| Author |
Message |
dela217
Senior Member
Username: dela217
Post Number: 520
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 12:18 pm: |  |
Aside from my 5 Alembics, I have:
A 1979 Hyak Bass
A 1980 Rick Turner Model 1
A late 70's early 80's Becvar bass. I will be posting this one for sale soon. |
keith_h
Intermediate Member
Username: keith_h
Post Number: 127
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 2:44 pm: | |
In addition to my Alembics (and one on order), I have:
Mid-1960's Vox Mk IV
Late-1960's Hagstrom 8 String
1976 Jazz Bass with Jim Williams pre-amp
1973 Fender F-20 6 string acoustic guitar
Used to have:
1961 Fender Duo Sonic (3/4 scale given to my
daughter) |
sfnic
Intermediate Member
Username: sfnic
Post Number: 105
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 5:59 pm: | |
Wilfred -
Thanks for the offer; I'll definitely take you up on it soon. I need to get the pile documented for various reasons, and have been lazy.
I also forgot my "Star Bass", which is has a 30.5" Hagstrom bass neck grafted onto an old Stars Guitars "Star" body. Nominally an early 80's assembly, the neck is ancient (off one of the plastic-fronted, small Strat-like bodied basses Hagstrom was doing back in the 70s.)
nic
(Message edited by sfnic on July 14, 2005) |
tom_z
Intermediate Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 156
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 12:52 pm: | |
Wilfred - if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to know the birthday of my Guild S-50 Jet Star solid-body electric (pictured above).
The number engraved in the headstock is 39675.
I have attempted to find it's build date several times and even contacted Fender about it. The closest I can get for the SN# is "sometime around 1965" as the number seems to have fallen into the cracks of documented production. Perhaps your reference book will reveal more accurate dating.
Thanks in advance.
Tom |
the_mule
Senior Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 515
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:13 am: | |
Hi Tom, 'fallen into the cracks of documented production' seems like a good description for the somewhat chaotic way in which Guild recorded their instrument and amplifier production.
According to Hans Moust - 'The Guild Guitar Book 1952-1977' the Jet-Star was introduced in 1963, in 1966 the headstock changed to a Fender-like 6-on-one-side and in 1970 both the Jet-Star guitar and bass were discontinued. From around 1965/1966 the S-50 serial# consists of a 'SA' prefix, followed by three digits. So your guitar is definitely not younger than 1965. The official Guild records show that the last number for 1964 is '38636' and the last number for 1965 is '46606' which makes your instrument an early 1965-er.
Wilfred |
darkstar01
New
Username: darkstar01
Post Number: 7
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 11:30 am: | |
I just picked up a 5 string Pedulla Penta-Buzz at the guitar center in Boston.. and I'm absolutely in love. One of the nicest fretlesses ive ever heard, let alone played. I'll post some pics when i get near a camera.
Austin |
slapbass
Junior
Username: slapbass
Post Number: 42
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 2:21 pm: | |
Austin
I just received my Pentabuzz a couple of weeks ago. Totally pleased with this bass also.
Dale |
bassplayer2106
Junior
Username: bassplayer2106
Post Number: 39
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 2:35 pm: | |
Here's a picture of my new Status Kingbass.Instant Mark King - well almost. 
(Message edited by davehouck on July 17, 2005) |
son_of_magni
Intermediate Member
Username: son_of_magni
Post Number: 186
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 3:42 pm: | |
Hey Austin and Dale, I'd be interested to know what a pentabuzz is going for these days. I have one (pentabuzz sig, flame maple) that was my main bass for 10 years that I want to get rid of. Haven't played it since I bought my Alembic. It's in near perfect condition, just a little neck wear.
- Karl |
slapbass
Junior
Username: slapbass
Post Number: 43
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 6:14 pm: | |
Well Karl,
Mine is close to yours Sig., Flame Maple no neck wear one scratch in the cutout of all places built in 2002 I paid $1100.00 for it at GC I am a pretty good customer there and get great prices. They had $1899.00 on the price tag.
Dale |
tom_z
Intermediate Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 157
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 10:50 pm: | |
Thanks Wilfred - I appreciate your help. The guitar is in pretty good shape for forty years old. It has the "gumby" or "haircut" headstock - not terribly clear from the group shot above. I have considered Alembicizing it, but I've had hard-core Guild fans beg me not to modify it and make pretty decent offers on it. It used to be one of my main players - it has seen it's share of bars and dance halls. I really never play it any more but I hate to give it up because it's kind of like an old friend.
Anyway, thanks again.
