{"title":"Hollow Body Bass Guitars","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-6200","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Hoboken, NJ, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fing, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has recently been gaining attention as one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960's. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335 giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollowbody bass. The real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire is from late 1966 and has features specific to that preiod. The major difference from the earlier models is the pickup position, mounted just under the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. This bass pre-dates the introduction of the baritone tone switch added in 1967.The tuners are also the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. The triple bound body is finished in a vibrant sunburst, somewhat less common than the cherry red finish. This bass has signs of wear but remains a fine gigging example of this 1960's classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 31 in. (787 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). Overall a nice and good playing example. There is a lot of finish wear on the inside of the cutaways, and on the back of the neck. The rest of the finish shows average light wear bass including some chipping around the edges, but overall is in decent shape. All original except the bridge height adjustment screws have been replaced with allen-head style. A very good playing and sounding example of a fairly early Starfire. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852991221900,"sku":"6200","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_4090eea1-196e-4523-9bee-530b001827e5.jpg?v=1774329677"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1965-2763","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, black tolex original hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA very nice example of one of the the earliest Guild electric basses�this Starfire is from the model's introductory year of 1965, and bears a very low serial number.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 1\/2 in. (118.1 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 31 in. (787 mm.). Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852991254668,"sku":"2763","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-4282","title":"Guild Starfire Bass I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our most requested instruments, the 1960's Guild Starfire bass has recently gainined attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2\/Epiphone Rivoli line the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Other early prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful (who had the first two-pickup model built for him) and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With an unusually slim and very fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not offer any electric bass until 1965, when the semi-hollow Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. The solid body Jetstar Bass quickly crashed and burned but the Starfire Bass soon became one of the company's most popular items. Unlike most 1960's basses the body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 (and EB-2) giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. Still, the real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the huge Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With magnet slugs nearly 1\/4\" wide for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the familiar Gibson EB bass humbucker or the later Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1967,the peak production year for these basses with over 1,000 units shipped from Hoboken. This bass is the quintessential 1960's example with cherry-red laquer over striped \"Sapeli\" mahogany that was originally the defining \"Starfire\" finish. This Starfire I has several older-style features that would be changed during 1967. There is no pushbutton \"baritone\" switch; that was added soon after the single pickup was moved closer to the neck so this is a relatively rare version with the single neck PU but no switch (the earliest Starfire basses had the single P.U. close to the bridge). The chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is symmetrical-it would soon be extended on the treble side to look more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons where the very first models had European Van Ghents. This bass is all original except for the nut and well played; an excellent playing example of this 1960's classic, currently set up with period-correct flatwound strings with a truly powerful sound.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). Excellent structural and playing condition with some noticeable play wear. Large area of belt-buckle wear to back finish, and one spot of damage on the lower back edge with the top layer of veneer missing on a 1 1\/2\" X 3\/4\" area. The top has play wear through the finish adjacent to the two finger rests and one large scratch near the bass F-hole, along with general light dings and scratches. The neck finish is in surprizingly good shape, and this bass is all original with the exception of a replaced nut. The internal label is missing but the serial number is intact on the headstock. A great gigging Starfire bass, whih a somewhat battered but functional OHSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852991287436,"sku":"4282","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_254a0c4c-233f-498a-9f83-2bc814b63156.jpg?v=1774329682"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-4718","title":"Guild Starfire Bass I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple\/mahogany body; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our most requested instruments, the 1960's Guild Starfire bass has recently gainined attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2\/Epiphone Rivoli line the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Other early prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful (who had the first two-pickup model built for him) and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With an unusually slim and very fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not offer any electric bass until 1965, when the semi-hollow Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. The solid body Jetstar Bass quickly crashed and burned but the Starfire Bass soon became one of the company's most popular items. Unlike most 1960's basses the body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 (and EB-2) giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. Still, the real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the huge Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With magnet slugs nearly 1\/4\" wide for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the familiar Gibson EB bass humbucker or the later Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1967,the peak production year for these basses with over 1,000 units shipped from Hoboken. This bass is the quintessential 1960's example with cherry-red laquer over striped \"Sapeli\" mahogany that was originally the defining \"Starfire\" finish. This Starfire I has several older-style features that would be changed during 1967. There is no pushbutton \"baritone\" switch; that was added soon after the single pickup was moved closer to the neck so this is a relatively rare version with the single neck PU but no switch (the earliest Starfire basses had the single P.U. close to the bridge). The chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is symmetrical-it would soon be extended on the treble side to look more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons where the very first models had European Van Ghents.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 3\/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 16 5\/16 in. (41.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). Some general minor wear but all original, and a very fine player. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852991320204,"sku":"4718","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_11b41b9a-5b0c-42f4-bce4-7a25ef43b4f3.jpg?v=1774329683"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1970-4813","title":"Guild Starfire Bass I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1970)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1970), made in Westerly, RI, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our most requested instruments, the 1960's Guild Starfire bass has lately gainied attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2 the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Earlier prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With a very slim and fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. The solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned but the Starfire Bass became one of the company's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. The real secret to the early Guild basses' sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in late 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1970, and would be one of the earliest of these instruments built after Guild's move to Westerly, Rhode Island from Hoboken. This is one of the last of the original Hoboken style models; not long after this bass was built the Hagstrom pickup was discontinued bringing an end to the 'classic\" Starfire Bass sound. This basses has several developments from earlier models. There is a pushbutton \"choke\" switch which cuts low end for a very bright baritone response. The chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive if possibly unintended touch. The tuners are the typical Klusons. The only structural difference of this bass from earlier examples is the absence of a volute on the back of the neck and a slightly more elaborate peaked headstock shape. This is a great looking and playing example of an American bass classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 7\/16 in. (117.9 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at rib. Scale length is 30 7\/16 in. (773 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). Clean overall with some minor wear: some thumbwear above the upper handrest, a scrape in front of the bridge and a spot of discoloration on the side near the jack, otherwise the finish is very well preserved. All original except upper strap button; set up with light gague flatwounds for extremely easy action. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852991352972,"sku":"4813","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_430ed6cd-24c7-41a7-a692-759a92887f65.jpg?v=1774329685"},{"product_id":"guild-m-85-bass-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1970-4816","title":"Guild M-85 Bass Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1970)","description":"Guild M-85 Bass Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1970), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most interesting Guild basses we have seen, this M-85 dates to the period when Guild was transferring operations from Hoboken to Westerly, Rhode Island and sports an unusual mix of features. The single pickup is the older Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic unit, now regarded as one of the best bass pickups ever designed but originally discontinued in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe small hollow maple body is finished in an unusually bright transparent cherry finish, not usually seen on this model. Guild nearly always reserved their cherry finishes for mahogany-bodied instruments-it makes for a particularly striking look over clear maple. The truss rod cover is marked \"Starfire\", and appears to be original-this may be because the cherry finish was originally termed the \"Starfire\" by Guild. The look and feel of the bass is closer to Hoboken made Guilds than the subsequent Westerly made instruments-the headstock profile especially is the earlier style. This may well be one of the last instruments completed at the older factory. Whatever its provenance this is a great playing and sounding bass-very handy with a slom, comfortable neck like a Starfire Bass and a very powerful sound. All M-85 basses are very rare but this one may be unique.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 44 11\/16 in. (113.5 cm.), 13 3\/4 in. (34.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3\/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). Well worn but not abused; there is a lot of finish wear to the back of the neck and two belt buckle spots on the back. Face is relatively clean with a few small chips and a thumbwear spot under the E string. All original except an added jacklate and some internal rewiring back to spec. includes a somewhat battered but functional OHSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852991385740,"sku":"4816","price":3750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_fd5147bb-b09a-44a1-95df-bae590fd2c11.jpg?v=1774329688"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-6662","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has in recent years been gaining attention as one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960's. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335 giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollowbody bass. The real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire is from mid-1967 and has features specific to that period. The major difference from the earlier models is the pickup position, mounted just under the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. This bass pre-dates the introduction of the baritone tone switch added in late 1967.The tuners are also the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. The triple bound body is finished in a deep cherry red finish. This bass has some obvious signs of wear but remains a fine gigging example of this 1960's classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). This bass is in excellent structural and playing condition with some play wear. The finish overall is fairly well preserved with small chips and dings, but there is one large scrape to the top through the finish into the wood just below the bridge, several spots of damage on the edge of the top where the player's arm rests and some larger dings near the treble side F-hole. The neck finish is in surprizingly good shape, and this bass is all original with the exception of an added metal jack plate to the rim. The serial number on the headstock has a factory double stamp of two sequential numbers, an odd but not unknown factory error for Guild. Overall a fine gigging Starfire bass, excellent straight neck with good angle, very fine except for its one prominent cosmetic scar to the face. Includes a nice OHSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853010227340,"sku":"6662","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_a68be4fb-4c8e-472a-9564-760a20c4346a.jpg?v=1774330507"},{"product_id":"vox-astro-iv-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-7197","title":"Vox Astro IV Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Vox Astro IV Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Recanati, Italy, sunburst polyester finish, laminated maple body and neck, ebony fingerboard, original grey hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fairly unique violin-body Vox Astro IV was a direct descendant of the company's earlier 1966 V-250 \"Violin Bass\", which itself was only available for a year or so. The Astro was built with the same arched, F hole hollow body but used the newer very narrow neck that Rolling Stone Bill Wyman requested for his namesake teardrop-body model in 1966. By 1968 all Vox basses used this neck design, which is about the slimmest ever fitted to a professional class bass! The Astro IV is a pretty far-out take on the Hofner violin bass and has all the typical evolved Vox appointments for that year; wider-cased metal covered pickups (with more output than the earlier design) and a *very* large headstock with larger long-stemmed tuners and a giant VOX logo made of individual gold plastic letters. The dark Fender-like sunburst finish on this body was one of several finish options.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis model also has a special feature specific to Vox in 1967-8: elaborate onboard transistorized effects that were pioneered by the company in this period. The \"distortion\" circuit is particularly interesting, an onboard fuzzbox adjustable from a sizzly buzz to a white noise maelstrom, while the rotary Treble-Bass boost is also quite effective. There is also a \"G\" tuner, more important in the pre-electronic tuner days of 1967 but still vaguely working, though the pitch has drifted somewhat! These third generation 1967-68 Eko-made models are some of the nicest of all Vox instruments in terms of build quality and fretwork, and this is a fast-playing and good sounding if rather eccentrically styled bass from the company's later '60's line. A distinctive instrument by any standard, this model had one moment of rock glory appearing in Bill Wyman's hands at two well-documented Rolling Stones gigs: the \"Rock 'N' Roll Circus\" TV special in 1968 and the massive Hyde Park concert in the summer of 1969. An oddball Vox classic, perhaps, but one with a pedigree!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 47 3\/4 in. (121.3 cm.), 13 1\/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7\/16 in. (36 mm.). Very clean and all original, with only some typical finish checking and almost no play wear. The pickguard has shrunken up a bit, but is still intact. The electronics are working, the tone control for the treble pickup seems to have little effect but the all-important active units are still fully functional. Complete except the fabric back pad is missing; includes the original shaped case (with the plastic handle unfortunately broken off). Excellent Condition.","brand":"Vox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853013536908,"sku":"7197","price":1750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_97cef962-0b3a-40d6-a751-32afe6d017aa.jpg?v=1774330667"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-3473","title":"Guild Starfire Bass I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Hoboken, NJ, black lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has recently been gaining attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Earlier prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid-body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned, the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow -- there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335, giving a tighter response than a true hollow-body bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1968, with a custom black finish that is a catalog option but is rarely seen. By this point, these basses had several developments from the earlier models. There is a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end and increases clarity even further. This feature was added to the line around the time the pickup was moved to the position just under the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive if possibly unintended touch. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. This bass is all original except for the nut and one tuner screw and a fine and unusual example of this 1960's classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 5\/16 in. (41.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery nice original condition; some overall finish wear, most noticeably to the back of the neck and two bucklewear areas on the back of the body. There is some finish discoloration to the side near the jack area. The plastic headstock veneer has shrunk very evenly and is not pulled up at all, giving the appearance of a bound headstock! Plays and sounds excellent; overall a very nice and rare bass with original case. