The Last Bass Outpost

I think my own person hell would be spending eternity playing in a band with Yngwie a Lars Ulrich.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSD93xQsdec

Thanks guys, it really is a incredible bass and I couldn't be happier with it! 

I'd say the pickup is fuller sounding than the mudbucker in the ebo, surprisingly rich and clean.  It came through a store in the Pittsburgh area, it would be interesting to know what else they pulled out of that basement. I wouldn't be shocked learn that the original post was one of the things pitched since I doubt they would have realized it went with bass.  I've got some tuners on the way to serve as donors for their buttons and I may try making a post just for the fun of it-from the pictures they don't seem too complicated

It looks a lot like some of the Aria Pro II's from the early-mid 80s.

Yep, pretty much like that every time for me    I'm not sure what I'm more nervous about, having the money or having the product.  Either way I always feel like I'm going to get robbed and always ends in a happy exchange.  Our local police department has a section of their parking lot set aside for "Safer transactions" but its not as much fun without the adrenaline rush.

Iv always wanted one of these and couldn't believe it when it popped up on Guitar Centers site last week at a great price. According to them it came in from a construction worker who was gutting a building before it was razed.  It was left in the basement in a pile of stuff that mostly got thrown in a dumpster.  Luckily he decided to make a buck off it rather that throw it in too.



The case hadn't been opened in at least 30 years I'd bet.  As you can see the metal bits were fairly corroded and case was covered in a light mildew.  Unfortunately no post, instead the case contained all the last owners tools, fuses, notes, some rusty razor blades, tape and cable that was being consumed by growing green grime.



As far as the bass itself it was well played but also cared for.  Some buckle rash through the finish but the frets don't show a bit of wear from the rotosounds it had on it.  Two of the tuners are missing the plastic buttons but the owner had a nifty little key that could be used to turn the bare posts.  The output jack plate had been replaced with a piece of white plastic that was spray painted brown. It crumbled to pieces when I tried to remove it.  The great thing is the pickup is in perfect condition and the original electronics all worked great after a little cleanup.



The bass was built prior to the introduction serial numbers in 1953 so with the help of some early LP gurus we were able to estimate that it was probably assembled in sometime in March/April.  Unlike the later models with inlay logos these early ones got the same silkscreen logo (with the dot connected to the G) that various acoustics got.



& After about 6-7 hours of inspection, cleanup, testing and tuning it's back to its former glory...Minus two peg buttons and post...

It kind of reminds me of the creature in the John Carpenter movie The Thing    & I mean that in a good way 

I like the new Rick Springfield actually.


A friend of mine worked on the upcoming Blackberry Smoke record & I was able to listen to the whole thing a couple of times at his place, it may end up being my favorite one of theirs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsYQ56Ubovc

I once assembled a motor and somehow forgot to install piston rings. Took me a whole day to figure out why I had no compression. 

If someone really did forget to install a center block I'd like to buy him a beer and commiserate.

Best looking one yet! 

It looks great compared to the newly designed Flying V in my opinion, or is it the Star Trek logo?



https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/gibson-gives-sneak-peek-at-new-flying-v-at-ces-show

I am guilty on committing heresy when my moog died, but i like the way it sounds.



Crappy picture but they are TV Jones Thunderblades.  No mods to the pickguard so it can be converted back if I ever get the board fixed.

Sounds like the Epi 5120,

https://reverb.com/item/3759758-epiphone-5120-electric-bass-guitar-w-carrying-case-26381

I think the early versions had chrome pickup covers like the Univox.

I wondered what happened to that car.  It used to reside in the Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas but was sold off with the rest of the collection years ago after Ralph Engelstad passed away.   It's really beautiful car if you can look past who used to sit in the back seat,  well worth selling off a few gibson to pay for 

Not sure if it helps but I have the color G3 with the 3-piece flamed maple neck but mine has the more common maple board.  Average wear and I paid 700 for mine about a year ago but I think I got a good deal.  They dont seem to come up for sale all that often but I'm not sure I'd go too much more than a grand for it depending on the condition, maybe 1100-1200 tops?

If he gets that much for it mine will be for sale right behind it!