John Diggins has passed away.

[Mike Brooks]

Very sad news from @jaydee_guitars this morning on the passing of John Diggins. Along with Pete and Ian from Wal Bass and Rob at @statusgraphite, John spearheaded the demand for bass exotica emanating from the UK throughout the Eighties and right up to the present day. He will be much missed but his legacy will live on.

 

RIP John.

[RhysP]

Just heard this from his grandson Toby.

Sad news.

[Captain Bassman]

Very sad news indeed.

 

John built this custom GA24 for me in 2007/08. It’s exquisite.

 

God bless JD…

 

[tubbybloke68]

Very sad to hear, never owned a JD but definitely on the radar. 
my sincere condolences to the family. 
RIP JOHN X 

[Rich]

32 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

 

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/legendary_guitar_builder_john_diggins_known_for_making_tony_iommis_old_boy_sg_has_died.html

 

Edited January 3, 2024 by Rich

[jazzyvee]

I just saw that on Facebook about an hour or so ago. 

Really sad news. R.I.P John

 

[OliverBlackman]

1 hour ago, tubbybloke68 said:

Very sad to hear, never owned a JD but definitely on the radar. 
my sincere condolences to the family. 
RIP JOHN X 

Ditto

[TheGreek]

As others have said,  sad news.

John was an old school gentleman who knew the value of customer service and brand reputation. 

I bought a single pickup model and after a very friendly conversation with John I sent it off to them for a pickup upgrade. 

Even though they were really busy with customer builds John managed to squeeze in the pickup upgrade and the bass was back with me in good time. 

I remember being surprised at the quality of the workmanship done in such a short time. 

He belongs in the Bass Builders Hall of Fame.

A real loss.

 

Email sent to the family. 

Edited January 3, 2024 by TheGreek

[TrevorR]

Such sad news - one of the greats in the history of British guitar and bass building.

[Chris2112]

Sad news. John will be remembered as a legend of the industry, not just for making a splash with his own enduring designs at a time when the bass world was really taking off, but for continuing to work at the highest level for decades after. I was only just saying the other day that Jaydee remained surprisingly affordable for a handmade British instrument, constructed to the highest standards. 

 

My thoughts are with his family, who I hope will find some comfort in knowing how well thought of John was. 

[visog]

Oh dear... very sad news. He was a luthier of such renown, building for Tony Iommi as well as Mark King.

[Sparky Mark]

I've only just seen this incredibly sad news. I feel truly blessed to have received one of John's beautiful basses last year. 😔

[blunderthumbs]

Rip you legend.

This was my 1987 Jaydee Supernatural series 3 MK before I sold it.

Without doubt the best bass I have ever owned.

[WinterMute]

15 hours ago, blunderthumbs said:

Rip you legend.

This was my 1987 Jaydee Supernatural series 3 MK before I sold it.

Without doubt the best bass I have ever owned.

 

 

I bought the same model the year before I went fully 5 string, it was a beautiful instrument, a little bit fragile for the real world I thought, but others seem to get on with them well enough live.

 

The guitarist in my first band had a JD flying V, genuinely didn't know he made basses back then, lovely instrument.

 

RIP John, thanks man.

[NikNik]

Just hearing this now. Sad loss.

[ash]

Great luthier - I owned a couple of John Birch basses made by John Diggins prior to him making instruments under his own name. RIP