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853206999180,"sku":"3473","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_deab987f-671e-4fa3-ac66-ac57cca83713.jpg?v=1774332012"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-3978","title":"Guild Starfire Bass I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has recently been gaining attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2\/Epiphone Rivoli line, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Other early prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful (who had the first two-pickup model built for him) and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With an unusually slim and very fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not offer any electric bass until 1965, when the semi-hollow Starfire line and the solid body guitar line both had a single-pickup bass added. The solid body Jetstar Bass soon crashed and burned, but the Starfire Bass quickly became one of the company's most popular items. Unlike most 1960's basses, the body is not fully hollow; there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 (and EB-2), giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStill, the real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the huge Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With magnet slugs nearly 1\/4\" wide for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the familiar Gibson EB bass humbucker or the later Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1967, the peak production year for these basses, with over 1,000 units shipped from Hoboken. This bass is the quintessential 1960's example with a gleaming cherry-red finish that was originally the defining \"Starfire\" feature. By the time this one was built, these basses had several detail developments from the earliest models. There is a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end and increases clarity even further; this feature was added around the time the pickup was moved to the position just under the fingerboard...the earliest Starfire basses feature a single P.U. close to the bridge.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive, if possibly unintended, touch. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. This bass is all original and beautifully preserved; as fine an example of this 1960's classic as we are likely to find.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExtremely fine overall; all original down to the last screw with only a few inches of belt buckle wear on the back and some tiny dings to indicate much playing time at all. There is a small laminate crack in the bass cutaway area on the side, and a smaller one on the treble side. These are under the finish and appear to be a factory error, probably the result of bending the laminated side too quickly...perhaps the result of an accelerated production schedule! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe headstock facing has shrunk slightly, but is intact with no peel-up. If not for these small points, this would qualify as a near mint, or at least \"Vintage Mint,\" instrument. Includes a very fine original grey-lined HSC with \"Guild\" badge. A fabulous-playing and sounding bass, easily the nicest Starfire Bass we have had recently. Generally Excellent + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853259296908,"sku":"3978","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_c85871dc-8992-4c24-ac63-224b27a0d3c5.jpg?v=1774332365"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-ii-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-4184","title":"Guild Starfire Bass II Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass II Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Hoboken, NJ, ebony grain laquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has gained attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars, and the early double-pickup Starfire II model is the most sought-after version. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollow body bass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire II basses, which from this period are much rarer than the single pickup Starfire I, became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" with and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar crashed and burned, the Starfire Bass soon became one of the company's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow; there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335, giving a tighter response than a true hollow body bass. The real secrets to the early Guild basses' unique sound are the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickups, which look like double-coil unit but are in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it around 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe double-pickup Starfire II was added to the line in 1967; it carries a rather lavish electronics package with a master volume control, pickup selector switch, individual tone and volume knobs for each PU, and a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end on the neck PU. The chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive if possibly unintended touch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire II is from mid-1968, with an unusual ebony grain finish that is a catalog option but is rarely seen. Nearly all Starfire Basses were cherry or sunburst -- this custom order finish is noted on the label as \"Starfire Bass II Ebony\". This bass is all original and a fine and most unusual example of this 1960's classic. The sound is extremely well-defined and powerful, and this is one of the most sonically versatile basses of the 1960's. Playability is excellent and we are most pleased to offer this fine example of what has been one of out most frequently requested instruments.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 7\/8 in. (116.5 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 3\/4 in. (781 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell-played but not abused. All original finish; overall quite well-preserved but considerable wear to the back of the neck, some buckle wear to the back, and a spot of finish inexplicably worn away between the jack and tailpin on the rim. Top is slightly faded but has only small areas of wear. All parts original except one bridge saddle is a repro (original included) and the small master volume knob is replaced by a larger period-correct Guild knob. Some noticeable wear to the plating on the pickup covers. Generally Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853272404108,"sku":"4184","price":4000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_35981419-57ed-4eaf-91ee-bc7d4dbe542e.jpg?v=1774332643"},{"product_id":"vox-astro-iv-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-6631","title":"Vox Astro IV Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Vox Astro IV Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Recanati, Italy, sunburst polyester finish, laminated maple body and neck, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fairly unique violin-body Vox Astro IV was a direct descendant of the 1966 V-250 \"Violin Bass\", which itself was only available for a year or so. The Astro was built with the same arched, F hole hollow body but used the very narrow neck that Rolling Stone Bill Wyman requested for his namesake teardrop-body model in 1966. By 1968 all Vox basses used this same neck design, which is about the slimmest ever fitted to a professional class bass! The Astro IV is a pretty far-out take on the Hofner violin bass and has all the typical evolved Vox appointments for that year; wider-cased metal covered pickups (with more output than the earlier design) and a *very* large headstock with larger long-stemmed tuners and a giant VOX logo made of individual gold plastic letters. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis model also has a special period feature: elaborate onboard transistorized effects that were pioneered by Vox starting in 1967. The \"distortion\" circuit is particularly good, adjustable from a sizzly fuzz to a white noise maelstrom, while the rotary Treble-Bass boost is also quite effective. There is also a \"G\" tuner, more important in the pre-electronic tuner days of 1967 but still vaguely working, though the pitch has drifted somewhat! These second generation 1967-68 Eko made models are some of the nicest Vox instruments in terms of build quality and fretwork, and this is a fast-playing and good sounding if rather eccentrically styled bass from the company's later '60's line, still a distinctive instrument by any standard! This model is most remembered for its appearance in Bill Wyman's hands at two well-documented Rolling Stones gigs: the \"Rock 'N' Roll Circus\" TV special in 1968 and the massive Hyde Park concert in the summer of 1969. An oddball Vox classic, but one with a pedigree!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 47 3\/4 in. (121.3 cm.), 13 1\/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7\/16 in. (36 mm.). This bass is a very good player with some old and solid but visible repairs. The seams on the back of the laminated neck have been re-sealed but not finished over; this is completely tight but can be seen. Overall there is little of the typical heavy Vox Polyester finish checking, but the top\/side edge of the body on the lower treble bout up through the tailpiece area shows several solid but quite visible crack repairs, well sealed but not touched up. There is a crack coming off the rearmost mounting snap for the back cover, and one other snap is missing its lower half. The rest of the body is fairly clean; there are a few largish chips through the finish to the neck heel and headstock areas. There are no alterations and the instrument is complete except the snap-on bridge cover is missing, and the \"Vox\" logo plate usually found inset into the tailpiece is MIA-though it may never have been there in the first place! Overall this is a good player's example of this cool Vox bass obscurity-even the active effects are amazingly still functional. Complate with the very large OHSC, a bit worn and funky but still useable Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Vox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853278302348,"sku":"6631","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_e454b3de-bbf5-4ee4-96ff-6f137e4706ac.jpg?v=1774332827"},{"product_id":"kay-k-5920-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1964-7886","title":"Kay K-5920 Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1964)","description":"Kay K-5920 Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1964), made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original two-tone chipboard case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKay is generally considered the second commercially successful electric bass guitar maker, following quickly on the heels of Fender in 1952. Kay were the king of commercial grade upright basses at the time, and likely saw the solid body Fender Precision Bass as a looming threat to their market. Kay's offerings were a completely different design, using a shorter thinner neck on a hollow cutaway guitar body. This was perhaps a quick design decision, but made for a completely different feeling and playing instrument from the Fender and was in many ways nearly as influential. Indeed the Kay Electric bass is the direct ancestor of all acoustic\/electric hollow body bass guitars, and also introduced the common 30\" short scale that many of them share. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis instrument is the original Kay Electric Bass' mid-'60s descendant, designated Model K-5920. It still has a fairly conservative look with a single-cutaway 15\" arched hollow body finished in a nicely shaded gold\/brown sunburst, with single binding on the top and back. The single \"speed bump\" pickup is mounted in the center of the body, over a cream plastic pickguard with tone and volume controls mounted below on the top. The oddly shaped headstock with a prominent lower flange carries a flashy plastic plate adorned with the \"K\" Kay logo and four Kluson openback guitar tuners that look surplus from the late 1940s. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy the mid-1960s Kay's original hollow body bass concept was hugely popular, but the company's own designs were somewhat undistinguished. This bass is a fairly late example of Kay's typical offerings dating to 1964, still much more solid in construction than many imports of the time, but no longer particularly unique. This bass was Kay's equivalent to the very popular Harmony H-22, and a decent sounding and playable instrument. While it has not been re-discovered the way the H-22 has, the K-5920 is still a nice entry in the 1960s hollow body bass sweepstakes.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 in. (114.3 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 15\/16 in. (4.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn all original example showing some general wear and -- upon close examination -- some fairly sloppy workmanship sometimes seen from the Kay factory by the mid-'60s. This is the best playing one of there we have had (and it took some effort to make it that way!) with a nice straight neck and the brass frets well-polished out. There are some small chips to the finish, a small patched area of binding on the bottom edge of the cutaway and corrosion to the tailpiece base, but overall the bass looks relatively undisturbed. Includes a battered and semi-functional original chipboard case, and amazingly, the original hangtag. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Kay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853290754188,"sku":"7886","price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_15955d72-0e93-443d-bde0-5e3f5e960716.jpg?v=1774333274"},{"product_id":"vox-v-250-violin-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-7909","title":"Vox V-250 Violin Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Vox V-250 Violin Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Italy, sunburst polyester finish, laminated maple body, laminated maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original grey hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Vox V-250 was the obviously Hofner-inspired bass from the Eko-made Vox line, replacing a solid (or mostly solid) body Vox violin bass that was only in production briefly in 1965. With two small single-coil Vox pickups, segmented F-holes, a raised pickguard with handrest and a simple 3-knob switching system, the V-250 has a certain amount of individual character compared to most similar period basses. The small oblong single sided black headstock is a typical Vox trademark, but atypical for a \"Beatle\" style bass most of which followed the Hofner pattern more closely. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis model was first available in 1966; within the next two years it had morphed into an even more elaborate creation, the Astro IV with a slimmer neck and much larger headstock. This model is not particularly rare, but is a good period player in a violin style bass guitar; with its bolt-on neck the heel and heckset issues common to its German inspiration are avoided entirely. The V-250 is very light, easy to handle and a neat find in a mid-60's bass with more individual character than most of the common Beatle-inspired 4-strings. It is also a garage band classic, as used by the Chocolate Watch Band in the AIP feature RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 3\/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/4 in. (44 mm.). A very clean and original bass, with little wear anywhere. The only alterations are the tailpiece baseplate has been replaced (they are very prone to shearing) and the snap-on bridge cover is missing. There is some of the typical Vox checking to the Polyester body finish, not too severe with no finish loss. Overall a very good example, it appears to still be fitted with the original (or at least period) flatwound strings. Comes complete with the original Grey HSC with all latches and the fragile handle intact, and even much of the original paperwork included. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Vox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853292261516,"sku":"7909","price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-8050","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960s Guild Starfire bass has in recent years been re-gaining attention as one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollow-body bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late '60s with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960s. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335 giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire is from mid-1967 and has features specific to that period. The major difference from the earlier models is the pickup position, mounted just under the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. This bass pre-dates the introduction of the baritone tone switch added in late 1967. The tuners are typical American-made Klusons where the very first models had European Van Ghents. The triple bound body is finished in a deep cherry red finish. This bass has some light signs of wear from use but remains a fine example of this 1960s classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is nicely original and in excellent playing condition with just some light fairly typical finish wear. The cherry lacquer overall is well-preserved with small chips and dings, two small areas of belt-buckle wear on the back, a wear spot on the lower side, and a small spot of finish worn away just above the upper finger rest. The deep red cherry color is still very strong with some typical checking. The neck finish has the edges worn down a bit, and there are some small dings to the back of the neck. There is some light corrosion to some of the plating. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe only alteration is one of the tuner shaft screws is a later replacement, fairly common as they often fell out unnoticed! The serial number on the headstock rear has an extra digit added after the last number from the factory, the sort of odd but not unknown error sometimes seen on period Guilds�this is the second we have had like this. Overall a fine gigging Starfire bass, with an excellent straight neck with good angle, and the typical wonderful sound. This bass comes in a period but not Guild-made HSC that is a functional, if not exact, fit. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853309399180,"sku":"8050","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-ii-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1974-7345","title":"Guild Starfire Bass II Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1974)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass II Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1974), made in Westerly, RI, serial # 101149, black lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn recent years the Guild Starfire bass has gained attention as one of the most distinctive of all bass guitars, and the double-pickup Starfire II model is the most sought-after version. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire II basses, which from this period are fairly rare became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" with and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar crashed and burned the Starfire Bass soon became one of the company's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. This bass features the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced the Hagstrom pickups originally used around 1970. The double-pickup Starfire II had been added to the line in 1967; it carries a rather lavish electronics package with a master volume control, pickup selector switch, individual tone and volume knobs for each PU and a mini-toggle \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end on the neck PU. The chrome Hagstrom bridge plate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive if possibly unintended touch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire II is from 1974, with a jet black finish that is a catalog option but is rarely seen. Most Starfire Basses were originally cherry or sunburst-this custom order finish is noted on the label as \"SBB2 Black\" This bass is all original and a superb example of the 1970's version of this 1960's classic. The sound is darker than the '60's models but still extremely well-defined and powerful, and a most sonically versatile bass. Playability is excellent and we are most pleased to offer this fine example of what has been one of out most frequently requested instruments.