In my weekly Internet trolling, I ran across a used Series One at The Low End. It's a high-end bass store in Murfreesboro, TN, next door to Nashville. (
www.thelowend.net, click on USED and scroll to find it, lots of good pics). So I thought I'd go check it out for anyone here that may find it or be interested. Here goes:
1977 Series One, s/n 77-615, stamped atop the peghead as they were in this vintage.
Original hard case, orange fur. Original, small, 'blue box' power supply with 5-pin cable, works fine. Both show their age, but no obvious abuse.
I'm useless guessing the woods, but it looks like a 'two-stripe' neck in maple/purpleheart.
Maple cores in the wings, '2 cover' brass doors in back. I'm guessing maybe myrtle top and back, peghead faces and lams to match. NOT a black ebony fingerboard, but very 'stripe-y' like Macassar, looks way more brown than black.
MOP ovals. Pre truss rod cover instrument with single truss rod. Wood and finish basically in great shape for its age: No wear-through or big dents or gouges. Clear satin finish overall slightly yellowed as you'd expect, but handsome. Of course a s/n search would show the build woods.
Traditional, narrow, Jazz Bass type neck. Frets fine, action fine. Overall weight not heavy, felt very average for any brand bass. Definitely long scale, I'd know that reach to first position blindfolded.
Standard Series One layout: Selector on lower horn, neck vol/tone/Q and bridge vol/tone/Q. Everything works as advertised with power supply and cord. Test drove it through tube preamp /Crown /Schroeder cab and heard no obvious buzz or pot scratch in a fluorescent-lit room. I'm not experienced enough to know if this Series has been updated under the hood or not.
Only the hardware will need work. Brass bridge is pretty crusty, will probably salvage but may not be pretty without a lot of work, if ever. Couldn't see the top of the sustain block real well, but would not imagine it's much different. Bird tailpiece was cleaner, but it's under finish. No big scratches or dents in brass back covers. Little brass plate under selector pretty rough. Gold Schaller M4s are a little pitted. But nothing that was unreasonable for 30 year old brass parts. New keys, bridge, and bird, and this would be an amazing looking axe for its age.
I know these 70s basses are special to some of you, and this is one VERY clean example with a working small power supply and case.
I'm certainly no expert, but I can say it looked, felt, and played clean for me. I like to go see the ones that turn up in the neighborhood so I can report to the Club what I found, rather than hope that the website isn't a trap!
You can contact Brian Barnett at (615)691-0110 or thru the website.
J o e y
