My local shop has a Triumph bass on it's wall. I checked it out and it seems in surprisingly good shape for it's age. All electronics are original and it even has the bridge cover and case. A few nicks and dings but nothing of importance. However, the one big 'but' is it needs a neck reset. You can see it lifting and the action is a mile high. I know nothing about such things. Is this a big deal? What would this cost? They are asking $1.7k but I suspect they are very flexible and unfortunately I've taken a shine to that little beastie!
I don't think it is very likely it would need a neck reset. That would mean the angle has been wrong since the day it was built. It is more likely the trussrod nut is (too) loose. When the neck has a major (back)bow the action can be very high. That would be an easy fix. Just tighten the nut. The price would be about right.
If the neck really needs a reset that would be a major issue and the price would be way too high.
Ask them to email you pictures of it so you can get an estimate.
If it does need a neck reset, the cost would probably be in the $300-400 range, plus any other work that might need to be done at the same time. Expensive, but as long as it's properly done, it will last for decades. Acoustics with dovetail joints are even more.
Agree with Rob, $1700 is too high for a Triumph if it needs a reset. Also make sure the truss rod is working properly.
I actually played it for about an hour and the neck has indeed moved in its joint. The finger board has a 1/16" gap from the body and the neck heel has clearly shifted upward too. I don't know how long it's been like this but it probably explains why it's in such good shape. I may go back and see if they'll let me play with the truss and bridge and try to get the action acceptable. I'm not hopeful at this point though. I will say it is an amazing sounding bass and a bonus for us short scale lovers. Thanks for all your help! I knew I could get the straight scoop here.
Okay, so the neck is loose in the pocket.
Maybe that's good news for you after all. It is certainly a good point when you negociate about the price.
Try to talk $ 700 off and you may have good deal.
Isn't 1.7K a little on the high side for a Triumph even if it doesn't need a neck reset? I will admit that I haven't been paying attention to prices lately (the last couple years).
I get the distinct impression this store threw a dart at the 'vintage pricing' dartboard, hit 'early 70's Gibson' and came up with 1.7K. They really don't have a clue what they have or what it's really worth. Also, I'm still internally debating whether I want a problem child even if I can get it cheap enough.
I'd say 1700$ would be an ok price for one in really nice condition. They seem to go in the 1400-1800$ range nowadays depending on condition but yet playable.
I sold my Triumph last year for 1550 euro (which is about 2025 USD)
It was in a good condition. No issues, just some buckle rash and small dings here and there.
Good for you, but European (and Aussie) prices (for US-made guitars, especially vintage) are always significantly higher than NA prices.
I bought mine for $1500 a few years back with zero issues and little wear. I think it's high if it needs work and is worn. A neck reset would be a real deal breaker for me. IMHO they'll never get what they are asking. Or shouldn't anyway.
Quote from: Basvarken on May 06, 2013, 04:10:47 PM
I sold my Triumph last year for 1550 euro (which is about 2025 USD)
It was in a good condition. No issues, just some buckle rash and small dings here and there.
What about your prototype?!!! Don't forget me!!!
The prototype has been reinstalled in the line up of basses.
It was neglected for years because of scratchy/faulty potentiometers.
Last week I decided to look under the hood once more in a last attempt to turn it into a more reliable bass.
I carefully opened op the ancient potentiometer and cleaned the inside with a cottontip.
Et voila! No more scratching noises no more drop outs! Yeehaaw.
Rehearsed with it this week. And I'm taking it to the gig tonite.
If I ever grow tired of it, you're the first to know Uwe.
BTW
Did you know the other prototype plus the guitar version fetched 42.000 USD last summer at the auction of Les Paul's gear? :o
(http://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/99482/0/lot99482.jpg)
The bass in that case there looks pretty. Is the headstock the same as the guitar? Only a prototype eh?..
Flat tops too; interesting. ... kinda makes them look like my Sonex though.
