Soliloquy Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 (edited) I really hate doing this, but a family member has a health issue and I need to raise some cash. Anyway, a bit of history. This beautiful bass is 24 years old. It was originally built for a guy in Scotland, who I believe now has another Starchild bass. It was originally 'Pearl Pink' in colour, and had what John calls 'snow drift' inlays. The original owner had it re spayed white at some stage. When I bought it two years ago the white had yellowed quite badly, and there were various bumps and marks on the body. It didn't however have any major problems, everything was merely cosmetic. I think a testament to John's superb luthiery skills. John Diggins had the bass for about 18 months, I got it back from him just before Christmas. During the refurbishment he totally stripped the bass back to the bare wood, and re finished it in white. It's had a new modern truss rod fitted to it, meaning the neck is as stable as any other bass that I own, it just doesn't move. He's also fitted a new fretboard, and spent hours and hours doing the 'Starchild' inlays. The neck and headstock are bound in white. It laso has blue side LED's, the LED in the on/off/pick up selector is also blue. It has shiny new gold bridge pieces, and knobs. The machines are original, John just gave them a polish. The electronics were changed to a new modern board to allow space for the extra battery required for the LED's. It is an amazing looking bass. I have used it out of the house on two occasions only, and both times I had people complimenting me on the bass. Don't believe what people say about them being 'one trick ponies', that just isn't the case. People who say that quite simply don't know what they're talking about. I used it live on two occasions, once with a jazz trio, and once with a beautiful lady singer called Judy Duff, doing jazz standard songs songs. The preamp is extremely versatile, just roll off the treble, and boost the bass for a rich and deep sound. Boost the treble and bass, cut the mids and you're into Mark King territory. It comes with a custom size Hiscox hard case. I will be commissioning a new bass from John when finances allow. The bass is totally mint, it has no marks what so ever anywhere on it. There is currently an 18 month wait for a Jaydee bass, possibly longer for one like this. Taking into account all of the extras, binding, custom inlays, LED's etc, the current new price for this bass is somewhere about £2,500. I want £1,500 plus shipping, though I would rather the buyer collects it. I could also meet half way somewhere. Absolutely no trades though. Edited February 23, 2011 by Soliloquy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJim Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Do you still have the M-bass what you wanted to trade mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stag Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Wow, thats extremely cool. I actually prefer it in white! sorry you have to sell tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleblob Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1127117' date='Feb 14 2011, 02:45 PM']I really hate doing this, but a family member has a health issue and I need to raise some cash.[/quote] Sorry to read this. Well it's typical isn't it - I would have bitten your hand off for this has I not already ordered a white Jaydee of my own which should be arriving soon (reminder to self to check when it's coming), but it's nowhere near the spec. of yours. Beautiful bass, good luck with the sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 [quote name='Stag' post='1127285' date='Feb 14 2011, 04:55 PM']Wow, thats extremely cool. I actually prefer it in white! sorry you have to sell tho [/quote] Yeah, I'm really sorry too, I waited over a year and a half for this to be finished. It's all the fault of the NHS and an insurance company. My brother's a karate instructor, he injured himself training last year, someone side kicked him (whatever that is). He's been going backwards and forwards to the hospital seeing various so called specialists. He's finally gone and seen a private sports injury specialist who diagnosed his problem in 30 minutes. He's now going to need an operation to fix it. The NHS waiting list is months, he's already been limping around for a year. So he's going to have the operation done privately. This is his livelihood, but his insurance (that's not cheap) is refusing to pay out. I look at it like this though. I really don't play the bass out, and I can always order another at a later date. PLus I'm helping my brother out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinAndy Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1127836' date='Feb 14 2011, 11:53 PM']Bump. I've added an 'in progress' photo that John took for me last year. It was taken just before the bass was reassembled. I'll take some more photos tomorrow daytime, hopefully it'll be sunny. These photos are off the Jaydee website, but the bass is exactly the same.[/quote] want... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Sorry to hear about the circumstances - family and good health are more important than nice basses. Now please tell me its a very, very heavy bass that I don't need...and will give me a dodgy back for years to come, even when played sitting down! Otherwise I may do something stupid with my hard earned debts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 [quote name='BassBod' post='1128685' date='Feb 15 2011, 06:21 PM']Sorry to hear about the circumstances - family and good health are more important than nice basses. Now please tell me its a very, very heavy bass that I don't need...and will give me a dodgy back for years to come, even when played sitting down! Otherwise I may do something stupid with my hard earned debts.