OliverBlackman

This is one of my favourite designs. I would love to hear it played, there aren’t many demos out there.

My one to rule them all is currently circa £8k so not sure I can play along but for £1.5k a used Warwick Streamer stage 1 or Fender elite jazz would be nice

Thanks for persisting Clarky, Bilbo was a great asset to this community so glad the news is positive.

If it’s original it looks like the international colour but I think that’d make it ‘79-81

Not wanting to derail the thread from B*****, Covid or Russia, but Fender and MM upped their prices before these took effect. I remember when the top fender bass was AM Dlx and they cost around £1.2k new. Then they released the elite and it a similar bass for £2k. My MM stingray was around £1k new in 2007 but it was 2012ish that the price doubled. Warwick’s move to the team build and master build series also saw prices double and I remember that was only a few years later

I thought matching headstocks were a custom option until the run in 1966 with the lollipop tuners. There’s tales of a few precision basses out there with a matching headstock too.

The worth of the commodity. I think it is pretty obvious the vintage market has been driven by dealers creating prices and consumers forget the difference, and ultimately creating investment opportunity.

Same reasons s/h car values have increased. FWIW I sold my near mint MM SR for £500 on here only 15 or so years ago which was about the going rate at the time.

I’ve had quite a lot over the years before going back to 4s - now need to go back to 5s again - and there’s lots of differentials so try before you buy is a good tip. My first 5 was a Warwick Rockbass Fotress. It was fine but lacked in build quality. I’ve had fully fledged Warwick’s and they are good but different to a lot of other basses. I’ve also owned a Sire V7 and this would be my choice again. It’s standard sound in passive and a killer active preamp. For pit work you want a really clean and balanced sound for the engineers but also where you can dial up a punchier sound for rockier numbers. I think the Sire fits the bill. There‘a a lot to navigate through though. I can’t stand the skinny necks on Ibanez and also can’t reach 35” scale length very well. Then there is added weight and in some cases larger bodies to contend with. Turns out my perfect bass is a Ken Smith 5 which is unashamedly expensive.

I think you’ve been wise to differentiate prices and value

I was quite keen on one of these at one point but made the mistake of ABing it against the real thing and it was miles off in tone and feel. No better than the Fender reissues Fender we’re producing at the time (probably 2015ish) or the Tokai which I also had sold not long before.

If I had the money to, I’d probably buy this. It’s a nice colour and probably has the vintage tone. No different really to spending £10k on a pre CBS Fender.

I’ve had fairly similar: Jim Deacon Epiphone Fender (twice) Jackson EB Musicman Warwick RB Overwater (twice) Tokai Squire Sire Warwick

The serial number belongs to a translucent gold bass, not sunburst

Looks like the real thing. The badge on the headstock was applied to every Fender bass made in 2006 to celebrate their 60th anniversary. The price is the same as they were new back then. From what I remember there were less colour options than American standards and the stock pickups were downgraded.

Is it just me that can’t get on with the look of them?

No point in keeping something that will annoy you

+3 430

Without headphones I preferred the AC. To my ears it sounds closer to real vintage fenders. It’ll be interesting if I change my mind with headphones on.

The relic job on this one looks remarkably authentic compared to others I’ve seen.

I think you need to spend serious time in a shop trying different basses. It’s the only way to learn what works for you at the stage you’re at. It’s a shame Denmark Street isn’t what it was.

Not read all the responses but I used to go to jam nights while at college. The only skill you need is the ability to socialise and network. You’ll quickly understand the repertoire and will be called up more often.

your username suggests there are 50 more. Does your wife view basschat? 🤔

I’m going to assume you haven’t seen his regular designs? Plus he was a bass player first, bass maker second. it’d be interesting to see how easy it is to play and how it sounds. It’s definitely of an era.