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 7\/8 in. (116.5 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 3\/4 in. (781 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). Superb all-original condition-no repairs or alterations and only some light finish wear, including a few chips to the edge. A fantastic example, a rare and great playing bass complete with the original HSC. Excellent + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853312381068,"sku":"7345","price":2250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_543028e9-5d02-4c1f-9d66-2847d3fb5ae0.jpg?v=1774334181"},{"product_id":"vox-spyder-iv-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-8255","title":"Vox Spyder IV Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Vox Spyder IV Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Recanati, Italy, serial # 401358, sunburst polyester finish, laminated maple body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original grey hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe colorfully named violin-body Spyder IV was one of the final Vox bass designs, a direct descendant of the company's earlier 1966 V-250 \"Violin Bass\". The \"Spyder\" and its sister instrument the Astro IV were built with the same arched, f-hole hollow body, but used the newer very narrow neck that Rolling Stone Bill Wyman requested for his namesake teardrop-body model in 1966. By 1968 all Vox basses used this neck design, which is about the slimmest ever fitted to a professional class bass!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Spyder IV is a pretty far-out take on the Hofner-inspired violin bass and has the typical evolved Vox appointments for 1968: wider-cased metal-covered \"Ferro-Sonic\" pickups (with more output than the earlier designs) and a *very* large headstock with larger long-stemmed tuners and a giant VOX logo made of individual gold plastic letters. The somewhat muddy orangey-brown sunburst finish on this body was one of several finish options. The electronics are straightforward with a 3-way switch, single volume, and two tone controls. The large chrome tailpiece with a gold VOX logo and the adjustable bridge were standard fittings; the slightly lopsided pickguard with a large plastic fingerrest is specific to this model. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Spyder IV was the plainer of this set of violin-body instruments, differing from the Astro in not mounting the elaborate onboard transistorized effects that were pioneered by the company in this period. Otherwise they are exactly the same instrument, although oddly this less expensive version seems to be rarer today. These third generation 1967-68 Eko-made models are some of the nicest of all Vox instruments in terms of build quality and fretwork, and this is a fast-playing and good-sounding, if rather eccentrically styled, bass from the company's final '60s line. A distinctive instrument by any standard, this model remains an oddball Vox classic, perhaps, but one with a pedigree!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 47 3\/4 in. (121.3 cm.), 13 1\/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7\/16 in. (36 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an all original, very clean bass with only some typical checking to the heavy polyester finish and some small dings and dents here and there. One check on the back treble side edge is deep enough that a bit of finish is flaked off. Other than this, the bass shows only minimal signs of use, the frets show virtually no wear and the neck has none of the common lamination or fingerboard cracks often found on these Eko\/Vox creations. Even the oft-missing bridge cover is still intact. An excellent-playing and sounding example of this unmistakable Vox bass, complete in its original oblong case. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Vox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853321621644,"sku":"8255","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_82c45be2-c6ab-46a1-82ad-a4ff654fe64b.jpg?v=1774334588"},{"product_id":"vox-v-283-spyder-iv-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-8672","title":"Vox V-283 Spyder IV Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Vox V-283 Spyder IV Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Recanati, Italy, serial # 402439, sunburst polyester finish, laminated maple body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe colorfully named violin-body Vox V-283 Spyder IV was one of the company's final bass designs, a direct descendant of the more prosaically named 1966 V-250 \"Violin Bass\". The \"Spyder\" and its sister instrument the Astro IV were built with the same arched, f-hole hollow body, but used the very narrow neck that Rolling Stone Bill Wyman requested for his namesake teardrop-body model in 1966. All Vox basses in the 1968 line used this neck design, which is about the slimmest ever fitted to a professional class bass!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Spyder IV is in general a pretty far-out take on the Hofner-inspired violin bass that was nearly ubiquitous in the 1960s. It has the typical evolved Vox appointments for 1968: two of the wider-cased metal-covered \"Ferro-Sonic\" pickups (with more output than the earlier designs) and a *very* large headstock with long-stemmed tuners and a giant VOX logo made of individual gold plastic letters. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe somewhat muddy orangey-brown sunburst finish on this body was the standard finish option. The electronics are straightforward with a 3-way switch, single volume, and two tone controls. The large chrome tailpiece with a gold VOX logo and the adjustable bridge were standard fittings on the entire line; the slightly lopsided pickguard with a large plastic fingerrest is specific to this model. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Spyder IV was the more basic of a set of violin-body basses; its sister model the Astro IV mounted a bevy of the elaborate onboard transistorized effects pioneered by the company in this period. Otherwise they are exactly the same instrument, although oddly this less expensive version seems to be the rarer one today. These third generation 1967-68 Eko-made models are some of the nicest of all Vox instruments in terms of build quality and fretwork, and this is a fast-playing and good-sounding, if rather eccentrically styled, bass from the company's final 1960s line. A distinctive instrument by any standard, this model remains an oddball Vox classic, perhaps, but one with a pedigree!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 47 3\/4 in. (121.3 cm.), 13 1\/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7\/16 in. (36 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an all original, relatively clean bass overall with some typical checking lines to the heavy polyester finish and some general scuffing, dings, and dents. There is one deep dig into the wood on the back of the neck heel, the result of the bass rubbing against the stud of the neck rest in the case. The area between the end of the neck and the pickup ring on the top has a small crack, which is pretty much ubiquitous on these. The knobs are all missing a metal cap insert, which is not noticeable unless you know they were once there. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOther than these flaws, the bass shows only moderate use, the frets show very little wear and the neck has none of the common lamination or fingerboard cracks often found on these Eko\/Vox creations. Even the oft-missing Vox-branded snap-on bridge cover is still intact. An excellent-playing and sounding example of this unmistakable Vox bass creation, complete in its original large rectangular case. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Vox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853331222668,"sku":"8672","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_f7960a31-2a75-46b2-8cdc-6691d5b2fda4.jpg?v=1774334735"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1965-8808","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Hoboken, NJ, serial # BA-113, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fing, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a rare and super cool example of the very earliest Guild electric basses. This Starfire Bass is from the model's introductory year of 1965 and bears a very low serial number. Guild's Starfire bass remains one of the 1960s' most distinctive bass guitars. Despite a general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollow-body bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid-body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid-body Jetstar soon crashed and burned, the Starfire soon became one of the company's most popular items. The 30 1\/2\" scale neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960s. The body is not fully hollow; there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335, giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollow-body bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to this Guild bass' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. Some of the early Starfires have different Hagstrom pickups built on a smaller coil that are not as sonically impressive. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire is from early-mid 1965 and is numbered BA-113; that series specific to this model starts at BA-101. While a handful of basses were built before the inception of the individual series numbers, so few are extant as to suggest they are virtually pre-production models. These carry the standard cumulative Guild serial numbers that were superseded in mid-1965 by the model-specific series. Starfire bass numbers for 1965 run only up to BA-177, so likely well under 100 basses were shipped that first year. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is one of the first, with features specific to that period. The major difference from the later models is the pickup position, mounted fairly close to the bridge for a much tighter attack. This bass has a single tone and volume knob set, pre-dating the introduction of the baritone tone switch added in 1967. The neck is very slim without much taper, with a dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The headstock is faced in plastic and mounts American-made Kluson bass pegs; some others of these very first models had Dutch-made Van Gents. The triple-bound body is finished in a vibrant 3-color sunburst, somewhat less common than the cherry red finish. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses found some enthusiastic users right away; The Lovin' Spoonful's Steve Boone used them exclusively, while Chris Hillman of The Byrds used an early model identical to this one for much of 1965-66. Later the Starfire Bass became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed. This is the earliest we have ever had, and a truly superb instrument. If you've been looking for the exact bass correct to play \"Turn Turn Turn\" and \"8 Miles High\" in your Byrds cover band, this is it!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 31 in. (787 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass has some minor signs of wear but remains a fine, original, and rather rare version of this 1960s 4-string classic. The finish is bright and unfaded with beautiful color; it shows very little play wear but has a few flaked areas -- notable on the lower back -- from exposure to moisture. The neck laminations can be felt along the back but there are no separations; there is some finish wear along the spine. All hardware is original and complete and the bass plays and sounds exceptionally fine, about the nicest Starfire we have had. A true connoisseur's delight in a 1960s Guild bass, complete in the original HSC. Excellent + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853347049612,"sku":"8808","price":2850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_10bb5ae3-94e8-4bfe-9bfc-7285ae6ae659.jpg?v=1774335428"},{"product_id":"kay-model-k-5925-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-8946","title":"Kay Model K-5925 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Kay Model K-5925 Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Chicago, blue lacquer finish, laminated maple body; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy the late 1960's the Kay company in Chicago was on its last legs, having struggled with mostly outdated or just odd designs through the early years of the guitar boom and then ceding the low end of the marked to imported competition. Their flashy 1966-67 line included some modern looking instruments with a more Fender-y character including this striking looking bass. Unfortunately these were not much of a success, and the Kay company did not survive a series of buyouts and mergers before the end of the decade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis model K-5925 bass was described in the Kay catalog as a solid body but is actually more semi-hollow, with a short-scale neck and single \"speed bump\" pickup. The most striking feature is the lovely finish, described by Kay as \"Soft Teal Blue\" and accented with black-and-white binding on the edges. The fluid-shaped headstock and back of the neck are painted to match. Kay offered this basic design in both single and double pickup versions in red, white or blue; all are quite rare but this is teal one of the most visually striking instruments in the line and a real looker from any angle! Oddly enough there is no exact guitar equivalent to this model, the design was only offered as a bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost other features are fairly conventional. The short-scale neck has a rosewood fingerboard with a sort of Gretsch-like top edge inlay. The neck itself is quite slim with a soft \"U\" profile, slightly reminiscent of Kay's upright bass roots. The single-coil pickup is centrally located on the body giving a nice midrangey sound, with a volume and tone control and rosewood fingerrest mounted on the laminated black pickguard. The one howlingly weird feature is the jack, located on the BACK of the body instead of the side or top; perhaps someone at Kay thought this was nice and discreet (or something) but it pretty much necessitates a right-angle cord to avoid constantly banging it into the players leg! Still, this one shore is a looker guaranteed to be a conversation piece in any context.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 44 1\/2 in. (113 cm.), 14 5\/8 in. (37.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 11\/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 3\/4 in. (781 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile we usually specialize in instruments that are all original, this very cool looking bass has had some modifications to make it more player friendly into the 21st century. The original pretty much useless truss rod has been replaced with a sturdier Gibson-style piece, which has a slightly differently shaped custom-made cover on the headstock. The original tuners were small guitar-size pieces of dubious functionality on a bass; they have been replaced with a set of older Schallers that are heavier but do indeed tune the bass easily and securely. Everything else is original except the knobs, which are period but a generic style. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe beautiful blue finish�really this instrument's shining feature�is generally well preserved, faded a bit to a nice aqua tint with some light checking and small dings and dents. There is one big scrape on the upper side and a bit of loss on the headstock just above the nut from the truss rod installation. A chip of binding is missing from the upper back edge but the celluloid binding is not shrinking heavily or crumbling. Everything else on the bass is original, including the somewhat worn-down rosewood bridge and the usually lost chrome cover for it. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe can't promise this is the greatest playing vintage bass out there, but it certainly sounds good and plays as well as many other 4-strings from the period�that aren't Fenders! The neck is quite slim with a fairly narrow string spacing, and the original brass Kay frets show very little wear. The central-body pickup position gives it a nice midrangey growl, in the same sonic category as a Fender Mustang. Absolutely a looker, though, and a relatively nice example of this end-of-the-line Kay offering in a superbly cool finish. It rests in a period lower-grade HSC that might be original�it looks fitted to the bass, though a bit tight in spots. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Kay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853354422412,"sku":"8946","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_32dd6481-91a3-4210-aab7-b063d42494cb.jpg?v=1774335806"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-10375","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, serial # BA-1507, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960s Guild Starfire bass has in recent years re-gained attention as one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollow-body bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late '60s with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960s. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335 giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire Bass dates to late 1967 and has features specific to that period. The major difference from earlier models is the pickup position, with the large Bi-Sonic mounted just below the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature a single P.U. closer to the bridge. This bass would be one of the first equipped with the baritone tone switch which was added later in 1967, not too long after the pickup placement was revised. The tuners are typical American-made Klusons, the bridge is also a Hagstrom-made piece with four adjustable wooden saddles. The triple bound body is finished in a deep 3-color sunburst finish. This bass has some light signs of wear from use but remains all original and a fine example of this 1960s classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is nicely original and in excellent playing condition with just some light fairly wear. The color in the sunburst lacquer finish is still strong with some typical minor checking. The finish is nicely preserved overall with just some very small chips and dings, most notably a small spot of finish worn away just above the upper finger rest. There are also some small dings and chips to the finish to the spine on the back of the neck. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe top layer of the headstock veneer has shrunk up as is typical with Guilds of this period and there are some marks and clouded spots on the face from apparent attempts to glue it back down. Most of the plating is very clean with hardly any corrosion, only the tuners show any notable corrosion. Two of the small screws securing the bridge saddle cradles are old replacements, but you'd have to look pretty closely to notice. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original frets show just minimal wear. Overall this a very fine example of the original 1960s Starfire bass; the lovely straight neck has a very good angle, and the bass plats excellent with the typical punchy sound. It comes in the original Guild-marked HSC with the original warranty card and instruction sheet. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853396136076,"sku":"10375","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_7c44babe-6f79-40d6-9a42-5a7366b10bd1.jpg?v=1774337303"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-ii-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-9606","title":"Guild Starfire Bass II Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass II Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Hoboken, NJ, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960s Guild Starfire bass has a well-deserved reputation as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars, and this 1967-70 double-pickup Starfire II is the most famous and sought-after version. Despite a resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollow body bass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire II basses, which from this period are much rarer than the single pickup Starfire I, became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" with and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this period the Starfire Bass became one of the Guild's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow; there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 giving a tighter response than a true hollow body bass. The real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound are the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickups, used only from 1965-70. These look like double-coil unit but are in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar Gibson bass \"mudbucker\" or Guild's own humbucking pickup which replaced it around 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe double-pickup Starfire II was added to the line in 1967, two years after the single pickup model debuted. It carries a rather lavish electronics package with individual tone and volume knobs for each PU, a master volume control, pickup selector switch and a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end on the neck PU. The chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive if possibly unintended touch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire II is from mid-1968, with the sunburst finish that is one of two standard catalog options. The sound is extremely well-defined and powerful; this is one of the most sonically versatile basses of the 1960's. Playability is excellent and we are pleased to offer this very nice example of what has been one of our more frequently requested 4-string instruments.