Author Topic: Looking for a short or medium scale four (Read 993 times)

bsee · « **on:** August 09, 2004, 08:15:39 PM »

I am still looking for something to get a feel for playing a four string again. I have a Persuader five, but I am wondering if I can convert back to a four and would like to try one for a month or two before I order a super-custom.

I would pay up to $2K for the right instrument. That means neck-thru with some purpleheart in the neck, a regular to jazz string spacing and Distillate, Europa, or Signature electronics package. Primarily, something that will strongly represent the Alembic feel and tone that I can play for a few months and then get most of my money back when I order a super-bass.

Anyone willing to part with one?

-Bob

88persuader · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2004, 10:11:37 PM »

Actually i have a Persuader 4 I may ... may consider parting with. (Maybe) I live in Lowell MA. It is a persuader with PJ pickup setup. I was considering converting it to a fretless but may be interested in selling and buying rather than converting. I wasn't really thinking of selling but If you're interested let me know. Maybe we can work something out.

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2004, 12:21:33 PM »

While the logistics would certainly make it an easy transaction, it's not what I am looking for. While I think the tone of my Persuader is great, I am looking to play with some of the more flexible electronics packages before I order something. Ideally, I'm probably looking for an SC or Distillate.

Your bass is pretty unusual. I wouldn't alter it if I had any choice in the matter. Do you already play fretless, or is it something you're looking to try?

-Bob

88persuader · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2004, 02:10:47 PM »

I love playing fretless. I've owned many fretless basses in my time. Right now i have a Warwick Corvette fretless which is a very nice bass. However since I've gotten the Alembic bug I never pick it up so I'm looking to buy new or convert the Persuader to a fretless. If i convert the persuader it'll be done by Alembic.

Ray

bsee · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2004, 10:46:52 AM »

Still looking....

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2004, 01:30:13 PM »

So, there's a 32 77 Series I available. The finish is kind of beat up, and it comes without power supply or cable. What is it worth? What could be wrong with it electronically, and what's that going to cost to fix?

Thanks-
Bob

bassman10096 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2004, 09:07:53 AM »

The finish on that one is pretty spent. No idea what repairs, upgrades could wind up costing you.

However, I did notice some things in the seller's feedback: 2 buyers left 2 negatives each. Then, shortly after, our bass-seller (selling for a friend, I believe) has a series of (by a quick count) 29 positive feedbacks all from the same party, some as buyer, some as seller.

And, lo and behold...who's the current high bidder for the Series 1?? That same leaver of copious positive feedback. That party seems (by his or her feedback) to buy and sell coins nearly exclusively - but I couldn't find any transactions that showed an interest in musical instruments. The seller of the bass also seems to deal quite heavily in coins.

Hmmmm...

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2004, 10:05:55 AM »

Interesting. I was thinking that the lack of power supply and cable combined with the beat up finish made the bass barely worth what they are asking. I really don't like the selling for a friend thing, so I am pretty much turned off the deal on that account. There is just too much down side in the absence of a reliable seller.

But I keep on looking....

bassman10096 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2004, 11:01:41 AM »

I get pissed when I smell rigged bidding.

Good luck. You may find an older (and sweeter) S1 in a 32. Seems like a fair number were produced in the earlier years. In those days, many popular bass models were short or medium. As for the shorter scale length, I can't sing its praises any more loudly. I love em.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:56:36 PM »

bsee - If you are willing to suffer through playing a long scale, we can probably work something out where it costs you nothing except gas and driving time to more-or-less 'borrow' a bass with signature electronics for a couple of months. If interested, let me know.

bsee · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2004, 01:59:15 PM »

Very generous offer and I thank you, but I probably won't take you up on it! I may end up just buying a new SC deluxe or brown in the $4000-4500 price range. I have a few more negotiating points to hit and this would be real easy to do if I just sold three or four of my other basses. I fly to Seattly on Tuesday and suspect that a week from today I will be at Bass Northwest trying to play whatever interesting stuff they have in their store to help me make a decision. For example, do I like the feel and tone of a Brown Bass? Is there enough of a comfort improvement on the 34 scale from the tight string spacing that I won't be able to avoid buying the used S2 they have? Things like that...

hollis · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2004, 02:33:05 PM »

Hey Bob!

I'm picking up my Persuader at Bass NW at around noon next Friday. If you're there look for a big guy with a grey beard and a pony tail to his thighs. That would be me. Maybe we'll see each other. That series II is very tempting indeed!

(Message edited by hollis on August 27, 2004)

bsee · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2004, 02:38:43 PM »

Grats on the new bass, Hollis! I suspect that I will be working in Bellevue until at least two or three and then trying to race over there to get some time before they close. Any tips on parking and maneuvering in the area? Am I doomed? You have to love holiday weekend traffic.

-Bob

hollis · « **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2004, 03:25:30 PM »

Man,

I'm not sure about parking in Seattle.... However, you're talking to the right guy about transit in Seattle. I work for Pierce Transit in Tacoma, according to my computer, if you go to the Bellevue Transit Center at NE 6th & 108th Ave NE (Bay 11), you can pick up the Sound Transit Seattle Express Bus Route#550 @ 2:20pm, 2:50pm or 3:20pm to the Pioneer Square Station, and you're about two blocks away from Bass NW. (go to street level, Walk a short distance NW on 3RD AVE.
Turn left on JAMES ST. Walk 1 approx. 1 block SW on a significant grade on JAMES ST.
Total walking is 0.18 miles.
It's about a 25 minute bus ride. Costs $2.00 each way. To return, go into the Pioneer Square Station (It's an underground station on the opposite side that you came out of) Go to Bay D @ 4:15, 4:45, or 5:15pm and get back on the Sound Transit #550 to Bellevue. It sounds a lot more complicated that it is..... But, if you give the guys at Bass NW a call once you're at the station, they can reel you in.

Enjoy

poor_nigel · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2004, 04:06:28 PM »

bsee Bob, not a problem on the offer. If you change your mind, it still stands. I would like to ask a favor of you. When you are at BassNW, please grab that five-string Series II and check it out for condition. If you decide you don't want it, e-mail me about its faults and how it plays. I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks. Have a fun trip.