What is this Status graphite? Series 1B4 or Eclipse?

[Dandelion]

This was painted solid black when I aquired it, and it was in a well used state. i noticed that beneath one of the scuffs in the paint that there was a hint of laminate in the wood. So I sanded it all down and discovered a birds eye maple top with a Walnut stripe and an ash back. There is a thin lamination running through it too. I waxed it up to a sheen.

The preamp is stamped with Rob Greens name and states Series 1. The head has the serial number stamped on the back.

It was sold to me as an Eclipse but on further research the eclipse had a body which was shaped with a convex top. This one is straight.

I have heard that there might be some hybrids out there.


Any ideas?

Edited December 16, 2014 by Dandelion

[Dandelion]

Looks like the second one down on this attachment?

[Dandelion]

The headstock is still black with the status logo on the top, so I presume it left the workshop like that.. Seems a strange thing to do though, paint an "exotic" body black. It wasn't even a transparent black.

All thoughts greatfully recieved.

[gafbass02]

Could it be an energy artist?

[HowieBass]

Whatever you've got the body now looks lush! Very nice looking bass indeed!

[cocco]

Its nothing like the spec my energy was. Mine had a cherry body, J shaped pickups and a 3 knob preamp that I think was vol balance and treble boost.

[LukeFRC]

that must have been super exciting to find under the black paint! It looks great!

[Grassie]

Could it have been painted black over that finish cos it might have been stolen...?

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Maybe the previous owner, was trying to gloss over that.. Lovely bass tho' .

[Dandelion]

It was definately a factory finish, it also had an opaque cellulose undercoat which was a devil to sand out of the pores. The black still remains on the headstock, I did not want to remove that because it would mean removing the logo. I know that black was an option on the energy range. I have emailed "Status" to see if they can offer any more info..

[Urban Bassman]

Looking at the pre amp there are some 93 date codes on it...might help.

Nice find though! I'm sure Rob will be able to tell you.

[Dandelion]

I have yet to receive a reply from Status. I have probably sent a request to the wrong address.

Edited January 11, 2015 by Dandelion

[Dandelion]

Another couple of snaps.