The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: gweimer on September 17, 2008, 07:39:19 PM

Title: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on September 17, 2008, 07:39:19 PM
WOW!  A steal of a price, and looks pretty decent.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1964-US-made-Epiphone-Newport-bass_W0QQitemZ180289352814QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If I weren't short of cash right now, I'd probably do it.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on September 17, 2008, 07:46:17 PM
Not a pretty refin but that's a good price for an unbroken Newport.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: rockinrayduke on September 17, 2008, 07:57:50 PM
Quote
If I weren't short of cash right now, I'd probably do it.

Damn!!! Me too. >:(
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: eb2 on September 17, 2008, 09:04:58 PM
Its still got the record player knobs too. 

It is beyond my $300 Gibson bass limit.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on September 18, 2008, 06:26:31 AM
Serial number is on the headstock, but the refin took most of it off.  The seller is a member over on BABP.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Barklessdog on September 18, 2008, 06:58:10 AM
That's Dukeplaysbass's bass. Great guy and a great deal, perfect candidate for that green refin
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on September 18, 2008, 08:02:45 AM
I'm a bit surprised it hasn't been snapped up yet.

If I were in the market I'd probably refin it golden mist.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: chromium on September 18, 2008, 09:50:35 AM
I'm tempted to buy it and flip my EB-0... but I like my EB-0 too much   :) 

I can't believe it's still there this morning!  Ebay has been especially weird lately.  Some stuff just lays there dormant, and other stuff incites bidding frenzys and fetches a goldmine.  Sometimes its the same piece/type of gear, just selling on different days!  Very sporadic.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Barklessdog on September 18, 2008, 10:02:37 AM
Let me see, failing stock, Market real estate bust, or vintage bass that should not loose value.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on September 18, 2008, 10:48:58 AM
Quote from: Barklessdog on September 18, 2008, 10:02:37 AM
Let me see, failing stock, Market real estate bust, or vintage bass that should not loose value.

Trust me, I've had that same thought.  And my money manager sent ME an email last night letting me know he's taking defensive actions on the trust fund.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: chromium on September 18, 2008, 10:53:53 AM
My only trouble with bass as an investment is that I would actually have to sell them to reap the rewards.  Goes against my compulsive hoarding (or whoring?) nature.   :)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: eb2 on September 18, 2008, 04:05:21 PM
he's taking defensive actions


Who isn't? :popcorn:

That is booze and ludes.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on September 18, 2008, 04:15:03 PM
Very nice! Someone grab it like a rabbit!  8)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Barklessdog on September 19, 2008, 04:48:31 AM
Quote from: chromium on September 18, 2008, 10:53:53 AM
My only trouble with bass as an investment is that I would actually have to sell them to reap the rewards.  Goes against my compulsive hoarding (or whoring?) nature.   :)

That's the point though, like your nest egg, you never liquidate it, but build equity, ti be sold only if you need the cash in a crunch, like George did. I think he did pretty well with his investment.

The only downside is the pain of letting for cash
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: rockinrayduke on September 19, 2008, 05:38:18 PM
I got a b-day next week so if it's still around in a few days......... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on September 19, 2008, 06:00:58 PM
Quote from: rockinrayduke on September 19, 2008, 05:38:18 PM
I got a b-day next week so if it's still around in a few days......... :mrgreen:

Given the seller, sending him an email couldn't hurt.  I'm also debating about it, but haven't made up my mind.

Update - Ray, if you want it, make your move.  I've emailed Tris about taking it if it doesn't sell on Ebay.  I can't pay immediately, but can get funds early next week.  No harm, no foul, if you want it before I hear back and seal the deal.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: rockinrayduke on September 20, 2008, 08:02:10 AM
I slept on it, and I have so many other things on my financial plate right now I can't justify a bass purchase, even for something as cool as this.

If you can get it then by all means do! One of us should give it a good home. :toast:
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on September 20, 2008, 10:53:41 AM
It's getting a good home.    ;D
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on September 20, 2008, 10:57:37 AM
 :thumbsup: Good going.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: rockinrayduke on September 20, 2008, 11:01:49 AM
I love a happy ending!
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: shadowcastaz on September 20, 2008, 06:59:45 PM
I got the inverness green. nice bass
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on September 20, 2008, 11:20:14 PM
Congratulations Gary!  8)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: chromium on September 21, 2008, 11:42:41 AM
Sweet!  Congrats (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/music-smiley-010.gif)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: bobyoung on September 25, 2008, 03:27:56 PM
Man look at that pickup, last picture, no wonder they measure about 29.5 Q ohms. (Quintillion)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on October 09, 2008, 03:21:48 PM
Lookie what showed up on my doorstep an hour ago.  Nice ProTec gig bag/case with it.  Neck is thinner than I remember.  Time to play around with it, and get it set up.  This thing is definitely ancient, but appears to have remained intact through the years.

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/Newport1.jpg)(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/Newport3.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/Newport2.jpg)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Bionic-Joe on October 09, 2008, 06:02:46 PM
NICE!!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on October 09, 2008, 06:29:41 PM
I'm always relieved when a mahogany Epi or Gibson arrives unbroken.