[/quote] Hi Duncan, It's a strange bass, it feels quite heavy when you pick up, but it balances very, very well, so it doesn't weigh much when it's worn. I practice for 6 or 7 hours a day, most days, and I've done that with this bass strapped on with no discomfort. I'll weigh it later, just out of curiosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1128750' date='Feb 15 2011, 07:10 PM']Hi Duncan, It's a strange bass, it feels quite heavy when you pick up, but it balances very, very well, so it doesn't weigh much when it's worn. I practice for 6 or 7 hours a day, most days, and I've done that with this bass strapped on with no discomfort. I'll weigh it later, just out of curiosity.[/quote] Hi Kevin, On a good day I can practice all of 6 or 7 minutes....before the family reminds me of their existence! Would be interested to see what the weight is - my old one always seemed pretty heavy (strangely more on gigs than at home?), about the same as that Stingray you bought last year? Not stupid heavy...but solid. If its still around in a few days I might have to think about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 I weighed it on my bathroom scales, not I have to say the most accurate scales around, but according to them it's about 9lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) Photo showing the nice, shiny blue LED's. Apologies for the photo, I should have leant against something I guess, to cut down on movement , they are very bright. Edited February 17, 2011 by Soliloquy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 That's bottom clenchingly gorgeous! Beautiful bass and a piece of art too! Good luck with the sale, LC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 [quote name='LemonCello' post='1130580' date='Feb 17 2011, 08:33 AM']That's bottom clenchingly gorgeous! Beautiful bass and a piece of art too! Good luck with the sale, LC[/quote] It looked great at Christmas, all covered in tinsel and baubles . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Sorry about circumstances too. Beautiful bass. Always liked them and this one is one of the best I've seen especially after all the refurb its had but couldn't justify another bass to my better half at the moment. Shame but good luck with sale. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Bump. I may be interested in part trades for a cheap keyboard, only up to about £200 though. I have that amount to spend on a keyboard anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) Bump for Mr Pink. That's what I call the bass by the way. It was originally pink, and Mr Pink is my favourite Level 42 song, so it seemed kind of apt . Edited February 19, 2011 by Soliloquy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Firstly, really sorry to hear of your reasons for selling and I sincerely hope everything works out ok. Secondly, I've had 2 Jaydee Supernaturals but this is the one I always wanted. Mark's Starchild bass blew my mind when I first saw it on the Whistle Test all those years ago and I've wanted one ever since. The two JDs I had were very heavy (12-13lbs) and with my back problems I'd pretty much written them off. If this weighs 9lbs though (right on my limit) I'm kicking myself because at the price you're asking I'd have snapped it up had I not bought another bass a couple of weeks or so ago. Drat and double drat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 [quote name='4000' post='1133000' date='Feb 19 2011, 01:33 AM']Firstly, really sorry to hear of your reasons for selling and I sincerely hope everything works out ok. Secondly, I've had 2 Jaydee Supernaturals but this is the one I always wanted. Mark's Starchild bass blew my mind when I first saw it on the Whistle Test all those years ago and I've wanted one ever since. The two JDs I had were very heavy (12-13lbs) and with my back problems I'd pretty much written them off. If this weighs 9lbs though (right on my limit) I'm kicking myself because at the price you're asking I'd have snapped it up had I not bought another bass a couple of weeks or so ago. Drat and double drat! [/quote] Thanks ! The 9lbs is weighed on my bathroom scales, they're not the most accurate, but I don't think we're talking mega inaccuracies. It was totally stripped, and then resprayed, I guess it would have lost a bit of weight then. I know John said the neck was a bit slimmer than a normal MK model. Oh, and a Saturday morning bump . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) I've been asked by a couple of people what the controls are. The little switches are coil taps, one for each pickup. They're three position, enabling you to switch the humbucker to single coil either front or back of each pick-up. If you see what I mean . So using them combined with the pick-up selector gives you something like 16 different possibilities (I think). The other switch turns the LED's on. The neck measurements are as follows - 42mm at the 1st fret. 53mm at the 12th fret. Edited February 19, 2011 by Soliloquy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Bump at bedtime . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) Bump. Here's Mark playing his on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fK3AzA3YbI&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fK3AzA3YbI...feature=related[/url] His is a Series 1, mine is a Series 3 which is basically a slimmed Series1. Edited February 20, 2011 by Soliloquy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 I'm realising that this won't be a quick sale. I'm definitely not going to lower the price, I think it's very reasonable. I will now also take trades, I fancy an Eden head, one of the small ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Bump before bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Morning bump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1134353' date='Feb 20 2011, 02:35 PM']I'm realising that this won't be a quick sale. I'm definitely not going to lower the price, I think it's very reasonable. I will now also take trades, I fancy an Eden head, one of the small ones.[/quote] I don't think it's very reasonable, I think it's a bargain. It's all about.........timing..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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