An Epic which was de-horned by poachers!

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Author Message effclef Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 331 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 5:06 am:    Surely this can't be a stock upper horn! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=7323294669&rd=1 EffClef eastcoastepic Intermediate Member Username: eastcoastepic Post Number: 131 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 12:48 pm:    Must be the new "Telecaster Epic" everyone has been talking about. But seriously, looks like the factory customized it; nothing looks butchered & the finish looks normal in the area. I wonder if it has balance problems with that short horn..... davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1725 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 2:34 pm:    The Rosewood top is nice. exploiterplayer Member Username: exploiterplayer Post Number: 59 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 3:05 pm:    I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that was a deformed upper horn. mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2433 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 3:39 pm:    Poachers! I'm glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that, it would surely be dotted all over my screen. I checked the file on this little guy, and it started out life as a totally normal Epic sent to Guitar Center in Texas. It's not Rosewood, but rather Vermilion, and the neck is a standard Maple Walnut mix. There is no record of the bass getting modified here, though the seller seems very careful to not quite show the detail of the upper horn in the many pictures listed. I think I can just make out a finish or patch seam in the closeup of the neck pocket (image 4). Balance probably isn't as good as an unmodified Epic, but this one still almost stretches to the 17th fret, but a stock Epic makes it a little past the 14th fret. At least it's a 4-string. I wonder what happened to this little guy. davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1727 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 4:34 pm:    Well, if the top isn't Rosewood, then the listing is misleading to say the least. I kinda figured the neck veneers weren't Rosewood. I would think that if the seller knows about the body repair, then it could also be considered misleading not to mention it. But then it is possible that the seller is unaware of any of this. And probable that the bidders are unaware. keith_h Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 62 Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 5:23 pm:    Good eye Mica. After you mention it I also see the a seam. Looks like a repair or some other modification to me. Keith phys49 New Username: phys49 Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 7:37 pm:    I emailed the seller asking about the modification. Here's the reply: You asked: "Do you know when or how the body was modified? thanks, Perry" To my knowlege, the body has not been modified, and there is no indication any modifications were ever made. Perhaps he thinks this is a custom body shape? serialnumber12 Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 221 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 4:03 am:    this puppy resembles "Gumby" exploiterplayer Member Username: exploiterplayer Post Number: 61 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 8:19 am:    The only time I have ever seen a modification of this sort was one that involved a strap button screw that had busted out of the horn sideways. stoney Advanced Member Username: stoney Post Number: 397 Registered: 7-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 5:58 am:    I kind of like the shape of it. It's smooth and subtle. My 2cents for the day.... davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1743 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 6:11 am:    Stoney, the modified shape does work well with the top wood. effclef Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 337 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 6:29 am:    I'm guessing it was a straplock catastrophe also. EffClef PS Mica, this reminds me of the Rickenbacker Hall of Shame pics, especially the "479 1/2" here: http://www.the-music-connection.com/rhos.htm bassman10096 Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 722 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:42 am:    I'll vote for the shape, too. New model? An "Unbalanced E"? effclef Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 338 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:45 am:    Actually it does have sort of a Telecaster vibe! I agree with Mica, he has not shown that area too well in the photos, but you can tell from the back shot that the rounding of that area does not match the lower horn as far as care in sanding and shaping. Nothing against the seller - he may indeed be ignorant of the fine points of Alembic shapes. ALL of eBay is "buyer beware" more or less. EffClef davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1744 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 11:33 am:    I sent the seller an email a little while ago. davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1753 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 5:46 am:    The listing has been updated. effclef Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 342 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:15 am:    FYI: Ended at $710, reserve not met. EffClef