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Beedster

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Everything posted by Beedster

  1. Beedster
    [quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470259059' post='3104628'] Thanks so much for such thorough advice from everyone (even you Thunderbird!!). I might not even pop over on Friday now, it seems the fuel might not be worth it. [/quote] Having now looked at the photos on a decent screen, that might be the best bet Dan
  2. Beedster
    I have GES and GAS at the same time, albeit each in relation to different gear - a set of firmly established instruments and gear on the one hand, and a loose coalition of gear that comes and goes as GAS dictates. Good thing is that I rarely buy anything unless I've also sold something so it's a relatively cost neutral exercise that keeps me entertained. Having said that, GAS has been less of a problem of late Dan, in part because I think I've now owned every single bass that was on my list. I have you to thank for most of them Chris
  3. Beedster
    [quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470227183' post='3104240'] Thanks everyone. My other bass is with Sam Wells at the moment and I'm paying £350ish for half of the repairs that this one needs. I'll attend, have a look and see how it goes. BeeroftheBass how did you know it was plywood? [/quote] Ha ha, it's quite literally shouting I'M PLYWOOD in the pictures Having said that, someone's going to be along in a minute saying it's fully carved.....
  4. Beedster
    [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1470225359' post='3104215'] That's a plywood bass, but potentially a decent one. It might not be made in London unless it's clearly marked as such - Selmer were in the import business and many similar looking basses came from Germany. I'd have a look in through the f-holes to check that the end blocks aren't cracked and the bass bar isn't coming detached, as those would be expensive repairs. Even if it's all healthy you could easily spend as much again (or perhaps a bit more) getting it set up and playable though, which is something to bear in mind. [/quote] Agree with all of that also
  5. Beedster
    Ha ha, check the seller's username! Dan, personally I would take a chance but at no more than £200, and that's assuming that when you see it there are no surprises. The neck looks very thin, and the lack of photos of the top end of the board, perhaps an oversight, is something to keep in mind. Good luck and keep us posted. A DB project is a wonderful thing! C
  6. Beedster
    [quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470215779' post='3104091'] The soundpost is currently taped behind the fingerboard (I think). If I can't see cracks or gaps in seams, are there other structural things I should be aware of? Dan [/quote] The problem is Dan that, as I said above, unless the bass is built up many of the structural problems won't be apparent, lack of integrity of the surfaces around the soundpost being a good example, but other obvious issues are endpin joint, neck joint and board, body joints that look fine when not under stress but which open up once the strings are up to pitch etc etc. Bottom line is that it's a gamble, if you can afford the gamble, do it. If buying this instrument ties up your funds and means you can't buy another if this one falls to pieces, don't buy it.
  7. Beedster
    You can sometimes check for ply construction by looking at the wood in the f-holes, depending on the degree of finish present. Unless it's very cheap (couple of hundred quid tops), and given it sounds like you don't really know what you're looking at, I wouldn't buy it. You can buy perfectly good DBs for £400-500 used, and unless you have seen a bass built to ascertain its structural integrity, and played it to ensure it has a half decent tone and projection (both of which can be tweaked but only by so much), you might as well buy firewood. An instrument that's in pieces likely hasn't been played or maintained for a while, and unlike electric basses, DBs need both. As Phil said, post some details and/or pics on here and you'll get a more informed opinion.
