Bassassin

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1448482285' post='2915840'] There are two different spacings on the old models. The ones with dots only have very narrow string spacing. The bridge spacing is about as wide as the nut. I believe these were intended for the domestic Japanese market. The ones with ovals and eyes were export models and had spacing closer to Fender, but not quite as wide still. They've very playable all the same. [/quote] Sort of. The ones with the standard spacing/oval inlays are the SB-R/SB-Elite models, which all have passive electronics. I think these appeared a few years after the SB range was launched, and were sold alongside them. I have an SB-Elite I Black & Gold - incredibly playable bass but weighs a ton! It's worth checking out [url="http://gfyfe.com/aria.htm"]Graeme Fyfe's SB pages[/url], lots of info about the different models. J.

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1448484602' post='2915878'] Saw them Sep. '83 in Southampton and I still think it's one of the best gigs I've ever seen. Saw them the next year at Wembley Arena and they'd lost none of their energy. Stuart's death brought me great sadness, he was one of rock's nice guys. [/quote] He really was, I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly shortly after I moved to Edinburgh - a very genuine and humble man, much missed. Saw BC many times between 1982 and 1996, such an inspiring, uplifting and passionate band. J.

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1448447772' post='2915443'] That is gorgeous. If you're going to spend big wedge on an SB1000, I'd take this (or one like it) over a new one any day. [/quote] Lovely, looks in great condition. Very early one too, with bat-wing headstock & "The Aria Pro" branding. J.

The SB1000 reissues have generic hardware that's quite different to that used the Matsumoku originals - I wouldn't be surprised if they had more conventional string spacing as well. If I was after an SB1000, it would have to be a "real" one! Jon.

Top of my particular heap would be Alice Cooper - the original 5-piece band of Dunaway, Smith, Buxton, Bruce & Furnier. Split in 1974 so well before my time. The Skids - the Absolute Game lineup, with Russell Webb on bass. The Who with Moony & Entwistle. Pistols, preferably with Matlock. Dio - era Rainbow. Nirvana @ Studio 24, Edinburgh. Dunno why I didn't go. I'll probably think of a few more in a bit... Jon.

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1448294656' post='2914209'] £225 bargain! (not my bargain unfortunately, I forgot to bid) [/quote] Surprised by that, thought it would go a lot higher. Anyone on here? J.

For me that would be Marillion, in 1985. My then-girlfriend was a massive fan, but I just couldn't get the appeal of what to me was a lukewarm 70s Genesis knockoff with a sh!t drummer, fronted by a gargantuan clown-painted Scot, pretentiously boo-hooing about all his failed relationships. So I was dragged along to see them at the old Hammy Odeon. We had front-row seats and I was quite happy to stand up, fold my arms & go "impress me". They did. Fish was the most riveting, dramatic and engaging frontman I'd seen, the band were spectacular (the sh!t drummer on their first album having been replaced by the rather more capable Ian Moseley) and to top it all, bassist Pete Trewavas was playing an Aria RSB-Deluxe II - exactly like mine! Made me a fanboy in an instant. Jon.

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1448114139' post='2913130'] After watching that I can see why they might feel the need to call time on touring. For me the sad part is that Geddy loosing his voice will mean we'll also miss out on his playing. [/quote] Ironically from what I've read, it's Geddy who wants to keep touring, with the other two less keen because they both have physical problems, making it difficult for them. Oh, and Peart apparently hates it and has presumably only done it for the money for the last 15 years or so... Jon.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1447958892' post='2911882'] They look very like Matsumoku basses. [/quote] The two Aria SB-R80s (or SB-Elite IIs - same thing, AFAIK!) are Matsumoku. The Attila Balogh Odyssey is a Canadian - made rarity - Flat Eric has (at least) two - which is just plain greedy! Jon.

Wonderful, that, another one of David Konig's one-off Retrovibes. If he'd gone with full-width inlays to match the checked binding I probably would've bought it myself... Jon.

[quote name='randythoades' timestamp='1447948937' post='2911763'] Am watching this one too though... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331708835378?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]http://www.ebay.co.u...K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url] [/quote] And there was me, thinking these things were rare! They're everywhere - d'you think the light's attracting them or something? J.

[quote name='randythoades' timestamp='1447933598' post='2911542'] Thanks for that Jon. I am glad I didn't see it actually. My wife starting to have a problem with too many guitars in the house now...! I have given up my music room as a new playroom for the children so they are all in the shared office. She was astounded how many I had managed to squirrel away in such a small space and for some reason wasn't overly impressed. I don't take the same opinion on her collections of shoes or wrapping paper... [/quote] I'd better not tell you about another Epi 5120 that's popped up on Ebay then! Little bit of binding/finish damage around the neck pocket which looks like a pretty easy fix to me. You don't [i]have[/i] to click this link. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Epiphone-1970s-Semi-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-damaged-/161890024416"]http://www.ebay.co.u...d-/161890024416[/url] J.

