The Marlin

It didn't need any help from me, it's well over £900 already. All the best with the auction. Mr Marlin

Yes I am the cheesy one. Would you like to guess what I was doing when I signed up for ebay all those years ago? haha Cheers Mr Marlin

just bounced up the bidding a bit for you - create some interest! Mr Marlin

I might be tempted to swap Yamaha RBX 774 bass if you're interested. I need a 5th Gretsch......ahem!

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I am tempted, but I have a thing about only buying 'as new' guitars. So, dings and deep scratches really put me off. If anyone is interested, I just wanted to add that I once had a Fender Strat Antigua which was made in Japan in 2003. The quality of this instrument was incredible - the second I touched it, I just felt the quality oozing out of it. I only sold it after losing my job, and alway deeply regretted it. If anyone is after a strat, a Japanese Strat for £177 is a real bargain. My recomendation is to put it on ebay, you should get at least £250 for it. All the best Mr Marlin

where/when was it made? Cheers Mr Marlin

Sold to Jon! Cheers Jon. Delighted to see it go to a fellow Damned/Sensible fan.

boing. er...camera at the ready, photos coming soon....ish Mr Marlin

I sure do. As I said. it's nice and safe in storage, so sorry, but no photos untill I pick it up. If you get yourself onto google, and type in ESP Viper 301 - (click images), you will see what they look like there. It's black, and mint, save for Captain Sensble's Autograph. Do not confuse this with the budget end of the LTD line, it's a work away from the Viper 10's, 50's and 200's. Specification: ESP LTD Viper 301 Electric Guitar EMG Powered Viper with neck thru construction! Black on Black! ESP enthusiasts know the Viper's features: mahogany body in an offset-waist "batwing" shape, with EMG-HZ H-1 pickups, Tune-O-Matic bridge with stop tailpiece, three-piece mahogany neck set into the body, rosewood fretboard with flag inlays and model name inlaid at 12th fret, Eclipse shaped headstock, and white binding along the neck and headstock. Made in Korea with 24 jumbo frets. Abalone flag inlays. Mahogany body. Jet black finish. 1 volume, 1 tone knob, and a 3-way selector. Two EMG-HZ-1 passive humbuckers. Basicly, a Viper-400 with passive pickups instead of active. Specifications: ■Set-Thru ■24.75” Scale ■Mahogany Body ■Mahogany Neck ■Rosewood Fingerboard ■Graphite Nut ■Thin U Neck Contour ■24 Xtra Jumbo Frets ■Black Nickel Hardware ■Gotoh Magnum Lock Tuners ■Gotoh Tune-O-Matic Bridge & Tail ■EMG - HZ -1 Passive Bridge and Neck Pickups ■Finish: BLKS A superb guitar. Cheers Mr Marlin

These are great guitars, and yes. they're build by Peerless in Korea (who also built the Gretsch Historic series, which I absolutly adore). The more recent models have upgraded pickups and pots, so sound a lot better, and don't really need a lot doing to them. I have an early "Epiphone by Gibson" model, with both brands inlayed into the headstock in mother of pear (and Gibson trus rod cover), and lots of headstock detailing. it looked fantastic, (tobacco burst) but sounded terrible. So, I whipped out the awful original pickups and put in a Gibson Classic 57 and a Gibson T98 hot alnico. The Classic 57 works well, and the guitar sounds very sweet (this guitar needs 11s on it to bring out the tone), the Gibson T98 pickup is too hot for the guitar, a bit too modern rock - and spoils the tone. It sounds like this guitar (the one for sale in this thread) has a much better pickup balance. If you ever toyed with getting one if these, I can't recomend it enough. Lovely wide flat necks, very comfortable to play, quite skinny profile neck, good tones from nice woods. If you like Ibanez necks, you'll love this guitar. Mr Marlin

Do you know when it was made? Got any pickies? Cheers Mr Marlin

Hi. The guitar is actually in storage at the moment (stored flat in it's case (case included in the sale) at a steady temperature). I move house in the next three weeks, so I'll rescue it then, and take detailed photos. Sorry about that. There is not a mark on it, other than The Captains autographe (which I things says 'Cor, what a lovely guitar - Captain Sensible' Yes, I'd like £500 for it please. May consider swap for Gretsch bass or guitar I'd do both the Steinberger (also listed for sale) and this ESP for £800 Cheers Mr Marlin

