three

Just a short message of support - my super-heavy Hellborg rig is in for servicing so I went out and bought an old TE 250 head. I've had loads over the years - heavy? Yes, but forget all that when you listen. Absolutely astounding. Nothing like as refined as my main rig, obviously, but power almost without limit and that super-distinctive Trace core tone. Love it. As discussed with the seller - what is it, a 30 second load in/out at most venues - and I use a truck? Well worthwhile in almost all cases. I have class D amps (of the highest order - AER) but there's something that they can't emulate re: class A/B to my ears. These old TE combos are bullet proof and what a price!

"Depends on the bass though. My J basses can be a bit unstable, but I had a Status series II for years, and I only had to tune it about once a year!! "

Exactly what I was going to say. I'm back to my old Status Series II and check it about every fortnight. It holds tuning in an almost magical way wherever it is

PM'd

Bow re-sprayed the neck on my Status SII after it developed that characteristically milky look at the fretboard edges. The quality is nothing short of brilliant. Realistic prices for an incredibly professional job - easy to work with too. I've been told (but can't confirm) that Bow were the original finishers for Status. Mine's an early one so the neck may have been re-finished by the people that sprayed it in the first place (sort of nice if true)

this used to be mine - it's an exceptional instrument!

Arguably, the best electric bass combo ever built. These have to be heard to believe what's possible. Great price IMO

I'm a confirmed lover of Alembics but have to admit that this is in the same league in terms of timber. Absolutely beautiful

Hi natjag, I'll pm with details and try to get a better image for you

ON HOLD - For sale (no trades or offers please), a Fender CS Precision '59 transitional model in vintage white. The bass is in near perfect condition with some very slight player wear. The only blemishes that I can find are some marking just in front of the bridge (from loading new strings or foam?), minor lacquer scrape on the edge of the headstock (too me weeks to see it), and slight colour ageing of the vintage white - it looks like banana custard.

I bought this for some gigs last year and it's no longer required (though it would be lovely to keep it, next gigs/recordings require something entirely different). I have just over £1775 in the bass so hope that the price represents a bit of a bargain.

Comes with original deluxe Fender tweed case and candy (hang tags, certificate, covers, little pack of CS plectrums etc.). The bass was set-up professionally around 4 months ago with DR Sunbeams (45-100) and these have hardly been used. The bass also has a very expensive SIMS 10 hole nitrocelluloid scratch plate - the original is included but the SIMS looks much more authentic early '60s. Fingerboard is 3A rosewood and beautifully striated. Action is very low - possibly too low for most P players - very slight buzz around frets 14-16 on the D if one digs in - easily solved by fractional raising of the action (I play with a very light touch). It's a 1.75" nut width and the neck is characteristically very shallow and comfortable front to back - there's some subtle flame in the neck (I've seen this on original examples from the era).

Available for collection from Manchester or can ship at buyer's expense and risk (only to UK and Western Europe).

Apologies for the dreadful and single image. There's not much that I can do 'til I get home on Weds but have some further images that I'll try to upload later.

this looks beautiful but a bit later than '85 I'd say - the script logo is missing (my SII 4 is '85 and has some slightly different features - brass plates, active indicator light, script logo on the tuner cover). As Conan suggests, the neck is slender - a sort of D profile with straight shoulders then quite flat at the back. Very shallow radius too. I've started to use my SII again after maybe 25 years. It's unbelievably good - real quality build and the tone is fantastically versatile. Price in BD is very reasonable in my view.

Err...is this still here? Somebody needs to do themselves a favour.

That top is absolutely stunning - the most beautiful timbers I've seen have been on Alembics. I suppose that at 2k dollars a slice for some of this stuff, you'd expect it. The curly redwood here is outstanding! Indeed, this bass has some high-end Alembics features. Actually a bit of a bargain if you look at current prices (and it should balance well!) Good luck - a beauty!

Lovely basses - had a couple of these (early NY models - DN boards had an extraordinary 'ping'). Pre and pickups are my favourite on a J by far - Jimmy really seems to have discovered something very sympathetic with his electronics

Boom! These really are a bit special!

I play a Spector shorty (US model) - the nut is around 1.64" and very comfortable for me. It's a short-scale obviously, so not directly comparable to the basses in which the OP might have an interest. However, the small body is beautifully ergonomic, as is the neck - a neat combination of substance and slender playability. Ergonomic design seems to be a Spector specialism. The tone is nothing special to my ears but I tend to use a preamp for tone sculpting rather than the on-board pre.

An absolute bargain - I don't think that I've ever seen one at such a price!

Wow! I've had one of John's basses and it was just amazing - this one is on another level!

Just bought a lovely cab from Mr Zed - it looks absolutely new and is exactly as described, if not better. Andy actually took the time to deliver the cab too - an opportunity for a great chat! Absolutely delighted - everything super simple, fast and friendly. Have no hesitation in dealing with Andy - one of the best of an amazing community!

Same plus refreshments, especially if short notice and significant travel involved

Pricey but unsurpassed!

Pricey but unsurpassed!

I had a Spitfire on a J. Really, as close as you'll get to an original celluloid. Recently bought a real celluloid plate from Simms - beautiful and around half the price of the Spitfire (but the latter has the edge)

Great that you've gigged it! The sustain is a bit of a marvel (along with the clarity and punch). When I gigged mine, it spent around 80% of the time in passive. That lacewood body is a thing of beauty too - I don't think that I've seen one previously. Fantastic instruments that don't appear for sale too often (these earlier models anyway). i'm sure that all SIIs are fantastic but I prefer the first few years of production.

I got back into playing my old SII recently. I gigged it for years and had forgotten just how good it is

Err...unbelievable price!