  8. Beedster
    [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1470125729' post='3103339'] I would love a Modulus. I wish they would go back into production... [/quote] There's a nice black one VERY cheap in the FS forum...... [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1470140293' post='3103508'] I've got both a Stingray with a Status neck and a Modulus Flea and they are completely different animals. [/quote] Yep, totally agree, despite the popular idea that Flea switched to Modulus to get a more reliable 'Ray (especially the neck apparently), they are pretty different animals. My graphite necked 'ray was extremely aggressive tonally and was really quite hard to tame. The Modulus, whilst of course doing aggressive very well, is a far more versatile and tameable beast
  9. Beedster
    With some regret given the interest from overseas in both the Flea and the '65, it's looking like the sales will need to be UK only, unless someone can point me in the direction of a courier that will cover musical instruments over £1000 in value. I found couriers that will cover instruments but only up to £1000, and couriers that will cover up to £2000 in value but not musical instruments. Whilst a couple of folks have indicates that they're happy to take a risk, I'm not sure I am. Chris
  10. Beedster
    [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1470084201' post='3103218'] I couldn't have both at the mo unfortunately.....and I don't think the '71 is going anywhere, it's just......me GLWTS, will make someone very happy Si [/quote] Thanks Si, sounds like the right decision mate C
  11. Beedster
    [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1470054622' post='3102911'] Mmmmmm, happiness is a worn P! [/quote] Fixed it for you
  12. Beedster
    [quote name='njr911' timestamp='1470047453' post='3102846'] I wan't all three of these basses...the GAS never stops does it. GLWTS [/quote] Death, taxes and GAS, the facts of life [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1470054622' post='3102911'] Mmmmmm, happiness is a warm P! As much as the '65 has me revisiting my 'I'd like a 60's Precision' feelings again, I'm not quite sure it's enough for me to move on my '71 P.......hmmmmm Si [/quote] Si, if the 71's a keeper, keep it mate. I have a real special affection for really early 70's Precisions, probably more than I do for late 60's models. No idea why, just seemed to be some real gems in those golden years? Of course, you could have both ......
  13. Beedster
    [quote name='Johnnysonic' timestamp='1469999578' post='3102633'] On the 65 Precision, I have to say that the tuners are not 'period correct', except for one. Three are later reissues. Also, the L plate is an earlier one, dating from early '63. I suspect that the bass might be a 'bitzer'. Not knocking it, just saying. It looks like a nice bass all the same. Johnny [/quote] Thanks Johnny, fair points. Just to clarify, the tuners are, as I say above, 'period correct' in that given the possible range of tuners that could be retro-fitted to a Fender bass, these are correct albeit with a slight difference in gearing (i.e., design, footprint, reverse winding etc are all correct for the era). If you're saying they're not original '65 Fender, yep, I agree, but I'd hoped that's what I's also said above, hence the drop in price. The plate is technically from '63, it could have been put on after the fact, it could be a case of classic Fender QC (re QC, it makes me laugh given the general vibe around anything pre-CBS, that to paraphrase some aficionados, "things had really started to slip at Fullerton by late '62"). I take your point about 'bitsas', but to an extent all Fender's with the possible exception of masterbuilds are bitsas, and having spent several months in 2008 trawling the top end of vintage shops trying to find the perfect pre-CBS Precision (and in many cases annoying the staff by insisting that any bass I was interested in was taken apart to allow me to check the things you need to check before parting with £5k+), it was pretty sobering just how many very expensively priced instruments in very reputable shops had components (e.g., neck and pots), as well as serial number that didn't agree, and often by far more than two years (and quite a few 'pre-CBS instruments turned out to be somewhat post-CBS). Many lengthy discussions ensued about the originality and authenticity of pre-CBS Fenders, and one thing that I came away with was the sense that, not unlike the art and antiques markets, it's hard to be 100% sure about anything. Anyway, it is what it is. As I said above, it's not and never will be a collector's instrument. It is however a glorious bass, and that's the key selling point. To me it's worth every penny of the asking price as an instrument, and whilst I claim no more expertise than anyone else on here, in bass terms I know a decent instrument when I see one (and I've owned sufficient 70's Precisions to know what the bad one's feel, play and sound like, trust me). Let's put it into context, at £2.5k you'll be paying less than the retail price of a contemporary Custom Shop Precision for this bass, and given what I've seen 60's parts go for on eBay, it's probably worth more than the asking price in parts alone. I'd welcome any other comments re authenticity and originality, because the more reasons you folks give me to keep this, beauty the happier I'll be, although the kids might have to wait a little longer for the boat Cheers Chris
