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]