Beedster

[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

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1389089075' post='2329648'] please don't ask me to post. [/quote] [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1389215044' post='2331566'] Any chance you could post it? [/quote] It's just like Deadwood