Alleva-Coppollo Willie Weeks

[Clarky]

Looking to move on my recently-acquired AC Willie Weeks. Its not that it isn't a beautiful bass (it absolutely is) with superb sounds (great AC pre-amp) and amazing provenance (WW on 2008/9 Clapton tour!) ... its more that I am looking set to be in need of moolah ... and this is the most valuable bass I own by a factor of nearly two.

It was valued at 2600 quid by Barrie/Molan when he sold it to me, although as its a prototype and unique it arguably could have been valued higher than this (I am sure most of you know that AC prices, for example at BassGear, are generally higher than this). I am thinking about selling for the same price, ie 2600.

Anyone buying would have to be comfortable with a classic P-width neck (its definitely not for a skinny J-neck fan). Furthermore please note it has a few small nicks here and there, as its a nitro finish and has been toured, and that the finish around the neck pocket had obviously been cracked and carefully re-glued (you can see this in pics on my link) - its a used bass, not a new one! It is strung with Bootsy DR strings (hence avatar!) and is super-slick playing.

For photos, please click on the link in my sig below (position your mouse pointer on the words 'A-C Willie Weeks' and it should take you to the Gear Porn page) and you should see some not-great pics taken on a dreary day.

No trade offers please (unles its jazzyvee's black Alembic 5 string Elan/Europa!), just cash.

Cheers Clarky

Edited September 10, 2010 by Clarky

[wombatboter]

Amazingly beautiful !

[Legion]

But...

[BB2000]

[quote name='Clarky' post='916128' date='Aug 5 2010, 04:01 PM']PS, Beedster, say nothing mate![/quote]

What are the odds...

[molan]

I dunno Clarky, what are you like eh?

This really is a great player's bass - super versatile and can do everything from old school P to modern J sounds with Jimmy C's fabulous pre-amp and pickups

[warwickhunt]

Argh pants! I have GAS funds from a sale (or possibly 2) but no where near enough for a couple of basses that have come up... what else have I got kicking around?

[Clarky]

FYI, this is the FS page of the guy that sold it to Barrie/molan, a US player called Ryan Owens who purchased after Willie Weeks had used it on the 2009 Clapton tour. He has loads of detailed pics on here and, as far as I can tell, its in identical condition now (I have not gigged it and I'm not sure molan ever did)

[url="http://www.ryanowens.net/"]http://www.ryanowens.net/[/url] Click on the 'For sale' page to take you there

If memory serves me correctly its about 9 lb in weight but I will weigh the bass electronically when I return from the Far East in a week or so's time

Incidentally it does not come with an AC gigbag/case as they don't supply them - it will come instead in an as-new, top-of-range Ritter bag that molan supplied the bass with, including the additional spare creamy white pickguard referred to in Ryan Owens' FS page (this fits slightly better but does not look anything like as cool as the tort guard its wearing, IMHO)

[Clarky]

Back in the UK again. Just to add that the bass weighs 9.08 lb.

[Clarky]

Bump with a pic of Willie Weeks from the 70s playing a Fender bass that could have served as the inspiration for his Alleva-Coppolo signature ...

[attachment=56839:B1L2giKu...__SL600_.jpg]

Alleva for comparison: [attachment=56840:194.jpg]

Edited August 17, 2010 by Clarky

[Squib]

Sent PM.

[Squib]

FRYING TONIGHT !!!
Have a bump on Odd Bod .

[Clarky]

I played this bass for a long time last night and enjoyed it so much that I am withdrawing it from sale.

I will find the dosh I need for the taxman elsewhere.

[molan]

[quote name='Clarky' post='928351' date='Aug 18 2010, 09:02 AM']I played this bass for a long time last night and enjoyed it so much that I am withdrawing it from sale.

I will find the dosh I need for the taxman elsewhere.[/quote]

Good man - I think this bass is so versatile & really rewarding to play.

Still think it'll look great at a punk gig too!

[Clarky]

[quote name='molan' post='928385' date='Aug 18 2010, 09:45 AM']Good man - I think this bass is so versatile & really rewarding to play.

Still think it'll look great at a punk gig too![/quote]
Hmmm, maybe Punkfest on Saturday instead of the Alembic????

[molan]

[quote name='Clarky' post='928399' date='Aug 18 2010, 10:00 AM']Hmmm, maybe Punkfest on Saturday instead of the Alembic????[/quote]

Or both - but keep them chained down, lol.

[Clarky]

I have decided to put this back up FS as there is something else I have my eye on and I cannot afford it unless I sell this or my 72 Precision - and my 72 Precision is a keeper. If the other bass sells, I will withdraw this from sale

So £2600 for a slice of provenance and a unique boutique-built bass

[attachment=57616:clarky_basses_051.JPG][attachment=57600:clarky_basses_050.JPG]

Edited August 28, 2010 by Clarky

[Clarky]

Off to Reading festival bump!

[Squib]

Is it me - or are there some really amazing basses up for sale at the moment ?????
Good luck Clarky !

[lozbass]

[quote name='Squib' post='939378' date='Aug 29 2010, 02:44 PM']Is it me - or are there some really amazing basses up for sale at the moment ?????
Good luck Clarky ![/quote]
I don't think it is you, there really are some stunning basses up at the moment!

[Squib]

Alleva Coppolo, Celinder,Sadowsky, Smith, Fbass . . . . . . . and so the list goes on . Amazing !
Sorry if this is OT btw !

[Clarky]

Had trade offers (for which thanks) but only after cash, as have a specific bass in mind

[Legion]

[quote name='Clarky' post='939810' date='Aug 30 2010, 10:16 AM']Had trade offers (for which thanks) but only after cash, as have a specific bass in mind[/quote]
Bearing in mind you said "I don't get on with Jazz basses" I hope you are not dribbling over that AC LG4 with the DN board

[Beedster]

[quote name='Clarky' post='939810' date='Aug 30 2010, 10:16 AM']Had trade offers (for which thanks) but only after cash, as have a specific bass in mind[/quote]

Just been on to my legal team who've informed me that the Freedom of Information Act is applicable in this situation, so come on Clarky, spill the beans before I have to get Legal onto it

[Clarky]

[quote name='Beedster' post='939861' date='Aug 30 2010, 11:39 AM']Just been on to my legal team who've informed me that the Freedom of Information Act is applicable in this situation, so come on Clarky, spill the beans before I have to get Legal onto it [/quote]
To be honest Chris I keep prevaricating between buying another bass (sorry but it may be Jazz shaped, legion, although people are allowed to change their minds, as you know!) or just selling this to release some welcome cash (my son was 18 last week and that was not a cheap experience - have you tried insuring an 18 year old to drive?) Either way I am not up for trades unless it's something very special

Edited August 30, 2010 by Clarky

[Beedster]

[quote name='Clarky' post='939868' date='Aug 30 2010, 11:49 AM']To be honest Chris I keep prevaricating between buying another bass (sorry but it may be Jazz shaped, legion, although people are allowed to change their minds, as you know!) or just selling this to release some welcome cash (my son was 18 last week and that was not a cheap experience - have you tried insuring an 18 year old to drive?) Either way I am not up for trades unless it's something very special[/quote]


Fair point Clarky. I reckon you should sell them all and buy that '63 Precision that's been bugging you for years. It's a good time to buy stuff, and although the buyers' market will reflect on the price you get for your basses, the overall saving, especially in the context of the long-term investment, would make it worthwhile (i.e., you're buying more than you're selling).

Pity you weren't born in '64, I might have been able to help you out!

Cheers mate

C