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Message
Question for FretShack or any other knowledgeable guitar folk
Posted on 2/19/21 at 9:48 pm
Posted on 2/19/21 at 9:48 pm
I've got a 1983 G&L SB-2 bass I picked up off Craigslist a dozen years or so ago that I'm looking to sell.
Unfortunately from a collector's standpoint, it's been modded to hell and back, to wit: someone in years past took out the neck pickup and re-routed it to put in a split P-bass style pup, leaving it in a P/J configuration. The 3 knobs now appear to control (from left to right looking down at them while holding the guitar in a playing position) neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, and overall tone. It makes for some interesting variations in tonal quality that I find very useful.
The guitar's overall condition is decent for one that's obviously gotten a lot of use in its nearly four decades of existence. It was apparently a dark red/crimson shade at birth, but sometime ago was painted over with black metalflake - even the headstock, which I presume to be the original Fender-style (before CBS sued Leo Fender to change it). The maple neck is straight but the fretboard shows a lot of wear, however it is still very playable.
I almost hate to get rid of it because I'm pretty sure it's not going to be worth much based on my cursory research into it, but I'd like to see it go to a good home.
Any rough ideas as to what I might ask for it? Planning on listing on TalkBass.com & Reverb in the near future. Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately from a collector's standpoint, it's been modded to hell and back, to wit: someone in years past took out the neck pickup and re-routed it to put in a split P-bass style pup, leaving it in a P/J configuration. The 3 knobs now appear to control (from left to right looking down at them while holding the guitar in a playing position) neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, and overall tone. It makes for some interesting variations in tonal quality that I find very useful.
The guitar's overall condition is decent for one that's obviously gotten a lot of use in its nearly four decades of existence. It was apparently a dark red/crimson shade at birth, but sometime ago was painted over with black metalflake - even the headstock, which I presume to be the original Fender-style (before CBS sued Leo Fender to change it). The maple neck is straight but the fretboard shows a lot of wear, however it is still very playable.
I almost hate to get rid of it because I'm pretty sure it's not going to be worth much based on my cursory research into it, but I'd like to see it go to a good home.
Any rough ideas as to what I might ask for it? Planning on listing on TalkBass.com & Reverb in the near future. Thanks in advance!
3
Posted on 2/19/21 at 10:53 pm to FearlessFreep
In that condition $400-$500 would be a good deal for you.
Posted on 2/20/21 at 7:08 am to FearlessFreep
quote:
Any rough ideas as to what I might ask for it?
in original condition it would likely be listed in the 2k range. it's been refinished and without the original pickup configuration so that would diminish the value quite a bit IMO.
I think a reasonable price range would be in the $700-$800 range. it's a cool early 80's players bass with lots of mojo but not being in original condition will kill the value a lot.
Posted on 2/20/21 at 10:44 am to FearlessFreep
This is what I would do - I would "give" it to TFS. Let him use his experience and judgment to put it in saleable condition and, in fact, sell it.
He can do a thread on here detailing the progress, pics, etc. If he makes any money on the project, he might split it with you or give you store credit (or whatever you guys work out - heck, maybe reserve the option to buy it back for his cost if it turns out better than you thought).
That's what I would like to see out of it, although obviously I have no skin in the game - I'm just a voyeur.
He can do a thread on here detailing the progress, pics, etc. If he makes any money on the project, he might split it with you or give you store credit (or whatever you guys work out - heck, maybe reserve the option to buy it back for his cost if it turns out better than you thought).
That's what I would like to see out of it, although obviously I have no skin in the game - I'm just a voyeur.
This post was edited on 2/20/21 at 10:45 am
Posted on 2/20/21 at 11:43 am to Ace Midnight
I only take consignments when I know I have a client in my database who will buy for the asking price immediately. I am a by-appointment workshop, not a retail space, and I am challenged for space just from my repair load. I don't have a buyer for this instrument in this condition.
A used but clean and unmolested Fullerton-made SB-2 with OHSC is $1K on a good, lucky day for the buyer, to someone who actually knows and appreciates G&L products. The average bassist will see a clean Tribute series piece and their asking prices and gravitate in that direction.
As a rule of thumb ... even a quality refin that keeps a reputable manufacturer's logo intact kills half a guitar's blue book value on the used market. Erase the logo like in this one's case and you erase even more value.
A restoration isn't worth it financially, you will be in the red after you pay me and/or whomever would be involved in the resto and try to recoup via the sell. Even a pro resto is never worth as much as all original condition. Plus, I couldn't help you until summer. My waiting list is currently through May.
In today's market, that's a $350 bass to someone who knows what it is. Granted, someone's going to get a good workhorse tool for that price. I'd optimistically list at $500 and keep your fingers crossed.
