NBD WEM Rapier shortscale

[Dread Bass]

For anyone who doesn’t visit the builds diary section. I recently picked up a 60’s WEM rapier at auction that is in need of some tlc. It arrived today. 
 

The logic for buying it was that it looks really cool and quirky, I wanted a shortscale, I wanted to try a bass with a zero nut and I wanted a bass with pickups that weren’t fender style or soapbars. I also really like the idea of keeping something going at has already done it’s job for 50+ years. 
 

I bought it online without playing it so it was always a risk. I am happy to say it appears the risk has paid off! 
 

It’s currently strung upside down and needs a new nut but it all works. The only thing I haven't tested is the truss rod. 
 

Initial reaction is that sounds really good but it’s hard to tell as the current strings are ancient. It’s very comfortable to play. I am not a fan of the neck profile as it feels deeper at the first fret than needed. Possibly deeper than the 12th fret. The headstock also seems very thick. 

I won’t be getting to work on it for a while as there is other projects to deal with first. 

[Cato]

That's the the kind of bass I'd happily hang on a wall as a piece of art even if it was unplayable.

 

I suspect after a clean and a polish it's going to be very pretty indeed 

[Dread Bass]

13 minutes ago, Cato said:

That's the the kind of bass I'd happily hang on a wall as a piece of art even if it was unplayable.

 

I suspect after a clean and a polish it's going to be very pretty indeed 

Thanks Cato. I really am quite taken with it. 

[Shaggy]

That takes me back!  The guitarist in my first school band had the guitar version in red and white - I’d forgotten how cool they looked 🤔

[James Nada]

Cool looking bass.  How rare is a left handed model?

[kodiakblair]

4 hours ago, Dread Bass said:

I also really like the idea of keeping something going at has already done it’s job for 50+ years. 

Having not played my old Wilson Saffire for years I now feel quite guilty 😄

[Dread Bass]

4 hours ago, kodiakblair said:

Having not played my old Wilson Saffire for years I now feel quite guilty 😄

Well this can be a good reason to get it back into rotation. I seem to remember you replying on the talk bass thread about one of these. 

[Dread Bass]

4 hours ago, James Nada said:

Cool looking bass.  How rare is a left handed model?

I have no idea. I would assume so but there seems to be a few kicking about. 

[Dread Bass]

5 hours ago, Shaggy said:

That takes me back!  The guitarist in my first school band had the guitar version in red and white - I’d forgotten how cool they looked 🤔

Yeah they certainly have a distinct aesthetic 

[Baloney Balderdash]

That's a really cool looking bass!

 

Congratulations! 

[LeftyJ]

That looks brilliant, good score!

JHS currently produces reissues (actually more like modern interpretations) of these that look cool too, including lefties of the guitar version, but unfortunately they haven't introduced lefty basses yet. They're not quite as cool as the originals though! 

 

Rapier Guitars & Basses (jhs.co.uk)