Burns-bass Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) Here we have a wonderful and I believe quite rare Ormson Burns upright bass. As you can see this is something of an oddity, but it's certainly full of character. I think that there were only 8 of these ever made, which makes it rare. I have estimated the value of the bass as a result of feedback from people here, but happy to chat if it's something you will want and actually use. The bass is completely all original, and actually plays and functions. The bass has some damage to it which the previous owner used Umbrol paint to touch up. It's a shame, but it's actually just in a few places, mostly on the bottom of the bass. The pickup is in good condition, and is housed on a foam base which seems to be fine. The bass fired up when I played it around 18 months ago, but since then has been doing nothing. The chrome on the bass and the scratchplates are all original and seemingly in good condition. The F-holes aren't real holes, they're bits of black plastic stuck on the front of the bass (it was the 60s, eh?), but they are all original. The neck fingerboard isn't real ebony, it's some sort of ebony-style veneer. This has, in some places cracked a little bit, hopefully I've pictured that. I've had the bass endpin built by an engineer, and it performs beautifully. The original was sadly lost somewhere through the sands of time, but the replacement is a functional improvement. To my eternal shame I bought this to finish, but never bothered and now I have to make way for a very expensive new bass. It does however require a little bit of work to get it into tip-top playing condition. I'd suggest:[list] [*]Re-wiring the bass. [*]New pots, or at least a clean [*]New nut (the strings sit on this and function well, but [*]Full set-up [/list] After that you'll have an incredible bass that will certainly turn heads. I believe one was for sale a number of years go, which you can see here in all of its glory: [url="http://www.daydreamguitars.com/enlarge.asp?ref=012_1_.jpg&title=ORMSTON+BURNS+UPRIGHT+BASS"]http://www.daydreamg...NS+UPRIGHT+BASS[/url] Price wise I'm happy to chat through options, but I'm not desperate for cash and I don't want trades too. A price of £650 was suggested to me as a fair one in a PM, so let's go with that. Hopefully someone will want her! In terms of postage, I've considered it but I think it might be a bit of a hassle, so I would prefer collection from Bristol. I work for myself, so you can view and collect at any point. [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.17_zpsgqaa269b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.17_zpsgqaa269b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.37_zpsfyynvwa1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.37_zpsfyynvwa1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.36_zpsjfn6vhcg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.36_zpsjfn6vhcg.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.29_zpsmflnlrw9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.29_zpsmflnlrw9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.54_zpsrzcyhhau.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.22.54_zpsrzcyhhau.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.07_zpspu4xjadr.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.07_zpspu4xjadr.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.13_zpst1rn3v2z.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.13_zpst1rn3v2z.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.17_zpsgqaa269b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.17_zpsgqaa269b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.21_zpsgbvlzbze.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.21_zpsgbvlzbze.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.59_zpspyartaec.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.59_zpspyartaec.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s47.photobucket.com/user/lawriejones1/media/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.42_zpslq8bpdfb.jpg.html][IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/lawriejones1/Ormston/2017-02-19%2017.23.42_zpslq8bpdfb.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Edited March 5, 2017 by Burns-bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Wow! I've never seen one of these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) A genuine rarity and in fine nick, especially given its age. The one I've got is, er, "not quite so well preserved"... it's more like half of one, TBH. Good luck with your sale Edited February 20, 2017 by alyctes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 This certainly is something a bit different. I do really like it. I'm often asked by punters "what's that?" when I turn up to play with my EUB. But I think this instrument would even have fellow bassists in an audience asking the same question. Hmmm, if only I had room, and a house not quite so full of basses and 2 double basses already! I've asked the seller this question already, but just to get the opinion of others on this forum - as something of a curio and an out-of-the-ordinary instrument, should this bass be advertised in th Double Bass / EUB for sale section? Also, could it be advertised in both? Is that allowed? I'd really like to see this go to someone who will restore it to gigable use, and I'd love to see / hear one being played GLWTS Mr Burns Bass - BUT, if you sell it, will you have to change your basschat name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 Thanks Marc! I think the bass defies attempts to classify it. It's the most unique instrument I've had since owning a Flying V Bassix upright bass about 15 years ago. I'm not out to make a fortune, like you I want to see it being used and restored. I have no time to do so, hence it being for sale here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Is it really 1968? I thought they were 1958 or so? Or have I not been taking my meds? (Someone was ebaying Bassix Flying V upright about a year ago. I was definitely tempted - a really off-the-wall thing ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'm not sure - everything on line says it's 1968, but that's not to say he didn't build upright basses in the late 50s. That purple Flying V bass was mine about 10 - 15 years ago. An odd thing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Just requested this advert be moved, seems more relevant here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Anyone interested at £500? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted March 3, 2017 Author Share Posted March 3, 2017 Any interest in this? Feel free to make me an offer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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