Fresh out of the box, who wants to be the first one to put a scratch in it?
https://reverb.com/item/4931461-gibson-l-9s-1975-cherry-sunburst-nos-just-unboxed
I always wonder when I see these things, who sits on something like this for 40 years without opening it?
Price seems reasonable to me for someone into Rippers. Fortunately I'm not one of them. :)
Wow. :o
The pickguard screws are rusty, as are the knob pointer-washers. I assume the pickguard, pickup covers or something else has been quietly off-gassing while this has been in storage?
Either way, why are the prices on Reverb consistently insane? Case in point, this Kay 20-B bass: https://reverb.com/item/4512335-kay-k20-b-bass-guitar-early-seventies-three-colour-sunburst (https://reverb.com/item/4512335-kay-k20-b-bass-guitar-early-seventies-three-colour-sunburst). Those Kay basses left the factory crappy, with crappy hardware and crappy electronics. They were cheap basses for kids to bang around on for a few months before they bought a serious bass. Everything on Reverb that can tick the 'vintage' box is now atrociously overpriced. I personally would buy one of those basses if one showed up at a far lower price, but this current fetishism for old and decrepit off-brand gear is maddening.
Goodness me... does make you wonder... :o
This one is reasonably priced for what it is, and Strait Music is very reputable. They aren't a vintage store, which may be why they aren't asking that high a price for it. My biggest concern would be to make sure the neck is straight. About a dozen years ago I saw a NOS Gibson IV that had been in a box in a small town shop that had gone out of business. The offgassing damage wasn't a surprise, but the neck had developed a noticeable hump in the 10th-12th fret area.
On the whole, I don't find prices on Reverb any more outrageous than on eBay or in many vintage shops. I've bought two basses on Reverb (one vintage) and both were real bargains.
Given the rarity of the finish and the NOS factor I think the price is pretty good, albeit more than I would ever pay. The only other legit Cherry-Burst's I've seen have been the earlier body style and there were only a few of those made. I prefer my instruments a little beat to start just so I don't feel bad the first time I bump in to something or feel guilty getting it dirty.
My 79 had a strap like that in the case when I got it. I had always assumed it was something the previous owner had bought, not that it actually came with it. I guess I should try to find it...
Quote from: Dave W on April 19, 2017, 09:03:21 PM
On the whole, I don't find prices on Reverb any more outrageous than on eBay or in many vintage shops. I've bought two basses on Reverb (one vintage) and both were real bargains.
I agree, & in most cases you can make an offer. I try to make reasonable offers & they usually have been accepted.
Sweet bass, but you sort of wonder where it was stored for the last 40 plus years.
Seems pretty reasonable for what it is. I wonder if they'd have sold more if that was a standard color? Looks great.
I like a little flame in a cherry burst. The Alan Woody article Dave shared got me thinking about 5 string Les Paul basses. Like finding hen's teeth but here's one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Bass-Guitar-USA-5-String-RARE-/112374232221?hash=item1a2a06b49d:g:n2EAAOSwWxNY1YbI
I'm not sure whether I like that type of clownburst, but it is rare on a Ripper. Worth it if you are in love with that fin, but I'd take a close look at the electronic innards that might have suffered under the pickguard gassing too.
I've seen more humps on Grabbers and G-3s than on Rippers, those three piece necks are very stable.
I love the original Monel Flatwound strings that would come on these.
In the meanwhile the bass was sold...
Quote from: Basvarken on April 20, 2017, 12:02:06 PM
In the meanwhile the bass was sold...
...I'm surprised it took that long.
Anyone here...?
OH MY!
Wow, that's a beauty - with a price to match
And now a Grabber...
https://reverb.com/item/5012869-gibson-grabber-1975-natural-with-original-case
Based on this pattern a G3 must be coming next week :o
Wow! Another one. Reasonably priced.
The neck pocket does seem to be a bit too wide for the neck.
(https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--RsVGKP7m--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_1600,q_80,w_1600/v1493063095/qnug62nmairbmtoi3d3v.jpg)
Please not a (non-natural) G3 next; I do not need the temptation.
Also from Strait. And an RD Artist (https://reverb.com/item/4931574-gibson-rd-artist-bass-1978-natural-with-ohsc-and-paperwork) from the same purchase. I wonder what else they'll have to offer.
(https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--VgmaKlY_--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1492786272/jckf29dwth1rqjj04ort.jpg)
Quote from: Basvarken on April 25, 2017, 12:42:14 PM
Wow! Another one. Reasonably priced.
The neck pocket does seem to be a bit too wide for the neck.
Many grabbers have a wide pocket, mine is no exception. I keep my business cards in there and hand them out after gigs.
Quote from: amptech on April 25, 2017, 11:04:58 PM
Many grabbers have a wide pocket
I didn't know that.
So it isn't faulty craftsmanship, it's a feature! :mrgreen:
I'm surprised Fender didn't send them a cease and desist for stealing their neck-pocket-gap design ;D It's also perfect for storing extra picks and loose change.
I wonder if the RD had a battery in it all those years. Says he had to replace the connector so I'd wonder if the battery leaked in the cavity and caused any other damage.
Wouldn't bother me much... :vader:
Quote from: Highlander on April 26, 2017, 04:35:09 PM
Wouldn't bother me much... :vader:
A leaky cavity would bother me - Just sayin' :-*
:rimshot:
It's an awfully big cavity... :vader:
On my handful of Grabbers and G-3s the neck pockets are all ample to put it mildly. Same with my Victories. Let's put it this way: Gibson and bolt-ons were not the most natural - pun intended - fit.
As any Fender owner knows, it doesn't matter. It even serves as a feature, allowing you to shift the neck left and right for optimal string alignment on the neck. Tighten it down and play it. 8)
Pick holders...
On my RD a pick jammed into the neck pup is my normal thumb rest...