The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on May 26, 2014, 12:06:35 PM
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/171340472183?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
The second picture looks like there is either a photo reflection or a crack... I want to pick this up...what do you guys think???
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I emailed the guy
From: bionic-joe
To: into-sound
Subject: Other: bionic-joe sent a message about Epiphone Japan TB-90 Thunderbird Bass VS Guitar RefNo 40684 #171340472183
Sent Date: May-25-14 19:24:16 PDT
Dear into-sound,
Hello,
Is that a crack behind the headstock??? Do you have a more clear photo of the back of the neck behind the nut?? It Looks Like a crack.
Thank you!
Joe
- bionic-joe
HIS RESPONSE:
Dear bionic-joe,
im sorry
photo in ebay page is all
thank you
- into-sound
???? What am I to think???
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What are you to think?
1. That seller sported his little Epi with a Gibson truss rod cover which he took off for the pictures so no one would slap his fingers.
2. Don't think that is a crack in picture No 2, probably just a dent from the hanger or whatever. Those Jap Epi TBs are studier than their US counterparts (but to my knowledge also not neck thru).
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I think it looks more like a mark (maybe from a hanger as Uwe suggested) and a bad reflection. Dennis has one of these so maybe he knows for sure about the neck-thru. I'm thinking these are different than the Elitist bases with the set neck. As always, I could be wrong bout that.
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Looks like a dent to me. In the magnified view, I can see the mark trailing off horizontally across the neck, which is not where a crack would travel.
What are you to think? That the seller is an A-hole who either knows nothing about instruments and can't be bothered to look at it, or knows what he's doing and is either hiding something or simply doesn't give a s**t and knows someone will buy it.
Incidentally, there's something a bit nasty about that output jack - the finish around it is lifting. Looks to me like either it has gotten wet or something has yanked that output jack sideways pretty hard.
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Either the seller has something to hide or else he doesn't actually have the bass in his possession.
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That's what I thought...If he can't write me back and communicate in proper English, Forget him...Nice Greco single pickup T bird he has up for sale as well...hiding something...
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The Japanese Epi T birds are set neck basses. Mine had already been brought to the US and still had the Japanese paperwork with it. No help there! They are pretty uncommon in the US and I think I paid a little less than his price and didn't have to cough up $140 in shipping.
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Late reply considering the listing has ended but my thoughts anyway. With that feedback history (265 over 12 months) and most of it being guitars or guitar oriented items, my guess is the seller is a Japanese musical store or even maybe a chain of stores. Even if there is only one guy there handling the Ebay listings I'd say that's a seriously bad excuse for not providing additional pics or info.
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Gee, tough audience, even though his grandfather might have fought against US Marines in WWII. Like a lot of Japanese ebay sellers, his English is probably poor. I've bought 7 or 8 basses from various Japanese sellers and have never been stung. I think that Epi Elite bird looks fine to me. I was watching the single pup Greco as well, and thankfully someone else hit the BIN before I weakened.
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Now someone listed a 2 pickup sunburst Greco here in the states!!!!
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Late to the party, I also think that it is just a dent.
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Gee, tough audience, even though his grandfather might have fought against US Marines in WWII. Like a lot of Japanese ebay sellers, his English is probably poor. I've bought 7 or 8 basses from various Japanese sellers and have never been stung. I think that Epi Elite bird looks fine to me. I was watching the single pup Greco as well, and thankfully someone else hit the BIN before I weakened.
Just because you've had good luck with other Japanese doesn't mean this guy is okay.
Other non-native-English speakers sellers who list internationally will answer questions to the best of their abilities. To me, it's a big red flag when someone won't try.
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I owned Tom Petersson's Epiphone Japan T bird for about 5 minutes... I sold it quick to buy a vintage T bird...or a Hiwatt...
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I just got this response:
Dear bionic-joe,
Hi
its not cracked
how about it?
thank you
- into-sound
BUt no close up photos...
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The photo on back of the neck looks pretty clear if you just expand it for viewing. If he says there's no crack, I am inclined to believe him.
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At least he made some effort.
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He has a Epi Casino up there that pretty clearly has a break repair, although it looks nicely done and has been over-sprayed and obfuscated to some extent. In that auction he states "there are repair mark on head" - so at least he seems aware of what to look for.
I understand the reservations, though. These Japan TBirds pop up enough to where I'd probably move on if there was any question at all. I used to have one too- great bass.
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Same seller has a black Orville bird listed now, for $799. That's a very rare bird indeed.
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I'd Jump on the Orville before the Ep....although they are both basically the same bass..
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That Orville is nice! Must resist................