lemmywinks

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374416143868?hash=item572cf0f5fc:g:cfcAAOSwATdjj~1D&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkJI9WfA5a%2BMoj4UHuAZQ5Ak6cDqdu4msxqQhl13efqKI2JNaDCfvFaCYo%2FKHB3cJ2LSW0neoLeMNqFcWPd8CxI2OXRdWEAkx2nqPbIIhgRovhv4DTl4omskUNS2JT7j97DkVBy38wB7raVMkhk%2FY%2BaO4u8XQdO%2FI%2BHrWrTdSyD%2BPKNg97Zfuo5s7OA7CcP%2F5qg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6jxg_6lYQ Seems like a decent price for an 80s Jaopanese Aria, dunno what they usually go for.

It's not terrible, decent amateur attempt where nothing has gone badly wrong and nothing more really. We've all seen worse on this particular part of the forum but conversely there's also a lot of far more polished, accurate and skilled work from members on here who build instruments to a very high standard in their spare time. I don't think you're going to have much luck passing it off as a pro luthier job because, well... look at it. As already mentioned it's a niche within a niche within a niche - how many people will want a headless Bongo 6er? Single digits probably. Now from that number think how many people will want to part with £2k for an instrument that needs a full refin. The potential customer base is probably zero unfortunately. I'd take the body off, sand it back and stain it to at least get it saleable for a little bit of elbow grease and minimal cost. Maybe introduce some softer lines in the headstock part too, for all its inherent ugliness the Bongo is a bass with some nicely flowing lines, those harsh angles look out of place.

Whatever the headstock arrangement that's a lovely looking bass.

Although I know possibly less than zero about Foderas it's easy to spot a fake, that's way too nice and the fakes are always shaped with a rusty spoon, especially the rear contours and the neck heel. Just don't get the thinking behind it, seems a bit of a gimmick which isn't something you'd expect with Fodera which have always struck me as simple basses done to an impeccable standard.

I really like the idea, even just putting a bag over the Bongo headstock would be an improvement so lopping it off completely gets my vote. Bongos are amazing instruments but also unspeakably hideous at the same time. The execution is poor though - bare wood, odd shaping choices and wonky lines all over the place. Needs some work to put right and a full refin, price is a bit wacky but if you have the skills to fix it and wait until the inevitable price drop it could be a good buy. Kudos to the seller for showing the work done, warts and all.

What's the thinking behind this, surely there's not much (if any) effect on how the speaking length of the string sounds?

I mean if the OP likes the cab, is absolutely sure he won't need to add another at some point and the price is right then he should just go for it. I wouldn't let the possibility of tripping over, knocking the volume knob up to max and blowing the drivers be the difference between me buying a cab or not and I'm not sure anybody else would either. Most people would pick the 8ohm version as it's the same deal but with more flexibility which is the main concern IMO.

It's going to make zero difference in this case, you can make a Traveller 102 go pop with that amp regarless of the impedance. Hence why you make adjustments to volume or low end if the cab is struggling. The reason to go for 8ohms is to not be stuck using a single cab, not out of fear of damaging the drivers which you can do with most setups.

Will be fine, you're better off with an 8ohm as that means you can add an extra cab if the opportunity presents itself. With 4ohms if you need more volume you're stuck really. You're no more likely to blow your cab with a 4ohm load than you are with 8ohms, similarly you can blow a cab with less power than it's rated for. If it sounds like it's struggling then turn the volume down or roll off a bit of low end. Unfortunately the myth that a 4ohm load means you amp will be pumping a ton of extra power to the cabs is one that refuses to die on forums, same with using watts to rate power handling.

Good stuff, should make some youngsters happy knowing they have a great cab to play through. Wish the rehearsal rooms I use had that sort of kit!

I've had generic Chinese cheapys, Switchcraft and Neutrik fail on me after a short period of time and I've had some last years. Got quite frustrated last year as no matter which one I bought they seemed to fail rather quickly but I've had a Switchcraft in there for a year with no issues. I quite like the locking Neutrik one on my Ibanez, seems very secure but would require a bit of woodwork to retrofit them and probably not suitable for basses with rounded edges.

Looks fine IMO, leave it as is.

Bass Direct lists dimensions and some compatible amps for the mixer bags they sell: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Gig_Skinz_Gig_Bags.html I like the Gator bags if they have one of a suitable size.

Ibanez BTB and EHB, Yamaha TRB, Sire M7, MTD K5.

I like that! The coolest small bodied headless is still the Status Streamline though

Do you have photos, are the pads intact? Looks easy enough if so and most repair places should be able to do it. Even if the pads have come off the board then it's still doable, will just require some patch wire workarounds. Rob's Game Repairs (formerly Rob's Retro Repairs) is well thought of on enthusiast groups and can do rework if required. Probably a mail in job really unless you're down Blackpool way: https://www.facebook.com/robsgamerepairs/

Yet another example of someone who has the skills to make a nicely crafted instrument with some pleasing little touches but has absolutely no eye for design when it comes to the lines of the body. So many will put together hand made basses look like melted hot water bottles.

I've bought loads of stuff from AliExpress, had more issues buying from UK eBay sellers tbh.

There seems to be two different individual headless bass saddles on AliExpress, ones like those Guyker units with the turret style knurled knob and some thinner ones with brass inserts and a standard knob. Would be good if you could get the ones Ibanez use on the EHB basses as they're rock solid with loads of travel.

Tbf that's some nicely styled 90s AV tech.

Some cheap old gigbags going for a few hundred! https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/443/lot/196303?url=%2Fauctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F443%3Fpage%3D2%26catm%3Dany%26order%3Dorder_num%26xclosed%3Dno%26featured%3Dno%26key%3Dbass

Yeah it's generally a bad idea to order anything from AliExpress builders, even the better ones will change their seller names due to spells of poor QC so you have to work out who they are from the storefront. I was toying with the idea of buying one of the headless 5 strings as a backup bass but after figuring out who the seller was and reading some reviews I gave them a wide berth, since then (earlier this year) that seller has changed the name of their shop again.

I have a preamp from an old Cort Hohner I can stick in the post, the one with the LED and trim pot.

I don't even know what it does!