Shergold Marathon... Price?

[discreet]

This has been up before, I'm sure of it... very nice bass and in my favourite colour combo too. I know Andy Baxter tends to sell for the top end of retail and good luck to him, but I'm wondering if it's a little hot price wise, or is this a typical price for a Marathon now?

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80s-SHERGOLD-MARATHON-MK1A-BASS-/181384602978?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80s-SHERGOLD-MARATHON-MK1A-BASS-/181384602978?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160[/url]

Shergold basses seem to be on the up and up these days... I know that their relative rarity and the fact that they've been out of production for decades affects the supply and demand curve obviously, but... any comments?

Of course people like me bringing them to the attention of bass players on a public forum is probably not helping to generally keep prices low, is it..? Oops...

[Paul S]

I saw that. He can, of course, stick any asking price on it but I wonder if it will sell for that? You'll need Group4 to take yours to gigs at this rate!

I wonder - should I get a refinish on mine, or leave it tatty? Inclined to leave it tatty, especially as the pickups are not stock.

[discreet]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1397751041' post='2427104']
You'll need Group4 to take yours to gigs at this rate!
[/quote]

Considering their reputation, I'd probably never see it again.
Of course they're called 'G4S' now, to make you think they're a different company... [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1397751041' post='2427104']
I wonder - should I get a refinish on mine, or leave it tatty? Inclined to leave it tatty...
[/quote]

I probably would have left mine alone had the finish been in any way reasonable - and white, of course.

[ash]

I think the price is a bit optimistic - best offer would be 2/3 of that at best. They are lovely instruments and scarce in unmodded condition but in today's market I'd only pay that for a Marathon 6 or 8 string. Marathon 4s go for between £260 - £490, OK the finish on many is poor but that's one of the quirks of Shergold - still contemplating a Bass Doc refinish on mine!

[discreet]

[quote name='ash' timestamp='1397768461' post='2427320']
...still contemplating a Bass Doc refinish on mine!
[/quote]

Ha haaaah! Go for it! I can certainly recommend him...

[ash]

One thing I must say is that the Marathon in the listing does have an original ashtray cover at the bridge and that is unusual!

[discreet]

[quote name='ash' timestamp='1397768652' post='2427326']
...does have an original ashtray cover at the bridge and that is unusual!
[/quote]

It is - unusual and very rare indeed. It's a plastic jobbie, isn't it?

[ash]

Yes - virtually impossible to get these days. Bloody useless though as they are worse than P bass ashtrays for getting in the way!

[molan]

The thing with Andy's basses is that, in my experience, they are all really nice.

Everything works properly, action is good, no dodgy necks, crappy finishes etc.

I always think anything he has for sale has a 'quality assured' warranty

This is something you really can't say about most vintage dealers out there (again, purely from my personal experience).

[discreet]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1397774434' post='2427411']
The thing with Andy's basses is that, in my experience, they are all really nice.
[/quote]

I'm sure of that - I'm not having a pop at him. I [size=4]often peruse his website; there are always some very nice basses on there. Only one reason I don't buy them all, and we know what that is. [/size]

[discreet]

Sorry for the thread resurrection, but rather than start a new one... this Modulator went for £706 in the end!!

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Modulator-Bass-Guitar-Hard-Case-VGC-/360921297231?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item540895f14f&nma=true&si=VO%252BkOESrNH1srkJG%252BmLo5fO6gY4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Modulator-Bass-Guitar-Hard-Case-VGC-/360921297231?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item540895f14f&nma=true&si=VO%252BkOESrNH1srkJG%252BmLo5fO6gY4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557[/url]

I was thinking may be £500 - £550 tops, but...

[ash]

The chap who bought it is in the Facebook Shergold group. He seems pretty pleased with his buy and has owned Shergold instruments previously. Similar to yourself I thought this would've gone for £200 less as this isn't a particularly rare model.