basshead56 Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Hi All, Basses are very similar to busses - yes the spelling is similar but also, never one when you want one, then two come at once. Just about to pull the trigger on a beautiful American PRO II Jazz which I've been wanting for ages!!! BUT Out of nowhere pops up a Victor Bailey 4. The seller is selling it with both a fretlees and fretted neck, with all the bits. Only thing is it's not fully stock. It has aftermarket pickups and a Bartolini pre amp - i havent heard it but I dunno if it's gonna be my thing. Would be bought without the ability to try it first sadly as it's at the other end of the country (NZ is harder to get round) Seriously considering this as a project - drop a Sadowsky pre and maybe some Fender Vintage Noiseless pups in it and see how it compares to my Am Deluxe QMT Jazz from the same era (I know they are similar from stock, just different woods). Had a Victor Bailey Acoustic and it was ace but sold it for lack of use. Always been keen on the VB Jazzes, very rarely see them in the wild. Do you think the Sadowsky pre and noiseless pups would work well in a bass like this? Part of me also says just buy both... Well that part of me was louder than the part that said "don't be silly!" Arrived today on the afternoon courier run (despite tracking saying it was ages away and would be a Monday delivery) But yes, behold...😁😁 Edited August 23 by basshead56 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 The VB bass was designed to be zingy at the top end, hence the wood combination. The pickups and pres of that Fender era were known to be poor, my Am Dlx was too. Given how rare the VBs are I would give it a go with the mods made and then change only if you don’t like it but note the woods will have some impact on the sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagman Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 yeah it is an interesting one given the original buyer did not not know what s/he was purchasing adds to the conundrum it would be of benefit to know what pick ups are presently fitted The VB 5 the seller also has on offer was made in 04/07 btw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted August 14 Author Share Posted August 14 I've done the typical me thing and bought both. Now we play the waiting game 🤣🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 8 hours ago, basshead56 said: I've done the typical me thing and bought both. Now we play the waiting game 🤣🤣 They should sound very different to each other so I’d say you’ve done the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted August 23 Author Share Posted August 23 Updated to NBD2 of 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted August 23 Share Posted August 23 That koa top is beautiful! That's also a very nicely grained fingerboard they selected for this one. Congrats! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.