Beedster

Forgot I had this, still for sale

Having slagged off their gear - especially cabs - in the past, I've come around to the view that as far as all-round practice/rehearsal/gigging combos go, there is no better brand/manufacturer out there than Marbass. OK, Phil Jones and the like make great gear, but no other manufacturer ticks as many combo boxes as do Markbass. Not only is the gear generally small, lightweight, and surprisingly powerful, but time and again I've found it almost impossible to dial in a bad tone, and I've owned everything from the ludicrously small but perfectly formed 1x8, the 2x6, the 2x10, the 1x12 (the older version that Clarky's selling here) and the 1x15. Great gear. I'm even starting to like the yellow cones

[quote name='tredders' timestamp='1405248029' post='2499997'] I keep getting drawn back to this... I owned a BB1100s a while back and it was a great bass. Everything I read about the BB1200 tells me that this would a fantastic instrument, and that tone in the last 2 YouTube videos is just awesome... [/quote] Hi Mark, I'd say that the tone in those two clips, especially the first, is the out-of-the-box tone on the 1200, it's that good a bass.

Many thanks for the links above Dingus. The tone on 'It's Your Thing' is pretty much what I've been using live, tone rolled of a little on the bass going into a Phil Jones rig EQ'd flat, and it is quite simply effortless to-die-for P-Bass tone, full, fat, slightly growly and consistent. Macca's tone is great on some of those tracks also isn't it, always love hid effortless lines. I totally agree with all you've said above, Yamaha Basses have been perhaps the biggest shock I've had in gear terms, I always expected them to be a little sterile and uninspiring, which of course couldn't be farther from the truth. I can't see myself ever going back to a Fender now, unless it's an absolute gem, and of course the problem is that the search for the gem amongst the dogs is both expensive and time consuming (I've played some real dogs made by Fender - even at the very top of their price range and/or in what are supposed to be the classic runs, i.e., 60s/early 70s - whilst I've yet to find one amongst the Yamaha range, even the relatively cheap end). Re weight, I don't have scales here but I'd say it's moderate, certainly not heavy but neither do I pick it up and think "damn, this is light". No trades thanks, and I'd prefer collection or meet-up as a few recent courier incidents have put me off that route. My BB2024 has just gone in for a long overdue warranty repair (something that I do find odd about Yamaha is that they appear to have a reputation for dodgy PUP selector switches), so I won't be able to move this on until I get that back, hopefully late this week/early next. And if you think the tone on the BB1200 is good, wait 'til you hear the BB2024 Chris

No trades on this thanks folks, as I just said in a PM, if I wanted/needed another bass, especially a Precision, I'd be keeping the BB1200

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1405067916' post='2498423'] Really like the 1200, but I think your 2024 is sex on a stick. It'd probably be my choice of the 2 if I had the beer coupons available... [/quote] My thoughts exactly, but these will no doubt change!

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1405033855' post='2498259'] Aww that is lovely. Really nice. [/quote] Thanks TNIT, I'm going to take some better pics at the weekend, those above don't really capture either the grain/figuring of the wood or the rather elegant lines of the instrument as a whole. It really is an absolute stunner, although these characteristics become completely redundant once you play it/hear it. I'm not a DB expert by any means, but I've owned several and played many more. Of all of these, the Martin is the only instrument that doesn't disappoint at one or more levels. For example, I've owned instruments that were especially powerful in certain ranges or on certain strings (a weak and relatively unresponsive low end has been a common experience). This bass has a wonderful consistency across its entire range. I've also owned instruments that required a lot of effort to tease out 'that' DB tone, be it the sweet and penetrating clarity of the dusty end of the G string or the growl and sheer visceral power of the bottom end. This bass does both of these as well as everything in between with an ease and precision the like of which I've not come across before (the only easy analogy I can make is with my old Modulus Flea or my current Yamaha BB2024, both instruments that make the production of great tone a really simple proposition). The shape of this bass, with the somewhat smaller than usual upper bout, also makes it a whole lot easier and less tiring to get around, especially at the dusty end of the instrument at the end of a long session/gig. I also find it balances slightly better than most instruments and that in itself makes it less tiring to play. It's also extremely robust, that is you feel that you could drop it without doing it serious damage - I'm not saying that this is the case, just that as a player I found carting around a fragile 120 year old German Flatback to nerve inducing to enjoy gigging it, and so ended up playing EUBs at most gigs. But the best thing about this bass is simply the tone, it's just lovely, and you only have to spend a few minutes on the T&G Martin website (or on various review pages) to realise why this is. This is certainly a cheap instrument by professional standards for sure, but it's clear that the Martins both know their stuff and care about their product, so even a bass at the lower end of their price range is an extremely high quality instrument in every respect. As I'm sure you'll have picked up from the above, there's nothing about this instrument that could be identified as 'budget'. I would like to sell it for a number of reasons, but I don't have to and won;t be too upset if it ends up staying