  14. Beedster
    I've been going back through my rather lengthy bass records, and need to revise the details of the Precision (original listing when I sold it first time around here http://basschat.co.uk/topic/134893-fs-65-precision-3tsb-l2500/page__p__1229442__hl__'65 precision__fromsearch__1#entry1229442) 1. The tuners are not the originals although they are period correct 2. The pickguard is not original although it is original mid-60s. It has to be said that I'd not taken this bass apart before, so was unaware of the modifications to the neck pocket. All these things considered, alongside the non-original PUP, I'm dropping the price for the '65 to £2,500, but will not take a penny less. Given that US Reissue Precisions are creeping up towards the £2k mark, this is a major bargain, and a relatively pain-free step into the pre-CBS Fender market for some lucky BCer. And trust me, it is one absolutely lovely instrument
  15. Beedster
    Thanks John, just gonna get the tape measure out on my big 4/4
  16. Beedster
    [quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1469916904' post='3102044'] Ahh, i thought it was that one, such a sexy beast. [/quote] It is indeed Tommo Bump for pics of the '65 above C
  17. Beedster
    [quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1469916183' post='3102036'] Im extremely tempted by the flea bass. I eagerly await more pictures. [/quote] Ahead of my posting new pics here's the original thread with pics http://basschat.co.uk/topic/286044-modulus-flea-bass-sold-subject-to-the-usual-stuff/page__fromsearch__1
  18. Beedster
    [quote name='Christian Houmann' timestamp='1469910456' post='3101984'] A trades towards your P? [/quote] [quote name='Schnozzalee' timestamp='1469910683' post='3101988'] ^ Ditto [/quote] As above guys, USA built 3/4 or ideally 4/4 ply double bass is all I need at present, sorry
  19. Beedster
    Thanks for the comments folks. Shame to see them go but as is so often the case, there're basses that for whatever reason get played all of the time, and there's basses that you just LOVE to have, and they're not always the same basses. The basses I'm keeping are good enough for my needs, mostly going through an REDDI into my desk, a that's a sufficiently forgiving process to not notice any real difference between basses worth £3000 and those worth £500, so there you go..... But I will really miss the '65 Greg, family stuff mate. The girls are growing up and there's a few things that we as a family could really enjoy doing that would currently really stretch my salary, but towards which a few sold basses and amps would give us a nice start. One of them's the sort of thing you put on a trailer, take to Whitstable and go sailing in
  20. Beedster
    [quote name='danhkr' timestamp='1469876446' post='3101667'] Weird. Mine is absolutely spotless. [/quote] My point exactly, some are lovely, others are dogs. It's poor QC not poor manufacturing generally. Re the wiring on mine, I really wish I taken the time to take photos of both the inspection tag and the wiring.
  21. Beedster
    My thoughts on this bass is that it's classic Fender QC once again, a few absolute diamonds likely the equal of some Pre-CSB instruments (and it sounds like a few folks on here have been lucky enough to get such examples), a few absolute dogs equivalent to the worst of the late '70s (which mine was, heavy, lacking in resonance, misaligned and faulty), and the vast majority sitting between those extremes, many of which are no doubt very playable and decent instruments. What I should have mentioned in my post was that after the PUP stopped working I took off the control plate to have a look. I did so VERY carefully. I've never seen such poor soldering, I'm not great at it but even my solder joints look infinitely more tidy and functional than did those in my bass. Guess what, while I had the circuit out, ANOTHER WIRE DROPPED OFF A POT, JUST DROPPED OFF!!! It was shocking and explained entirely why the front PUP had stopped working in the first place. Two wires off pots in less than 20 minutes from new! I dread to think what else was going to happen had I kept it I doubt I'll ever buy another new Fender. The lack of respect they must have for their customers to let such instruments through QC is quite incredible.