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 7\/8 in. (116.5 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 3\/4 in. (781 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a very nice and all original bass; overall well-preserved with some light play wear. There are two spots of finish worn down to the wood on the top above the pickups from finger wear, and two tiny patched holes with some finish blemish marks from a small thumbrest previously mounted between the pickup rings. Other than these the bass shows very minor scuffing overall and some isolated small dings and chips; a few on the top have been discreetly patched up. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll the hardware is original and complete; there is some minor wear to the plating on the pickup covers. The plastic headstock veneer has shrunken slightly but is not pulling up or separating as many do. The neck is excellent and the original frets show only very minor wear. Looking only lightly used since the summer of '68 this bass is a truly excellent player, complete in a nicely preserved Guild-branded OHSC. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853397905548,"sku":"9606","price":3950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_3d63b6a3-7199-4885-809c-8ac2fe947bc7.jpg?v=1774337367"},{"product_id":"fender-coronado-bass-ii-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-11542","title":"Fender Coronado Bass II Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Fender Coronado Bass II Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Fullerton, California, Firemist Silver Metallic lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple nack with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Coronado series represents the CBS\/Fender attempt to challenge Gibson, Gretsch, and Guild in the booming 1960s hollowbody electric market. The British invasion bands that took over America's airwaves in 1964 often favored hollow or semi hollow instruments, especially basses. As a response to this trend the Coronado line was launched in January 1966, about a year after CBS bought Leo's company. The finishes were initially only Cherry or Sunburst, though the palette was quickly expanded. While ultimately not a big hit with either Fender loyalists or players of other brands, the Coronados are interesting and often attractive instruments, particularly in the rare custom color finishes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe single pickup Coronado Bass I was part of initial the line, this twin-pickup Bass II model added in 1967. It mates a 30\" scale bound, block-inlaid maple\/rosewood Fender bass neck to a double cutaway, fully hollow body with triple-bound edges and bound f-holes. The twin pickups are not Fender-made but were sourced from Rowe industries, makers of the DeArmond line. They have adjustable screw poles inside the plastic center inset in the thin metal covers. The wiring is the typical Gibson style 4-knob, 1 switch array. The trapeze tailpiece has the Fender \"F\" in the plastic center. The bridge is a sort of staggered metal trough with adjustable plastic-center saddles on twin metal feet, one of several ideas Fender tried. There are finger rests both above and below the strings. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe most striking feature of this particular bass is of course the beautiful metallic lacquer finish on the body and headstock that has hardly faded at all over time. This is Fender's rarely seen Firemist Silver Metallic, which replaced Inca Silver in 1964-5. We thought it might be the equally rare Ice Blue Metallic, but close inspection does not reveal any unfaded blue hue under the hardware. The Bass II is about the rarest of the Coronado series to begin with, but this custom livery takes this one to another level; it is the only one in this finish we have ever seen. In later 1967 this bass would have cost $471.98 ($449.50 + 5% upcharge for the color) PLUS $64.50 for the case. A custom Color Jazz Bass was $293.50 on the same price list. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from the color this is a very good-playing and sounding bass, the nicest of these we have had and a far better instrument than its original reputation suggests. It is very reminiscent in feel of the contemporary Harmony H-27, which has very similar features and layout but of course lacks the more reliable Fender neck. In its metallic mist hue this is a truly striking instrument too behold. The Coronados were discontinued after 1970; while in general they are not uncommon, this twin-pickup bass in one of Fender's least common custom colors is a VERY rare example\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 3\/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a REALLY clean instrument overall, all original and showing only minor signs of use. There is a small circular stain on the headstock face just below the \"II\" part of the logo, source unknown. Apart from that the finish is very well preserved, with a handful of tiny dings and dents here and there and some shallow scratching on the back. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is some visible fretwear but the instrument plays perfectly, currently strung with black Nylon strings. It has a very versatile sound, more so than many hollow or semi hollowbody basses and is quite light and handy. This bass lives in its original Victoria luggage yellow-lined HSC, with some signs of touring use and period band graphics applied for extra vibe. Overall Excellent + Condition.","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853466947724,"sku":"11542","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_5af487fd-436c-4882-a880-259c0349d62a.jpg?v=1774339204"},{"product_id":"hofner-5001-beatle-bass-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-11777","title":"Hofner 500\/1 Beatle Bass Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Hofner 500\/1 Beatle Bass Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Germany, serial # 37044, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body with spruce top, laminated maple neck wirh rosewood finferboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat can be said about the classic Hofner Beatle Bass that has not already been in print for decades? This unique and quirky design (with the possible exception of the Fender Precision and Jazz) remains the most imitated electric bass of all time. If a certain Beatle had not made it his signature instrument in the early 1960s it would have likely faded into obscurity decades ago, but as we all know that connection is still as strong as ever; Sir Paul continues to use his live even now, 60+ years on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Hofner Model 500\/1 is one of the earlier electric bass guitars, certainly one of the very first European designs. The \"violin bass\" layout was a natural for Hofner, much experienced with bowed instruments. With a laminated maple body and spruce top, the bass was assembled rather like an actual viol. Between 1955 and 1966 it went through many design changes; this version is similar in appearance to McCartney's famous 1963 model with a number of small differences. The bound neck, raised logo, larger control panel, larger pickup rings and shorter tailpiece are the most obvious. While now collectors have since cataloged all these changes and more none of it mattered much to the legions of mostly young aspiring bassists who flocked to the model in the mid-60s, hoping to grab a piece of Beatle magic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass dates to mid-1966 (the pots carry a code indicating fabrication in the 26th week of 1966). This model was exclusively distributed in the US by Sorkin Music, and proved a real windfall for them in Beatle-mad 1965 and '66. While now usually remembered as a \"cheap\" bass that was NOT true when new; the list price in 1966 was $335 plus $60 for the C-501 case. In July 1966 Fender Precision listed at $223 in Sunburst and $234 (for a Custom Color); the Jazz Bass was $271 or $285 (Custom Color). One would guess a lot of lawns were mowed and supermarket bags checked to enable teen players to afford this luxury! Numerous imitations of widely varying quality quickly hit the market, but the Hofner original was never surpassed as the REAL \"Beatle Bass\".\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from this unavoidable connection, the 500\/1 has always been a most pleasant instrument to play. Extremely light and handy with its slim 30\" scale neck, the twin-pickup bass is also fairly versatile sounding with two volume controls and Hofner's proprietary (if confusing) \"Flick action console\". Young players who may have struggled to pay for one of these got an instrument that was exceptionally easy to learn on while maintaining an excellent sound and undeniable cool factor. In the uber-loud later 1960s this lively hollowbody bass fell out of favor somewhat but never really disappeared, and maintains a special mystique to this day.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 43 3\/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1\/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains *almost* all original, showing some typical wear and maintenance repair and a truly excellent player. The finish shows some general wear, most notably checking to the top and a couple of deep wear spots into the wood above the neck pickup, where a player must have rested their thumb. The back has some chips up near the neck joint, and area of buckle scratches into but not through the lacquer. Overall the instrument shows small scratches, dings and dents. The treble side of the neck is worn to the wood along the edge, otherwise the neck finish is relatively clean. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs it almost ubiquitous with old Hofners the neck has been reset, in this case neatly and correctly with no extra shenanigans. The original binding around the heel and heelcap are still intact, with no extra screws and such added as has often been the case. The fingerboard has been trued and refretted with correct style wire, and the bridge rebuilt to the correct height by restoring the cut-down saddle. The top of the bridge shows holes drilled through over the adjustment screws in the base, no longer needed for correct height settings. The result of all this is one of the best-playing Hofner 500\/1 basses around, with a smooth low action over the entire neck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll hardware is original and complete except for one tuner button; either the button or the entire tuner was replaced long ago; the peg itself is an exact match, the button close but no cigar. A second matching plastic strap button was added to the heel probably when the bass was new. The oft-broken or missing original pickguard is fully intact. The Sorkin-applied serial number label on the back of the headstock has a piece of tape over it (it probably started to peel off) and an additional small \"BEATLES\" sticker below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a super comfortable bass to play, sounding exactly as it should and residing in the original 1966 Sorkin case with a period strap some added Beatle-y decorative memorabilia inside and out. A tag on the handle indicates it once visited the Rock \u0026amp; Roll Hall Of Fame Museum. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Hofner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853481889932,"sku":"11777","price":3750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b7cff408-5afd-40f2-ba2b-ef792f880953.jpg?v=1774339778"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-3376","title":"Guild Starfire I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Guild Starfire I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Hoboken, NJ, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has gained more attention lately as one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid-body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid-body Jetstar soon crashed and burned, the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow; there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335, giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from early 1968, and has several developments from the earlier models. There is a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end and increases clarity even further. This feature was added to the line around the time when the pickup was moved to the position just under the fingerboard; the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive, if possibly unintended, touch. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. The triple bound body is finished in a vibrant sunburst, somewhat less common by 1968 compared to the cherry red finish. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is all original and a fine gigging example of this 1960's classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 15\/16 in. (116.7 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell-played but not abused. Some areas of finish loss, most noticeable on the back of the neck, in the armwear area, and above the thumbrest. This bass has seen a lot of gig time but is overall very nice and a great-sounding and playing Starfire. Original Guild hard case is well-worn but completely functional. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853484150924,"sku":"3376","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_9cb64338-4bb7-4d14-b1c9-14fd87969897.jpg?v=1774339858"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-6673","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has in recent years been re-gaining attention as one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960's. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335 giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollowbody bass. The real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire is from mid-1967 and has features specific to that period. The major difference from the earlier models is the pickup position, mounted just under the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. This bass pre-dates the introduction of the baritone tone switch added in late 1967.The tuners are also the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. The triple bound body is finished in a deep cherry red finish. This bass has some light signs of wear from use but remains a fine example of this 1960's classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). This bass is all original and in excellent structural and cosmetic playing condition with just some fairly minor play wear. The finish overall is quite well preserved with small chips and dings, but there is one large area of belt-buckle wear through the finish into the wood o the back and a spot of finish worn away just above the upper finger rest. The cherry color is still very strong with some typical checking. The neck finish is in good shape with just the edges worn down a bit. There are some numbers neatly etched into the back finish near the strap button and an old music store sticker under the treble side F hole. The serial number on the headstock rear has an accidental double-stamp from the factory and an extra digit added after the last number, the sort of odd but not unknown error sometimes seen on period Guilds. Overall a fine gigging Starfire bass, with an excellent straight neck with good angle, typical wonderful sound and includes the OHSC. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853485396108,"sku":"6673","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_a0ff8a21-1eca-4883-a414-9c577326dbb6.jpg?v=1774339903"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-6472","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our most requested instruments, the 1960's Guild Starfire bass has in recent years gained renewed attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite a general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2\/Epiphone Rivoli line the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. Starfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Other early prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful (who had the first two-pickup model built for him) and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With an unusually slim and very fast-playing neck the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not offer any electric bass until 1965, when the semi-hollow Starfire line and the solidbody line both had a single-pickup bass added. The solid body Jetstar Bass quickly crashed and burned but the Starfire Bass soon became one of the company's most popular items. Unlike most 1960's basses the body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335 (and EB-2) giving a tighter response than a true hollowbody bass. Still, the real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the huge Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With magnet slugs nearly 1\/4\" wide for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the familiar Gibson EB bass humbucker or the later Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1967,the peak production year for these basses with over 1,000 units shipped from Hoboken. This bass is the quintessential 1960's example with cherry-red lacquer over striped \"Sapeli\" mahogany that was originally the defining \"Starfire\" finish. This Starfire I has newer features that were added over the course of 1967. There is a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch that was added soon after the single pickup was moved closer to the neck- the earliest Starfire basses had the single P.U. nearer the bridge. With the bright-sounding Bi-Sonic this electronic choke was not particularly needed but Guild followed the Gibson pattern and added it anyway. The chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is asymmetrical, extended on the treble side for better intonation and to look more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece. The top has small plastic fingerrests on either side of the strings-the earliest versions were wooden. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons, also used by Gibson. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 3\/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 13\/16 in. (4.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7\/16 in. (36 mm.). This bass is in excellent structural and playing condition with some play wear but no repairs or alterations. The majority of the finish overall is well preserved with good rich cherry color and only small chips and dings, but there is one large area of belt buckle wear on the back through the finish into the wood, and someone attempted to sand around it leaving the edges smooth but deeply scuffed. The top shows several spots of wear near the fingerrests , and a couple of scrapes behind the bridge. The neck finish is worn through smoothly over some of its surface. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains all original, and except for its cosmetic scarring on the back still a very good looking bass. With a very straight neck, good angle and only minimal fret wear it is a truly excellent player, perhaps not the cleanest Starfire bass we have had (though not beat up looking either) but one of the nicest to play. Includes the Guild-branded OHSC. