NBD. Cort Beforefullumphz

[Sambrook]

There I was, in the middle of a very sensible Reduction In Force (I CAN'T do justice to more than 4 basses) when up pops this beauty on eBayI've always liked this bass, and it ticked a lot of boxes for me (mahogany, semi-hollow, f-hole, Matt finish, piezo), but I felt it was overpriced.

 

"No", says I, "be strong", then the seller dropped the price by £100!

Too good to resist, so the credit card took a punch to the nose...

 

When it arrived, I was slightly underwhelmed, but I knew I would be: I'd played two examples previously, and both were the same- the piezo just swamped the magnetic pickup, to the point where it served no purpose. The second tryout, I raised the pickup to the point where it could compete, and I could see the potential.

 

This one, though, was the other way around, the piezo was anaemic. Also, I didn't like the fact that although the neck is subtly lined, those lines don't extend over the top. This looks nice and sleek with the binding, but the player has to lean over the fingerboard to see where he is.

 

Also, I don't like the Chromes it came with, they always sound sterile to my ears.

 

SO ... Sell it on, or...?

 

Investigation in the cavity revealed a trim pot for the piezo, and the balanced sound works well.

 

Some 'skillful' use of yellow tape on the neck:

 

A new set of Thomastik flats, and it's become, and likely to remain, my favourite bass!

 

It's light, balances well, has nice simple controls ( vol/ tone x2 ), and sounds just fantastic with both pickups- tight and focussed with the Bartolini, and loads of girth and texture with the piezo.

 

I'm a happy bunny.