Beedster's gear sell-off Part 3: Double basses **SOLD** £1250

[Beedster]

I’ve recently completed what has been a long-standing ambition and had a rather large wooden studio built in a nice little sheltered spot at the end of the garden. Given this, my musical ambition for the coming years now all relate to getting the studio fully kitted out, to recording my own stuff and that of my friends, and to getting the kids into both playing and recording at an early age. It’s never going to be a professional studio but I’ll be able to do some pretty decent recording there, and whilst I won't be recording anything loud in the room, with a few well positioned acoustic devices, it’s sufficient to record acoustic instruments live.

So, I’m going to let go of most of my live gear (e.g. the Aggie Rig), gear that is now redundant as the result of the studio gear and space I can now use (e.g., the PJB Briefcase and Big Head), a few instruments I won't use now I’m not gigging (e.g., the Breedlove, Yamaha and Clarkson), and a few things I need to sell to pay for the build (e.g., the Wal MK1). I’ve put a list and prices below and will add details and photos as the time develops

1950's 7/8 English blond double bass. Recently overhauled by Philippe Briand, which work included a new ebony board and a really very sympathetic stripping on the back of the neck. The work has vastly improved the feel and playability. Originally from Jason (Legion), post number 4 here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242347-double-bass-porn-thread/"]http://basschat.co.u...ss-porn-thread/[/url] and his pics below. Selling as I now have a Chadwick and even I don;t need three double basses £1000

[url="http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/bbbag73/media/DB/DSC00787.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/bbbag73/media/DB/DSC00794.jpg.html"][/url]

Clarkson. Inelegant lump of wood that makes a rather fine EUB, no more problems with p****d-up punters at DB gigs, this thing doubles as security. Also recently overhauled by Philippe. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/236573-everyone-meet-clarkson-clarkson-meet-everyone/page__p__2891878__hl__clarkson__fromsearch__1#entry2891878"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2891878[/url]. £250

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_5419_zps8ksbxc82.jpg.html"][/url]

[i]I’m also selling in other forums:[/i]

[i]Breedlove fretless acoustic in hard case [url="http://breedlovemusic.com/guitars/solo-bj350-cme4-bass-fretless"]http://breedlovemusi...4-bass-fretless[/url] list price over £1,000, was available in region of £700 but now discontinued [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=15022511184026&gclid=CjwKEAiAk7O0BRD9_Ka2w_PhwSkSJAAmKswxnR0PRnJ7rPIisQoZPXGsjWUziJj3xqQQHZg8gkAyERoCdX3w_wcB"]http://www.guitargui...kAyERoCdX3w_wcB[/url][u]. [/u] It’s the only acoustic bass that’s ever worked for me, and the list I’ve owned includes top-end basses by [/i][i]Ovation and Takamine, so the Breedlove has held it’s own against some pretty stiff, and far more expensive, opposition. Bass includes rather nice hard case which I understand was an optional extra over and above list price.[/i]

[i]PJB Briefcase [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/phil_jones_briefcase_combo.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...fcase_combo.htm[/url][u]. [/u] In my opinion the best of the small portable small gig combos. £300[/i]

[i]As I say, I’ll add photos and further details of all of the above over the coming days. I’m in no rush to sell any of it and am looking for a sale only on all gear. I have all the studio gear I need unless you have a Heil PR-40![/i]

Edited January 13, 2016 by Beedster

[Beedster]

Bump for pics, more to follow at the weekend.

[silverfoxnik]

Beautiful DB, Chris..

GLWTS!

[jakenewmanbass]

Chris are you still in Canterbury?
I ask because I'm on a tour that does a week in the Marlowe as of Tuesday
Perhaps a pint may be possible?
Jake

[Beedster]

[quote name='silverfoxnik' timestamp='1452341714' post='2949023']
Beautiful DB, Chris..

GLWTS!
[/quote]

Thanks Nik, it's a lovely old thing and, as ever, a shame to see it go, but I now have a lovely Chadwick that will work for both recording and the occasional acoustic gig. As I mentioned elsewhere, I'm still travelling down Sussex/Hampshire regularly to see my sister........

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1452386295' post='2949583']
Chris are you still in Canterbury?
I ask because I'm on a tour that does a week in the Marlowe as of Tuesday
Perhaps a pint may be possible?
Jake
[/quote]

Hi Jake, I am indeed and am walking distance from the Marlowe mate, what show are you in, I'd love to pop down?

Oh, and do you need a new bass

[Beedster]

Some more pics and some specific comments re condition etc below.

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/328997B1-A5AC-4392-ADBB-44D78C51E958_zpspdy5bkx6.jpg.html"][/url]

It's an old bass, and has spent a lot of time on it's sides (no comments please), so there are a lot of scuff marks. All joints are however sound and there are no structural issues.

