Paul S

Next for the chop a 1981 Aria Pro II Cardinal Series CSB 450 'Black n Gold'. This was a top end of the range model with some lovely features but has been tinkered with over time. The original was a carved body glossy piano black with dark fingerboard, set neck, inset bridge and brass highlights on the bridge saddles, nut, tuners and other hardware. This still has the original bridge and nut, tuners have been swapped fro Wilkinson ones to give an off harlequin effect. I don't care. Knobs should be Gibson speed knob style but have been changed. Rear strap button has been changed and is no longer brass. Other than that this is as it should be. 3.5kg - an unusually lightweight example as these ore more usually over 4kg. As a result there is very slight neck dive that is cured by a wide grippy strap. Medium scale length. A few dings and scratches, most of which I am sure would polish out - certainly not bad for a bass over 40. This model is all about quality and tone - the pickup is one of Matsumoku's finest and is a really aggressive middy rock machine that chimes out and cuts through. I have tamed it with black tapes which also look as cool as, but it still is a monster. 42mm at the nut, 16mm spacing at the bridge. No case. £350 Price dropped to just £300 collected from Benfleet in Essex, 20 mins east of the Dartford crossing along the A13. I could theoretically meet half way if not too far, even deliver for the cost of fuel within reason. Absolutely no couriers - against my better judgement I sent some stuff recently and it only went according to plan once - I have dropped the price to tempt people into a road trip! No offers or trades, ta.

Next up I have my scruffy 2016 Fender Mustang. One of the beautiful MIJs. it's clearly had a tough life and the white paint is now scuffed and aged to buttermilk, in places shonkily touched in with what looks like distemper. Not by me, I hasten to add. Lots of dinks and the finish is worn through in places - might be genuine play wear or distressing - if the latter it has been done well. Weighs 3.6kg, 38mm at the nut, spacing is 18mm at the bridge. The maple neck and headstock have aged to that wonderful warm caramel colour and I assume it has a rosewood board. Sounds and plays fabulously, all the woody thump you would expect from a Japanese Mustang. Currently fitted with TI Flats, action is my standard fairly high 2.5mm at the 12th fret on the E. It came with a black scratchplate and I fitted a white one - both are included. It came with a thumb rest fitted near the bridge which I took off and have now lost, leaving another set of holes in an already scruffy bass. If you are looking for a nice museum piece to hang on your wall, look away. If you want a good solid, beautifully playing gigging bass then come have a look. No hard case. £600 £500 collected from Benfleet, 20 mins east of the Dartford Crossing along the A13. No couriers, offers or trades

See how it goes. One reason for the low price is to allow for collection.

Thanks Pete!

Thank you.

No, not me - I'm not playing with anyone any more!

Got muddled up with the other Gibson shortie regarding weight. This is a still very respectably light 3.5kg.

I bought this new and enjoyed it but time to move it on. Gibson Les Paul Jnr double cutaway reissue, bought in 2019. Short scale, mahogany slab body, weighs in at nice and light 3.3kg 3.5kg. 40mm at the nut, 18mm string spacing. Very good nick, tiny surface scratch on the back of the upper horn that I couldn't get to show in a picture. Some scratches on the, erm, scratch plate. Couple of teeny ghost marks from a previously fitted Hipshot Supertone bridge. Otherwise in really good nick for a heavily used bass. Single pickup with coil tap gives a decent range of tones - the positioning makes it less muddy than, say, an EB-0. Lightweight USA Hipshot tuners were standard. Fitted with TI Flats and currently set up at my usual agricultural 2.5mm at the 12th on the E. Comes with a Gator guitar hard case that fits like a glove along with birth certificate and a few other bits of junk that came with it. Giveaway price of £550 collection only from Benfleet in Essex, 20 mmins east of the Dartford crossing along the A13. Please, no offers and no trades.

Selling off some basses now I am bandless! 2021 Gibson SG in glossy piano black. Short scale, 2 pickup. A lightweight 3.3kg 40mm nut width, 18mm string spacing at the bridge. Bought this a couple of years ago 'nearly new' for my blues rock trio and it totally delivered for that genre. There is more to it than Jack Bruce, though - lots of tones available by different blending of pickups and tone. There are a few surface light scratches, a weeny bit of buckle rash on the back. The only blemish is a chip out of the headstock as per picture - other than that it is a great nick. Came with Grover tuners as standard and the bridge has been changed for the Hipshot Supertone. Not sure if I still have the original anywhere. Everything works. The action has been set to my usual agricultural 2.5mm at the 12th fret for the E string. Orignal Gibson branded hard case and sh!te that came with it. Er, that's about it! I forgot to do the post it but I am not taking the pics again! (edit - fitted with TI Flats) At this point collection only from Benfleet in southeast Essex. 20 mins east of the Dartford crossing along the A13. I am asking £700 which is a giveaway price so please don't be offended if I don't answer any offers very favourably 😀 Not interested in trades, thank you.