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853487657100,"sku":"6472","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"hofner-5001-beatle-bass-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1965-12002","title":"Hofner 500\/1 Beatle Bass Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)","description":"Hofner 500\/1 Beatle Bass Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Germany, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body with spruce top, laminated maple neck wirh rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat can be said about the classic Hofner Beatle Bass that has not already been in print for decades? This unique and quirky design remains (with the possible exception of the Fender Precision and Jazz) the most imitated electric bass of all time. If a certain Beatle had not made it his signature instrument in the early 1960s it would have likely faded into obscurity decades ago, but as we all know that connection is still as strong as ever; Sir Paul continues to use his live even now, 60+ years on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Hofner Model 500\/1 is one of the earlier electric bass guitars, one of the very first European designs. The \"violin bass\" layout was a natural for Hofner, experienced with bowed instruments. With a laminated maple body and spruce top, the bass was assembled rather like an actual viol. Between 1955 and 1965 it went through many design changes; this version is similar in appearance to McCartney's famous 1963 model with a number of small differences. The bound neck, raised logo, larger control panel, larger pickup rings and shorter tailpiece are the most obvious. While now collectors have since cataloged all these changes and more none of it mattered much to the legions of mostly young aspiring bassists who flocked to the model in the mid-60s, hoping to grab a piece of Beatle magic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass dates to mid\/late 1965 (the pots carry a code indicating fabrication in the 29th week of 1965). This model was exclusively distributed in the US by Sorkin Music, and proved a real windfall for them in Beatle-mad 1965 and '66. While now usually remembered as a \"cheap\" bass that was NOT true when new; the list price in 1965-6 was $335 plus $60 for the C-501 case. In July 1966 Fender Precision listed at $223 in Sunburst and $234 (for a Custom Color); the Jazz Bass was $271 or $285 (Custom Color). One can only guess how many lawns were mowed and supermarket bags checked to enable teen players to afford this luxury! Numerous imitations of widely varying quality quickly hit the market, but the Hofner original was never supplanted as the REAL \"Beatle Bass\".\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from this unavoidable connection, the 500\/1 has always been a pleasant instrument to play. Extremely light and handy with its slim 30\" scale neck, the twin-pickup bass is also fairly versatile sounding with two volume controls and Hofner's proprietary (if confusing) \"Flick action console\". Young players who may have struggled to pay for one of these got an instrument that was exceptionally easy to learn on while maintaining an excellent sound and undeniable cool factor. In the uber-loud later 1960s this lively hollowbody bass fell out of favor somewhat but never really disappeared, and maintains a special mystique to this day. In modern lower volume environments the instrument shines once more!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 43 3\/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1\/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains mostly original, showing only light wear and maintenance repair and a truly excellent player. The finish shows some fairly minor wear overall, most notably checking to the top and scattered small scratches, dings and dents. The neck finish is quite clean.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs it almost ubiquitous with old Hofners the neck has been reset, in this case neatly and correctly with no extra shenanigans. The original binding around the heel and heelcap are still intact, with no extra screws and such added as has often been the case. The result is one of the best-playing Hofner 500\/1 basses around, with a smooth low action over the entire neck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll hardware is original and complete except for the nut (the broken original is in the case) and the tuners, which are more modern but correct style Hofner-issued strips of the type used on the McCartney-style exact reissues. Originally this bass had individual (but otherwise similar) machines as do nearly all 1965's. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA pair of later plastic strap buttons have been added below the tailpiece and to the side below the neck heel. The oft-broken or missing original pickguard is intact, with some minor shrinkage. This is a super comfortable bass to play, sounding exactly as it should and residing in the original 1965 German-made case which shows some external wear. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"Hofner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853488541836,"sku":"12002","price":3950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_d8cd1aaf-e99c-4a37-8686-a01772c38928.jpg?v=1774340019"},{"product_id":"kay-k-5915-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1965-11516","title":"Kay K-5915 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)","description":"Kay K-5915 Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Chicago, sunburst finish, laminater maple body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown chipboard case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKay is generally considered the second commercially successful electric bass guitar maker, following quickly on the heels of Fender in 1952. Kay were the king of commercial grade upright basses at the time, and likely saw the Fender Precision Bass as a looming threat. Kay offered a completely different design using a shorter, thinner neck on a hollow cutaway guitar body. This was perhaps a quick design decision but made for a completely different feeling and playing instrument from the Fender. In many ways it was nearly as influential, the Kay Electric bass being the direct ancestor of all acoustic\/electric hollow body bass guitars, also introducing the common 30\" short scale that many of them share.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis instrument is the original Kay Electric Bass' budget mid-'60s descendant, designated Model K-5915. It has a fairly conservative look with a single-cutaway 13 1\/4\" flat-topped box of a body finished in a dark shaded sunburst, with black-white \"zipper\" side binding on the top and back. The single \"speed bump\" pickup is mounted in the center of the body, over a white plastic pickguard with tone and volume controls. The neck is very thin across but fairly deep back-to front, a Kay trademark. The small headstock is adorned with the \"K\" Kay stenciled logo and four Kluson openback guitar tuners that look surplus from the late 1940s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile definitely a student model the K-5915 still boasts more solid construction than many imports of the time, but little stylistic flair. By the mid-1960s the hollow body bass concept was hugely popular, but Kay's designs rather undistinguished. This bass is a fairly late example of Kay's student-oriented offerings dating to 1965, when it listed for $82.50 plus $14.50 case for the chipboard case. The pots are dated to the 37th week of 1965. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis was Kay's slightly cheaper equivalent to the very popular Harmony H-22, simply made but decent sounding and playable instrument. While it has not been re-discovered the way the H-22 has, the K-5920 is still a respectable budget entry in the 1960s hollow body bass sweepstakes with a surprisingly good sound.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 43 1\/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 13 1\/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7\/16 in. (36 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains in far better condition than many of these, and after some tweaks to the neck and frets a far better player than most. The finish has some minor wear, and there is a later strap button added to the heel and small extra strap button holes drilled in the heel and (!) back of the headstock. All else remains original; the small decorative inserts have fallen out of the knobs. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe neck has been carefully straightened and this is actually quite a playable bass, albeit with very narrow string spacing for many bass players. The sound has a nice acoustic character and it is not difficult to do a fairly convincing upright impression on this one, a tribute to Kay's roots! It is housed in the somewhat worn but still serviceable original chipboard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Kay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853512790156,"sku":"11516","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_e73288d2-b19e-48a6-955d-3d5fca21a730.jpg?v=1774340600"},{"product_id":"dopyera-brothers-db-original-prototype-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1959-12025","title":"Dopyera Brothers DB Original Prototype Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1959)","description":"Dopyera Brothers DB Original Prototype Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar, c. 1959, made in Los Angeles, California, dark sunburst woodgrain finish, Fiberglass composite body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a super unusual, possibly one of a kind electric bass built by some combination of the Dopyera brothers, inveterate tinkerers who together and individually made numerous contributions to guitar history. It has many unusual features, including a VERY short scale wooden neck (a Dopyera specialty) on a body made from fiberglass. There is a hand-made magnetic pickup installed in the neck position, but at some point a version of the Brothers' vibration-activated bass pickup was fitted as well, possibly as an early test case. While it is impossible to date exactly this bass has prototypical features suggesting it may have been a precursor of the National Reso-glas line as well as the pickup of the Brothers' Zorko electric upright bass, a design subsequently sold to Ampeg.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough various incarnations of National, Dobro and Valco from the 1920s through the 1960s brothers John, Rudy, Emil and Louis Dopyera brought any number of innovations (sometimes brilliant, sometimes quirky) to the fretted world. These include several types of National\/Dobro cone resonators, some of the first commercial electric instruments, the earliest guitar with multiple pickups, pioneering Valco's \"Reso-Glas\" molded fiberglass instruments and many unique pickup and wiring concepts. Not all were successful, but even the dead ends show a unique perspective.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the late 1950s Louis Dopyera was a senior partner at Valco but his brothers were no longer directly involved. Living together in El Monte, CA John, Emil and Rudy sold occasional resonator guitars under the name DB Original, and introduced fiberglass electric upright basses under the Zorko name. This hand-made bass guitar represents another avenue and is likely a one-off instrument as it is unique in just about every way. The only dated component is a pot coded to the 10th week of 1956, but the Grover Rotomatic tuners used were not generally available until 1958-9. The \"DB Original\" decal on the headstock dates to this period as well, in use from 1958 into the 1961-2 period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe semi-hollow body is fiberglass, built in one piece from hand-laid weaves of glass matting. The neck is maple with a rosewood board, carved like Dopera Original banjos with a large screwed-on brass nut. There is an inexplicable extra maple strip laminated under the fingerboard. The bass has a guitar-like 25 1\/4\" scale, the same as the Valco Pocket bass introduced in 1960. Carvin made the first of these \"Guitar-scale\" basses followed by Valco, Kay, Mosrite and a few Japanese builders but the idea never worked very well. This bass looks much like a prototype precursor of the Reso-Glas National 85 bass introduced in 1961-2 although the body shape is not fully \"map-like\" it is generally similar. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe plastic plate under the bridge hides another mystery, a cavity intended to fit some version of the brothers' vibration-sensing pickup developed for the Zorko upright. It is possible this instrument was a test case for that unit in a bass guitar, something Ampeg eventually pursued. Valco did use the \"Silver Sound\" vibration-activated pickup on basses but that was a surface mount unit. At some point that pickup was removed and the bass is now powered by a rather crude looking single-coil pickup at the neck, screwed to the top under a wooden cover that arches over the strings. There is a single volume control and jack mounted on the top. The strings run over a wooden bridge to what appears to be a re-purposed 1950s Kay bass tailpiece, mostly covered in black paint. The bridge is more recent, but all other hardware appears original.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile details of its 60+ year history are lost, it is undeniable that this bass is the work of one or more of the Dopyera brothers, most likely built as a test instrument for their new-in-the-late '50s ideas. It may indeed be a pre-production iteration of what became the Valco Reso-Glas line, as well as a test case for the Brothers' unique ideas for the electric bass. Obviously Leo Fender had a better plan there, but this is still a fantastic example of a historical 4-string blind alley!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 15 3\/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1\/16 in. (5.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1\/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis one-of-a-kind instrument shows some general wear overall but nothing too serious. There is some spider checking and ding, chips and flakes to the body finish but no structural damage. The neck finish has some light wear, mostly to the headstock while the frets have very little wear; the decal logo has some light flaking. Except for what looks like a fairly recent Harmony Bass style bridge all parts appear original to the instrument. The very short-scale bass plays well with a somewhat brittle sound but really this is primarily a historical piece. It comes with a heavy-duty modern gig bag and a flimsier period one in the pocket. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Dopyera Brothers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853513248908,"sku":"12025","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_9ef524bd-ab67-48ae-a5d2-a3aba1274d9f.jpg?v=1774340626"},{"product_id":"fender-coronado-bass-ii-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-12246","title":"Fender Coronado Bass II Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Fender Coronado Bass II Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 220487, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFender's 1960s Coronado models have always been somewhat odd ducks, but over the last couple of decades have finally gotten better appreciated by both players and collectors. The line was the CBS management team's project to challenge Gibson, Gretsch, and Guild in the booming 1960s hollowbody electric market. Fender's new corporate owners felt the company should cover the entire musical spectrum, not just their traditional solid body strengths. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Coronado guitar and bass line was worked up quickly, launched in January 1966 just a year after CBS bought the company. Former Rickenbacker designer Roger Rossmeisel was involved, having moved over to Fender in 1962. While not a hit at the time with either Fender loyalists or players of other brands, the Coronados remain interesting and often attractive instruments that have found some dedicated fans in the decades since.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCoronado basses were initially offered only with a single pickup in Cherry or Sunburst finish, but the palette was quickly expanded to include a number of flashier looks. This comparatively rarer Coronado Bass II was added to the line in 1967 with a second pickup to open up the tonal range. This one has a neck date of October 1967 and would be a fairly early example of the new model. The twin-pickup Bass II model mates a 30\" scale bound, block-inlaid maple\/rosewood Fender bass neck to a double cutaway, fully hollow body with triple-bound edges and bound f-holes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe pickups are not Fender-made but sourced from Rowe industries, makers of the DeArmond line. They have adjustable screw poles inside a plastic center inset in the thin metal covers. The wiring is the typical Gibson style 4-knob, 1 switch array. The trapeze tailpiece has the Fender \"F\" in the plastic center. The bridge is a sort of staggered metal trough with adjustable plastic-center saddles on twin metal feet, one of several ideas Fender tried. There are finger rests both above and below the strings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn October 1967 this twin-pickup bass in sunburst livery had an eye-popping list price of $449.50 plus $64.50 for the case. By comparison a Custom Color Jazz bass could be had for $293.50!; no wonder these Coronados are fairly rare! This is a very good-playing and sounding bass, although quite unlike a solidbody Fender is a far better instrument than its original reputation suggests. It is very reminiscent in feel of the contemporary twin-pickup Harmony H-27, which has very similar features and layout but lacks the more reliable Fender neck. The Coronados were discontinued after 1970; while in general they are not uncommon, this twin-pickup Bass II is a less common instrument and from a plater's point of view the pick of the litter.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 3\/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a relatively clean instrument overall showing signs of use but remaining nicely original. For the most part the finish is well preserved with some typical checking (mostly to the lacquer on the neck) and small dings, dents and scuffing here and there. There is some shallow belt buckle scratching on the back into but not through the lacquer. The headstock edges have some small chips and dings, the back of the neck a chipped spot behind the third fret and finish worn through just below the binding edge. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll hardware is original and complete. The chrome is mostly still shiny, but the bridge and top edge of the tailpiece have a decent amount of moisture damage to the plating. The original frets show some very light wear but the instrument plays very nicely with a most comfortable action strung with flatwound strings. It actually has a more versatile sound than many hollow or semi hollowbody basses and is quite light and handy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an oddball piece of Fender history perhaps but a very playable one and a better instrument than the critics of 1968 would ever admit! It lives in the original HSC, somewhat worn externally with some noticeable seam repair but still fully functional. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853518721164,"sku":"12246","price":3250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b1b90c92-b799-49a1-b5a3-b0ad780ebd27.jpg?v=1774340900"},{"product_id":"fender-coronado-bass-ii-antigua-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-11651","title":"Fender Coronado Bass II Antigua Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Fender Coronado Bass II Antigua Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 234684, Antigua shaded finish, laminated maple body, maple nack with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFender's 1960s Coronado models have always been somewhat odd ducks, and this is one of the oddest! The line was the CBS management team's project to challenge Gibson, Gretsch, and Guild in the booming 1960s hollowbody electric market. Fender's new corporate owners felt the company should cover the entire musical spectrum, not just their traditional solid body strengths. The Coronado guitar and bass line was worked up quickly, launched in January 1966 just a year after CBS bought the company. Former Rickenbacker designer Roger Rossmeisel was involved, having moved over to Fender in 1962. While not a hit at the time with either Fender loyalists or players of other brands, the Coronados remain interesting and often attractive instruments that have found some dedicated fans in the decades since.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCoronados were initially offered only in Cherry or Sunburst, but the palette was quickly expanded. This fairly rare Coronado Bass II bears a distinctive finish designed especially for the model, the unique two-tone palette Fender christened \"Antigua\". \"Fender's latest color dimension\" the 1968 catalog offered introducing the option \"puts elegance in the spotlight. This inimitable new finish is a rich antique white with a halo mist shading which produces a subtle feeling of depth and dimension\". It concluded \"every detail...carefully prepared for a perfect blend. Be a scene stealer!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe twin-pickup Bass II model was added to the line in 1967. It mates a 30\" scale bound, block-inlaid maple\/rosewood Fender bass neck to a double cutaway, fully hollow body with triple-bound edges and bound f-holes. The pickups are not Fender-made but sourced from Rowe industries, makers of the DeArmond line. They have adjustable screw poles inside a plastic center inset in the thin metal covers. The wiring is the typical Gibson style 4-knob, 1 switch array. The trapeze tailpiece has the Fender \"F\" in the plastic center. The bridge is a sort of staggered metal trough with adjustable plastic-center saddles on twin metal feet, one of several ideas Fender tried. There are finger rests both above and below the strings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA twin-pickup bass listed in this Antigua livery at the then eye-popping figure of $479.50 plus $64.50 for the case. (By comparison a Custom Color Jazz bass could be had for $304!) This one has a neck date iof January 1968 and would be an early example of this special model. It is certainly striking looking, tending to divide opinions between those who marvel at its unmistakable dramatic flair and those who think it resembles cream soup left too long in the warming pan. Whatever the reaction, all can agree that it was unlike anything else Fender had attempted. Just to make it more special, the headstock matches as well. The look was also offered on matching Coronado 6- and 12-string guitars along with the Kingman flat top.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from the color this is a very good-playing and sounding bass, a far better instrument than its original reputation suggests. It is very reminiscent in feel of the contemporary Harmony H-27, which has very similar features and layout but lacks the more reliable Fender neck. In its metallic mist hue this is a truly striking instrument too behold. The Coronados were discontinued after 1970; while in general they are not uncommon, this twin-pickup Antigua bass is a relatively rare example\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 3\/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a relatively clean instrument overall showing some signs of use and remaining nicely original. For the most part the finish is well preserved, with some typical checking and dings, dents and scuffing here and there. There is some shallow belt buckle scratching on the back into but not through the lacquer. The sides have the only really notable finish wear; there is an isolated spot of heavy scratching on the lower side just below the controls, with small chips extending to the top. The upper side on the lower bass bout has a larger area of scratching and what looks rather like a chemical burn; we can't say what caused this but it is confined to this one spot. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe headstock edges have some small chips and dings, the back of the neck a few small dents but no finish worn through. The original owner inscribed his personal information on the back of the headstock; apparently the bass lived in Texas for a time long ago. All hardware is original except for some reason the 4 large screws retaining the tuning gears. The chrome is mostly still quite shiny. The frets have been polished and snow some very light wear but the instrument plays perfectly, currently strung with flatwound strings. It actually has a more versatile sound than many hollow or semi hollowbody basses and is quite light and handy. This is an oddball piece of Fender history perhaps but a very playable one and a better instrument than the critics of 1968 would ever admit! It lives in a well-fitted modern HSC.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853527175308,"sku":"11651","price":5500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_74419ec7-c75d-4be1-8668-a534a295e2d8.jpg?v=1774341186"},{"product_id":"gibson-eb-6-6-string-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1961-12535","title":"Gibson EB-6 6-string Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1961)","description":"Gibson EB-6 6-string Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1961), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 3548, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis EB-6 6-string bass is one of the rarest of all Gibson electric instruments with a total of only 67 produced, easily their smallest run production electric bass. While a spectacular instrument in many ways this classy deluxe twang machine missed its market niche and re-thought after less than 2 years, replaced by a solidbody version that fared little better. The market for these 1960s bass\/guitar hybrids was very small, largely confined to professional session players. This deluxe semi-hollow 6-string Cadillac was beautiful but not enough to convince many of them to trade up from their cheap but reliable Danelectros.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1950s-60s 6-string bass was the brainchild of Nathan Daniel. His Danelectro company introduced the UB-2, its first bass in 1956. It was a ringer for their Masonite and pine guitars but with a longer 29 1\/2\" scale and 6 heavier strings sounding an octave down. With two pickups it offered a twangier tone than contemporary 4-string basses (electric or acoustic) putting the low notes up front. Daniel felt he had given bass players \"2 extra strings for free\" and thought the instrument a natural for both bassists and guitarists.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDaniel's bass did not eclipse the recently introduced Fender Bass OR the still-popular bass fiddle but was a hit in recording studios, especially in Nashville. Session players there developed a style of playing with a palm-muted pick, dubbed \"Tic-Tac\" bass. Used mostly to double and re-inforce the upright bass and give punch to the track, within a short time the technique caught on in East and especially West Coast studios becoming a widely heard sound.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGibson kept in close contact with Nashville studio players with an ear for the latest trends. In response to the cheaply made Danelectro, Gibson developed this beautiful, lavish and expensive instrument. Announced in 1959 and first shipped in 1960, the EB-6 was kin to the new ES-335 and EB-2 built on the same thin semi-hollow double-cutaway body. It was not pictured in the 1961 or '62 catalogs, but availability was noted in a small box at the bottom of the bass page. The 1961 price list had the EB-6 at $325.00 plus $57.50 for the #538 case; the Danelectro Longhorn 6-string bass listed at $150 while the Shorthorn model was all of $85! Gibson had \"bass-ically\" priced themselves out of this niche market; Leo Fender would do the same when his lavish Bass VI debuted at the end of 1961.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLike its sister EB-2 the semi-hollow EB-6 was phased out in 1962, replaced by an equally high-priced SG-styled solidbody that ended up being equally unsuccessful saleswise. The semi-hollow 4-string basses would roar back with the British invasion in 1964, but the 6-string has never returned!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 1961 example is the first we have had the pleasure to offer, straight from the original owner's family. The body is the same as the ES-335\/EB-2, laminated maple with a center block single bound and sunburst finished on the top and back. A single PAF humbucking pickup is mounted in the neck position wired to standard tone and volume controls, with a \"Tone Selector Switch\" activating a one-position choke mounted under the bridge. The headstock is the same as the ES-335 with a pearl Gibson and crown inlay and mounting 6 Kluson Deluxe guitar tuners. The tailpiece\/bridge is a 6-string version of the solid block unit used on all period Gibson basses, adjustable for height and overall intonation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll of 34 of these shipped in 1960 and a further 33 in 1961 making for a likely total of 67 built before the solidbody design was substituted. This one carries factory order number R5796-20; we have seen several from this same batch and it is likely only one \"rack\" of these was produced each year. It carries an early 4-digit impressed serial number on the headstock and the orange label under the bass side soundhole indicating it was likely shipped in late spring or summer 1961. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis EB-6 is an eccentric instrument, perhaps, but a delightful one. It is better balanced than one might expect; the long 30.5\" scale one-piece mahogany neck has a surprisingly slim \"C\" profile than and is very comfortable to play. The single PAF pickup produces a rich and well-rounded sound, less \"twangy\" than many similar instruments with a distinctly warm \"Gibson-y\" character. The company also termed the EB-6 a \"Baritone Guitar\" and perhaps if they had marketed it more that way it might have caught on with more players.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSomeone (likely a Gibson sales rep) got one into the hands of Wes Montgomery at least briefly. It saw use on several tracks of his 1961 LP \"Movin' Along.\" (credited as \"Bass Guitar\") played as a deep-toned baritone lead guitar. A casual listener might mistake it for a standard guitar but a careful listen will discern the difference in tone and register. George Benson owned one for a time as well. The EB-6 is truly a unique instrument; perhaps not the ultimate classic \"Tic Tac\" bass but a superbly friendly and smooth playing deep twang machine.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 44 3\/4 in. (113.7 cm.), 16 1\/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5\/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 21\/32 in. (27 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a very clean and original instrument, with some very light wear overall. The all-original finish has just some light scuffing, a few shallow scratches and a couple of tiny dings to the back of the neck and headstock edges. The lovely rich sunburst has hardly faded at all. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hardware is original with the exception of the buttons on the original tuners, which are exact repros of the crumbled originals. The \"Tone Selector Switch\" is a period lever instead of the usually expected pushbutton; we have seen enough Gibson basses from this period with this configuration that we can't say for sure if this was replaced or shipped this way, but if it IS a replacement it was done very early on. There are two small patched holes in the top just ahead of the bridge; these are from a Gibson lever-action mute that the original owner added later in the 1960s; the unit is still in the case but as it affected the adjustability of the action it has been removed. The PAF sticker has flaked off the bottom of then pickup but the unit exhibits all the correct physical characteristics for the 1961 period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original frets are in excellent shape and this big 6-string is a delight to play, and awesome to behold. It resides in the original 1950s style brown HSC, a mighty twang beast still waiting to be tamed! Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853541658764,"sku":"12535","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_58c0945b-93b3-4f82-aa21-482d91044cc5.jpg?v=1774341719"},{"product_id":"rickenbacker-40056-6-string-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-12641","title":"Rickenbacker 4005\/6, 6-String Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Rickenbacker 4005\/6, 6-String Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Santa Ana, CA, serial # GH3718, Fireglo red sunburst finish, maple body, laminated maple and walnut neck with padouk fingerboard, original Silver tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Model 4005\/6 bass is one of Rickenbacker's rarest and least-known 1960s creations, seemingly doomed to extinction right from birth. The hollowbody 4005 bass was conceived as a companion to their extremely popular 300 series guitars; the 4-string version never really caught on but this 6-string variant is a true unicorn. This is the ONLY long scale (33 1\/2\") 6-string bass made in the 1960s; all similar instruments were built with a 30\" scale or less (with the equally rare exception of the 32 1\/2\" scale Hagstrom Coronado). None of the extremely limited number (some estimate 10 or less) of 4005\/6 basses made seem to have made any mark on musical history, sad to say. Nonetheless this Fireglo marvel is a stunning sight to behold and a great instrument to play, with what seems like miles of unencumbered neck and a versatile sound ranging from deep to bright with the twist of a knob.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarting in 1964 Rickenbacker was prodded primarily by Rose-Morris in England to come up with a hollowbody bass, the dominant style preferred by many \"beat group\" players there. The company's 4000\/4001 solidbody bass eventually became hugely popular with UK musicians but in 1964-5 was seen with only a few top pro players. The Model 4005 was the result, built on an elongated 360-style guitar body with a full 33 1\/2\" scale neck and deluxe inlay like the 4001. 4 and 6-string versions first appeared on Rickenbacker's August 1965 price lists (at $474.50 and $499.50, respectively) but few were delivered before 1966, and not all many after either!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 4005\/6 has a bevy of unusual features both for a hollow body bass and a 6-string \"Baritone guitar\" style instrument. Essentially it combines features from other Rickenbacker instruments; The headstock and neck shapes were carried over from the 4001, the \"toaster-top\" pickups and bridge were modified guitar fittings. The bound slash soundhole and checkerboard binding on the back are identical to the Model 360 guitar. The long unencumbered neck with a bound, slash inlaid fingerboard seems to go on for miles before meeting the body; at the other end 6 large Kluson bass machines are fitted to an extended 4001 style headstock. The rich red Fireglo sunburst has a lovely effect over some flamey maple and the crushed pearl inlay adds a glam touch. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe two \"Toaster Top\" pickups are very widely spaced, controlled by the standard 5-knob Rickenbacker rig including the fifth \"blend\" knob that actually is quite useful. Despite the deluxe trim the 4005\/6 is wired in mono with no \"Rick-O-Sound\" stereo output. The trademark Rickenbacker clear sound adds greatly to the appeal of this model; it sounds fabulous played as a standard bass and also excels as a guitar-like chord\/melody machine. The long scale may seem daunting to guitarists at first but the clarity and definition of the tone is unique among vintage instruments of this type.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite a great sound and imposing looks the 4005\/6 never made any impact on players; The Danelectros and Fender Bass VI that defined the limited market for 6-string basses were already falling from favor by the time it was introduced. Production of ALL Rickenbacker basses was extremely limited in the '60s, and this model is the rarest of the bunch; it is estimated only a couple of handfuls were ever made. One reason was the cost; in 1965 the nearly $500 list price (plus $64.50 for the case) was over $150 more expensive than even a custom-color Fender Bass VI with 3 pickups and vibrato! Various finish and trim options were tried but even the 4-string the 4005 did not benefit from the huge uptick in Rickenbacker bass success in the late 60s and 1970s, while the 6-string version simply disappeared.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday the 4005 basses have developed a cult following among adventurous bassists, but few have ever even seen the 4005\/6. Its totally unique feel and sound has simply never been duplicated. This 1967 4005\/6 shows some light wear but plays perfectly; it can sound monstrous when pushed at high volume but also offers a delicately flavored semi-acoustic timbre at lower volumes. And this Fireglo skyscraper simply looks spectacular in the bargain!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 48 1\/2 in. (123.2 cm.), 15 1\/4 in. (38.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1\/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 33 1\/2 in. (851 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains nearly all original with generally light wear including some very fine checking on the body, small dings and dents here and there and most noticeably an area of finish rubbed away on the treble side of the neck just at the base of the headstock, probably from a display hanger. There are two small patched screw holes in the top on either side of the strings between the pickups from what looks like a Fender-style handrest\/coverplate once added and later removed. The cast floating part of the \"R\" tailpiece is a correct later replacement; the original is in the case sheared at the base. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from these minor points this is structurally an extremely fine example, with none of the neck joint\/truss rod issues than can plague older Rickenbackers. Beginning in summer 1966, a channel was no longer routed for pole magnets under the neck pickup, so from that point on Rickenbacker hollowbody instruments have a much solider neck\/body joint. As a result this 1967 example has maintained a much better neck angle than earlier 4005 series models, making for superior playability. The neck joint is completely solid and the typical fingerboard separation issue (almost ubiquitous on 1960s Rick basses) is confined to tiny checks just below the nut. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a overall a very nice example of this exceptionally rare and extremely eccentric bass instrument. It has a very wide sonic range and very distinctive character, a truly unique creation still waiting for a champion almost 60 years after its creation. It is housed in the classic original silver tolex Rickenbacker case which is a lightly worn but fully functional. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Rickenbacker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853637144716,"sku":"12641","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_23957466-523b-4ced-bff3-f5382c795030.jpg?v=1774341933"},{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1967-12803","title":"Guild Starfire Bass Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Hoboken, NJ, serial # BA-1566, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a fine playing example of a 1960s Guild Starfire bass, one of the decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollow-body bass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late '60s with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solidbody Jetstar soon crashed and burned the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The neck is very slim and comfortable to play, especially compared to most other American basses of the 1960s. The body is not fully hollow, there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of a Gibson ES-335 giving a tighter response and more resistance to feedback than a true hollowbody bass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-Sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant single-coil DeArmond. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar giant Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire Bass dates to late 1967 and has features specific to that period. The major difference from earlier models is the pickup position, with the large Bi-Sonic mounted just below the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature a single P.U. closer to the bridge. This bass would be one of the first equipped with the baritone tone switch which was added later in 1967, not too long after the pickup placement was revised. The tuners are typical American-made Klusons, the bridge is also a Hagstrom-made piece with four adjustable wooden saddles. The triple bound body is finished in a deep 3-color sunburst finish. This bass has some light signs of wear and clean repairs but remains nearly all original and a fine example of this 1960s classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 1\/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is nicely original overall and in excellent playing condition. The neck shows and old repair to a fingerboard separation down from the nut, with some light overspray to the back of the neck only. The neck center seam shows some resealing with just some light fairly wear. There are no cracks or breaks to the neck, just re-sealed seams; it is perfectly straight and quite solid. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe rest of the finish is in excellent shape; the color in the sunburst lacquer finish is still strong with some typical minor checking, nicely preserved overall with just some very small chips and dings. The most notable is a small spot of finish worn away just above the upper finger rest. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe top layer of the headstock veneer has shrunk up a bi9t as is typical with Guilds of this period but is not peeling up as some are. There are some marks on the face from someone gluing it back down. Most of the plating is relatively clean with some minor disturbance, only the nickel plated tuners show any notable corrosion. The elevating screws on the bridge are old replacements. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original frets show just minimal wear. Overall this a very fine player's example of the original 1960s Starfire bass; the lovely straight neck has no ill effects from the old repairs and a very good angle, and the bass plays excellent with the typical punchy sound. It comes in the original Guild-marked HSC, worn but solid. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853645631628,"sku":"12803","price":2950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b876e993-01ae-4a78-aea4-e20dbb70961b.jpg?v=1774342245"},{"product_id":"burns-baldwin-gb-66-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-12816","title":"Burns Baldwin GB-66 Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Burns Baldwin GB-66 Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Romford, England, serial # 11947, sunburst polyester finish, laminated maple body; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe GB66 Bass is one of the most conventional of Jim Burns' instruments, one of the latest of the original company's first run designs and one of the least well remembered. A September 1965 report on the 1965 British Musical Trade Fair (held the week of August 23) made special mention of the GB 66 line with the bass priced at 125 Gns. \"Burns were extremely proud of their GB66 guitars\" it noted. Within days of this announcement the company was bought by the American Baldwin company. Very few GB66's ever appeared under the Burns logo; even Baldwin examples are extremely rare. As the company logo was only on the (now missing) pickguard, this example could have been either originally but was most likely logo'd Baldwin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fully hollow bass is built on a slightly lopsided double cutaway thinline body made of laminated maple, finished in sunburst Polyester. The bolt-on maple neck is finished in natural with an unbound rosewood fingerboard and a conventional 2-sided headstock. The thin plywood body is built lighter than Burns' earlier semi-hollow TR-2\/Vibraslim model, feeling more like the Italian-made Vox hollowbody instruments coming into the UK at the time. The tailpiece, bridge and headstock shape are all similar to the earlier GB65 guitar. The top and back are arched, the F-holes traditionally shaped and the controls mounted directly to the body. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe GB66 was the last instrument to use the original 1962-style Ultra-Sonic pickups, albeit in the re-wound high impedance version with adjustable polepieces. The controls are a bit eccentric (like most Burns designs) with a tone for each pickup on the lower body, as master volume on the lower cutaway and a 3-way switch on the upper. This is certainly a very playable and good sounding bass, if one with less of Burns' quirky character and innovation. As it was introduced in late summer 1965 and gone from the Baldwin line by the summer of '66, few exist of this short lived model and it has never been re-issued.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 45 1\/2 in. (115.6 cm.), 15 3\/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1\/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is a nice player's example of this Burns\/Baldwin rarity, showing some general wear and discreet parts replacement but fully functional and cool sounding. There it typical heavy checking to the Polyester finish on the body, common to these instruments but it is not actually flaking off as some are. There is light general wear with small dings, dents and scuffs but the bass does not appear to have actually been played all that much. Something once leeched under the clear headstock logo plate leaving a visible stain. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe neck pickup, wiring rig, switch, knobs, strap buttons, bridge and tailpiece are original. The bridge pickup is an era-correct Burns part but not the original unit fitted to this bass; it is actually an earlier piece and lacks the adjustable poles. The metal mounting ring is also from another instrument and somewhat scuffed up, but everything looks good and works correctly. The original VanGent machines have been replaced by Schaller tuners with the old holes visible, and the pickguard is missing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original frets show only some light wear and the bass plays very well, quite light and handy for its size and offering a fairly versatile sound for a full hollowbody instrument. It lives in the original (huge) Baldwin case, a rare survivor of the last days of the original Burns company. Overall Very Good Condition.","brand":"Burns Baldwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853646450828,"sku":"12816","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b8504937-94fd-4d34-8b5c-14238c4903ee.jpg?v=1774342297"},{"product_id":"crown-violin-bass-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-12401","title":"Crown Violin Bass Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Crown Violin Bass Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar, c. 1966, made in Japan, red laquer finish, laminated maple body with spruce top,, black gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis deep cherry red violin bass is fairly typical of thousands of Japanese made instruments from the mid-late 1960s, with a few interesting cosmetic touches and better made than some. The scrolled headstock combined with narrow-coil black-topped pickups suggests it originated with the Teisco Gen Gakki\/Firstman operation, but most Japanese factories built a violin-bodied hollowbody bass of some sort in this Beatle-obsessed era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe only logo on the bass is a crown-shaped emblem on the headstock; \"Crown\" was a trademark of the Steinman Brothers in Pasadena, Ca. who imported a number of different Japanese made instruments including several variants of this bass design. This two pickup bass was made to a price but has two decent sounding pickups and most important a surprisingly functional truss rod in the neck, something increasingly less reliable nearly 60 years along. Everything works as intended and the neck is much straighter than most similar instruments nearly 60 years along making for a fun bass to play, quite decent sounding plugged in and loud enough acoustically to make a good \"couch bass\" for unplugged noodling.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 44 1\/4 in. (112.4 cm.), 13 1\/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1\/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass shows some wear and minor modification but no major damage or repair. The all-original finish has some checking, dings and dents and a patch of buckle wear where the finish has chipped off on the back. Someone moved the finger rest from the pickguard and screwed it to the body above the pickups, making it now a thumbrest. The tuners have been replaced with more recent Asian-made machines not too different from the originals. All other hardware is original. The neck and frets are in good shape and this is really a decent playing and sounding instrument, not much different feeling from the Italian Eko 995 it greatly resembles. Like that bass it is more suited to lower volume situations, but within those limits a cool and useful instrument. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Crown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853647564940,"sku":"12401","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_ec4a01e3-3c25-46e3-a119-713d9786087f.jpg?v=1774342358"},{"product_id":"harmony-h-27-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-12932","title":"Harmony H-27 Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Harmony H-27 Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Chicago, serial # 5941, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple meck with rosewood fingerboard, original two-tone chipboard case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fairly imposing hollowbody 4-string is one of the more obscure but interesting of Harmony's 1960's instruments-the H-27 \"Deluxe\" bass. This large and somewhat flashy instrument sold initially for 199.50, raised to $249.50 in 1967. This was twice the price of the more familiar flat-topped H-22 that had been the company's only bass offering since 1962. The H-27 was introduced in mid-1966; this is a first year model with the production stamp F-66 under the F-hole. \"Harmony's finest thin hollowbody electric bass\" the catalog offered \"Styled and electronically equipped to meet highest professional bass tone standards\".\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is built with a fully arched, laminated maple multi-bound maple body and maple neck and a huge single-sided Fender-like headstock with a laminate tortoiseshell celluloid overlay. It mounts two \"special design\" DeArmond bass pickups with a double row of adjustable poles for each string. The bridge is an elaborate fully adjustable metal unit with an integral tailpiece block mounted to the face in place of the H-22's simple wooden fitting. The 30\" scale neck has a bound rosewood fingerboard, the tuners are Japanese-made covered-back bass machines. The body has no pickguard but mounts two tortoise-celluloid topped finger rests, a single switch and individual tone and volume controls for each of the two pickups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe H-27 has seen only one well-known endorser; it was the \"other\" favorite bass of the Small Faces' Ronnie \"Plonk\" Lane (alongside his original Harmony H-22) and he once told the tale of getting the first one into England, straight off the trade show booth at the 1966 British music fair. \"Plonk\" used one extensively in 1966-68, both live and on record, and he can be seen in a number of period clips with this model. The H-27 was not as successful as its lower-budget brother the H-22 and is far less well known now but on its own merits is a very interesting and underrated hollowbody bass with a huge but well-defined tone.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 1\/8 in. (117.2 cm.), 15 5\/8 in. (39.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 15\/16 in. (4.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13\/16 in. (46 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains very nice overall; clean and all original. The shaded sunburst finish is clean and unfaded with only some small chips, scratches and dings overall. One small chip to the veneer on the face has been filled in on the edge of the treble side F-hole, and there is an impact spot to the binding on the upper edge of the body. The bass remains complete and original, with all the hardware intact including the oft-missing bridge and tailpiece covers and even what appear to be the original strings. There is some corrosion to the plating but nothing too severe. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShrinkage to the heavy celluloid headstock face veneer has caused the tip of the headstock to warp upwards slightly but this does not affect the instrument in any practical way. This is a very good player with excellent neck and frets, a fine first-year example of this fairly rare bass. It includes the original red-lined chipboard case (1967 list price $27.50); no hardshell was offered with this model. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Harmony","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853653725324,"sku":"12932","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_f5691713-225e-4777-a1cc-302ff553ce13.jpg?v=1774342558"},{"product_id":"rickenbacker-40056-6-string-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1965-12622","title":"Rickenbacker 4005\/6 6-string Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)","description":"Rickenbacker 4005\/6 6-string Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Santa Ana, CA, serial # EJ-101, Fireglo red sunburst finish, maple body, laminated maple and walnut neck with padouk fingerboard, original silver tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Model 4005\/6 bass is one of Rickenbacker's absolutely rarest and least-known 1960s creations, seemingly doomed to extinction right from birth; this is one ogf the first born! The hollowbody 4005 bass was conceived as a companion to their extremely popular 300 series guitars; the 4-string version never really caught on but this 6-string variant is a true unicorn. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the ONLY long scale (33 1\/2\") 6-string bass made in the 1960s; all similar instruments were built with a 30\" scale or less (with the equally rare exception of the 32 1\/2\" scale Hagstrom Coronado). None of the extremely limited number (some estimate 10 or less) of 4005\/6 basses made seem to have made any mark on musical history, sad to say. Nonetheless this Fireglo marvel is a stunning sight to behold and a great instrument to play, with what seems like miles of unencumbered neck and a versatile sound ranging from resoundingly deep to bright and snappy with the twist of a knob.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarting in 1964 Rickenbacker was prodded by Rose-Morris in England to come up with a hollowbody bass, the dominant style preferred by many \"beat group\" players there. The company's 4000\/4001 solidbody bass eventually became hugely popular with UK musicians but in the 1964-5 period was seen with only a few top pro players. The Model 4005 was the result, built on an elongated 360-style guitar body with a full 33 1\/2\" scale neck and deluxe inlay like the 4001. 4 and 6-string versions first appeared on Rickenbacker's August 1965 price lists (at $474.50 and $499.50, respectively) but few were ever delivered.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 4005\/6 has a serial number dating to October 1965 and is one of the VERY earliest made; currently only two 1965 examples with sequential serial numbers (EJ-100 and this, EJ-101) are known to exist. It has a bevy of unusual features both for a hollow body bass and a 6-string \"Baritone guitar\" style instrument. Essentially it combines features from other Rickenbacker instruments; The headstock and neck shapes were carried over from the 4001, the \"toaster-top\" pickups and bridge were modified guitar fittings. The bound slash soundhole and checkerboard binding on the back are identical to the Model 360 guitar. The long unencumbered neck with a bound, slash inlaid fingerboard seems to go on for miles before meeting the body; at the other end 6 large Kluson bass machines are fitted to an extended 4001 style headstock. The rich red Fireglo sunburst has a lovely effect over some flamey maple and the crushed pearl inlay adds a glam touch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe two \"Toaster Top\" pickups are very widely spaced, controlled by the standard 5-knob Rickenbacker rig including the fifth \"blend\" knob that actually is quite useful. Despite the deluxe trim the 4005\/6 is wired in mono with no \"Rick-O-Sound\" stereo output. The trademark Rickenbacker clear sound adds greatly to the appeal of this model; it sounds fabulous played as a standard bass and also excels as a guitar-like chord\/melody machine. The long scale may seem daunting to guitarists at first but the clarity and definition of the tone is unique among vintage instruments of this type.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite a great sound and imposing looks the 4005\/6 never made any impact on players; The Danelectros and Fender Bass VI that defined the limited market for 6-string basses were already falling from favor by the time it was introduced. Production of ALL Rickenbacker basses was extremely limited in the '60s, and this model is the rarest of the bunch; it is estimated only a couple of handfuls were ever made. One reason was the cost; in 1965 the nearly $500 list price (plus $64.50 for the case) was over $150 more expensive than even a custom-color Fender Bass VI with 3 pickups and vibrato! Various finish and trim options were tried but even the 4-string the 4005 did not benefit from the huge uptick in Rickenbacker bass success in the late 60s and 1970s, while the 6-string version simply disappeared.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday the 4005 basses have developed a cult following among adventurous bassists, but few have ever even seen the 4005\/6. Its totally unique feel and sound has simply never been duplicated. This 1965 4005\/6 shows some light wear but plays very well; it can sound monstrous when pushed at high volume but also offers a delicately flavored semi-acoustic timbre at lower volumes. And this Fireglo skyscraper simply looks spectacular in the bargain!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 48 1\/2 in. (123.2 cm.), 15 1\/4 in. (38.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1\/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 33 1\/2 in. (851 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains essentially all original with generally light wear, minor repair and a couple of playability tweaks. There is not a lot of play wear; just some fine checking on the body with small dings and dents here and there. Repairs are minimal; The typical fingerboard separation (almost ubiquitous on 1960s Rick basses, caused by the truss rod design) is confined to a tiny sealed check between the fingerboard and neck on the bass side just below the nut and a small crack on the treble side forward of the nut that has been neatly sealed and touched up. There are no visible separations or repairs at the neck heel. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe cast floating part of the \"R\" tailpiece is an exact correct original vintage replacement; these bases were actually built with re-purposed 12-string \"R\" tailpieces! The original is in the case but had some slots filed out for larger ballend strings than the bass is currently fitted with, hence the substitution. The bass is strung with a custom light gauge ground-wound string set we commissioned from LaBella which sound great in both \"straight bass\" and more guitar-like mode. The original bridge baseplate is in the case; the bass is currently fitted with a thinner direct replacement Winfield Vintage baseplate which seamlessly allows more comfortable lower action settings without any other modification.