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/DCAAB6EB-CF91-46FE-A217-0F6F9775CABA_zpsxa6rl4v9.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/D04453CC-03C8-409D-8DCA-B052F427AFB9_zpsxzeaju79.jpg.html"][/url]

Tail-pin doesn't look very nice but is appropriately aligned and rock solid

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/2F2FA1EE-D7E1-4028-9E69-E0DF548ACF00_zpsx6l0swbu.jpg.html"][/url]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/EB907714-7E1F-46A7-A4D0-6F7AC26F181B_zpsdo8g9oig.jpg.html"][/url]

Philippe moved the bridge slightly as can be seen in the pic below and, along with a few other modifications, this has noticeably improved both sustain and volume.

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/4C8946CC-0F61-4187-857E-F4DF58E152FC_zpsbpobrsfh.jpg.html"][/url]

I play a relatively high action.....

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/EB178174-C0A9-45D3-A6E2-A5C1B0EDDCAD_zps7zokvnqc.jpg.html"][/url]

...but as you can see, the bridge can go down a long way and given the trueness of the lovely new board, the instrument will take an almost electric bass action (I've done it)

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/BB10FC99-EB59-4C70-B4D8-FD8290E18D52_zpsc2hvwau6.jpg.html"][/url]

The back of the neck may not look very nice, but compared to what would have been a very sticky original finish, and a quite heavy oil that was on previously, the sanded and lightly oiled finish on now is a dream to play. It's a lovely solid neck enhanced hugely by the new ebony board.

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/887C2C6A-F0C1-497F-903E-FE35572E4656_zpsptzmsp1x.jpg.html"][/url]

Close up the nicely oiled neck and the join with the new board, which is a lovely thick piece of ebony

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/A6AB3EC8-FEAB-4751-B5C7-8294AE0D8CDA_zpsuysebtcd.jpg.html"][/url]

More of that lovely high action over that lovely new board

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/64494A78-B4D7-4366-9B36-B3B7DE725AD5_zpsboc8qefs.jpg.html"][/url]

And again!

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/07B59CD9-7816-49E9-A27F-7E1E0883299A_zpsajtgrroh.jpg.html"][/url]

Mmmm, ebony

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/809F85BE-6A96-407D-A301-6D451E6741D4_zps3otqsh70.jpg.html"][/url]

And again.....

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/DC37F4E5-EC46-450B-8240-3A69F86B1A23_zpsrr280259.jpg.html"][/url]

As is the case with the body, over 50 years or so the headstock/scroll has taken a few bumps, but it's all working just fine

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/9DEE516D-9C3B-41D5-9D75-CC816306A3AF_zpshzg8ddrj.jpg.html"][/url]

Currently strung with Velvet Blues which sit somewhere between guts and steels to my ear and fingers, a best of both worlds string. Happy to talk string options as I've a few sets of DB strings lying around to say the least

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/2016-01/6E6DB27F-7945-49A3-92D3-1D55571D673A_zpsbydlwigf.jpg.html"][/url]

Edited January 10, 2016 by Beedster

[jakenewmanbass]

I'm with Tommy Steele doing the glen miller story
Big band on stage!
Lots of fun
Bass not required at this time but I'd be happy to play it and give you some feedback here if you like
http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=1428

Edited January 10, 2016 by jakenewmanbass

[Beedster]

Man, that's a nice tour, and on stage as well, good stuff! Would love to catch the show but looks close to sold out already (3 seats left for Friday). Perhaps drop me a PM if you fancy a beer or two mate, it'll be a pleasure to welcome you to town. C

[Legion]

This is a lovely bass, with a nice warm sound that contrasts very well with the relatively bright velvets. Chris has had some great work done to get this bass in top condition.
Best of luck with the sale, should make a nice DB for someone out there in need

[Beedster]

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1452505196' post='2950462']
This is a lovely bass, with a nice warm sound that contrasts very well with the relatively bright velvets. Chris has had some great work done to get this bass in top condition.
Best of luck with the sale, should make a nice DB for someone out there in need
[/quote]

Thanks Jason, i have to agree, it has a lovely tone that would not embarrass a far more expensive instrument.

I've had a think about pricing on this bass and for a couple of reasons am going to revise it down to £800. Firstly, I was mislead by the label into believing it to be a 1960's English instrument when in fact the label was the importer not the builder; as Jason mentioned in his thread it is likely of Czech origin. Second, in arriving at £1000 I added what I paid for the bass to 2/3 the cost of the work I had done on the bass, and in doing so I'm not sure I've arrived at an entirely reasonable price. So, £800 it is. For that price it is a no-brainer to be honest

[philparker]

Bargain for somebody!

All these questions about sourcing a good, cheap (in price) well set-up bass and we answer that occasionally by saying they turn up in the for sale section; well this is a fine example!

GLWTS

[Rabbie]

Oh man, you don't have any sisters in Scotland you come to see by any chance do you? I kinda have a crush on that big blond lady...

[Beedster]

Thank you for your kind comments gentlemen, the rather attractive blonde is now sold and will be spending the foreseeable future in that London

[jakenewmanbass]

You have pm

[Beedster]

Thanks Jake, will give you a call.

[Beedster]

Think I'll hold on to Clarkson for a while so thread closed I guess........