Hello All,
Latest addition to the roster. Sometimes maligned, but odd shapes are a bit of my thing.......
I got inspired to get one of these a couple of weeks ago when I saw
thisIt's black, always a plus, and a Model One! The crazy shape.........
So, didn't bid on that one, but started looking....found this one on Craigslist....
Brown sunburst
and non-original J-bass pickups (didn't notice it in the pics) repaired headstock (solid and could actually be concealed in the 'burst) decent original hardcase for about half what they've been going for on the 'bay
Cleaned up, restrung, minor electrical repairs (cleaned the pots, new jack....man West Coast stuff oxidizes!)
Headstock repair....not so bad....
So, how does it sound and play? In a word......Great! Soundwise, with both pickups full on, alot like my Orville 'Bird with the SD Custom Shop pickups, either pickup soloed, much more Fender-ish, albeit with a nice Mahog blur. The neck pickup alone is particularly "nasaly" sounding, won't be using it that way much. As for playing, the neck is alot chunkier than my 'Bird, but very comfortable. Balance is about the same as a Thunderbird, bit of neck dive, could probably benefit from a strap button relocation, but I'll try a different strap first. Gotta love the Uber three point bridge, although the giant knurled post will eventually grind the side of my picking hand raw, could really use a bridge cover....hmmmmmm.......nope!!! nothing big enough in my parts drawer to cover it!
Anyway, anyone else here have one of these? Not sure if I want to do anything about the pickups, but if anybody has/knows of any originals PM me. I'm still mulling about the Model One, maybe some kind of MudBird thing. And I really may have to do something about the brownburst, I know it's original and mahogany is pretty and all, but it's just a finish that I can't get excited about, factoring in the headstock repair, the non-original pickups and cracked pickguard, I don't know if a refin would devalue it that much (for what I gave for it, it doesn't have much value
anyway)
All in all a pretty decent, vintage, USA made bass that sounds and plays quite well. Love to hear any insights or comments.
Cheers,
Scott (BassVI)