A used but clean and unmolested Fullerton-made SB-2 with OHSC is $1K on a good, lucky day for the buyer, to someone who actually knows and appreciates G&L products. The average bassist will see a clean Tribute series piece and their asking prices and gravitate in that direction.
As a rule of thumb ... even a quality refin that keeps a reputable manufacturer's logo intact kills half a guitar's blue book value on the used market. Erase the logo like in this one's case and you erase even more value.
A restoration isn't worth it financially, you will be in the red after you pay me and/or whomever would be involved in the resto and try to recoup via the sell. Even a pro resto is never worth as much as all original condition. Plus, I couldn't help you until summer. My waiting list is currently through May.
In today's market, that's a $350 bass to someone who knows what it is. Granted, someone's going to get a good workhorse tool for that price. I'd optimistically list at $500 and keep your fingers crossed.
Posted on 2/20/21 at 2:01 pm to TheFretShack
quote:
I'd optimistically list at $500 and keep your fingers crossed.
that's what i'm leaning to now taking a closer look. might get $400 for it on reverb.
Posted on 2/20/21 at 3:52 pm to TheFretShack
Thanks for the input, Fret, and everyone else ITT. Pretty much confirms my earlier suspicions.
I’d love to fix it up a little if not do a total resto on it cause it’s a nice instrument, but frankly when I pick up something to play it will never be my first choice perhaps not even my third. I’d like to pass it on to someone who’ll get some use out of it (besides, I don’t have the space to store it these days).
I’ll list it on Reverb for $500 with free shipping and see if I get any takers. I’ve only got about $200 into it so maybe I’ll be able to pretend I made a profit on it
I’d love to fix it up a little if not do a total resto on it cause it’s a nice instrument, but frankly when I pick up something to play it will never be my first choice perhaps not even my third. I’d like to pass it on to someone who’ll get some use out of it (besides, I don’t have the space to store it these days).
I’ll list it on Reverb for $500 with free shipping and see if I get any takers. I’ve only got about $200 into it so maybe I’ll be able to pretend I made a profit on it
Posted on 2/20/21 at 10:33 pm to TheFretShack
quote:
My waiting list is currently through May.
I think you need an apprentice. I’ll volunteer.
Posted on 2/21/21 at 8:22 am to lsu1919
My shop is a sole proprietor LLC, legally we're both SOL on even unpaid apprenticeships, sorry. :)
FYI on a related note, all my existing shop clients (many of whom are on this forum) are all high priority and automatically on the front end of the waiting list. Don't let "end of May" scare you, I will get you in quicker for routine repair/upgrade work. I value you as much as you value me.
FYI on a related note, all my existing shop clients (many of whom are on this forum) are all high priority and automatically on the front end of the waiting list. Don't let "end of May" scare you, I will get you in quicker for routine repair/upgrade work. I value you as much as you value me.
Posted on 2/26/21 at 12:08 am to FearlessFreep
Update: sold it today to a luthier in L.A. for $425. Net my shipping cost I’ll make..,.
....about tree fiddy
....about tree fiddy
Posted on 2/26/21 at 12:21 am to FearlessFreep
Way to rip someone off? 
Posted on 2/26/21 at 12:36 am to SEClint
quote:Hey now, the guy knew what he was getting. Its a nice ugly bass with good bones, he plans to try and restore it, or at least make something better with it.
Way to rip someone off?
Turns out he thinks it was an SB-1 that someone added a 2nd pickup onto. Glad it went to a good home.
Posted on 2/26/21 at 12:44 am to FearlessFreep
lol I'm just fricking with you, smoking a bowl and laughing to myself thinking about if you lied your arse off in the item description to put it over.
Which makes my girlfriend say she doesn't get my humor btw
Looking for a 1990-1997 black les paul studio with an ebony fretboard, something i can experiment on myself. Congrats on the sale
Which makes my girlfriend say she doesn't get my humor btw
Looking for a 1990-1997 black les paul studio with an ebony fretboard, something i can experiment on myself. Congrats on the sale
This post was edited on 2/26/21 at 1:05 am
Posted on 2/26/21 at 4:13 pm to SEClint
Thought as much, but it's so hard to tell on this board some days
I've got a early-2000s era LP Special in Faded Black I bought about 10 years ago from a biker named Road Rash (yes, he had "R-O-A-D" tattooed on the knucles of his right hand and "R-A-S-H" on the left), but I don't think it's exactly what you're looking for
I've got a early-2000s era LP Special in Faded Black I bought about 10 years ago from a biker named Road Rash (yes, he had "R-O-A-D" tattooed on the knucles of his right hand and "R-A-S-H" on the left), but I don't think it's exactly what you're looking for
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