Cutlass Bass

[T-bone]

Hey Knuckleheads,

It's been a while since I've posted and/or lurked, but life has changed dramatically this past year and I don't know where the time has gone. However, it seems this 82 Cutlass bass has come available (from the original owner) and I'm somewhat interested. Now, I'm not one of those "vintage" freaks, and firmly believe advances in technology has helped virtually all manufacturing companies. Yet still, it's an "original owner Cutlass bass."

Any thoughts out there?

tbone

ps - my apologies to BP and Co as this doesn't benefit Musicman at all. Maybe if I offset the purchase with the purchase of a 30th anniversary? That may, however, require a phone call from BP to my wife.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Why not? A great bass is a great bass no matter what era it came from. I say if you like it, go for it!

 

[silverburst]

Better than an 82 Olds Cutlass, for sure.

 

[bdgotoh]

I'm getting ready to sell my Cutlass II and I'm ordering another HH Sterling. I prefer a neck that I can adjust (and the Sterling neck and tone and preamp).

I'm not a vintage guy either.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Hey Knuckleheads,

It's been a while since I've posted and/or lurked, but life has changed dramatically this past year and I don't know where the time has gone. However, it seems this 82 Cutlass bass has come available (from the original owner) and I'm somewhat interested. Now, I'm not one of those "vintage" freaks, and firmly believe advances in technology has helped virtually all manufacturing companies. Yet still, it's an "original owner Cutlass bass."

Any thoughts out there?

tbone

ps - my apologies to BP and Co as this doesn't benefit Musicman at all. Maybe if I offset the purchase with the purchase of a 30th anniversary? That may, however, require a phone call from BP to my wife.

The Best Cutlass ever was Made Just a few years ago, The 100th Annv Stingray.
On the Originals the necks aventully needed work due to NO TRUSS RODS, which was always $200 Plus to be repaired and they felt like a Baseball bat for the most part.

 

[thunder]

bdgotch, send me a line when your ready to sell!

 

[T-bone]

Hey Thanks everyone for the responses. Based on what I've read here, along with some of BP's old comments, I think I'll pass on this Cutlass and get a 30th instead.

Musicman Nut - With all your experience and all those basses, I figure you are one of the leading authorities. Thanks Man!

bdgotoh - where in the Northwest? I'm an old Seattle boy who now lives in Portland.

tbone

 

[bdgotoh]

I'm in Seattle. Where was the Cutlass you were looking at? I saw one in the CL listings a few miles north of my house.

 

[Swiftyd]

I own a Cutlass II (which is 100% original) and a Cutlass I. unfortunately, the strap buttons on my Cutlass I are not original. Being a collector as well as a professional bassist, i'm keen to find a set of original strap buttons to put on my Cutlass I. The problem is, these strap buttons are quite unique, (they're different from old Stingray and Sabre buttons) and i can't seem to locate any. They are long and quite flared. (imagine the bell of a minature trumpet!) Can anyone out there help?

 

[tkarter]

I own a Cutlass II (which is 100% original) and a Cutlass I. unfortunately, the strap buttons on my Cutlass I are not original. Being a collector as well as a professional bassist, i'm keen to find a set of original strap buttons to put on my Cutlass I. The problem is, these strap buttons are quite unique, (they're different from old Stingray and Sabre buttons) and i can't seem to locate any. They are long and quite flared. (imagine the bell of a minature trumpet!) Can anyone out there help?

You have a measurement on that flare?

tk

 

[bdgotoh]

Or better yet a picture of what you're looking for? All the Cutlasses I've seen had normal strap buttons but I've only seen a few in person.

 

[Swiftyd]

Cutlass strap buttons

Thank you for the replies. (i'm new to this Forum)
The original ebay ad for the Cutlass I i bought is still available for viewing. If anyone would like to have a look, the ebay identification number is 300143716317. If you press enlarge image, you get a good look at the strap buttons i'm after.
Although the photos are of the actual bass i bought, by the time i received it, the strap buttons you can see in the pictures had been removed and replaced with Schaller strap lock buttons. it's a long story, but the seller doesn't have the originals.
If anyone can help locate a set that match the one's in the ebay photos, please let me know. Cheers.

 

[oli@bass]

Hm... I have the impression that those on your Cutlass I (BTW, I wondered who got that bass! ) are after market and retrofit. AFAIR, the two Cutlass I, I tried recently around here both had the standard MM strap buttons on them.

 

[bdgotoh]

Highly unlikely those came stock on your Cutlass from the factory, they look like standard F****r strap buttons.

Oh, and congrats on getting a very rare MusicMan!

 

[Caca de Kick]

Yeah those are fender strap buttons in that auction.
I've only seen a couple Cutlass basses in person, and they had the same buttons as any other Musicman.

 

[Swiftyd]

It's confusing because the black Cutlass II that i bought five or six years ago has neither regular MM buttons, or Fender one's. In fact they don't match anything i've ever seen!
I really should know more about this because when the Cutlass first appeared, i was one of the first guys in the UK to own one. It was a beauty, with a natural wood body, string through body design and a three bolt neck plate. i had it from new, loved it, and played it for about four years then stupidly sold it. (can't for the life of me remember why?) I definitely had no idea how rare they would become. I'm pleased that i've got a Cutlass I again (still wish i'd kept my original though) What does bug me a little, is the guy who just sold me the Cutlass I apparently used old photos in his ebay ad from when he first bought it, and although i believe it's the same bass that i recieved, it has been altered without me being told. (A bit naughty!) Anyway, it's great to have so much feedback from you all on my first post, i really appreciate it. Whatever happens, those Schaller strap locks that mysteriously came fitted to my Cutlass have to go!

Thanks again,
Swiftyd.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

From what I can make of the Cutlass pics I have, the strap buttons changed ie there were two types.

The earlier ones are the same as found on the normal Pre-EB Bass and then they changed to the ones belonging to Swiftyd as seen in the Ebay advert (similar to Fender)

 

[tkarter]

Sent a PM offering you some buttons that look like them to me. Ya want them or not?

tk

 

[Swiftyd]

Yes please, let me know if you received my PM (still new to this!)

 

[tkarter]

Got the PM will have them in the post to ya real soon.

tk