The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: ilan on November 11, 2009, 07:27:21 AM

Title: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 11, 2009, 07:27:21 AM: I just did.

Bought this Soviet-era Bulgarian piece of crap (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330374704348) only because I absolutely LOVE the art deco paint job.

What is wrong with me?

(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/2/8/9/1/7/8/webimg/318101454_tp.jpg)
(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/2/8/9/1/7/8/webimg/318102184_tp.jpg)
(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/2/8/9/1/7/8/webimg/318101152_tp.jpg)
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Basvarken on November 11, 2009, 07:39:19 AM: Looks beautiful.

Why is it crap? Can you modifiy it into something more usable?
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 11, 2009, 07:50:37 AM: Maybe it can be set up to play nicely. Looks like it was refretted, I hope it's not a hack job.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 11, 2009, 07:53:02 AM: Even the pickups are art deco.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Pilgrim on November 11, 2009, 08:30:46 AM: As long as the action is decent, electronics can always be replaced. I think it looks wonderful!

I am such a total ho for hollowbodies.....
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: TBird1958 on November 11, 2009, 09:17:16 AM: I think it's cool looking too! Love the paint job, you could always hang it out the wall if it's unplayable ;)
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Dave W on November 11, 2009, 09:28:03 AM: I might. Probably not at that price, though. Does look tres cool, and maybe you can make it sound good.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Nocturnal on November 11, 2009, 09:34:56 AM: For the right price I would buy that just to hang on the wall. If it plays, then all the better.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Hornisse on November 11, 2009, 09:44:09 AM: I would! I bought an old converted Hondo bass years ago right after Keith Ferguson passed away. It belonged to him as he used to pawn his basses regularly to support his habit. I used to have his old National N-650 bass too but sold it years back. This one my wife bought me for $69 so I'll never sell it. It was strung lefty but I converted it so I could play it.

(http://i37.tinypic.com/zvomet.jpg)

(http://i35.tinypic.com/s58i1w.jpg)
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: uwe on November 11, 2009, 10:36:36 AM: I've never done anything of the like, totally alien to me.

Except in a few, say a dozen or two, well more like three dozen cases! ;D

Ilan, you're such a voice of reason here, it was about time you did something irresponsible. The fin is great and if you get playability decent, I'm sure it will sound suitably vintage with a set of flats.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 11, 2009, 11:10:35 AM: Quote from: uwe on November 11, 2009, 10:36:36 AM
it was about time you did something irresponsible
Ha! That's right. ;D

I just spoke with a friend who knows someone who owned a violin-shaped Bulgarian Orfeus and he said he actually liked its sound. So there's hope. I know the price was steep but I just had to have this finish.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Highlander on November 11, 2009, 03:03:01 PM: "Yes..."
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Chris P. on November 12, 2009, 01:43:37 AM: I totally love that bass and paintwork. I would have bought it.

To be honest: There was a time I knew nothing about basses. I bought a Fender cos my Fender shopkeeper who only stores Fenders said it was good:)

After a while I saw this Thunderbird in a shop which was as old as I am and it was really 'Entwistle'. But it was full of holes, damaged, a nailed on finger rest, and more bad things. But the baddest thing: I think it was used as a prop in a Robin Hood movie. A bow without arrows. And it sounded bad.
I still bought it for 900 euros and my luthier did a good set up. That was after like two months. Immediately the bass was playable ánd it sounded gorgeous... But I bought it totally for the looks!

I bought the Buzzard because I needed 26 frets. No looks thing here :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Highlander on November 12, 2009, 02:29:58 PM: :P
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 13, 2009, 04:03:48 AM: There was a guitar model. Look at disassembled pickup... scary. Who needs a bobbin anyway?

http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/xebrosguitar.htm

(http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/v132001gamjjvtr.jpg)(http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/orfeus4.jpg)
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Barklessdog on November 13, 2009, 05:47:11 AM: I love it and its great to collect "kitsch" items like old tin robots, TV's & such. Very cool.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Pilgrim on November 13, 2009, 07:31:25 AM: Ahhhhhhhhhh....the essence of cold war technology!
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 13, 2009, 07:49:46 AM: They sent a man to orbit before the US because they didn't waste time on coil bobbins and such ;)
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Dave W on November 13, 2009, 09:30:43 AM: I've never seen one like that before! Still, the principle is the same as a conventional looking coil wrapped around magnets like the original Melody Maker and Thunderbird pickups.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: chromium on November 13, 2009, 11:44:42 AM: Would those be considered scatterwound? ;D

I like the looks of it too- the neck kinda reminds me of a Framus Star, body resembles a Hofner Verithin, and if I squint I see a wildwood finish! That paint job is cool. 8)
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: patman on November 13, 2009, 12:07:32 PM: kinda scary when you realize that vacuum tubes produced by the same technology are probably controlling all the nukes.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on November 14, 2009, 05:37:29 AM: I have to admit to buying a couple of basses before just for their looks. That was the case with my EB2C which was hands-down the best looking bass I have ever owned, but I never liked its sound, and my Gretsch 6070 which I bought without even bothering to plug in, and turned out to be a great sounding instrument.