Tom
(Message edited by tom_z on July 16, 2005) |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 738
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 10:59 am: | |
Here's my little family:
Newest addition: Warmoth figured walnut jazz body (mahogany core)/jz neck (shaved thin, w/tele headstock) w/Seymour Duncan Vintage P and DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pu's thru Aguilar OBP-3 - Tinted nitro finish. Great player with fabulous sustain, very even sound (Warmoth steel reinforcing rods are very effective) - Almost, but not quite like a graphite neck.
My baby. '68 EBO rehabbed (totally trashed when I got it) and modded with Macassar ebony headstock lam, mac ebony pickguard and backplate - Guild single coil reissue pu's - Very responsive to how you play it: vintage growl to very clean - much like Casady and Lesh's earliest Alembic mods. I still can't believe the sounds this bass can get through the SF-2. This bass is featured in the Dark Star Pickup website gallery (three rows below Phil's EBO) at http://www.hammoneng.com/.
'90 Dearmond/Guild Starfire reissue. Built very well. Plays great, sounds good, but needs beefier pu's. Not sure yet what I'll do with this one, but couldn't pass it up for nostalgic reasons.
Alembic S2 balance K. Still the eighth wonder of my world...
Current rig: FX-1-->SF-2-->QSC 2402-->Dr. Bass 212 (w/6" and tweeter), Dr. Bass 115 and homegrown 115 (JBL E-140) (Not using the ELF right now)
The EBO and Alembic have seen most of the action lately in the oldies band I've been playing with. All-in-all, there's enough variety in this lot to keep me plenty happy. The Gibby and Warmoth have been fun refin/mod projects. Still looking for this winter's project - any suggestions?
Bill
(Message edited by bassman10096 on July 17, 2005) |
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami
Post Number: 493
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 6:10 pm: | |
Here's one I'm really proud of,
This is one of my Lado Studio Basses. This is the actual one pictured in their catalogue. It features an inscription on the inside of the backplate by J.K. Lado indicating it as the first of it's series.
Looks nice too!
Check out the funky Zebrawood neck laminates! |
elzie
Advanced Member
Username: elzie
Post Number: 351
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 6:50 pm: | |
Here are the two basses I play besides my Alembic. I built them both and they both sound completely different. Rami, you would be proud of the one with the lacewood top as it is about 16 pounds 
  |
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami
Post Number: 494
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 6:59 pm: | |
Paul, your basses are awesome! That 16 pounder must sustain like crazy. Are they neck through as well?
I really admire the talent of building your own instrument. I'm more of a grease monkey (I built a motorcycle once) than a craftsman. |
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 434
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 8:33 pm: | |
Here are two of mine in the hands of the competition...
Lately Sarah has had full possesion of the Lakland (which is a very nice instrument) and I've been using the 12-string on about a dozen songs a night.
John |
elzie
Advanced Member
Username: elzie
Post Number: 352
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 5:05 pm: | |
Rami, yes the heavy one has incredible sustain. So much so that I was completely surprised after I first played it!
I have been a greasemonkey all my life, so if I can build a bass, then you can too Rami. I already have the wood for my next bass, which I am starting on this weekend after the humidity calms down. It is a maple body with a bookmatched redwood top with some fantastic patterns in it
Paul TGO |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 741
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 6:46 pm: | |
Paul: Your basses look fantastic. I recall when you posted pix of the first one. It sounded like it was a cool project for you and a great accomplishment.
I admire that and would like to try it myself sometime. Did you have any tutors or other resources to help you?
One of these days, I'll probably take it on, but don't feel confident enough yet. I've learned to put a good finish on or laminate a headstock, but never to craft a whole body. BTW: Did you build the necks on your basses, too?
Bill |
elzie
Advanced Member
Username: elzie
Post Number: 353
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 7:57 pm: | |
Thanks Bill!
No tutors, but I have been a mechanic my whole life so I know my way around tools which made it easier. The biggest thing was taking my time on the first one. I cut no corners (no pun intended) as I didn't want to make a mistake, but looking back, it was good that I did make a few mistakes because after I fixed them I could breathe easier knowing it's not that tough.
I used a lot of templates too. Started by making a mock body and neck with poster board then transfered to luan (sp?) then to the actual body wood.
Rami, they are bolt on necks. Neck through style is something I will atempt in a while.
Bill, I will send you an e-mail tomorrow and give you more info and a link or two.
There is nothing like the pride and affection of playing something you built yourself, knowing there is none other like it and having it sound and play exactly how you like it...... |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 743
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 5:38 am: | |
Thanks, Paul. I'm not a mechanic, but over the years, I've worked on stuff, painted stuff and occasionally built stuff. You know, enough to be dangerous. I started last fall with a simple refin, finished another 6 or so bodies. When I was rehabbing the EBO - I went a bit further with a 3/16" ebony headstock lam. Now I think I'm game to try laminating a body (I've finally accumulated enough clamps - I think).
