Beedster

This man knows his basses. He also knows how to pack a bass to ensure that a flood, a train crash and even a courier couldn't damage it. Great guy to do business with. Lovely lovely bass as well Chris

I always saw Markbass's Italian-ness as part of their 'thing'. There's something about 'Made in Italy' that is strangely attractive, irrespective of the actual quality. I've got two bikes and they're both Italian - the Japs and a whole lot of other people make what the data suggest are better bikes (e.g., weight, performance, handling etc) and do so a lot cheaper, but give me Italian workmanship anytime. As the great philosopher Jeremy Clarkson always said when confronted by the better performance data of the cheaper German cars "I'd still buy the Alfa Romeo". And he's a man that knows

Excellent stuff, thanks

Apologies if this has been mentioned above, but I've noticed that recently a few Fakers on eBay appear to be evading the Ric police. If so, has something changed at either eBay or Ric Central, or is it because changes on BC make it harder for Ric to find them?

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1389649212' post='2336629'] I don't think there's any need to get trading standards involved at this stage - seems like you just need to contact the supplier and return the item as unsuitable. Distance Selling Regs will cover that and any online supplier will know it. You don't even need to give a detailed reason why you don't want the item. [/quote] +1, I only mentioned it as Markbass might start getting into trouble with people who aren't able to return stuff via the distance selling route, depending how long the MII gear has been out there of course. I bet there's a lot of folks checking the backs of their heads/cabs/combos as we speak?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1389649241' post='2336630'] The 70s just like every other decade was made up of lots of music you didn't like along with some that you did. Time generally makes us forget the less good bits. [/quote] There's some logic there but in music terms I still prefer the '70s to the '80s and the '60s. I think I'd rank the '70s and '90s about equal.

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1182977416' post='24157'] LOL Right, deep breath I order from first in to last in.... 4s Westone Thunder II (didn't everyone start on one?) Fender '96 USA Jazz (first Fender was a bad 'un. How did it get past Fender QC? Sounded like it was made of tin) Fender Japan Precision (should never have sold it. Everything they said about Jap Fenders was true. Lovely bass) Fender Custom Shop 40th Anniversary Precision (first active Fender, sounded and looked too 'nice'. Lovely ebony fretboard) Fender Custom Shop Classic Jazz (looked awesome, sounded too bright. Started to get message re. Fender active electronics) Fender Custom Shop Jaco Relic (waste of money, I still didn't sound like Jaco, lots of hum, green finish. Was his bass green?) Squire Precision fretless (sounded and felt almost as good as the Jaco at 5% of the price) EBMM Stingray 4 2EQ (the best active bass I've owned) EBMM Stingray 4 3EQ (not as good as the 2EQ) EBMM SUB 4 (amazing value bass, sound-wise indistinguishable from a 'ray. Built like a Russian shotputter) EBMM Stingray 4 fretless (finally realised I need frets) Modulus Sonic Hammer (a monster, too dangerous to have around, kept drinking my beer and shagging my birds) 5s EBMM Stingray 5 (how did EBMM have the nerve to call it a Stingray? Bland and safe. Poor EQ) EBMM SUB 5 (looked and sounded like a 'ray, EBMM should have made this the SR5, the SR5 should have been the Sterling 5) Status Artist 5 (great bass but very acquired taste tone-wise. I didn't acquire it. Amazing neck) EBMM Bongo 5 (great bass, couldn't take the shape. 4EQ was unnecessary and didn't cut it, especially high mid) 6....! Peavey Grind 6 (lovely bass, really lovely tone, too many strings) Back to 4s Shergold '76 Marathon* (current project bass. Neck like a Precision and sounds like a Stingray. Mojo city) Black Rose Custom 4 (great great sounding bass but neck too thin and body too small) Tokai Jazzsound early '80s (possibly didn't give this baby enough time, growly and sexy) Fender Geddy Lee Jazz (can't see what the fuss is about, skinny neck, weedy sound, looks plastic) Fender '79 USA Precision (Danni - wow, the best neck ever, would have kept, but met Kylie) Fender USA Precision Deluxe (the worst active electronics I've played. Mediocre bass at best. Deluxe?) Fender '97 USA Precision with JPUP (Kylie)* (my favourite bass ever) Fender '99 USA Jazz Corona Series* (best Jazz I've owned, slaps like a 'ray on steroids, growls like a grizzly) Modulus Flea 4 (awesome bass but mostly had sounds I didn't need, now gone to someone who will love it) * still have After all that, my two current basses cost me a grand total of £850 Chris [/quote] Crikey, that was a trip down memory lane

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1389647675' post='2336606'] I think you have a point if you make the Trading Standards claim over the weight, rather than the place of origin. Their website still says 15Kg - [url="http://www.markbass.it/product_detail.php?id=37"]http://www.markbass....etail.php?id=37[/url] I'd me miffed to say the least. [/quote] I suspect that in the era of the ethical consumer you'd even have a case for country of manufacture, for example if Indonesia had a record of human rights abuses. Bottom line is that if you buy online on the basis of the comprehensive information that's on the manufacturer's website, that information has to be correct. It's not like buying from a shop when you can either inspect the gear or forgive the assistant for not knowing where it's made.

