Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) Time to move this remarkable, rare and beautiful bass on. Serial number is 233 - so it's one of the earliest. The set-neck is maple with an ebony fingerboard. I'm not sure what the body wood is. It's extremely lightweight and feels exceptionally comfortable with a lovely slim neck and a body that just seems to melt into the player. The carving is quite extraordinary. Controls feature a blend between the piezo pickup and the magnetic, plus noiseless bass and treble. I have noticed that the E-string sounds slightly weaker when using the piezo only. It could certainly do with a bit of a clean and some fresh strings. I've seen prices vary wildly for this model; anywhere from £800 - £1400 as they are very collectable. I am selling for [b]£650[/b]. I also have the original case with it. Edited October 26, 2011 by Spoombung Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 More pics showing contrasting soft and hard carving on the horns: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) The dinky, distinctive head: And the lovely set-neck and smooth heal: Edited January 17, 2011 by Spoombung Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 And a thoughtful middle-aged guy with the bass: [i]this could be you![/i] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 This won't be here long. These original versions are fantastic quality. I'd have pulled the trigger if I weren't downsizing my own collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryV Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='Spoombung' post='1092433' date='Jan 17 2011, 01:09 PM']And a thoughtful middle-aged guy with the bass: [i]this could be you![/i] [/quote] Hi - This looks great - I'd love to try it first - where are you? Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='TerryV' post='1092569' date='Jan 17 2011, 02:54 PM']Hi - This looks great - I'd love to try it first - where are you? Terry[/quote] I'm in Greenwich, south London. You're welcome to try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Re. the piezo - When you say a bit weaker on the E string, how bad are you talking and is it a case of requiring a replacement piezo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) .. is that a 'flick'-de/tuner on the 'E'/Bridge?... and, if so, might that be anything to do with the E/piezo issue? I was interested in one of these in 'Swee Lee' music (Singapore) but missed-out (it wasn't there long!). Edited January 17, 2011 by eubassix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1092800' date='Jan 17 2011, 05:31 PM']Re. the piezo - When you say a bit weaker on the E string, how bad are you talking and is it a case of requiring a replacement piezo?[/quote] I think there are trim pots for each string on these, Might be worth having a look there before worrying too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 As a confirmed bass shape 'traditionalist' I have to say that is strangely alluring! Good luck with the sale and have a bump to the top on me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Absolutely fantastic - I would love this. Can't justify it, though. Jon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinson Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='Clarky' post='1092867' date='Jan 17 2011, 06:18 PM']As a confirmed bass shape 'traditionalist' I have to say that is strangely alluring! Good luck with the sale and have a bump to the top on me[/quote] My thoughts exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1092800' date='Jan 17 2011, 05:31 PM']Re. the piezo - When you say a bit weaker on the E string, how bad are you talking and is it a case of requiring a replacement piezo?[/quote] I don't think it requires a replacement but it is noticeably weaker. I will investigate Mythste's suspicion there are trim pots for the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='eubassix' post='1092843' date='Jan 17 2011, 05:58 PM'].. is that a 'flick'-de/tuner on the 'E'/Bridge?... and, if so, might that be anything to do with the E/piezo issue? I was interested in one of these in 'Swee Lee' music (Singapore) but missed-out (it wasn't there long!).[/quote] Yes, that is a D-tuner on the Bridge. I doubt whether it is related to the piezo though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 A couple of people have asked how much the bass weighs. It is exactly 7lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) So this where Ibanez got the design for the Ergodyne EDA 900!! [url="http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.chrisguitars.com/iban-eda900-sn.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php%3Ft%3D399872&usg=__jwdnJEQVGv3p3NbLPV_ngsv31XM=&h=267&w=939&sz=56&hl=en&start=0&sig2=A9ZewDixKYE64yagejCnUw&zoom=1&tbnid=C-GYA0758PEs6M:&tbnh=55&tbnw=194&ei=a6A0TcqEHtWV4gbxmd39CQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dergodyne%2B900%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_en-GBGB371GB371%26biw%3D1276%26bih%3D597%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=252&vpy=399&dur=1280&hovh=119&hovw=421&tx=267&ty=83&oei=a6A0TcqEHtWV4gbxmd39CQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0"]http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...1t:429,r:14,s:0[/url] Almost identical! Not quite in the same class though!! Edited January 17, 2011 by MoJoKe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='MoJoKe' post='1093025' date='Jan 17 2011, 08:05 PM']So this who Ibanez stole the design for the Ergodyne EDA 900 from!! Almost identical! Not quite in the same class though!![/quote] Yes, although I would call it an economic 'evolution' born out of necessity rather than any kind of appropriation you're suggesting. There were only around a thousand of the original hand-crafted wooden ones made around the Spuler design (like mine). All featured exotic, expensive woods, quality parts and took longer than usual to make because of the carving and set neck. I understand they became too expensive to be viable and the Ergodyne, to which you refer, was meant as a cheap, luthite replacement. The originals are in big demand and have become collectable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='Spoombung' post='1093038' date='Jan 17 2011, 08:13 PM']Yes, although I would call it an economic 'evolution' born out of necessity rather than any kind of appropriation you're suggesting. There were only around a thousand of the original hand-crafted wooden ones made around the Spuler design (like mine). All featured exotic, expensive woods, quality parts and took longer than usual to make because of the carving and set neck. I understand they became too expensive to be viable and the Ergodyne, to which you refer, was meant as a cheap, luthite replacement. The originals are in big demand and have become collectable.[/quote] I can see why! I bought an EDA905 as my first venture in the joys of five strings. Certainly an interesting beast, but I'm sure a [b][i]very[/i] [/b]pale imitation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 I've had a look inside the control panel and the 4 strings do indeed have trim pots and can be adjusted individually. I have balanced the levels now. The output from the piezos is not as strong as the magnetic pickup which seems to be a feature of these basses (I've read on Talkbass, anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_stones Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Bump for a beautiful and interesting bass! Judging by the grain, the body wood appears to be Bubinga - can anyone else confirm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Walnut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 [quote name='steve-soar' post='1093588' date='Jan 18 2011, 10:39 AM']Walnut.[/quote] I'm sure it is a type of walnut but iirc the wood was actually saman (spelling may not be spot on). I've still got an old USA Bass Guitar magazine with the original review somewhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 More pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walplayer Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1094137' date='Jan 18 2011, 05:41 PM']I'm sure it is a type of walnut but iirc the wood was actually saman (spelling may not be spot on). I've still got an old USA Bass Guitar magazine with the original review somewhere! [/quote] It looks like a walnut (a-204 model) Maple were a-304/305 Saman a-104/105 Edited January 18, 2011 by walplayer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts