I will NEVER understand this...

[lowend1]

I owned one. It sounded like crap. I couldn't get away from it fast enough. Perhaps I acted in haste...

http://www.normansrareguitars.com/product.php?productid=1701&cat=109&page=1

[lowend1]

In all its glory.

[Highlander]

That looks just like mine...

(except mines got a bolt-on neck, a dif bridge, no scratch, mini machines, less controls, the jack's in the side, no Gibbie logo, no wiring, and she's in bits-an'-pieces in the shed; oh yeah an' she's long scale, an' fond of goats...)

[TBird1958]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm....pointy 







I only have other opinions on this bass, none come back glowingly, too bad too, I like the shape

[Highlander]

You should acquire a budget goat-slayer - could be useful with a hostile audience...

[godofthunder]

Back in the day these things just sat in the display case, we couldn't give them away. NOS was still sitting in the store till the mid 90's

[Dave W]

Simple answer: it's a rare Gibson.

Uwe has never liked his, but our old friend Captcolour likes his silverburst: http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=1752.msg22578#msg22578. OTOH his has EMGs installed by a previous owner.

[nofi]

the finish rivals fender's ugly ass antigua.

[Droombolus]

Me hates Antigua ........ except on a Coronado Bass II 

[Dave W]

Silverburst -- even aged silverburst -- is much nicer looking than antigua, IMHO.

[godofthunder]

Antigua = worst finish ever

[Dave W]

Antigua = worst finish ever

How can you say that? 

[shadowcastaz]

Does that have Ripper pups on it?

[lowend1]

Does that have Ripper pups on it?

Yep

[uwe]

I've resolved for myself that Flying V basses share the acoustic traits of Flying V guitars - it is not like they are made worse in any way - but that what works for the guitar does not work for a bass. Flying V guitars are middish and thin sounding affairs too, hence their popularity among metal players where a Les Paul would very quickly sound too fat and indistinct. A Flying V can be overdriven and compressed beyond anything and you still have a signal you can use and control. Outside of heavy metal and hard rock, it is also the only Gibson guitar that can sound like a Telecaster (that Wishbone Ash Andy Powell sound or some of those old bluesmen). Obviously, both qualities don't make much sense with a bass though.

This is a nice specimen, but 5.200 is overpriced. Yes, those basses are collectible (most probably go to Flying V guitar collections though as bass players are neither enamoured by the look nor the sound), but they haven't really developed from the 2.500-3.000 price range they already had a decade ago (if and only if in pristine condition).