+1

There's got to be a trading standards issue there if the website still says they're all made in Italy?

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1389482972' post='2334762'] Well, as Beedster said one did go for £275 less than a couple of months ago, it's certainly not "mint for £170", but it's also a whole lot less than £400! I'm pretty sure there's no 'definite' value on these things, they are nowhere near as in demand or clearly defined in value as old Fenders for example, so it seems like there is a bit of room for haggling there. I just had a look at recently sold Marathons on eBay, and one went for £485, another seemingly identical one went for £275, and another went for £403, but that's with a Linear 100 amp (whatever that may be..)! So that's quite a lot of variation in price even between those 3 basses. [/quote] Checked out some links on BC to previous eBay sales and think you should be looking to pay around £300 for one in playable condition, although a lot more for one in mint or collectable condition. These listings fall into the former category around the £300 mark, and should put into context the bass you're looking to buy, i.e., it's certainly overpriced given the issues you've described [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Shergold-London-Marathon-Bass-guitar-80s-early-natural-Peter-Hook-nice-/161007541691?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item257ccc1dbb&nma=true&si=N3LcykCV3j9LEZf%252B4MSqHeBfZ8M%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2047675.l2557[/url], [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Marathon-Bass-Guitar-1970s-UK-Made-Hayman-Burns-Lineage-/141112655143?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20daf83d27&nma=true&si=N3LcykCV3j9LEZf%252B4MSqHeBfZ8M%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2047675.l2557[/url], [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Marathon-Bass-Guitar-/121181004775?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c36f363e7&nma=true&si=N3LcykCV3j9LEZf%252B4MSqHeBfZ8M%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2047675.l2557[/url] (one of them already mentioned above). Good luck C

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1389482972' post='2334762'] Well, as Beedster said one did go for £275 less than a couple of months ago, it's certainly not "mint for £170", but it's also a whole lot less than £400! I'm pretty sure there's no 'definite' value on these things, they are nowhere near as in demand or clearly defined in value as old Fenders for example, so it seems like there is a bit of room for haggling there. I just had a look at recently sold Marathons on eBay, and one went for £485, another seemingly identical one went for £275, and another went for £403, but that's with a Linear 100 amp (whatever that may be..)! So that's quite a lot of variation in price even between those 3 basses. [/quote] Ebay can be a god place to buy (normally cheaper than shops for used gear), but my first stop would always be BC. Have you tried posting a wanted ad here? There's several thousand members and you might find a few who have a Marathon they're willing to part with?

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1389481424' post='2334743'] Good thinking. Just pick a mint one up for £170. [/quote] You're getting a little obsessive BetaFunk? Like all other basses, prices vary on ebay for a number of reasons, sometimes they go for what appears to be an unreasonably high price, sometimes the opposite, it's how it is. I posted on this thread to let the OP know that, if he bides his time, he can probably get one cheaper than £400, and probably in better condition than the one he's looking at. To back it up I showed one that went for £275 in November, and mentioned that I saw one a while before then that went for £170. If I could be bothered I could probably Google that one and find it as well. I didn't say the £170 was mint, just that it went for £170. Facts are your friend here BetaFunk, not opinion.

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1389475055' post='2334649'] That white fretless looks way too far gone for me to tamper with, but it will make a nice restoration project for someone. [/quote] Appearances can be deceptive, sounds like the bass you're looking at might also need a refret plus other work, so you might find that even though the white one appears in worse repair, it might - depending on how much it sells for - be a better option (emphasis on 'might'). I reckon that if you emailed the seller, you're near enough to go and take a look, and you took £200 odd in cash when you go, you might walk away with it (especially after you point out to him what ebay and Paypal would take in fees if he waits for the auction to finish). Good luck either way, it's good to go after a bass that you have your heart set on, just worth being a little cautious about how much it's going to cost to get it to where you'd like it to be.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1389476390' post='2334667'] ..and it won't go for £150 that's for sure. [/quote] Not now it won't

OP should hold out for one like this that went for £275, seller would probably have taken a cash offer of £250 given the Paypal and eBay fees he'd have paid http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Marathon-Bass-Guitar-1970s-UK-Made-Hayman-Burns-Lineage-/141112655143?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20daf83d27. Saw one go for £170 a while back but it's no longer on the completed listings page. There's one currently at £150 that would need fretting and electrics also http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-modified-Fretless-Bass-Guitar-/191032662549?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c7a6f1a15. If I were looking for a Marathon I'd get in touch with the seller of that one offline so to speak and get it up to Bass Doc sharpish

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1389380440' post='2333711'] Would you buy it in this state? [/quote] No, not unless I REALLY had to have a Marathon. I paid £125 for mine on eBay about 4-5 years ago, and I wouldn't pay much more. They're OK instruments but nothing special, even without issues. £400 buys a lot of bass at the moment, there are better things to spend your money on. If you're even slightly unsure, don't buy it. If you go down the repair/restore route you'll likely end up paying £600 total for a bass that's worth £300, and then kick yourself when one in perfect condition sells for £200 on eBay. How do I know all this? I've been where you're looking to go far too many times