Any info and encouragement is very much appreciated.
Bill |
son_of_magni
Intermediate Member
Username: son_of_magni
Post Number: 188
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 7:28 am: | |
For anyone building or thinking about building, you should sign up at mimf.com and read the first-time builders section of the library. Then visit the forums. Lots of help and information available about all kinds of instrument making. |
sfnic
Intermediate Member
Username: sfnic
Post Number: 114
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 12:53 pm: | |
I'll absolutely second Karl's suggestion about joining the mimf.com forum. It's a fantastic resource for builders. |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 748
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 5:51 am: | |
I peeked around mimf yesterday and wound up registering. It looks like a lot of really useful stuff. Thanks, guys. |
sfnic
Intermediate Member
Username: sfnic
Post Number: 117
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 2:45 pm: | |
You'll know you're in the right place when you find yourself answering a flamewar in a thread named "Probond vs. GorillaGlue", and discover you have _strong_ opinions as to which bandsaw manufacturer makes the best riser block.
<g> |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 749
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 9:17 pm: | |
I think I'll recognize it...I've already experienced something like that on the Reranch site. I watched as epoxy glue was greeted as God's gift to grainfilling and oil-based filler was relegated to analog cell status. Unbelievable the how seriously we can take mundain things that we find exciting, isn't it?
I anxiously await the chance to join the debate over the worth/worthlessness of <14" bandsaws!!
Bill |
elzie
Advanced Member
Username: elzie
Post Number: 354
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 10:53 am: | |
LOL@Bill
I used a 9" bandsaw and let me tell you, bigger is better (and we'll leave it at that) ;)
Paul TGO |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 750
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 5:12 pm: | |
Yeah, I've heard that... |
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 434
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 9:17 pm: | |
OK, I'm not much for vintage pieces but I will admit one day I want a Hagstrom Swede bass (clear mahogany, not the see through SG red) and a 4005 Ric, the 320-style f-hole body, 'R' tailpiece, the 4000 style headstock, but without the checkerboard binding please. They both have that lumpy 60s tone that I'm sure will make me crazy, but I lust for their looks.
I feel better now.
J o e y |
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 435
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 9:21 pm: | |
. . . . but if I EVER post that I want a stock, vintage SG-style EBO/EB3 (not like the wonderfully hot-rodded EB from BASSMAN shown above), please take a collection and hire someone with a long barrel and a short temper to save me from myself ! ! ! !
J o e y |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 752
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 10:27 pm: | |
Done.
Bill |
bassplayer2106
Junior
Username: bassplayer2106
Post Number: 42
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 5:49 am: | |
A group photo with the latest edition a used but really nice Orion bass, my Status Kingbass in figured maple an my Stanley Clarke bass. |
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami
Post Number: 495
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 3:35 pm: | |
Here's a pic of my only Gibson Bass, the SG-Z.
Mahogany body, set Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard. 34" scale. I really like the split-diamond inlays. I believe it may be a 2001 model. It was discontinued in 2002. I found it used (in mint condition) for around $600.
Great looking Bass, but I hate the way it sounds. Considering what it was selling for new (around $2200) and its crappy sound, it's no surprise that it was a poor seller and was discontinued. It may become a collectors item someday.
Here's a link to its specs:
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/Bass/SG-Zbass.html |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 754
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 5:03 am: | |
Rami: If you like the way it plays as well as sounds, you might consider modding it for Dark Star pickups (see my EBO above). You would be surprised at how good it could sound.
Bill
PS: I think it looks cool, too. The Z updates the traditional EB/SG look with some nice touches.
(Message edited by bassman10096 on July 24, 2005) |
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami
Post Number: 496
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 1:48 pm: | |
Hey Bill,
Thanks for the suggestion - It can really benefit from any upgrading to its sound. But I'm really picky about an instrument's originality for the sake of preserving it's value and historical significance.
Rami |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 755
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 4:43 pm: | |
Hey Rami: Yeah. There's the rub. Your bass is much more than preservable - it looks mint. I'd feel the same way. That's why, when I wanted to try for a bit of vintage EB looks, vintage EB playability, and a whole lot better sonic signature, I started with an EBO whose vintage quality had already been beaten and abused out of it.
I like the way Z's look, though. Nice one.
Bill |
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 442
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 7:00 pm: | |
Joey,
I know where lurks a Ric 4005, no checkerboard binding and otherwise as you described. I can ask what the owner would be willing to take for it, if you'd like..
John |
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