Shaggy Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) All priced on basis of collection from near Swansea, (though I drive to E Anglia occasionally) - can post at cost within UK. Open to trade offers; vintage basses, guitars, mandolins, amps....... (1) First up: *Edit - now TRADED* 1985 Gibson Explorer bass in Ferrari red. All-original apart from one tuner (replaced with a Schaller), and small area of paintwork adjacent to the bridge p/up has been re-touched, as over-enthusiastic use of plectrum by a previous owner had exposed a 50p-sized area of wood. With original and essential Gibson hard case (a bit tatty, but functional). A fair bit of checking and wear in the finish, but overall in decent condition. (NB: sticker on body in some of the pics now removed, and didn’t cover anything!) · Body – alder, Ferrari red finish · Neck – set maple neck, medium-scale (32”), fretted rosewood board. · Pickups – 2 x single coil, Gibson-logo black plastic covers (same units as Grabber bass) · Bridge – chromed Gibson-logo Schaller (similar to 3-D but chunkier) · Tuners - chromed Gibson-logo Schaller, 4 in-line · Controls – passive V-V-T, black “top hat” speed knobs, output jack at body side. These are incredibly under-rated basses; it’s easy to overlook the substance because of the style (IMHO: THE most iconic shape in rock, along with the Fender P). That body is a really ergonomic shape for playing finger-style – you can rest your right palm on the upper body bout, and the medium-scale neck is lightning-fast. Huge sound; the tone is really more Fender than Gibson, I guess thanks to the alder body, maple neck, and single coil pickups. I’ve gigged this in a rock power trio and a very trad blues / R&B band and it’s suited both perfectly. And it sounds clichéd but it’s true; this is the one you totally feel like a rock star when you put it on…… £800 - PRICE DROP £750 Edited August 21, 2017 by Shaggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) (2) Next up - 1979 CF Martin EB-18. A rare bird this one; E-series was Martin’s last foray into the world of solid-body electrics. USA-made, 100% original, in excellent nick, with OHSC. · Body – solid maple, with walnut central contrast laminations, natural finish · Neck – set one-piece mahogany neck, long-scale (34”), fretted rosewood board. Rosewood veneer to front of headstock · Pickups – single DiMarzio Model One humbucker, crème plastic cover. · Bridge – chromed Badass unit (original model) · Tuners - chromed Grover Titans, 2 + 2 · Controls – passive V & T, phase switch, chromed brass knobs, output jack at body side. Typical Alembic-inspired late ‘70’s styling, but very funky I think. This one of the early models with the CF Martin logo branded into the rear of the body by the neck heel. Solid and beautifully constructed, tonally quite Precision-like with rather more sustain. NB: includes letter from Martin USA to previous owner dating the bass by serial no £800 - ********Price drop £700******** Edited May 14, 2016 by Shaggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) (3) Next - Custom Thunderbird *WITHDRAWN* This has been my main gigging bass over the last couple of years; it’s gradually morphed from a Fenderbird with P/J pickups into a rather special Thunderbird. · Body – Warmoth one piece mahogany, book-matched cocobolo top with ebony pin-stripe between, gloss poly finish · Neck – maple, bolt-on, Epiphone (Korean I think) made, long-scale (34”), mahogany poly finish, fretted rosewood board. · Pickups – 2 x Thunderbucker “66” humbuckers, nickel-silver covers · Bridge – chromed solid brass “tune-o-matic” bridge and separate stop tailpiece (like ‘60’s T’birds) · Tuners - chromed Gibson-logo Schaller M4S’s, from ‘80’s Gibson Victory bass, 4 in-line · Controls – passive V-V-T, chromed brass knobs (solid cocobolo knobs fitted if preferred), output jack at body side. This was built so that I wouldn’t have to gig my 1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV, and in all honesty it sounds even sweeter than the ’65; nothing short of a Mike Lull will sound as good as this does. Main reason is the pickups; Thunderbuckers are hand-made to order in the US, reverse-engineered from original ‘60’s units – cost me around £300 for the pair, but boy are they worth it….. The only flaws are purely cosmetic and not obvious; (1) the neck-pocket on the body is Fender-fit, but the Epi neck is around 2mm narrower. So there’s a tiny gap between edges of neck and body, which I was going to fill with a couple of slivers of dark hard-wood, but haven’t got around to it. (2) same goes for the neck-pickup cavity, which was originally routed for a P pick-up – narrow gap at the backt of the pick-up ring. Likewise, was going to sort with a sliver of hardwood. Neither affects performance in the least. The polished aluminium-alloy “pickguard” which I’ve pictured, I got and never fitted (NO screw-holes!), will throw in included in price if wanted; it comes with a separate matt black back-plate but looks better without. In a really robust as-new Thoman soft case, but if posting I’d prefer to ship with neck off. EDIT: Now with a Gibson logo TRC, blank one included £450 collected (S Wales, or meet en route with regular drive Swansea < > Cambridge), shipping on top Edited August 20, 2017 by Shaggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iriegnome Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 That Martin is just super fine.