Do I want a JS II?

[Muovinen]

Sorry for a little off-topic but I was offered a black 75' JS II bass with a Badass bridge and a lot of roadworn for 650 euros. Don't have any more specs yet. Does the price sound reasonable?

I really don't have the money and the little I have is reserved for a S100 purchase :roll: Would the JS II give me something new/more compared to my Sandberg California JM4 which has a Music Man style bridge pup and a jazz bass style neck pup with active electronics? I seldom play my bass, usually only when I'm recording a song. I have a Peavey TNT100 amp but I've only used it once to test it. Just to give you some perspective... :wink:

If I had the extra money I would just buy it because it's a Guild and they don't come by too often around here. But I'm also trying to be practical - do I really need it, REALLY?

 

[fronobulax]

Moved it cause I kind of like the reference thread aspects of the other.

I suspect I would not hesitate very long if someone offered me anything over $1000 for my JS II and shipping preparation and costs were not my concern. So 650 Euros might be high depending upon what it takes to get a bass to Europe, especially since my bass is closer to "unplayed" than "roadworn". Since bluespickey just imported one maybe he'll have some comments on the shipping aspect.

I'm not familiar with the Sandberg but it probably has more in common with a Pilot than a JS II sonically. A Badass bridge on a JS II is probably easier to adjust than the stock bridge but not as cool. I find it hard to justify all my basses even though they do fill different sonic niches.

It is, as you say, a Guild.

 

[Muovinen]

Moved it cause I kind of like the reference thread aspects of the other.

No problem and thanks for the info! The new topic subject is spot on too

I forgot to mention that the bass is only 30km from my home so eventually I can go and have a look at it and have a test run too. The seller tells me that it doesn't have any bad cracks or dings, it just looks well played. I'll get pics soon. Everything else is original but the bridge. Neck/headstock has been repaired at some point. Price is negotiable and I hope I can make it start with 5 and not 6

My brain is telling me to pass it but my heart... :roll:

 

[mellowgerman]

It will definitely offer a very different sound variety than your Sandberg. I would offer him 500 Euros in light of the headstock break, cosmetic wear, non-original bridge, and since you will have to drive a bit to go see it -- I'm assuming gasoline is not cheap in Finland, since it's not cheap anywhere as far as I know.
If he accepts, go for it! If not... save those Euros for the S-100!
Or at least that's how I would handle it

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Which pick-up is in it, the Bi-sonic or the humbucker?

If it's the Bi-sonic I'd think about real hard after I played it and heard what it sounded like.

If it's the humbucker I'd pass. Between the wear, the headstock repair, and the aftermarket bridge it doesn't sound worth it.

Since you said you would only use it for recording, you'd probably be sitting and wouldn't notice the severe neck from which these basses suffer.

That's my $.02 US (Not sure what that is in Euros)

 

[hagmeat]

My opinion if I was in your shoes is save your pennies for the S100.

 

[fronobulax]

Which pick-up is in it, the Bi-sonic or the humbucker?

I assumed since the date was given as 1975 that it was the the humbucker. 5 years too late for a factory Bisonic.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Which pick-up is in it, the Bi-sonic or the humbucker?

I assumed since the date was given as 1975 that it was the the humbucker. 5 years too late for a factory Bisonic.

Yeah, I'm not really up on my change-over dates. Thanks Frono.

 

[fronobulax]

[quote="The Guilds of Grot":21z0bwaq]Which pick-up is in it, the Bi-sonic or the humbucker?

I assumed since the date was given as 1975 that it was the the humbucker. 5 years too late for a factory Bisonic.

Yeah, I'm not really up on my change-over dates. Thanks Frono.[/quote:21z0bwaq]

I know the dates but you are a much better player than I am so it evens out in the end, I hope ;-)

 

[Muovinen]

Thanks for all the info guys. I will pass it and really start my quest for a S100

 

[mavuser]

Just my 2 cents if u do decide to buy a 70's JS, there is no shortage of them in the United States. With some patience you can get a very nice one online for a very reasonable price, especially considering the age. Just pay the international shipping, in the end u will come out equal or on top financially, with a much nicer bass than what you described above. I have seen very nice 1972 JS 1's go for 600-800 (big difference is the original hard shell case), an equally very nice 1975 Fretless JS 2 go for less than 800 (w/ ohsc)...the standard JS 2's are more in the 1000 ish range (maybe less with some luck or more "road worn") and the carved JS 2 that Blues Picky recently procured is the one that would cost the most.