Shaftesbury 4001

[woodster909]

Thought I'd dig this out and get some photos done.

It's been in a mates (dehumidified) cellar for the last 7 years, and doesn't really get look in since I got my Ric.

Got it 2nd hand in 1978, when I was a wee nipper just getting into punk rock !!

I went into the shop to get a £80 Columbus Precision copy, but the bloke insisted I have this for £120 instead. Good man.

[ahpook]

ooooooh.

tres bon raymond.

[Cumbo]

Hey. I have one of those! Also bought as a nipper around the same time. Cost me 35 quid because it had been stripped-down to the bare wood. I naively took a teenage stab at re-finishing it myself. Not great - but I managed a half-decent brownburst. mine has the original fitted hardshell case.

Any info on history, accurate date, etc. would be welcome.

[woodster909]

You've come to the right place, there are plenty of experts round here with far more knowledge than me. I think they were Japanese copies imported in the 70s.

Do some digging on Rickenfakers, there are plenty of threads around.

[Musky]

Yeah, if you do a search in the Bass Guitars forum you'll find a post where Bassassin (BC's resident 'faker expert) spills all he knows on the Shaftesbury copies. Unfortunately AFAIR that wasn't very much - no confirmed factory or reliable dating from the serials as I recall.

Edit: Found it - http://basschat.co.uk/topic/64691-shaftesbury-bass-second-try

Edited October 20, 2012 by Musky

[Cumbo]

Thanks. Satifies my curiousity somewhat.

No so bothered about market value. My plan is to hang onto this for sentimental and novelty reasons. (It was my first "real" bass.) However, I am considering putting some money into getting it playable. (It needs re-fretting and a good, professional set-up.)

[visog]

Cool - looks the part. Excuse my ignorance but did it sound anything like a Rick?

[Cumbo]

Tell you what. If/when I get it set up properly I'll let you know how it sounds. i have been told before that they are a pretty good copy, and it certainly has the jangly sound.