The Last Bass Outpost

Thanks, and you guys hit it spot on -  a ClarkBird? ThunderKent? I can't put it down. That 2000 TBird I had was a really nice bass, great setup (once I mastered the 3-point) and awesome tone and I kept it for several years. I only finally flipped it because it was times of plenty and I was going through basses with some regularity. I have missed it since. The only consolation then was it was part of a trade into a '74 Triumph.

Anyway, I am very happy to have that tone back, and in such excellent condition. It was worth the wait!

Hello everyone - it's been a while since I stopped in. Hope everyone is staying well.
I still lurk though. I just don't have much to offer in Gibsonland, though I will be upgrading my LP eventually.

But finally, I have new grist for the mill. My last gig was in March, and there's nothing for the foreseeable future, but I've managed to buy 3 basses on my "Gee, I'd like to try one of those" list. So here is the latest:

1987 Gibson IV in closet-queen shape. It was played but barely, no scratches through the finish, totally straight and included OHSC.
It was reasonably priced. It had 17 watchers, 2 offers and one person had it in their cart. I gave it 3 days. If nobody jumped it, I was in.

I had a 2000 TBird for a few years and always loved these pickups. I always wanted them back in this body.

It showed up with some ratty RW strings that kinda spooked me. It was so scooped I though I bought purdy dawg....Not my memory of it. O threw on a set of Chromes and man it just woke right up!!! Fat and full of authority, just like I remembered!!!

I am really enamored with this bass. It's in great+ condition and plays/sounds great. I feel I caught another good one. That's 3 in a row.
Should stop pushing my luck!!! Stay well everybody!!! Do what you must to hold the line.



No buckle rash either!

I used Hipshot HB6 - 1/2" Ultralites.

I really like that!

I agree about the Jazz blocks. That's not a Fender neck. Even at that view angle the blocks don't appear long enough.

Here's a '73 for ref:



I am curious as to what neck that could be from though..

This is a great read. JT is still one of my favorite bands to this day and the bass work was always exemplary.
I don't know anything about GC - it's nice to add some depth to one of those responsible.

I am looking forward to more. 

Always enjoyed that band. Catchy hits with solid playing gave me more than one earwig.

Oops!  Now that's strange.....I thought I took the link right off their site.

This is more like it:

https://stratosphereparts.com/brands/gibson.html?utm_source=The+STRATosphere&utm_campaign=19ff846e97-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d75b662377-19ff846e97-219919577&mc_cid=19ff846e97&mc_eid=fad6fb816d

FYI for all the guitar players.
I haven't gone through all the pages so I can't say whether there are bass parts as well - please move if somewhere else is more appropriate.

These guys buy up tons of instruments and part them out. As a result they have pieces that are otherwise difficult to come across. Last year I found exactly what I was looking for in a genuine 2015 Fender AVRI 63 Precision body, and it worked out great. Good hunting!

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#trash/160c764c58f68014

Here's a red Q80 @ $695 + 15% off at checkout ($591)

https://reverb.com/item/4851406-gibson-q-80-1986-red

Not crazy about $100 shipping though - or is that the going rate these days?

I haven't made a bass purchase in some time so I've been out of touch.

Quote from: Denis on December 24, 2017, 11:22:27 AM
Just a couple of years ago I was going to bid on a nice natural Gibson IV but forgot about it. I think it sold for less than $500. 

This is exactly what I'm talking about. I remember that kind of price being common as well.

A very Merry (and safe if you're traveling) Christmas to all!!!

Over the edge for me. I've been watching for a Gibson IV and they've gone north of $1K as well.
Too bad...

I had an '86 4003 in white with all black trim and it looked pretty good IMO. I'm a sucker for that "tuxedo" look.
For a Ric it was just okay and didn't excite me much so it moved on.

There's still a lot of rancor over at TB regarding Mr Schwab's previous business practices. Lots of people paid up and got skunked for product, and they are aware of his return. The drums are still beating....

There's also a pic of some texts from him indicating he's going to work at DiMarzio.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/sgd-pickups-david-schwabs-issues-with-taking-money-and-not-delivering.1040109/page-155

I was about to use him for some pickups just as these issues started to come to the fore. I apparently dodged that bullet.

Quote from: Dave W on December 18, 2017, 07:42:16 PM
At least she's not bringing up something that allegedly happened 20 years ago. I'm sick and tired of careers being destroyed over minor infractions from ages ago. No doubt some of these men did what they're accused of, but some of the accusations are really suspect. It's just like false rape accusations, they make some people doubt all rape allegations. That hurts real victims.

I have to say I'm behind this. It reminds me of a case from long ago about a world famous comedian, Fatty Arbuckle. The guy was like Elvis in his day. Then he was accused of raping a young woman at a party, went to trial for it 3 times and was ultimately exonerated, which included an apology from the court for subjecting him to an ordeal he clearly had nothing to do with. His fall from grace was swift and final. No one would touch him afterwards.
https://www.thoughtco.com/fatty-arbuckle-scandal-1779625