Quote from: copacetic on May 09, 2013, 12:26:48 PM
Is the headstock the same as the guitar?
Here's a better shot of the one that was auctioned last summer.
(https://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/99476/0/lot99476.jpg)
And this is mine:
(http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/10/734600a08eeb4d33977b3f1a85f5307a/l.jpg)
"Did you know the other prototype plus the guitar version fetched 42.000 USD last summer at the auction of Les Paul's gear?"
Now don't get ideas, Rob!!! You're not Lester - yet! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Haha that's not how I meant it Uwe. I'm not considering to sell it. And if I do, I know it wouldn't be kosher to charge you that kind of money.
It's just that I wondered if you had considered bidding on any of the basses the auction of Les Paul's collection?
Rob needs to form a partnership with Les' Guitar tech Tom Doyle. Then they can claim that Les played it and that it's worth millions.
Quote from: Basvarken on May 09, 2013, 06:41:21 PM
Here's a better shot of the one that was auctioned last summer.
Interseting cutaway shape; didn't see that in the other pic. I like the look of it, but would probably prefer the trad style more in terms of playability.... though (counting frets) it seems like pretty decent access anyway.
Fascinating.
Quote from: Basvarken on May 10, 2013, 08:03:14 AM
Haha that's not how I meant it Uwe. I'm not considering to sell it. And if I do, I know it wouldn't be kosher to charge you that kind of money.
It's just that I wondered if you had considered bidding on any of the basses the auction of Les Paul's collection?
No, I thought I better wait for the Dutch distributor of B&CH Basses to decide on another ritual thinning of the herd ... :mrgreen:
And I didn't want a guitar with it either.
Here's a couple of shots of the neck issues. Evidently it's not a Triumph but an older Les Paul. I still like it, high action and all, but not 1.7K worth. I tried talking them down but they wouldn't budge.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/wagdog/Links/DSCN0880.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wagdog/media/Links/DSCN0880.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/wagdog/Links/DSCN0874.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wagdog/media/Links/DSCN0874.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/wagdog/Links/DSCN0876.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wagdog/media/Links/DSCN0876.jpg.html)
Quote from: wagdog on May 11, 2013, 07:48:17 PM
Evidently it's not a Triumph but an older Les Paul.
This is what they call a Triumph.
Despite the name on the trussrod cover.
I'd say let them keep it for that price.
The bass has a severe issue.
Not that it couldn't be fixed, but they have to realise that the bass is not playable in this condition.
Ah, Guitar Center. Sometimes you can get good deals on used stuff - this is not one of those times!
I have to say, I really love my Triumph, but I would wait until you find one in better condition - maybe even for a more reasonable price! I got mine around 2007 or '08 for $1000 from someone here! There are still deals to be had...
I agree with Rob, way too much with the neck set issue.
The trip wasn't a total waste. I did pick this up for 250.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/wagdog/Links/DSCN0885.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wagdog/media/Links/DSCN0885.jpg.html)
It's now on my 'wall-of-black'.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/wagdog/Links/DSCN0884.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/wagdog/media/Links/DSCN0884.jpg.html)
There's an option. Leave them your business card with an offer written on the back. Tell them that if they're ready to sell it at that price, call you.
It has worked for me in the past.
Quote from: hieronymous on May 11, 2013, 09:48:52 PM
Ah, Guitar Center. Sometimes you can get good deals on used stuff - this is not one of those times!
I have to say, I really love my Triumph, but I would wait until you find one in better condition - maybe even for a more reasonable price! I got mine around 2007 or '08 for $1000 from someone here! There are still deals to be had...
I am not impressed with Guitar Center's prices on vintage gear. I think they jack the prices up and hold onto the stuff because they have a national network and sometimes, some dope, must come up with the prices they're asking. When I was trying to bargain recently with them on a vintage amp, the moron sales guy bragged about a 60's Gibson amp he's had on the floor for 12 years because he wouldn't come down on the price one penny. Really? That's good salesmanship? Did it ever occur to you that your price is just stupid if it hasn't sold in 12 years? Geez.c :P
Good luck with this, I wouldn't expect them to budge.