  22. Beedster
    ....and before you ask.... I'd prefer collection to courier but I will send fully insured at buyer's expense. Sorry, but no trades unless you have a nice old USA ply 3/4 or 4/4 double bass, preferably blonde - I really do not need or want anything else. I'm selling these lovely instruments as well as some other gear* to raise cash for a non-music project, not to buy new gear *Other gear includes '95 Gibson SJ200, Mesa Walkabout 15" Scout in stunning tan, Acoustic Image Contra Combo, PJB Bass Buddy, and a few bitsa instruments. Listings will appear over the next couple of days
  23. Beedster
    Last up a 2005 Fender USA '75 Reissue Jazz. Killer slap tone and everything else Jazz Basses do so well. These are not only extremely good basses but increasingly hard to find, and I've seen the MIJ version selling for what I'm asking for this. An absolute stunner with a VERY fast neck indeed. Ashtray looks a bit offline but isn't actually screwed on at present Again, more pics to follow [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1486_zpsmmkflp1i.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1491_zpssq3dizte.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1484_zps3eqttajc.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1485_zpsps3xrzdi.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1492_zpsygsafumg.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1494_zpssbwsxwst.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1493_zpspmhhbcgh.jpg.html"][/url]
  24. Beedster
    Second up, a 2005 Modulus Flea recently bought from Chris Anthony on here. What's to say, a great example of one of the best basses ever built. I can play stuff on Flea Basses that I just can't play on any other bass, and whatever it is I'm playing better generally sounds better on a Flea also. Pretty much as it left the factory as far as I can tell, comes in original Modulus case also. I'm pretty sure that in 20 years these basses are going to be talked about in the same terms as 80's Wals are now, iconic, unique and beautifully crafted instruments. More pics to follow. [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1471_zpsgiac3zba.jpg.html"][/url] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1472_zps6lce0crd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1472_zps6lce0crd.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1477_zpsub6d1fyd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1477_zpsub6d1fyd.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1473_zpsqjiunujy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1473_zpsqjiunujy.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1474_zps8lgynpz7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1474_zps8lgynpz7.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1475_zpsnhab7gaw.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1475_zpsnhab7gaw.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1479_zpsoxgetqr5.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1479_zpsoxgetqr5.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1480_zpsmrjpu6h3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1480_zpsmrjpu6h3.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1476_zpswsynkamv.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_1476_zpswsynkamv.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
  25. Beedster
    OK, first up, '65 Precision. In fact, perhaps the nicest Precision I've owned. Bought from Simon Clifton around 2009, went to Greg (Shaggy) for a while in the days when I had Precisions to spare, and came back again when another Precision went to Greg PUPs and circuit are [b]NOT[/b] original. PUP is a Fender USA '62 RI, I'm not sure about the circuit but will check. As far as I know, the rest of it is pretty much as it left Fullerton in '65. The finish is beautifully aged, it doesn't really show in the pics, but it has the perfect level of mojo, worn-in but not worn-out. It is however the neck and the board that are special about this bass, I've owned many Precisions, including several pre-CBS and Custom Shops, and this is THE best neck of the lot, perfect to play, with the darkest rosewood board I have ever set eyes on. In its 51 years there's clearly been some use and some tampering, specifically under the neck-plate (see bottom pics), where it looks like someone has tried to install a different neck (I say that because none of the new holes in the body are visible in the neck heel which is untouched). Either way, two of these holes have been filled and one not. God bless 1970's modders eh! Overall however it's a glorious instrument. Tone and playability are 100% pre-CBS. Despite its age and obvious heavy use over the years, it's in generally very good condition and feels extremely solid (I say that having played some pre-CBS instruments that did not feel solid at all). It's not a collectors item and never will be, but it is what it is, a beautiful example of one of the most iconic instruments in popular music, the early 60's 3TSB Fender Precision. [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1455_zpsdm73k2aq.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1519_zpsdsvideuw.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1457_zpsth82pird.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1456_zpszfydvo03.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1500_zpsafoxlcxi.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1467_zps85dxjt7e.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1465_zpshrx7tkgb.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1503_zpsrmlrgrwt.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1507_zpsh1kj8o4u.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1511_zpsrapw7bkk.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1510_zpsdbaaw19g.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1469_zps6qv1zzxf.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1460_zps4uyjunye.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1459_zpsizvqkdjb.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1496_zpskopx68rg.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1499_zpsx1wc0gdy.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_1513_zps2etrjifw.jpg.html"][/url]
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