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 I recognise that P pup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 [quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1396805194' post='2417529'] I recognise that P pup! [/quote] Lol - yes, and very nice it is! Plan certainly wasn't to sell on this quick...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 PM'd re P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 [quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1397329288' post='2422929'] PM'd re P [/quote] PM replied to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plunkrock Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Nice collection, if I hadn't just bought a new bass earlier this week I'd be really tempted by that thunderbird! GLWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Martin...mmmmm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 [quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1400010625' post='2449933'] Martin...mmmmm... [/quote] 'Tis luverly! Driving from S Wales to E Anglia next weekend type bump..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 I nearly bought one from Johnny Roadhouse a few years ago....still tempted, if skint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 [quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1400355187' post='2453204'] I nearly bought one from Johnny Roadhouse a few years ago....still tempted, if skint. [/quote] I know that feeling...... One at V&R for almost £1200 - I'd do mine for £750 Edited first post for possible trade offers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Quick bumperoo......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samashton12 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Oh god, I wish i had £500. That's a beautiful 'bird, Shaggy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='Samashton12' timestamp='1404217939' post='2490383'] Oh god, I wish i had £500. That's a beautiful 'bird, Shaggy. [/quote] Thanks for the good words Sam! Open to offers and trades..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfguy13 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I have a '78 EB-18 and it really is a superb bass.....different, but just a real joy to play. Somewhere between a P and a J with the phase switch. Good luck with the sale!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 [quote name='surfguy13' timestamp='1406122182' post='2508522'] I have a '78 EB-18 and it really is a superb bass.....different, but just a real joy to play. Somewhere between a P and a J with the phase switch. Good luck with the sale!!! [/quote] Thanks surfguy! Something special about Martins you can't appreciate in pics; this feels just as "crafted" as my series 1 Alembic, albeit simpler NB; I used to live in Ely (Broad st), though not a native "Fenner" - cool place! Still go to the market when I go back to visit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Shaggy- you got a Series1!? Wow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfguy13 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='Shaggy' timestamp='1406225457' post='2509579'] Thanks surfguy! Something special about Martins you can't appreciate in pics; this feels just as "crafted" as my series 1 Alembic, albeit simpler NB; I used to live in Ely (Broad st), though not a native "Fenner" - cool place! Still go to the market when I go back to visit [/quote] Yup, the EB-18 looks a little plain and 70s'ish but it feels and sounds amazing. I think Martin didn't quite get the [i]look[/i] right in this case but what the hell - it does look a bit 70s but I quite like that and let's face it, 70s retro seems to be the flavour of the month again! Blimey, another fenny! There's a few of us out there although I have to say it's my adopted home. Great place to live though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='surfguy13' timestamp='1406278353' post='2509992'] Yup, the EB-18 looks a little plain and 70s'ish but it feels and sounds amazing. I think Martin didn't quite get the [i]look[/i] right in this case but what the hell - it does look a bit 70s but I quite like that and let's face it, 70s retro seems to be the flavour of the month again! Blimey, another fenny! There's a few of us out there although I have to say it's my adopted home. Great place to live though! [/quote] The styling was what pulled me to it - being mainly a Gibson player I liked the Gibson-esque construction (mahogany set neck, big humbucker) plus looks a tad like a non-reverse T-bird. I think there was a later twin pickup version Looking forwards to an Abbott Ale or two next time I'm Cambridge /Ely way..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 [quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1406236101' post='2509729'] Shaggy- you got a Series1!? Wow.... [/quote] Yup, a '76 long-scale - sadly my GAS has always outweighed my talent....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted August 3, 2014 Author Share Posted August 3, 2014 Bump with price drops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stag Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Good golly gosh... never thought id see this happening old chap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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