Shaggy's rest home for old and overweight basses.......

[Shaggy]

OK, here are four of my six basses . All from the US of A, all rugged enough to withstand a direct nuclear assault, oldest from 1973 and youngest from 1981.
It was never meant to be a “collection” from that country and/or that era, they just ended up as keepers as others came and went – mind you, 2 are recent acquisitions. I suppose that’s mainly because (a) as a big simple bloke I like big, simple, nicely playable basses, and ( when I started on bass in my mid teens these were the basses of the time that I lusted after. That being the case there’s a notable omission – my bass heroes at that time were Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, and Bruce Foxton (plus I fancied the pants off Gaye Advert!), and I wanted a Rickenbacker 4001 so badly it hurt. If I were a pick player rather than a “fingers” player I’d have had one many years ago, but as I’m not I can’t get on with them well enough to want to gig with one, which unfortunately rules them out. I’m sure I could be persuaded by a purdy one though…..
I also like unusual “oddball / ugly duckling” basses, which many would label the Magnum and RD Artist as, but they’re beautiful to me.
It only occurred to me after I took the group shot that the only painted finish bass I’ve ever owned was my very first (a late ‘60’s Kalamazoo KB-1 short-scale, in black) – must like wood! (oo-er missus!).
To give a quick lowdown on each, I guess in order of amount of playing time;

1. 1980 Music Man Sabre. The “evil twin” of the Stingray, and certainly overlooked as a classic bass until recently. This was my one and only bass for the best part of ten years; and still my main squeeze in the covers band I play in – gives a massive sound that’s just right for a 3-piece. Not subtle – it’s an old-school funk / rock bar-room brawler of a bass, on the heavy side, and the batteries will die at critical moments (no passive option switch), but ergonomically and for sheer playability this and the P fit me like a glove. It’s just such an accomplished all-rounder - the MM Jazz bass I suppose. Mine’s all original with 2-band EQ, but originally painted alder body stripped to natural by previous owner, with oil & wax finish, and I recently fitted a US-made black perloid scratch-plate (still got the original black one).

2. 1973 Fender Precision fretless. I bought this through BC in the summer off Walbassist, and haven’t put it down since (probably why Mrs. Shaggy makes me sleep in the spare room). I use nothing but this in another band (‘60’s rock / R&B / instrumental) I’m in, mainly because it looks the part, although it can do so much more. All parts except p/u’s and fingerboard original, but heavily modded by a pro luthier which ruins it as a “vintage” bass but were the only reasons I wanted it. Neck slimmed to J-bass profile, original rosewood fingerboard replaced with an ultra-thin ebony fretless one, P p/u replaced with SD vintage series, and an additional SD antiquity II series J pickup fitted in bridge position. The playability and richness of tone are just astonishing. Considering this is the oldest and simplest bass of the four it surprisingly has the subtlest, most refined and articulate voicing of all of them. Easily the lightest too. The added J pickup gives a lovely woody bite to the mix, so it’s a versatile bass, but I have to admit I tend to keep it locked on the P p/u – I’m just addicted to that plummy, punchy tone.

3. 1979 Ovation Magnum 1 fretless. This was my main fretless until I acquired the P, and I still dig it out occasionally when I’m after a “Mick Karn / Wal-type” sound which it does very well, and on solo neck p/u it sounds amazingly like an acoustic upright (I bought it off a Jazzer trying to scrape enough moolah together to move to the US). Completely indestructible and way ahead of its time – the neck is strengthened with carbon fibre. Mine is all original and standard, but missing the sliding string mute fitted to the bridge/tailpiece. The body-shape was taken from the Breadwinner/Deacon solid guitars, and I wish they’d kept it as radical as the guitars instead of watering it down. Very ergonomic though, fast playing neck, and always a source of interest at gigs and jams.

4. 1981 Gibson RD Artist. This was Gibson’s flagship bass in 1977, but no-one understood the complex Moog electronics and it was too damn heavy – mine must have been one of the last made. A shame, as it’s a handsome beast, well made, very playable, and with a sound as massive as but different to the Sabre. Incredible ringing sustain, as it’s 34.5” scale, through-body stringing, set-neck, and all solid rock maple. Only just bought this – yes, though BC (Woolleydick) - and to be honest haven’t really got a role for it yet, unless I join a Nirvana tribute band! But overdriving my Trace valve amp the sound is pure heavy rock magic, and it’s got a slap tone almost as good as the Sabre, which up to now I regarded as the mother and father of all slap tones. Mostly stock and original, except the original series V black humbuckers replaced with chrome “EB-3” type ones, and the Moog active pre-amp / compressor / expander replaced with a standard 2-band Bartolini one (switchable to passive). In a way it’s full circle for me, as my very first bass 30 years ago (the Kalamazoo) was also fitted with Gibson EB-3 pickups without actually being an EB-3. From young punk to old punk!

Anyone else got these / memories of these basses (OK – quite a few P’s around!), or other Yanks of a similar age – Guilds, Ricks, Kramers etc? Let’s see them!

