas-martin-concerto-db/"]http://basschat.co.u...in-concerto-db/[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] (the first post is however the same review as per TB IIRC) [/font][/color]

The bass is in Canterbury, Kent. I'm in no rush to sell and am not looking for trades other than, possible, a lower value DB as per the above.

Chris


[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Pics.....[/font][/color]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2671_zps7b347343.jpg.html"][/url]


[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2680_zps6ae53b1e.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2676_zps6f7df2ae.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2677_zpsb521449c.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2672_zps0616b3f9.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2682_zpsc107ba02.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2700_zps7c1a89ce.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2703_zps88bab989.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2707_zpsca428d14.jpg.html"][/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]

Edited by Beedster
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[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1405033855' post='2498259']
Aww that is lovely. Really nice. :)
[/quote]

Thanks TNIT, I'm going to take some better pics at the weekend, those above don't really capture either the grain/figuring of the wood or the rather elegant lines of the instrument as a whole. It really is an absolute stunner, although these characteristics become completely redundant once you play it/hear it. I'm not a DB expert by any means, but I've owned several and played many more. Of all of these, the Martin is the only instrument that doesn't disappoint at one or more levels. For example, I've owned instruments that were especially powerful in certain ranges or on certain strings (a weak and relatively unresponsive low end has been a common experience). This bass has a wonderful consistency across its entire range. I've also owned instruments that required a lot of effort to tease out 'that' DB tone, be it the sweet and penetrating clarity of the dusty end of the G string or the growl and sheer visceral power of the bottom end. This bass does both of these as well as everything in between with an ease and precision the like of which I've not come across before (the only easy analogy I can make is with my old Modulus Flea or my current Yamaha BB2024, both instruments that make the production of great tone a really simple proposition). The shape of this bass, with the somewhat smaller than usual upper bout, also makes it a whole lot easier and less tiring to get around, especially at the dusty end of the instrument at the end of a long session/gig. I also find it balances slightly better than most instruments and that in itself makes it less tiring to play. It's also extremely robust, that is you feel that you could drop it without doing it serious damage - I'm not saying that this is the case, just that as a player I found carting around a fragile 120 year old German Flatback to nerve inducing to enjoy gigging it, and so ended up playing EUBs at most gigs. But the best thing about this bass is simply the tone, it's just lovely, and you only have to spend a few minutes on the T&G Martin website (or on various review pages) to realise why this is. This is certainly a cheap instrument by professional standards for sure, but it's clear that the Martins both know their stuff and care about their product, so even a bass at the lower end of their price range is an extremely high quality instrument in every respect. As I'm sure you'll have picked up from the above, there's nothing about this instrument that could be identified as 'budget'. I would like to sell it for a number of reasons, but I don't have to and won;t be too upset if it ends up staying :rolleyes:

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  • 2 weeks later...

[quote name='Mike' timestamp='1406325500' post='2510730']
I've got a cheaper DB to offer but not sure I could make up the shortfall, especially after buying an imac. Tricky.
[/quote]

Happy to open a discussion Mike

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Dimensions

String Length: 40 inches (101.5 cm)
Length of Back: 44 inches (112 cm)
Rib Depth: 8.25 inches (21 cm)
Upper Bout: 17.25 inches (45 cm)
Middle Bout: 13.75 inches (35 cm)
Lower Bout: 26.25 inches (67 cm)

Bit of a demo by the man himself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIqf8gLdgL4

And as it says, please note that Tom is 5'5" :)

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Couple more pics that better show the outline

[URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2685_zpsd3568ec1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_2685_zpsd3568ec1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2692_zps4ee7131a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_2692_zps4ee7131a.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Chris

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Chris the model he plays is a 5 string, does yours have an equivalent tone to that?
Also any pizz examples? I've just sold a bass and am looking to sell another and buy one (long story as to why)
My current bass will be difficult to beat for sound (especially for recording) but I have playability issues with it in thumb position as it has extremely high shoulders.
I'm not really expressing firm interest here just looking about.

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Hi Jake
Hope all's well mate. Re tone, I don't really play arco so if you're asking how it sounds in relation to the clip from the Martin site it would be hard for me to say (I suspect that even if I did, it would still be hard for me to say if you get my meaning). Re shoulders, this bass is extremely easy to play in that respect and as I think I've mentioned above, it's nothing like as tiring to play as some I've owned. Anyway, I gig/socialise around Surrey/Hampshire a fair bit so I'd be very happy to meet up with you sometime for you to give it a play?
Cheers
Chris

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Let me know when you're in the area and that may well be a possible. I'm utterly snowed under with work but it eases a bit going forward (until the phone rings again :rolleyes: )
But for that I cannot complain...

Ps I'm good ta, really enjoying the control surface... hope things are good with you mate

Edited by jakenewmanbass
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Excellent basses these and a good price too. A new one will set you back considerably more and a secondhand one will be played in. Also if you need any work doing on it at any point the Thomas Martin company are excellent.

I tried out 40 basses when looking for a new one and one of these basses came in the top 2 best for me.

Good luck with the sale Beedster. Someone will be very happy.

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[quote name='TheG' timestamp='1407198508' post='2518352']
I tried out 40 basses when looking for a new one and one of these basses came in the top 2 best for me.
[/quote]

Thanks G, it was reading similar comments that prompted me to buy the Concerto, and it certainly doesn't disappoint.

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[quote name='Mike' timestamp='1407231394' post='2518486']
I'd love to check it out at some point Chris - not sure when I can get to Canterbury though. I'll check the diary. What's your availability during the day on a weekday?
[/quote]

Hi Mike, I'm on leave for a while from Monday 11th so could certainly arrange something in the daytime with a bit of prior notice.

Cheers

Chris

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  • 2 weeks later...

Now on eBay at [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181506194968&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123"]http://cgi.ebay.co.u...E:L:LCA:GB:1123[/url] although I'll of course still entertain enquiries here. I may be persuaded to trade/PX with bass gear that might be easier to sell (Fender/MM/ basses, Markbass/PJB amps etc).

Chris

Edited by Beedster
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