1976 Rex Bogue Bass, Alphonso Johnson, WOW

[Quasar1]

https://reverb.com/item/81924241-rex-bogue-bass-guitar-1976-hand-crafted-by-rex-bogue?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=%22US%22-NBA-Q2.2024-exclusions&utm_content=NBA+Exclusions&utm_term=From+essentials+to+top-tier+gear+weve+got+you&utm_id=120217533749190456&fbclid=IwY2xjawFCh5hleHRuA2FlbQEwAAEdim-ppnP9cNoJ4gwifuUrO_DV7Nk9-54v64DirmJDQomVfUV2k8xQbc_d_aem_M85tuy4cDyfhTjFtrhq-Ow

[hammer]

Interesting inlays but price…Ms. Robin doesn’t have anything she is selling for less than $25,000.

[JimmyJ]

Yes, that looks like quite an instrument.  But questions remain.  That lengthy description is an odd cut-and-paste job which doesn't explain how the bass got from Alphonso to this Las Vegas (technically Henderson) "antiques" dealer.  Pawn shop?  Something slightly fishy.  I don't have Alphonso's contact info but I know some folks who do so I might try to reach out and see if there's another angle to this story...

Jimmy J

[Rondog]

Here’s something a bit peculiar I found in connection with this sale;
https://www.justanswer.com/musical-instrument-appraisal/npill-custom-made-bass-guitar-handmade-rex-bogue.html

This Robin Rankow provided an online appraisal through justanswer (a site that seems very scammy) and then listed it on her own website. She makes a lot of the fact that she is offering a “USPAP compliance/certified appraisal”, but as far as I can see that’s meaningless. USPAP compliant appraisal seems only to be regulated and certified for the real estate market. Maybe someone else knows more about this?

It looks like the actual seller would be better advised to find a specialist appraiser or an auction house with real reach to market this instrument. If this really is being sold by a friend of Alphonso Johnson perhaps it’s possible to contact him/her through Alphonso to encourage them to get better help?

[JimmyJ]

Wow, it gets weirder and weirder.  It's true that Alphonso is a great guy so this could all be legit.  But lots of weird things about it.  Reverb says shipping from Nevada but the "customer" on this back and forth asks about bringing it somewhere in NYC for appraisal.  Hmmm.

I've reached out to Alphonso and will let you know what I hear.

Jimmy J

[Rondog]

I also found this comment on a forum by the person who says they were given the bass:
“This is a wonderful article & contribution to memory of Rex Bogue. I've had hard time finding out more about him as I recently was given gift of one of his hand crafted Bass guitars he made for Alphonso Johnson, who is dear friend of mine for last 40+ yrs. Al gave me his blessing to sell it if I need to during this time I'm facing loss of any financial security. I hate to do it. I fell in love with this gorgeous bass guitar & was gift of longtime friend Alphonso Johnson.”

It dates back to August last year, and is here:
http://bdunnsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/rex-luthier-rex-bogue-tale.html


The name used by the author is “Leslie Tylersmith”

[Quasar1]

This listing is about the same, less photos

https://purevintage.com/vintage-for-sale/rex-bogue-bass-guitar-with-original-warwick-hard-case/

[JimmyJ]

Word from Alphonso is that this is legit.  He writes:

"I actually gave that bass to a friend in New York who was facing financial problems. I don’t know who is the seller but once I made it a gift it was out of my hands. They did tell me that they were going to sell it to Rex’s family but it doesn’t look like that happened."

So while the price strikes me as astronomical I guess it is a one-off kind of collector's piece if anybody's into that.  Let's hope the sale benefits the person in need.

Jimmy J

[Quasar1]

Word from Alphonso is that this is legit.  He writes:

"I actually gave that bass to a friend in New York who was facing financial problems. I don’t know who is the seller but once I made it a gift it was out of my hands. They did tell me that they were going to sell it to Rex’s family but it doesn’t look like that happened."

So while the price strikes me as astronomical I guess it is a one-off kind of collector's piece if anybody's into that.  Let's hope the sale benefits the person in need.

Jimmy J

 

Thank you Jimmy, when I posted this listing, I had no idea!  But like the Hollies sang, "The road is long , with many a winding turn, that leads to who knows where" !