And BTW, think yourself lucky that you can pickup a high quality YOB bass for £500, my realistic YOB options are limited to Fender and Gibson (seen any '64 Rics around...?), and despite the mythology, most basses I've played from that year have been absolute dogs, with the exception of my 64 Precision which came with something of a price tag attached

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1405061916' post='2498343'] 2 cracking Yamahas you have mate. I'd find it difficult to choose between them myself! [/quote] That's where I'm at also. The 2024 is a real Swiss Army Knife of an instrument with an extraordinary range of tones, especially given it's passive. The 1200 is more straight forward, simply a superbly well built, responsive, elegant and powerful Precision Bass. Don't get me wrong, the 2024 is similarly superbly well built, responsive, elegant and powerful, but at well over £2k retail it should be. The 1200 is far more of a wolf in sheep's clothing in this respect. What I really like about them both is that neither looks anything special, but both are superb professional quality instruments that belie their apparently humble aesthetics and origins. I'm tempted to keep both but I simply don't think I need to, it would be like owning two Pre-CBS Precisions, just unnecessary

Bump for pics

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1405023148' post='2498086'] Damn! My perfect YOB bass and I'm potless... [/quote] I know how that feels mate

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1405021969' post='2498073'] My one is from 1977 too! (but doesn't have the BB1200 on the headstock yet) great basses - not a clue why you would sell it! [/quote] Great bass for sure, competes well with the 2024 but I think the J-PUP on the latter makes it a slightly better all round option. I may keep both if this doesn't attract any attention!

Knowing John and his taste for quality gear this is likely to be a very decent bit of kit and it's a decent price, irrespective of fonts and photos

Took me 20 years to realise that Yamaha, not Fender, make the definitive Precision, and this is a great example from circa 1977! Anyway, I've been going around in circles as to whether this or my 2024 gets culled and much as I love this, for various reasons, it's probably lost the fight with its more recent and more expensive relative. Original pickguard included but not currently installed. [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2709_zps89a8d2a2.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2710_zps069130c7.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2711_zps41381434.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2715_zps8517c1c9.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2714_zpsfb3f8cf8.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2713_zpsfe5dd4fb.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2718_zpse1cf7845.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2719_zpsf50bb0ba.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2712_zps19429bb8.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2720_zpsbf50695e.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2721_zps079aca88.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2722_zpsc2e57839.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2723_zpsabd45962.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2724_zpse6ba4f92.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2725_zps61d9556e.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2726_zpsc6b721c3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2728_zpsd54d212c.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2729_zps57f5cdce.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1404333345' post='2491737'] ... am not looking for trades other than, possible, a lower value DB as per the above. [/quote] Or a Pino

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1404333700' post='2491743'] Hmm, I'd love to take a look at this. Might be in contact soon [/quote] Ha ha Jase, you know what I'm going to say