Is that a Goth or a Nikki Sixx Signature TBird or a regular Epi in black or a Classic Pro? ???
I can't believe thy hung that repair-needy Triumph into their shop for sale without having it glued. Well done, no one would even notice it.
Quote from: drbassman on May 13, 2013, 07:10:21 AM
I am not impressed with Guitar Center's prices on vintage gear. I think they jack the prices up and hold onto the stuff because they have a national network and sometimes, some dope, must come up with the prices they're asking. When I was trying to bargain recently with them on a vintage amp, the moron sales guy bragged about a 60's Gibson amp he's had on the floor for 12 years because he wouldn't come down on the price one penny. Really? That's good salesmanship? Did it ever occur to you that your price is just stupid if it hasn't sold in 12 years? Geez.c :P
Good luck with this, I wouldn't expect them to budge.
I had one good experience with GC on vintage gear - picked up my '68 Starfire I for $1149.99 around 2007 in Sacramento. It wasn't mint, but it had definitely lived under the bed for a long time and was in surprisingly good shape - sold it for $1500 last year - wow, I actually made a profit. Must have been a fluke in more ways than one! I usually end up losing money...
Yeah every once in a while you'll find a good little nugget on their used gear page. In my case, it has never been a bass- but rather synth and efx stuff. My best deal was probably a brand new in box Elektron Machinedrum for ~$450 shipped (this model used was fetching around a grand at the time).
I really like that Triumph, but you did the right thing passing on it at that price.
I bought mine for ~1600 several years ago. It seemed to me like the very high end price spectrum at that time, but it was from the original owner who played it for a year or so and then tucked it away. Dead mint. Well... it was dead mint. I take it out quite a bit, and I'd say that it falls into the "pry it from my cold dead hands" category. Wonderful basses, these are.
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0014a-1.jpg)
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0015b-1.jpg)
Great collection you've got there, wagdog :vader:
Quote from: uwe on May 15, 2013, 05:46:04 AM
Is that a Goth or a Nikki Sixx Signature TBird or a regular Epi in black or a Classic Pro? ???
That's the Pro, non-Classic active model. I bought it on a whim, well, just because you can't have too many birds.
As active basses go, that doesn't sound bad at all. Agree?
Agreed. For a preamp in a inexpensive bass it ain't bad at all.
Like an 18 year-old bass player would like a TBird to sound! (//)
Quote from: chromium on May 15, 2013, 01:22:02 PM
I bought mine for ~1600 several years ago. It seemed to me like the very high end price spectrum at that time, but it was from the original owner who played it for a year or so and then tucked it away. Dead mint. Well... it was dead mint. I take it out quite a bit, and I'd say that it falls into the "pry it from my cold dead hands" category. Wonderful basses, these are.
I'm not even gonna tell/remind you what I paid for my (formerly) white one (by the time I got her she had been weathered to a deep pee pee yellow and had her fair share of battle scars).
No more than a month after I bought mine I saw a minty one (also white, which is damn rare; only thing rarer is the single black one made according to the production records I saw IIRC) on ebay go for 2K (6ish years ago). Needless to say I felt like a bandit/wondered if I had actually bought a stolen bass (it was from Montreal, tour van B&E gear theft and crooked pawn shop owners buying the stuff from junkies capitol of North America), but it's so distinctly 'reliced' (and in tonnes of pics online) that you'd figure the legit owner would have noticed by now (though I console myself by thinking of how I saved her from an obviously abusive relationship).