Looks in lovely condition. Not many of these around. Jon.

[quote name='randythoades' timestamp='1447860244' post='2911021'] This is the one I want so badly, but with the import duties, just too expensive... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-ARIA-5120-Semi-Hollow-Body-Electric-Bass-Guitar-ES335-RARE-1960s-Beatles-/181929874443?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2056016.l4276[/url] [/quote] Probably shouldn't tell you this, but there was an Epi 5120 on my local FB music gear group for £350, just a couple of days ago. Sold now, AFAIK. J.

The original mk1 deathtraps with the straight seatstays & huge wide bars do sell for some batshit-mental money: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Chopper-Mk1-Orange-/181872777742"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Chopper-Mk1-Orange-/181872777742[/url] Never had one - always though they were bloody ridiculous, even as a kid! Jon.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1446926927' post='2903619'] Enough of your Watch list ! [/quote] I'd have worn half of that lot a few years back.... J.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1446923821' post='2903575'] The rest of the outfit: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Victorian-Steampunk-Goggles-Welding-PUNK-Gothic-Cosplay-Rave-Lens-Brass-/391314102981?hash=item5b1c235ac5:g:jYcAAOSwo0JWOylZ"]http://www.ebay.co.u...YcAAOSwo0JWOylZ[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buffalo-Leather-handmade-wristband-cuff-bracelet-Men-s-Watch-Steam-punk-dual-ti-/361404822478?hash=item542567f3ce:g:WD0AAOSwj0NUkjue"]http://www.ebay.co.u...D0AAOSwj0NUkjue[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Demonia-Steam-12-Combat-Boots-Gothic-Goth-Steampunk-Black-Boots-Steam-Punk-Lea-/251716777219?var=&hash=item3a9b7d3503:m:mdqj7eQPzftmt3eidzS_EJw"]http://www.ebay.co.u...zftmt3eidzS_EJw[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-100-Pure-Leather-Goth-Steampunk-Gothic-Van-Helsing-Matrix-Trench-Coat-/110941292612?var=&hash=item19d49dc844:m:mt8nCXaekDXdw7dMmsPtyAQ"]http://www.ebay.co.u...kDXdw7dMmsPtyAQ[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Leather-Steel-Boned-STEAMPUNK-Waistcoat-Vest-Corset-GOTH-Victorian-/130855484667?var=&hash=item1e77983cfb:m:mximz6oynsiF6nP1FVCzXLQ"]http://www.ebay.co.u...nsiF6nP1FVCzXLQ[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Pistol-Zipper-Pants-Denim-Trousers-Goth-Punk-Steampunk-Cyber-Vampire-Emo-/301527026469?var=&hash=item4634694b25:m:mLT1wQzWX-HxGUdx_wpXxAw"]http://www.ebay.co.u...X-HxGUdx_wpXxAw[/url] [/quote] - I plainly missed the moment when dodgy 90s goth gear suddenly became "steampunk"! Jon.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1446833976' post='2902814'] [url="http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-11-06/blackmore-s-touring-lineup-revealed"]Lineup[/url] [/quote] Aaaaaaand: [media]http://youtu.be/tUBjVvLoRoY[/media] Dude sounds like a tribute-band Dio. J

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1446675815' post='2901462'] I think your late 70's-early 80's output Japanese from Ibenez, Yamaha and Aria (and bassassin will probably narrow it down to a load more brands and specific factories) are pretty awesome. Early Yamaha BB are good too. [/quote] These 3 were the main players, & good examples are pretty common & easy to find. Other brands are rarer or quite limited in variety (ie Westone) but still worth looking for. MIJ Washburns are great, there are some cool original Tokai designs (as well as the well-known copies), Kawai made various interesting, top-quality basses, Kasuga, Fernandes, Westbury, Riverhead, Vantage... The late 70s - mid 80s era really was the heyday of quality, original & affordable Japanese instruments. Makes the comparable sector of today's market seem incredibly conservative. J.

Kurt Cobain. One genre- and era-defining album (Nevermind), bookended by two "difficult" ones. If he'd cleaned himself up, cheered up and lived to still be touring & recording now, I wonder how iconic he'd be seen as? Jon.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1446751094' post='2902110'] It's not like he's never gone out under the Rainbow name with a bunch of unknown musicians before, in fact I seem to remember that the vast majority of the members of the original Rainbow lineup were unknowns too. [/quote] They all were - the original lineup was Ronnie Dio's band Elf. Minus their guitarist, of course. J.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1446750260' post='2902095'] Not... Zippy, George and Bungle?? Geoffrey I'm not bothered about. [/quote] So sorry you had to find out this way... J.

I may be barking up the wrong tree - but isn't it meant to be a dog? Light-up eyes don't stop it being rubbish. Much. J.

Lot of money. Would being l/h make it more expensive? I once had a tidy '63 Watkins Rapier guitar which I got £250 for - that seemed to be a pretty good price. Jon.