For Sale. My lovely ESP Ltd Viper 301 with two EMG HZ's. This is a superb mahogany set neck SG style guitar - superb sound, great sustain. Very popular guitar with artists, this one has been played and signed by Captain Sensible of The Damned (he only plays ESP Viper 301's). This is black, with an off black signature in fine black marker - it shows up in reflected light as faint yellow. For Non Damned fans, it should polish out. Captain Sensible played and signed it at the legendary Stourbridge gig about six years ago. £500 Superb condition, no digs, scratches or any marks. probably have 20 hours play in the last 5 years - just a treasured piece in my collection. Unfortunatly, my new 'one in one out' policy means this has to go to make way for a Gretsch. I'm getting old (41) and am after tones that EMG's don't deliver. Cheers Mr Marlin

I have two, i use them with my Sontronics STC2 and STC 5 mics. Fatastic bit of kit. they also work well betweem guitar and amp. I use one on the effects loop out om my Vox VT100. I first go into a volume pedal, then the wah, then into a graphics equaliser (as these amps benifit from a slight boost to higher bands, into the Art tube, and finally balanced with a Sonic Stomp. The combo really gives the amp a great kick in the pants. Mr Marlin

Thanks for the offer of the Calvin. I already have a decent five string, so I'm not really looking for another. But, thanks anyway. Pics will come later today. It's exceptionally neat and tidy, only really had use when I've bee travelling. There is not a mark on it - just finger prints, and these wipe nicely off the black gloss finish. Of all my guitars, this is actually the one my wife likes most (thought she's also pretty fond of the Gretsch Black Phoenix). She doesn't want me to sell it. Also considering selling my ESP Ltd Viper 301 with two EMG HZ's. This is a superb mahogany set neck SG style guitar - superb sound, great sustain. Very popular guitar with artists, this one has been played and signed by Captain Sensible of The Damned (he only plays ESP Viper 301's). This is black, with an off black signature in fine black marker - it shows up in reflected light as faint yellow. For Non Damned fans, it will easily polish out. It was played at the legendary Stourbridge gig about five years ago. £500 Cheers Mr Marlin

Sorry, rules absorbed and duly noted. I think i paid £350 for it (used), then spent £200 on pickups, getting it coil tapped and pickups set up and balanced. I suppose £400 is fair. let me know what you think. Mr Marlin

For sale, my beloved black Steinberger Spirit Electric Guitar. Absolutely mint, three pickup wood bodied version (Maple neck and through maple body for superb tone and sustain). Upgraded pickups (the stock 'Select by EMG' pickups were pants - Now installed with EMG HZ humbuckers x 2 (passive version of EMG 81/85 - for guitars without space for batteries) and a Seymour Duncan JB Jr stacked humbucker (single coil size). I chose this pickups, as its in keeping of the style of the originals. The JB Jr sounds fantastic, PAF like in tone. Blend Seymour Duncam and EMG pickups for hot vintage voiced tones, use the EMGs for modern rock tones. The JB Jr is also coil tapped. Pull the volume knob for strat like single coil tones. Very versatile guitar. The Steinberger is very well made. Its keeps tune brilliantly, the trem works well, easy to adjust, change strings, and tune. The neck is much better than the Hohner headless guitars (which I played for 10 years) - not thick and clubby - nice 'C' profile, just sits right. Fretboard looks like ebony, though could be very fine rosewood (update - have checked, it's rosewood - but very fine and dark rosewood). Beautifully finished. Guitar comes with a slightly worn Steinberger soft case. It doesn't really offer the best protection - is a bit thin in places, and fraying here and there (I make it sound worse than it is), but still very functional. Overall a fab guitar - the only reason I'm selling it is to make room for a new Gretsch (4th on the collection). I have to sell a guitar if I buy a new one, or wifey has a rant. She thinks 14 guitars/basses is excessive. I think 20 pairs of shoes are excesive, but they're a lot cheaper than Gretsch's. Any interest? Comes fitted with a fresh set of double ball strings - 10's - Also have fresh 9's if you prefer. Other sets available (four or five I think) Action, fast and low - no fretbuz, fret wear or flatspots. Beautiful. Cheers Mr Marlin

No worries. I'd already guessed you wouldn't go for it. For your info, it's black. Sure you're not interested in just selling it? I quite fancy it. Cheers Mr Marlin