Bass Porn

The only thing I would change is the control plate. Absolutely cool instrument.

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That thing looks awesome. :+1:

Google ai sez this (which in this case seems accurate):
This is an Ibanez Black Eagle electric bass guitar, originally produced as a limited edition in Japan during the mid-to-late 1970s. * Intricate custom inlays mark the fretboard, and a decorative abalone eagle graphic is prominent on the pickguard and body.

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I’m not even sure about that- the tuners have a matching oxidization on them.
Anyway, I’ll look inside later today

Thanks mate, I didn’t think to do that, makes it even cooler

There’s a few on reverb going for $2,500 and up!

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Saw those- in Schmick condition tho.
Reverb says it was a 1975 limited edition

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This might be of interest, which conflicts with reverb:

For original Ibanez guitars from the mid-to-late 1970s, the serial number follows a specific format: One letter followed by six digits.
The first letter indicates the month of manufacture:
A = January
B = February
…and so on, up to L for December.
The next two digits indicate the year of manufacture:
For example, if the digits are “77”, the year is 1977.
The remaining four digits are likely the consecutive production number for that month.
Example
A serial number like H781234 would translate to:
H = August
78 = 1978
1234 = The 1234th guitar produced that month
By checking the serial number on your bass and using this system, you can pinpoint its exact production

Fwiw, Ibanez did a re-ussue in 2015. Even those command a high price.

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Cool thanks for that info

What model is this wonderfulness?

Thanks to @Bassic we now know it is a Ibanez Black Eagle, limited edition from 1978

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impressive - not a cheap bass! love it.

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Mark reckons he wished he looked after it now, rather than bashing it around when he was young and angry

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The “vintaging” is half the reason I like it. That and those inlays are awesome.

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My jaw hit my chest when I saw this…….

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Pink ROCKS!! That’s fantastic!!

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That’s one of the best looking Fenders I have ever seen. Fender Japan?

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I really like the gold and black color scheme

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Unfortunately not, it’s an American Professional II, second hand, and for sale at a bass specialist in the north of Spain, Doctor Bass.

I was very, very tempted. However, after an exchange of emails with the store, it would not be a sensible purchase. It’s €1,600, €180 shipping on top, so about £1,560 (US$2,100). Then I have to pay another 20% on top of the cost of the bass + shipping in import duty. It could be further complicated if UK Customs look closely and see that it was made in the US, as this could further bump import duty.

I then looked at travelling to Spain to collect it myself, and it would work out roughly the same, unless I got my collar felt by customs for not declaring it. Then I’d be stung for import duty and fined, unless they decide to take it off me and fine me. Further, it would have to go in the hold as there’s no wardrobe spaces on the small Airbus planes for short haul travel.

My wife said I need my head looking at if i buy that bass, because I can pick up a brand new one in Japan for quite a bit less and have it custom painted any colour I want. She has a point………….

Here’s the store:

His English is impeccable, he responds to emails pretty quickly and comes across as a really decent guy. I’ll make a point of calling in to say hello next time I’m in Spain.

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Variations on a previously posted theme.

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I can think of two options here that could work:

  1. Fly out with a cheap as bass - Market Place, £20, that kind of thing. Obviously, you would need a hard case, but you can get these on Marketplace place for between £50 and £100 (sell it on your return). So travel out with a bass, dump the £20 one and travel back with bass. Who would know?
  2. Buy an XL suitcase. Buy the bass, take the neck off it, put it in the suitcase, wrapped in your clothes, and fly home. Job done. I have travelled with a bass quite extensively using this approach. No one has ever pulled me over in customs, why would they? Taking the neck off (assuming the bass is a bolt-on) is a 1 minute job (just remember to loosen the strings first :wink:). Equally, refitting it is also a 1 minute job. When I have done this, I haven’t even had to re-set up the bass.

If it were me, and I really wanted the bass, the #2 would be my approach. I’d make a long weekend of it too :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

Edit: I’ve also travelled the world with bikes. I have a rather large bike case that the bike goes in - again, I have never been stopped at customs to check where the bike came from. It would be easy to import a bike that way.

Edit 2: I’ve just checked the bass out on the chap’s site. Man, that looks beautiful and it even comes with a flight case. I’ve now revised the ‘If it were me…’ point above. If it were me and my heart had been turned by that bass, I would hunt out an ‘as cheap as ####’ bass and hard case that would go into the aircraft hold on the way out. I would then dump it in Spain, buy the pink beauty, have a lovely weekend with my wife and then fly home. Job done. Just don’t walk through customs looking as shifty as hell, making them think you’re carrying 1kg of ‘sugar’!! And as I said in my original response to your post, pink freakin’ ROCKS!!

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