FS: Vintage EST96 5-String Bass

[waldemar]

Here's what's on GAK's site:

[url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/vintage-est96-5-string-bass/7264"]http://www.gak.co.uk...tring-bass/7264[/url]

Here are some pictures of mine:

[url="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wcw0azuz0aqr1r0/z2OQRNq2Wj"]https://www.dropbox....r1r0/z2OQRNq2Wj[/url]

I bought it in another attempt at giving 5 strings a go. No change. They're still not for me...

The condition of this bass is [i][b]not[/b][/i] A1 - there are a fair few dings here and there, but nothing that affects the playability - which is so-so, but nothing that a competent set-up wouldn't make better.

Build quality/hardware is pretty typical of the cheaper end of the market.

The biggest issue with this bass are it's electronics. Without a 9V battery it functions quite happily in passive mode (although the tone pot[b]*[/b] makes very little discernible difference to, err, the tone) pop a 9V battery in and you get what I can only describe as an unusable noisy signal. If you're happy to run it passive with not much control over the tone then it's good to go. If you want what it's meant to have [i][size=3](according to the blurb: powerful 3-band onboard EQ, controlled by active bass, mid and treble rotaries)[/size][/i] then you'll need to be prepared to install new electronics.

I'd like £90 for this please. Collection, or I'll deliver in the Manchester area (within reason). Busyness and/or laziness mean that I'm currently not able to post this.

w./

[b]*[/b][b]E[/b][b]DIT:[/b] I assumed that the active level pot functioned as a tone when no battery was present - being an electronics buffoon, I'm not even sure if this is at all possible - maybe it's just me hearing things if indeed I hear any change to the tone - like I say, it makes very little difference (if any). Just be aware that in it's current state this bass is passive and (in all likelihood) has no tone control.

Hmm. My ad really does this bass down, doesn't it..? It's actually not as sh*te as I'm making it sound. It does play and makes a reasonable sound. Here's a quick demo recording I made last night. Sorry for the agricultural rendition - my technique is poor..!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN6bovee5Io[/media]

Edited November 13, 2012 by waldemar

[Geek99]

I have the 4 string and its s nice bass - very underrated

[waldemar]

Bump.

[alyctes]

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1352708514' post='1866255']
I have the 4 string and it's a nice bass - very underrated
[/quote]

+1. (Currently on loan to my drummer...

[Fender_Greg]

I love my vintage est96! As geek99 said a very underrated bass because it is 'Vintage'.
It's a very loud bass, maybe a little too loud (my audio interface can clip with the level on 0!), tone pots have massive boost or cut on them. And the build for a lower end bass is great.

Any one who is good at sorting basses out would find this a steal at the price!

Edited November 17, 2012 by Fender_Greg

[Ian Savage]

Aw, I've just gone for one of these on eBay - if it turns out to be a winner I might come looking for yours next time I'm in Manchester!

[waldemar]

Forgot about this but it's still for sale kinda bump...

[Ian Savage]

The one I bought turned out to be a winner (to the extend that I'm now a Vintage endorsee ) so if you're ever down Birmingham way I'd take it off your hands to use as a spare...shall see if I've got anyone coming from your way for the Birmingham Guitar Show, actually.

[waldemar]

Hiya Ian,

As it happens I'm often down that way as my dad lives in Stratford-upon-Avon.

PM me your number and I'll drop you a line when I'm coming down next - you can decide then if you want me to bring it along with me.

w./

[waldemar]

Bump.

Would trade for an overdrive pedal of some sort - what ya got..?

w./