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a overall an amazing example of this exceptionally rare and extremely eccentric bass instrument, a true Rickenbacker grail. As a player's instrument it has a wide sonic range and very distinctive character, a truly unique creation still waiting for a champion almost 60 years after its creation. It is housed in the classic original silver tolex Rickenbacker case which is lightly worn but fully functional. A spare set of the custom LaBella strings is included, along with a very light gauge roundwound set assembled with vintage Rotosound strings. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Rickenbacker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853691998348,"sku":"12622","price":18500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_5ad50864-c347-4b61-9dc3-d59a55e33bdc.jpg?v=1774343143"},{"product_id":"hofner-5005-owned-by-jeff-tweedy-of-wilco-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1960-13116","title":"Hofner 500\/5 Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1960)","description":"Hofner 500\/5 Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1960), made in Bubenreuth, Germany, serial # 231, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, brown hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is the classic violin-shaped Hofner Beatle Bass that remains (along with the Fender Precision and Jazz) the most imitated electric bass of all time, and then there is this: The OTHER Beatle Bass. Not Sir Paul but a different Beatle made the 500\/5 his signature instrument in the very early 1960s, but while his Liverpool mates went on to conquer the pop world Stuart Sutcliffe died tragically young not long after leaving the band. If not for an obsessive interest in everything Beatle, Sutcliffe's fairly brief musical dalliance would have likely faded into obscurity decades ago. BUT as we all know the Beatle myths are still as strong as ever; Sir Paul continues to use his Hofner live even now, 60+ years on, and obsessive interest in the group's historic instruments extends to this model as well. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass model is actually historic for another reason; in the late 1950s there were only a very few electric bass guitars available in England, and this was the best of them. The only really comparable choice was the Framus Star Bass, another German import. This Hofner was sold in the UK exclusively by Selmer, who simply called it the \"Hofner electric Bass\"; the violin shaped 500\/1 was actually the older design, but Selmer saw no commercial potential in it for the UK market! Many early beat groups used this model until Fender and Gibson basses became available a couple of years later.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis \"Hofner Electric Bass\" dates to 1960 and has the Selmer UK import label in the body; the model is stamped as \"Basse\" and the serial number is #231. Stuart Sutcliffe's personal bass was #199, so this one is pretty close to the Beatle grail! The two pickups are Hofner's early single coil units with black plastic covers, both mounted down by the neck like Paul's first violin-shaped Hofner. The other fittings are typical Hofner: the adjustable rosewood bridge with individual fretwire saddles, elevated pickguard, small-barrel Van Gent tuners with pearloid buttons and the infamous \"flick action control\" panel with 3 switches and two knobs that has confused generations of players. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis instrument has an old clear overfinish over the body and a black overfinish or refinish on the neck, it is hard to tell. We would assume this is covering a heel repair, which is pretty much ubiquitous on these. It is otherwise original and plays very well, with a tight but booming sound that puts you right back at the Casbah Club in 1960. While prone to feedback at high volume this bass has an excellent sound at lower levels and is a superb recording instrument; Keith Richards often uses a 1961 model today to lay down bass tracks. This one was lately at the Wilco loft in Chicago and is now ready to go back out into the world.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 17 3\/8 in. (44.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3\/16 in. (5.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11\/16 in. (43 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass is very clean overall, but does appear to have had either a complete high-grade (likely factory) refinish or an overspray over the entire instrument. We can't say exactly when or by whom but the instrument had a detailed and super professional re-work at some point. The patina on the body actually looks exactly like a later-than-1960 Hofner lacquer finish, which would be confirmed by the \"Hofner\" sticker on the face if it is in fact a total refinish. There is some checking to the face but hardly any subsequent wear overall. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe neck is finished in black; this is something Hofner did randomly in the 1950s and beyond. We can't confirm if this neck was originally black or sunburst; it is very likely there was a heel repair\/neck reset along the way (inevitable with these) but the joint is completely solid with an excellent angle. There is a strap button added at the heel, no other alterations are evident at all. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is actually the best player of the (very few) early 500\/5 models we have seen with a nice straight neck, unworn frets and a near-perfect neck angle. Whoever (presumably) restored this bass did an excellent job, and it is a superb instrument to play. It comes complete in an ENORMOUS and possibly custom made fitted HSC with the Wilco Loft markings in the standard spot along the lower end. Overall Restored to Excellent Condition.","brand":"Hofner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853693341836,"sku":"13116","price":2750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_a8ca1f03-123b-4639-b5ef-27a88057adca.jpg?v=1774343192"},{"product_id":"wandre-tigre-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1965-14003","title":"Wandre Tigre Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)","description":"Wandre Tigre Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Cavriago, Italy, red\/black sunburst finish, wood and plastic body, plastic sheathed aluminum neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What are those guitars -- man, we don't have those in the STATES!\" So spoke Bob Dylan in 1965, captured on film looking into the window of an English music store full of Wandre guitars. These amazingly futuristic and completely original instruments were sold under several different brand names in Europe through the 1960s. They have fascinated adventurous electric guitar fans since then, but most players have never seen or handled one. A few models were briefly marketed in the US just prior to the guitar boom period but they are extremely rare in this country. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll Wandre instruments are eccentric, sometimes to the extreme. This solid-body \"Basso Tigre\" is one of the tamer beasts from Wandre Pioli's zoo, a creation that came in the latter half of the company's production span in an attempt to reach a wider market than their more whimsical creations of previous years. The design is noticeably more Fender-like than previous instruments from Wandre Pioli's endlessly creative imagination, something of a compromise with the often predictable tastes of most mid-60's players.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Wandre story is a book-length tale of the battle between creativity and commerce, and there is an (unfortunately rare) 2014 book \"WANDRE-The Artist Of The Electric Guitar\" by Marco Ballestri available for the curious! After some years of unstable company financials and underwhelming export sales, Pioli was being strongly advised to create an instrument aimed at a broader appeal to young players that might be disinclined to tackle the flashy, fancifully exotic oddities that constituted most of Wandre's designs. This resulted in the \"Doris\" model (originally for the French market) which was vaguely Strat-like but rather curvier with a deliberately feminine profile. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe subsequent \"Tigre\" guitar and bass were launched in later 1965, Wandre's most \"normal\" instruments yet. The \"Basso Tigre\" was his first long-scale bass, actually 33 1\/2\" but close enough! The offset body looks like a cross between Fender's Jazz Bass and Bass VI, with a long curving upper horn and a comparatively stunted lower cutaway. The body appears to be a solid but there is actually a chamber routed out under the pickguard. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWandre's proprietary aluminum neck is sheathed in black plastic, topped with a somewhat Fenderized slotted headstock carrying the small plastic-button tuners on an aluminum strip screwed to the bass edge. The fingerboard is rosewood, lightly bound and inlaid with large plastic dots. The pickguard is back-painted clear plastic, with pinstriping, Wandre and Davoli logos and a cool \"Tigre\" emblem pictured leaping towards the switch. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe twin pickups are the familiar trapezoidal Davoli units seen on most Wandres, and sound great for bass as well as guitar. The controls are conventional with a three-way switch on the cutaway bout and a master volume and tone in the usual place below the bridge. The bridge is milled aluminum with adjustable saddles; The unit is housed under a plastic cover with a Fender-like metal handrest mounted in the center body position. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile of somewhat conventional design compared to many of Wandre Pioli's more eccentric electric children, the Basso Tigre maintains all the best sonic and engineering features of the line combined with a more solid construction than most. Earlier Wandre basses are more fantastical looking, but with guitar-scale necks not really playing instruments to most actual bassists. The Tigre plays and sounds fantastic, with the powerful Davoli pickups giving it a powerful and aggressive sound that mellows nicely at lower volume. This is yet another wonderful and unique instrument from the most inspired oddball Italian '60s guitar designer, a true artist of the electric guitar.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 47 1\/4 in. (120 cm.), 13 1\/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 33 1\/2 in. (851 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis \"Basso Tigre\" is now at least 60 years old remaining in remarkably good condition with very little wear overall. The sunburst lacquer on the body is shiny, smooth and covered with only a smattering of light scratches and dents mostly to the back. The neck and headstock are extremely clean as well. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe bass remains all original including the often lost or cracked sheath covering the aluminum neck, the plastic bridge cover and metal handrest, all fully intact and undamaged. The fragile small plastic tuner buttons are undamaged as well. The back-painted clear plastic pickguard housing the dual Davoli pickups is not cracked or broken as many are showing just a few small dings and chips. Both pickups sound strong and clear, all electronics are original as are the knobs and control panel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original frets have been crowned just a bit; they are in fine playing shape in the rosewood fingerboard shows minimal wear. The bass is an excellent player, set up with flatwound strings offering a unique sound and feel not quite like any other bass on Earth! It comes in a period hardshell case, simply one of the nicest of Wandre Pioli's instruments we have had and a real gem of an off-the-wall long scale bass. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"Wandre","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50541513080972,"sku":"14003","price":4250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_f991d210-a912-41d8-94d3-7f98f4de9f0f.jpg?v=1781044319"},{"product_id":"gibson-eb-6-6-string-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1961-13139","title":"Gibson EB-6 6-string Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1961)","description":"Gibson EB-6 6-string Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1961), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 3529, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis EB-6 6-string bass is one of the rarest of all Gibson electric instruments with a total of only 67 produced, easily their smallest run production electric bass. While a spectacular instrument in many ways this classy deluxe twang machine missed its market niche and was re-thought after less than 2 years, replaced by an SG-styled solidbody version that fared little better. In the early 1960s the market for these bass\/guitar hybrids was very small, largely confined to professional session players. This deluxe semi-hollow 6-string Cadillac was certainly an impressive instrument but even so that proved not enough to convince most of them to trade up from their cheap but reliable Danelectros.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1950s-60s guitar styled 6-string bass was the brainchild of Nathan Daniel. His Danelectro company introduced the UB-2, its first bass in 1956. It was a ringer for their Masonite and pine guitars but with a longer 29 1\/2\" scale and 6 heavier strings sounding an octave down. With two pickups it offered a twangier tone than contemporary 4-string basses (electric or acoustic) putting the low notes up front. Daniel felt he had given bass players \"2 extra strings for free\" and thought the instrument a natural for both bassists and guitarists.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDaniel's bass did not eclipse the recently introduced Fender Bass OR the still-popular bass fiddle but was a hit in recording studios, especially in Nashville. Session players there developed a style of playing with a palm-muted pick, dubbed \"Tic-Tac\" bass. Used mostly to double and re-inforce the upright bass and give punch to the track, within a short time the technique caught on in East and especially West Coast studios becoming a widely heard sound on country and pop records.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGibson kept in close contact with Nashville studio players with an ear for the latest trends. In response to the cheaply made Danelectro, Gibson developed this beautiful, lavish and expensive instrument. Announced in 1959 and first shipped in 1960, the EB-6 was kin to the new ES-335 and EB-2, built on the same thin semi-hollow double-cutaway body. It was not pictured in the 1961 or '62 catalogs, but availability was noted in a small box at the bottom of the bass page. The 1961 price list had the EB-6 at $325.00 plus $57.50 for the #538 case; the Danelectro Longhorn 6-string bass listed at $150 while the Shorthorn model was all of $85! Gibson had \"bass-ically\" priced themselves out of this niche market; as Leo Fender would also do when his lavish Bass VI debuted at the end of 1961.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLike its sister EB-2 the semi-hollow EB-6 was phased out in 1962, replaced by an SG-styled solidbody that ended up being equally unsuccessful saleswise. The semi-hollow 4-string basses would roar back with the British invasion in 1964, but the company's 6-string has never returned.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis example is the second EB-6 from the same early 1961 batch we have had the pleasure to offer. The body is akin to the ES-335\/EB-2, laminated maple with a center block single bound and sunburst finished on the top and back. A single PAF humbucking pickup is mounted in the neck position wired to standard tone and volume controls, with a \"Tone Selector Switch\" activating a one-position choke mounted under the bridge, which brightens the sound considerably for tic-tac effects. The headstock is the same as the ES-335 with a pearl Gibson and crown inlay and mounting 6 Kluson Deluxe guitar tuners. The tailpiece\/bridge is a 6-string version of the solid block unit used on all period Gibson basses, adjustable for height and overall intonation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll of 34 of these were shipped in 1960 with a further 33 in 1961 making for a likely total of 67 built before the solidbody design was substituted. This one carries factory order number R5796-29; we have seen several with this same batch number and it appears likely only one \"rack\" of these was produced each of those 2 years. It carries an early 4-digit impressed serial number on the headstock and the orange label under the bass side soundhole indicating it was most likely shipped in late spring or summer 1961. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis EB-6 is an eccentric instrument, perhaps, but a delightful one. It is better balanced than one might expect; the long 30.5\" scale one-piece mahogany neck has a surprisingly slim \"C\" profile than and is very comfortable to play. The single PAF pickup produces a rich and well-rounded sound, less \"twangy\" than many similar instruments with a distinctly warm \"Gibson-y\" character. The company also termed the EB-6 a \"Baritone Guitar\" and perhaps if they had marketed it more that way it might have caught on with more players.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSomeone (likely a Gibson sales rep) got one into the hands of Wes Montgomery and it saw use on several tracks of his 1961 LP \"Movin' Along.\" (credited as \"Bass Guitar\") played as a deep-toned baritone lead guitar. A casual listener might mistake it for a standard guitar but a careful listen will discern the difference in tone and register. George Benson owned one for a time as well. The EB-6 is truly a unique instrument; perhaps not the ultimate classic \"Tic Tac\" bass but a superbly friendly and smooth playing deep twang machine.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 44 3\/4 in. (113.7 cm.), 16 1\/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5\/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 21\/32 in. (27 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a very clean and original instrument, with some very light wear overall and one small repair. The back top edge of the headstock must have taken a hit at some point, and an area was chipped out along the grain running down through the serial number. This has been repaired solidly but visibly with topical touch up; the serial number is still fully legible. This is not a structural issue but is noticeable; this neck itself never suffered any cracks. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe otherwise all-original finish has mostly very light wear, some minor scuffing, a few shallow scratches and a couple of noticeable dings to the back of the neck and wear to the headstock edges. The lovely rich sunburst has faded a bit, really only noticeable if the pickguard is removed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hardware is all original and unaltered. The \"Tone Selector Switch\" is a lever instead of the usually expected pushbutton seen on most EB-2's; Every EB-6 from this batch we have seen is equipped this way. The PAF sticker is intact on the bottom of the pickup and the untouched unit exhibits all the correct characteristics for the 1961 period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original frets are in excellent shape and this big 6-string is a delight to play, and awesome to behold. It is strung with what appear to be original period roundwound nickel Gibson strings (an original box is still in the case pocket) in E-E bass tuning (except for the high E string, which is new). It would also be a really excellent instrument for use as a Baritone guitar tuned B-B or A-A with lighter stringing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis EB-6 resides in the original 1950s style brown HSC, designed for the banjo tuner equipped EB-2 and the 6-string instrument needs to be angled slightly when slipped into the narrow top end of the case; Gibson seems to have only issued these basses with this case. Even many veteran Gibson fans and collectors have never seen let alone played one of these, a truly unique instrument and mighty mighty twang machine! Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50628359061644,"sku":"13139","price":15000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_81844305-5607-4d03-aefb-1ecea9091e01.jpg?v=1781129252"}],"url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/collections\/hollow-body-bass-guitars.oembed?page=2","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}