As for the Orfeus, I have a spare SD Hot Rails pickup, if the original pickups turn out sounding bad, I'll hide modern pickups under the Orfeus covers. It's a hollowbody so no drilling will be involved. While I'm at it I'll probably install new pots. I've done this once on an old ES335 - the whole harness goes through the f-hole.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Basshappi on November 14, 2009, 10:07:49 PM: That is a cool looking bass! I might have a hard time resisting buying something that looked like that! :D
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Saf on November 15, 2009, 04:39:25 AM: Did you buy it, great taste. have seen one for sale a while back at the german ebay and have long hassitated to weather of not buy it.

It's a fantastic looking paint. Nex time I'll see one and the price is right I'll buy it.

I envy you!
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on November 16, 2009, 05:54:20 AM: Quote from: patman on November 13, 2009, 12:07:32 PM
kinda scary when you realize that vacuum tubes produced by the same technology are probably controlling all the nukes.

That's not a bad thing. Tube computers don't get the blue screen of death. ;)

Seriously though, tubes were never in the control computers, except maybe CRT displays. They are/were in the guidance systems of the missiles themselves. OUR missiles still used tubes until 1993. Know why? It took over 40 years to design solid state electronics that could stand up to the high G strain and still work properly.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Denis on November 29, 2009, 07:55:23 AM: Quote from: ilan on November 11, 2009, 07:27:21 AM
I just did.

Bought this Soviet-era Bulgarian piece of crap (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330374704348) only because I absolutely LOVE the art deco paint job.

What is wrong with me?

(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/2/8/9/1/7/8/webimg/318101454_tp.jpg)

I like it!
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: exiledarchangel on November 29, 2009, 08:15:23 AM: Quote from: ilan on November 13, 2009, 04:03:48 AM
There was a guitar model. Look at disassembled pickup... scary. Who needs a bobbin anyway?

http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/xebrosguitar.htm

(http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/v132001gamjjvtr.jpg)(http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/orfeus4.jpg)

So it is a "blade" pickup. Or better, a "triple cube" pickup.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: SKATE RAT on November 29, 2009, 05:50:19 PM: are those rubber band holdin' yer cubes?
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: exiledarchangel on November 30, 2009, 01:11:09 AM: I don't think it's just rubber band, must be some alien technology soviets found outside and keep it secret from the western world to use it on weapons of mass destruction. Then something gone wrong and put that on that bass.

Someone must misplaced "mass" for "bass" I think.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Dave W on November 30, 2009, 08:34:45 AM: Looks like twine to me. Probably the same sort you find on early Tele pickups.

As long as the north pole of those magnets points toward the strings, the pickup should work fine; whether or not it sounds good is another matter.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: uwe on November 30, 2009, 10:05:12 AM: At least it will work in even the harshest winter temperatures imaginable ...
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on December 14, 2009, 11:33:21 AM: Ok, a quick update... it arrived a couple of weeks ago from the Ukraine in - get this - a white cotton sackcloth. Seriously, I'm not making this up. The seller has removed the neck, put the bridge, tailpiece, neck plate and screws in a nylon bag, wrapped everything in bubble wrap and cardboard pieces, taped everything together and into a cloth bag, tied with a piece of string. I have never seen anything like it. But it did arrive safely, and in any case I'd have to remove the neck for proper shimming, so all is good. And the post office didn't even charge me V.A.T.

Both pickups work, but I had to put some more work (and $$$) into the bass. I replaced the pots and jack with components that actually work, and added a pickup selector switch. I installed strap buttons (the bass didn't have them) and that was it.

The sound is surprisingly good. The bridge pickup with the tone rolled off gives the expected Jacoesque burp, nice and growly without being too thin (if I keep the tone rolled off). The neck pickup has a nice round, full, warm tone, but with enough high end frequencies. Both are very useful sounds.

The neck is narrow but thick front-to-back, so it feels nice, although the upper frets sprout a little, I'm thinking of getting a tetanus toxoid shot... string spacing at the bridge is too narrow, like Hofners and other European basses of the period. It also balances well on a strap.

And it looks killer. I keep it in the living room as a decoration, and being semi hollowbody it has enough volume unplugged to double as a sofa bass.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Dave W on December 14, 2009, 02:51:44 PM: Bag o' Bass! A new marketing technique! Something Dan Ackroyd would be proud of.

Good for you that it could be brought back to life.
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Highlander on December 14, 2009, 04:33:57 PM: Puts a whole new meaning to the expression - "body-bag..." :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: ilan on December 14, 2009, 11:05:56 PM: :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?
Post by: Basshappi on December 15, 2009, 06:26:43 PM: Amazing! :D