Happy Jack Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I've never previously owned either a Shergold or a Hayman, so I got quite interested when this came up on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Marathon-Stereo-white-Refin-/111698416200?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=OaSzWEdpQ3E4VUtig6fehSYVPQk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc From a collector's point of view, the refin largely wrecks the 'investment value' (if any). From my point of view, it made a nice bass rather more affordable. The vendor assured me that, bathroom scales stylee, the bass weighed about 8.5lbs. My experience with that sort of effort is that it usually means the bass will be substantially heavier, at least 9lbs and probably more. Met up with the vendor who, sadly, is not a Basschatter. It's a shame because he would certainly fit the demographic ... lovely chap, very friendly and open, middle aged, shaved head, the full works. My first impression (in a pub) was "blimey, that's light", and my second was "blimey, that's lovely". We were in the West End so 20 minutes later I was on my way to Denmark Street to visit Andy Gibson. He checked out the electrics for me; the input sockets were both pretty dodgy and the two controls very scratchy. He didn't need to tell me that the strings were way past the use by date. I collected the bass on my way home, now with the electrics apparently sorted. First thing to do was to weigh it properly - exactly 8lbs. Even by my standards, that's pretty bloody good for a lightweight bass and makes it a pleasure to sling around your neck. Photos on arrival, still with the old strings: Handsome beast [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Entire%20bass%202_zpsrobdnwpc.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Entire%20bass%202_zpsrobdnwpc.jpg[/IMG][/URL] It really is this white [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Body%203_zpsikhbz1lq.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Body%203_zpsikhbz1lq.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 (edited) Very well done, Jack. I'm as envious as a very envious thing, despite the refin and despite the fact I already have a lovely Marathon in perfect original condition with 'The Peel'. I just like white basses, I don't know if I've ever told anyone that... good news on the weight too, about the same as mine. I'm pleased, as I don't think anyone believed me when I said mine was eight pounds! We'll need your views on how it plays, obviously... Marathon necks are amazing and one of the best things about them. The only downside really is that it seems you won't be moving this on anytime soon! But if you ever do, I publicly claim first dibs!! A good area for collecting, imho - affordable, hand-built vintage basses from the 70s and early 80s... where else can you get a decent, playable example for less than £400? Nowhere, that's where! Edited June 28, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 28, 2015 Author Share Posted June 28, 2015 Next up, play it. Played as a straight-forward bass, this is a really nice example. The sound of the pickup (with utterly dead roundwounds) was still lovely, very clear, similar to a Precision but quite distinctive and - IMHO - rather clearer. Output level from the pickup was fine, volume pot works as it should, tone pot sounded like a DFA control but I thought that might be down to the strings. The neck is absolutely gorgeous ... if you like that sort of thing, which I do. it's 1" 5/8ths at the nut, 19mm spacing at the bridge, and a lovely deep rounded profile. I find it very comfortable under the hand. The fretboard has a hard, shiny finish very similar to a Rick, and the bass is surprisingly capable of sounding Rick-like with the right playing style. Then I tried bi-amping, using the stereo outputs. That didn't go according to plan. Both output sockets work fine, but the main produces the "normal" EADG output whereas the secondary output only produces the DG strings. As I understand it, with jacks in both sockets one should produce the EA and the other the DG but I'm getting strictly either/or. Not a biggy since I haven't many applications for bi-amping, but I'd like to get it working. Time to change the strings. We tried D'Addario Chromes but the silk at the ball end was so thick that the E wouldn't go through the hole in the BBOT bridge! Luckily enough, I found a set of Thomastik Infelt lying around and they worked perfectly. [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Shergold%205_zpsgor2g0e7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Shergold%205_zpsgor2g0e7.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Shergold%204_zpsnqssh8mx.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Shergold%204_zpsnqssh8mx.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Shergold%209_zpsc8c6tww2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Shergold%20Marathon%20CURRENT/Shergold%209_zpsc8c6tww2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The nut has been over-filed at some point (I suspect the bass has been strung BEAD for a while) so there's a tendency to rattle. That's offset by the zero fret but the break angle on the AD strings is also pretty critical. All in all, I'm pretty chuffed with this. For £350 this is a bass I'd happily walk onto any stage with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Nice. And still got the ashtray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 (edited) Fantastic! It looks in rather better condition than the seller was implying... should have snagged it when I could!! Interestingly, my nut is also over-filed, especially at the D string... I also imagined it had been strung BEAD. Wonder what that's all about? But as you say, the zero fret makes it work, I'm getting no rattling so will leave well alone. These basses are a total bargain. You'd never get workmanship like this new without spending a considerable wedge. They are serious players' basses and sound totally amazing. Nice one! Edited June 28, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 It is a nice bass, even to someone like me who usually doesn't like those Wal-like body shapes. In addition to the new set of TIs, we also gave the entire bass a good scrub with Thomann's guitar care spray, with special attention to the fingerboard and frets. Very few dings or worn-out areas overall, so definitely a good buy for Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregBass Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I thought long and hard before not bidding on this - it was a close thing. Have fun with it Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Congrats, great looking bass beast John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Nice score Jack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 (edited) Great that you got it Jack! I wasn't really going to bid a pound more than you. Kind of wish I had now 😉 Edited June 28, 2015 by Roland Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Dunno how this thread passed me by... That looks fantastic I'm always pleased to hear that basses I think look amazing have the sound / playability to match. Only problem with that is it makes me want one even more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Left Foot Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 That looks ace, I just love maple necks and bodies that work with them. The ashtray even looks good and that head stock is lovely. That has got some style indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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