The 2K one:
(http://grannygremlin.com/images/nonwebpics/Triumph/Rare%20White%20Paula%20Ebay%20Auction_files/DSC00033.jpg)
(URL hack the image above for more pics, closeups mostly)
Mine (pup switch knob, trapeze and control plate added by me; replaced one damaged tuner - actually managed to find a single matching, Gibson-branded one on ebay. Still have the original control plate; crack by the jack as usual - still an amazing deal considering what I paid for it):
(http://grannygremlin.com/images/nonwebpics/Triumph/CleanedUp/FullFrontal.JPG)
(http://grannygremlin.com/images/nonwebpics/Triumph/FromBehind1.JPG)
PS, If anyone wants a metal (sheet aluminium) control plate like mine, I can make one for you, or if you're handy with the tin snips, you can cut it out for yourself and I can send you the label or label template (just print it out on a regular transparency and cut out the screw/pot/switch mount holes; it's mirror imaged so that the ink stays on the underside and wont rub/wear off). Even (especially) if your original plastic plate is still in good shape, I recommend going metal in order to keep it that way (I have since had the jack yanked a few times and it held up)... unless it's a wall hanging museum peice (they not only sound/playgood, they're dead sexy, so I'd understand).
(http://grannygremlin.com/images/nonwebpics/Triumph/CleanedUp/NewEyeShadowJPG.jpg)
Granny, what's with the trapeze tailpiece? Is it so you can get the string wrap off the saddles? I like it in a very retro way.
Quote from: uwe on May 23, 2013, 08:36:06 AM
Like an 18 year-old bass player would like a TBird to sound! (//)
I was 18 once, not that I remember a whole lot about it.
I do remember I was playing a P bass with those newfangled 'copper' round wounds through a Guild Thunderbass tube amp with all the knobs maxed and a sealed 2x15. So who am I to judge a 18 yo's pursuit of tone? More power to them!
Quote from: wagdog on May 24, 2013, 06:46:50 AM
Granny, what's with the trapeze tailpiece? Is it so you can get the string wrap off the saddles? I like it in a very retro way.
Mostly yes. There's also the secondary aesthetic consideration.
Quote from: wagdog on May 24, 2013, 06:59:41 AM
I was 18 once, not that I remember a whole lot about it.
I do remember I was playing a P bass with those newfangled 'copper' round wounds through a Guild Thunderbass tube amp with all the knobs maxed and a sealed 2x15. So who am I to judge a 18 yo's pursuit of tone? More power to them!
Hey, you stole my settings then!!! As an 18 year old that was, wait for it, full presence, full treble, full high mids, full low mids and, yes, you guessed it, full bass. :rolleyes: And I played D'Addario XL Reds too. :mrgreen: 18 year olds are kind of alike. 8)
Depends if either of you were 18 before me, and I know Uwe wasn't - at 18 I'd just bought the cherry and gold Peter Cook and ran her through a WEM sealed 2x15 and a Sound City 120 maxed on all controls and when that one blew to pieces (in a shower of sparks) the pair of Sound City open-back columns and the Hiwatt, again maxed to the hilt and playing at Lemmy for all it was worth... :vader:
I do like LP's... never did then though... and lefties just do not look right...
Quote from: uwe on May 24, 2013, 10:06:49 AM
Hey, you stole my settings then!!! As an 18 year old that was, wait for it, full presence, full treble, full high mids, full low mids and, yes, you guessed it, full bass. :rolleyes: And I played D'Addario XL Reds too. :mrgreen: 18 year olds are kind of alike. 8)
Oh, i used them too, but on my ricky 4001. I think i used a couple of sets then they stopped making them, at least they
were not available in Norway. Then, a couple of months ago, I heard an instrumental song our band recorded some 12 years ago - a slow, strange melody with only bass and guitar - and I just had to get one of those XL red sets again. Though not very versatile, they do have that nice piano tone that sounds really good in the right song, at least on a bright bass like the rick.
If they start making them in flats I might try it on my eb-3 :)
Anyone who have used them on eb shortscales with good results?
... oh yeah... and Rotos...
So we were all brothers in sound. :mrgreen:
Incidentally, they have brought the XL-Reds back - I ordered some for old time's sake.