Bought a few months back but now surplus to requirement. One or two BC members have expressed an interest but no firm takers yet so I'm listing it here. The battery compartment requires some work due to a previous owner having allowed a battery to leak, but I've bypassed the existing compartment so that al you see is 2cms of battery cable, and I've gigged it many times without problem. It's a 15 minute job to fix but I haven't got around to it, and the prrice takes this into account anyway It's a lovely instrument, typical Yamaha design and quality. Soft case included. No trades please. This is a quality piece of kit and they don't come up for sale very often [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2747_zpsb4e5e199.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2745_zps90538914.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2751_zps88012046.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2753_zps2a922e51.jpg.html"][/url] The wiring/battery clip issue, not really a biggy [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2756_zps275c9fb4.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2758_zpscf9237b0.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2760_zps7beb7de5.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2761_zps2bec2139.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2762_zps122e22e3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2767_zps44046448.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2770_zpsc60e0e47.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2774_zps95b09326.jpg.html"][/url]

I'd love to play this beautiful bass every day and gig it two to three times a week as was the case a year or so back, but it's simply not how things are now. So, this rather lovely instrument is up for sale, or possibly PX with a DB to the value of a maximum of £2000 value with cash balance my way. I have a relatively recent insurance valuation from Martin's at £7,500, which given the quality of the instrument, seems entirely reasonable. I paid £4200 used in 2013. The bass is in very good cosmetic and functional condition, the only obvious deviation from new being some play wear to the edges of the bass side upper bout. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Specs are on the Martin website here [/font][/color][url="http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instrumentsforsale/martindoublebassesforsale"]http://www.thomasmar...lebassesforsale[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], the Concerto is second from the bottom on this page. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]There's a TB review here [/font][/color][url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/review-of-a-thomas-martin-concerto.849738/"]http://www.talkbass....oncerto.849738/[/url] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]A BC review here [/font][/color][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/179985-review-of-a-thomas-martin-concerto-db/"]http://basschat.co.u...in-concerto-db/[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] (the first post is however the same review as per TB IIRC) [/font][/color] The bass is in Canterbury, Kent. I'm in no rush to sell and am not looking for trades other than, possible, a lower value DB as per the above. Chris [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Pics.....[/font][/color] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2671_zps7b347343.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2680_zps6ae53b1e.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2676_zps6f7df2ae.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2677_zpsb521449c.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2672_zps0616b3f9.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2682_zpsc107ba02.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2700_zps7c1a89ce.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2703_zps88bab989.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_2707_zpsca428d14.jpg.html"][/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]

[quote name='lawriemacmillan' timestamp='1404113868' post='2489286'] Bass now available again [/quote] Which is my fault I've been wanting this bass from way back before it was in Lawrie's possession and had a few things worked out a little better recently it would now be happily lining itself up for a C&W band I'm going to be working with, a band for which neither my Ric or my Yamaha feel especially right. Anyway, long story short, a few things haven't gone strictly according to plan over the last couple of weeks, and whilst a couple of these were relatively minor bass/music things, unfortunately my car has packed up at the same time as we're applying for a new mortgage (which is not a nice straight forward process like it used to be). So bass stuff is currently having to exit as opposed to enter my place (the music room is looking rather empty, My Yamaha SLB-100 upright, my Phil Jones rig, my Markbass combo, my Yammie 2024x and probably BB1200, the list goes on). Anyway, Lawrie has been a real gent about it, because not only have I backed out of an agreed deal, but because I pestered him with questions before deciding to go for it, to which he patiently responded, and because he also very kindly had the bass professionally setup ahead of packing and sending. Needless to say I'm feeling a bit guilty. Still, my loss, your gain folks, this bass sounds amazing live and recorded, is probably the only relic bass I've seen that looks like a legitimately worn in instrument, and has sufficient provenance to allay the worries of the most cautious of potential buyers. And if I win the lottery this week (I've never done it before but I may start), I'll be back on the phone Lawrie Chris

SOLD