Interesting Old Doug Irwin Bass on SF Craigslist

[lbpesq]

Here’s a cool old bass.   Are old Hi-A Bartolini PUs really worth $7K a pair, as claimed by seller?

Bill, tgo

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/7510598232.html

[David Houck]

Picture of the tailpiece suggests that it's not original; or perhaps the exposed routing is for some purpose that I'm missing.

[edwardofhuncote]

I will have to say, that's a pretty cool bass... 

[dela217]

That is pretty cool, and I bet it weighs a lot too.    I also think that the routed out section under the tail piece is so the ball end of the strings sits below the surface.

[David Houck]

... I also think that the routed out section under the tail piece is so the ball end of the strings sits below the surface.

You might be right about that, and I'm guessing the routing must have been done later since it's not finished.

[gtrguy]

Neat old bass. I have a set or two of vintage Hi-A's around here. Didn't know they were 'worth $7,000' though.

[gearhed289]

I sold a pair of old Hi A pups back around 2008 for MUCH less than that. 

[edwin]

I wouldn't pay $7k for Barts, but "The Beast" pickups were pretty special. I believe they had multiple coils with lots of switching options.

https://bartolini.net/docs/1b-the-beast-wiring-info/

[gtrguy]

Some addl Bart info:

[rv_bass]

Interesting king of elongated body on that bass.

[rv_bass]

There is a lot going on with those pickups!