(NB; My other two basses are custom-build “boutique modern” interpretations of a fretless Stingray and a fretted Jazz 5, which I’ll feature separately when I’ve finished the latter – if I ever do!!).

PS; Sorry - none of these pictures came out where I wanted them!

Edited July 21, 2016 by Shaggy

[BassBod]

Hey Shaggy,

Glad to see someone's enjoying the fretless P bass (I traded it last year with Walbassist, after many years good service...). I'm sure you can guess why the ebony board is thinner than usual!

Have fun

BB

[BigRedX]

That Ovation as absolutely gorgeous! (was it originally fretless or is this a conversion?)

Should be any remote chance you ever decide to sell it please let me know...

[bass_ferret]

nice collection.

[Shaggy]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='115674' date='Jan 7 2008, 06:45 PM']That Ovation as absolutely gorgeous! (was it originally fretless or is this a conversion?)

Should be any remote chance you ever decide to sell it please let me know...[/quote]
Originally fretless, Magnums are pretty rare birds these days anyway, but this was the only fretless I've ever seen. Unlined, with fret line marlers on the side of the board.

[Shaggy]

[quote name='BassBod' post='115486' date='Jan 7 2008, 03:08 PM']Hey Shaggy,

Glad to see someone's enjoying the fretless P bass (I traded it last year with Walbassist, after many years good service...). I'm sure you can guess why the ebony board is thinner than usual!

Have fun

BB[/quote]
Hi BB - I think Gareth had it skimmed too - fastest neck I've played bar none. Getting planty of use, and she loves a valve amp!

[silverfoxnik]

Great collection - the Sabre is especially nice!

[steve]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='115674' date='Jan 7 2008, 06:45 PM']That Ovation as absolutely gorgeous![/quote]

+1, now I have gas again, but for a fretted one

[joegarcia]

Fantastic collection. You have immaculate taste.

You have two basses I have and love (Magnum and Sabre) and one I am seriosuly gas'ing for (RD Artist).

[BigRedX]

I saw a fretless Ovation on ebay a couple of years back but it was in the US and I hadn't got the nerve up to buy something from outside the UK then...

[Shaggy]

[quote name='steve' post='116339' date='Jan 8 2008, 04:57 PM']+1, now I have gas again, but for a fretted one [/quote]
They do crop up on the bay fairly regularly, that German shop always seems to have a couple of overpriced ones. Usually still cheap compared to other US basses of that era, and a fantastic bass for the money, best to avoid the active graphic-EQ models (II & IV) – they’re noisy and gobble batteries. They’ve got a unique, slightly acoustic sound, and quite a few decent players have used them; Jah Wobble, Barry Adamson (Magazine / Nick Cave), Ross Vallory (Journey – you can hear the Magnum cutting right through the mix on “Don’t stop believing”), Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), and Paul Haig (Tool).

[quote name='joegarcia' post='116369' date='Jan 8 2008, 05:39 PM']Fantastic collection. You have immaculate taste.

You have two basses I have and love (Magnum and Sabre) and one I am seriosuly gas'ing for (RD Artist).[/quote]
Cheers Joe, hope you’re enjoying your Sabre, that’s a really nice original one. I’m probably going to re-fin mine in black now that I’ve got the RD to fill in.

[tombboy]

That Ovation brings back memories....
Ross Valory used one on Journey's Escape album and subsequent 1980 tour IIRC. Pure class!!!

[joegarcia]

[quote name='Shaggy' post='116758' date='Jan 9 2008, 08:05 AM']They do crop up on the bay fairly regularly, that German shop always seems to have a couple of overpriced ones. Usually still cheap compared to other US basses of that era, and a fantastic bass for the money, best to avoid the active graphic-EQ models (II & IV) – they’re noisy and gobble batteries. They’ve got a unique, slightly acoustic sound, and quite a few decent players have used them; Jah Wobble, Barry Adamson (Magazine / Nick Cave), Ross Vallory (Journey – you can hear the Magnum cutting right through the mix on “Don’t stop believing”), Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), and Paul Haig (Tool).


Cheers Joe, hope you’re enjoying your Sabre, that’s a really nice original one. I’m probably going to re-fin mine in black now that I’ve got the RD to fill in.[/quote]

Love it to bits. Really versatile compared to Stingrays. Good call on the black re-fin, they look great in black.

[steve]

[quote name='Shaggy' post='116758' date='Jan 9 2008, 08:05 AM']They do crop up on the bay fairly regularly, that German shop always seems to have a couple of overpriced ones. Usually still cheap compared to other US basses of that era, and a fantastic bass for the money, best to avoid the active graphic-EQ models (II & IV) – they’re noisy and gobble batteries.[/quote]

I had a look, he has two on atm, cheapest (passive) one is £500 - sadly I'm not funded right now

[quote name='Shaggy' post='116758' date='Jan 9 2008, 08:05 AM']They’ve got a unique, slightly acoustic sound, and quite a few decent players have used them; Jah Wobble, Barry Adamson (Magazine / Nick Cave), Ross Vallory (Journey – you can hear the Magnum cutting right through the mix on “Don’t stop believing”), Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), and Paul Haig (Tool).[/quote]

That first Magazine album is a killer