bassicinstinct Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) [b]Gibson SB450 Long Scale Electric Bass.[/b][u][/u] I'm desperately trying to establish the value of this much loved beast as I really think I need to move it on as it is no longer getting the attention it deserves from me. If there are any Basschatters working with a[b] Free/Bad Co [/b]tribute, this could well be [b]THE[/b] ultimate instrument for the job. LOL Headstock is stamped [b]"Made in the U.S.A. [/b]and Serial Number: [b]618280[/b]. I understand that this means that it was manufactured between 1970 and 1973. I am the second owner and my recollection is that I bought the bass used in or about 1972 although I must confess that it was such a long time ago that I don’t remember exactly. This is a rare if not unique opportunity to buy, at very reasonable cost, a vintage, passive players bass which I have owned for well over thirty years. As it was my number one stage and recording bass for about twenty-five of them, several upgrades, changes and improvements have been professionally carried out over the years: -Complete re-fret. -Precision type [b]HANDWOUND[/b] pickup installed at neck position -Jazz Hotrod type [b]HANDWOUND [/b]pickup installed at bridge position -Bridge from MIJ Fender Precision fitted -Three way toggle pickup selector switch fitted -Black scratch plate fitted -Precision type metallic control knobs fitted to both Volume and Tone pots The neck is straight, true and absolutely rock solid and thus is very stable. The bass is very well worn on both the body and the upper and lower edges of the fret board but, needless to say, none of this in ANY way detracts from the instrument's playability. The bridge cover is long gone and in fact I am uncertain whether I ever had it in the first place. There is a ding on the neck behind the headstock that has broken the surface of the lacquer and the truss rod cover is partially melted by the ever present and once obligatory cigarette. Ah, the glamour of the seventies!!! My current projects require a more "contemporary" approach to my role and my instrument and hence this bass is now spending it's life sitting in it's case and I would much rather it was being played as regularly and enthusiastically now as it was during the first couple of decades of it's life. The bass would be packed in a fully functional hard case and despatched the next working day following payment via PayPal. Carriage costs to be paid by buyer. Alternatively, I am more than happy for arrangements to be made for the personal collection or despatch of the instrument by the courier of the buyer's choice and at his own expense. I do appreciate the importance of photos, particularly in a case like this, and I will do my utmost to get some uploaded in the course of the next couple of days. I am tentatively looking for offers in excess of £500 and would invite anyone interested to contact me via PM. Thanks for reading!! [b]EDIT!![/b] Apologies in advance for my horrific photography, but here are the pics as promised. Please not that only the FIRST photo shows th bass with the replacement referred to above. All the others feature the stock bridge which I would, of course, include in the price. If I can be of any further help, please shout!! Otherwise, I invite all enquiries via the usual PM. Edited October 4, 2007 by bassicinstinct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) I don't know if you'd get that much for it considering how far it has deviated from the original spec. I'm quite a traditionalist fusspot when it comes to Gibson basses and attempts to "Fenderise" them cheapen them for me. But that's just my opinion, don't listen to a grizzled old grump like me Recently, one in what appears to be original spec with hard case managed to fetch just under £400 ( [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250161394879"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250161394879[/url] ) if that's any help. Here's another one, looking for around the £400 mark: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200152108694"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200152108694[/url] Edited September 21, 2007 by neepheid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) [quote name='neepheid' post='63557' date='Sep 21 2007, 01:14 PM']I don't know if you'd get that much for it considering how far it has deviated from the original spec. I'm quite a traditionalist fusspot when it comes to Gibson basses and attempts to "Fenderise" them cheapen them for me. But that's just my opinion, don't listen to a grizzled old grump like me Recently, one in what appears to be original spec with hard case managed to fetch just under £400 ( [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250161394879"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250161394879[/url] ) if that's any help. Here's another one, looking for around the £400 mark: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200152108694"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200152108694[/url][/quote] I certainly take your point and, to a certain extent, I agree with you BUT the whole point of the improvements I made over the years was to make the bass more versatile and reliable as a "players" instrument without any regard for it's effect on the resale value or it's "collectability." It is certainly at least twice as good an instrument now as it was when I bought it, but I do understand that not everyone will share that view. Check this out: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160150842531&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006"]Gibson Bass[/url] Thanks for your thoughts though - I really do appreciate them. I never underestimte grizzled old grumps as I like to think I fall into that particular category myself. I'm certainly more than happy to listen to any sensible offers from any Basschatters but, given that I've owned it for over 30 years, I'd obviously rather keep it "in the family" than let it go too cheaply. Edited September 22, 2007 by bassicinstinct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nash Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 got any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 [quote name='nash' post='63631' date='Sep 21 2007, 02:32 PM']got any pics?[/quote] [b]Nash:[/b][u][/u] Not at present but, as I said in the Post at the head of the thread, I [b]WILL[/b] get some sorted and uploaded over the next couple of days. Watch this space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 Photos now added!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 23, 2007 Author Share Posted September 23, 2007 Sunday morning pre-espresso bumpage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 25, 2007 Author Share Posted September 25, 2007 Tuesday afternoon bumperama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 Mmmm. Looks like she'll be going back in the case and back under the bed. Tragic really. Anyone before I withdraw the offer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted September 28, 2007 Author Share Posted September 28, 2007 Friday morning pre-espresso bumpage. Come on now!! Don't be shy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 (edited) Monday morning bump. This is the last week so, if you're in any way tempted, please speak now (via Private Message) or forever hold your peace. [b]The offer will be withdrawn on Thursday evening (4 October 2007) at 5.00 p.m[/b]. Edited October 1, 2007 by bassicinstinct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassicinstinct Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 [b]OFFER NOW WITHDRAWN.[/b] Thanks to everyone who didn't respond though. I do genuinely believe that I would have been truly gutted if it [b]HAD[/b] sold, so I remain a happy bunny really. Mind you, something is going to have to go, so watch this space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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