Is that an extra-dark/unfaded cherry finish or just you camera?
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: shadowcastaz on October 09, 2008, 07:06:54 PM
That is sexy!!!!!! Congrats!!!!
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Nocturnal on October 09, 2008, 07:57:30 PM
Nice!!
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on October 09, 2008, 08:14:18 PM
Quote from: Dave W on October 09, 2008, 06:29:41 PM
I'm always relieved when a mahogany Epi or Gibson arrives unbroken.

Is that an extra-dark/unfaded cherry finish or just you camera?

It looks like a second-rate refin - kind of a mutation of cherry and walnut.  The serial number is missing altogether, which might explain the thinner neck.  Still, it has that honkin' thump that they were known for.  I'm debating doing a Marshall Grant number on it next year.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: TBird1958 on October 09, 2008, 08:41:41 PM

 Sweet Bass!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Stjofön Big on October 09, 2008, 11:36:30 PM
A Marshall Grant number? Are you getting lazy?
What a beauty!
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: uwe on October 10, 2008, 02:47:51 AM
Can anybody explain to me what a "Marshall Grant number" means? As long as it is unrelated to anal sex I'd like to know.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Barklessdog on October 10, 2008, 04:36:13 AM
You already know everything about the Dark recesses of the abyss?
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on October 10, 2008, 04:36:19 AM
Quote from: uwe on October 10, 2008, 02:47:51 AM
Can anybody explain to me what a "Marshall Grant number" means? As long as it is unrelated to anal sex I'd like to know.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but Marshall Grant was Johnny Cash's bass player who had the black Epiphone Newport back in the '60s.  It's the one on the cover of Live at San Quentin, as I recall.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: rockinrayduke on October 10, 2008, 06:32:05 AM
Thass right.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on October 10, 2008, 08:00:53 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgja26eNeY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M89c3hWx3RQ

Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Stjofön Big on October 11, 2008, 08:17:46 AM
Marshall played the opposite to busy bass. Most of the time it was dump-dump, dump-dump... On the other hand, it was what was needed in that simple  but effective music of Johnny Cash. Just listen to Luther Perkins on the guitar; he played the same thing, only lifted the second tone one octave. Economics, those guys. Today they would be natural aspirers for any finance department in the western world.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: TBird1958 on October 11, 2008, 08:30:44 AM
Quote from: uwe on October 10, 2008, 02:47:51 AM
Can anybody explain to me what a "Marshall Grant number" means? As long as it is unrelated to anal sex I'd like to know.

 To quote somebody  else.................Ask me, I here to help.  ;)
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: uwe on October 13, 2008, 04:08:38 AM
Thanks, now I do remember. Grant was originally a country doublebass player, basically he did not change that economic and reduced style when he switched to the Newport especially given his boss' penchant to play bass lines on the guitar.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: nofi on October 13, 2008, 04:37:56 AM
speaking of cash and prison i read this on a review of his box set. on the live at folsom prison album there is a well known line where the whole place erupts after cash sings, ' i shot a man in reno just to watch him die'. turns out the thunderous applause and hollering were  spliced in after the fact in the studio. never happened. :o 
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on October 13, 2008, 07:41:48 AM
Quote from: nofi on October 13, 2008, 04:37:56 AM
speaking of cash and prison i read this on a review of his box set. on the live at folsom prison album there is a well known line where the whole place erupts after cash sings, ' i shoot a man in reno just to watch him die'. turns out the thunderous applause and hollering were  spliced in after the fact in the studio. never happened. :o

That probably happens more often than we know.
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: uwe on October 13, 2008, 08:26:39 AM
Just like THE live album of the late seventies, Frampton Comes Alive (every household had one), features audience applause from a Grand Funk Railroad gig, probably even from their first Live album.

Or how two of the tracks of UFO's famous Strangers in the Night were recorded weeks later in the studio (though "live" there) and then adorned with audience noise by producer Ron Nevison who is to this day proud of the fact that he matched their live sound so closely.

Next thing we know, Elvis didn't laugh on those live recordings either ... Which track was it again? "Are you lonesome tonight?"?

During those Cash prison concerts, security was tough. Had the inmates cheered at Cash singing about the murder of another guy, I'm sure the authorities would have threatend to pull the gig (and prompted a riot!).
Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: Dave W on October 13, 2008, 08:37:59 AM
The earliest example I can think of is The Premiers' "Farmer John" from 1964. All those party sounds were added later to make it sound live.

Title: Re: Get it while it's hot - Epiphone Newport alert
Post by: gweimer on October 18, 2008, 09:36:15 PM
Well, I took it out tonight to our gig.  We did a benefit show - only 2 sets, so I thought it would be fun.  I also brought the Magnatone.  Little did I know that we were playing outdoors, and the temp got down in the 40's.  Yikes!  The Epi was everything I expected.  Mud everywhere, so I had to tweak my amp.  The neck on this one has definitely been shaved down, so it's a fun bass to play.  I'll need to work on the intonation, but I'm sure it looked cool under the lights with my white shirt and denim jacket.  I may have pics tomorrow.