Pre-EB decision

[Mantaray]

Guys I went today to check the preEB I'm considering to buy. The price is £1000.
Note that I will have to sell my EB to buy it. Do you think it is worth the money?
Consider these:

1) The body has been refinished in Tobacco Burst. Not a scratch, not bad finish but nothing compared to my EB honeyburst.

2) The maple neck has lost a lot of lacquer with the result the unlacquered parts of the fingerboard and the back of the neck to be very dark.

3) The bridge is missing the mutes but I can make them.


When playing fingerstyle the difference with the EB wasn't THAT great(like wise bovine told me) but when I switched to slapping, the preEB was MUCH better. I really loved the sound. That is the slap tone I'm after.


I wrote the serial number just in case:

B0012865


I'm seeking suggestions from the experts(Aussie Mark, Rod Trussbroken, Bovine etc). Do you think it is a good thing to do? Is the price good?

 

[spectorbassguy]

"Unofficial Non-Expert Reply":
If you like the way it plays and it sounds better to you, do it. If you are looking for resale someday the refin probably just zapped the guts out of that. I'd much rather have a bass that plays well and looks like crap than vice versa.
OK, experts.....let's hear your take on it.

 

[Mantaray]

"Unofficial Non-Expert Reply":

OK, experts.....let's hear your take on it.

Sorry about that 'expert thing'

 

[dlloyd]

Guys I went today to check the preEB I'm considering to buy. The price is £1000.
Note that I will have to sell my EB to buy it. Do you think it is worth the money?
Consider these:

1) The body has been refinished in Tobacco Burst. Not a scratch, not bad finish but nothing compared to my EB honeyburst.

2) The maple neck has lost a lot of lacquer with the result the unlacquered parts of the fingerboard and the back of the neck to be very dark.

3) The bridge is missing the mutes but I can make them.


When playing fingerstyle the difference with the EB wasn't THAT great(like wise bovine told me) but when I switched to slapping, the preEB was MUCH better. I really loved the sound. That is the slap tone I'm after.


I wrote the serial number just in case:

B0012865


I'm seeking suggestions from the experts(Aussie Mark, Rod Trussbroken, Bovine etc). Do you think it is a good thing to do? Is the price good?

Not really an expert, but I'll speak up anyway...

The price is okay-ish for the UK, considering it's refinished. If it plays well, has no significant dead spots, all flaws are cosmetic and it has that tone you're after, you can't go too far wrong.

Is selling your EB the only option? Have you A/Bed them?

 

[Mantaray]

Is selling your EB the only option? Have you A/Bed them?

What does A/Bed them mean?
Unfortunately it is my only option. Because I plan to spend my money on an Avalon AD2022 so I can't exceed a certain budget.

 

[dlloyd]

What does A/Bed them mean?

Directly compared where the bass is the only variable (ie. plugged into the same amp etc.)

 

[spectorbassguy]

Sorry about that 'expert thing'

No worries! I DID want to specify that I am NOT an expert re: vintage basses though!

 

[Mantaray]

I tried them at the same amp. The tone was different. Perhaps bue to the maple neck, it had far more 'zing' on it. It actually sounded different than my EB.

 

[dlloyd]

I tried them at the same amp. The tone was different. Perhaps bue to the maple neck, it had far more 'zing' on it. It actually sounded different than my EB.

If it was better, then you really have only one answer, surely?

 

[tkarter]

My question would be how close is the setup on each. Seems to me they should be comparable sound/tone wise. I however know nothing about Pre EB. Sound difference may have been strings or something.

tk

 

[Mantaray]

Here's the one I'm considering. Exactly that.The shadows you see on the board is the wear. Do you think I can get back the yellow maple colour?

 

[Mantaray]

My Ray is the most beautiful honeyburst I've EVER seen, bar none brand. Together with black pickguard and rosewood it is THE beauty.

 

[Morrow]

Why....I like the look of a bass that has been well played and shows it's age.

 

[Mantaray]

The thing is that these 'dark spots' are very dark. Imagine in the back of the neck a big chunk of lacquer is missing and in its place there's this dark color. Also the owner was a lefty so he has made sidedots as well. What do you think?

 

[spectorbassguy]

The thing is that these 'dark spots' are very dark. Imagine in the back of the neck a big chunk of lacquer is missing and in its place there's this dark color. Also the owner was a lefty so he has made sidedots as well. What do you think?

Since he was a lefty did he modify the nut and/or bridge? Might be worth checking.

 

[Bassplyr]

Since he was a lefty did he modify the nut and/or bridge? Might be worth checking.

Good idea Spector! Definitely need to look at that.

 

[flywheel]

My advice to you is to keep your EB Ray and I'm certain you'll have no regrets.

 

[Mantaray]

Since he was a lefty did he modify the nut and/or bridge? Might be worth checking.

Actually the nut had quite(a lot) wider saddles for D and G strings, so yeah.. probably. Nothing in the bridge though. Apart from this it sounded just fine.
I made up my mind. I will keep my EB and I'll dump the Avalon AD2022. Instead I'll go for the Avalon vt737sp which is cheaper, and almost as good(which also saves me from buying a really good compressor and a really good EQ).

But, now I have a MM choice problem. Now that my budget is different, I have the opportunity

a)Buying the Pre-EB

or

b)Buying a NEW Sterling

or

c)Buying a NEW Bongo


I need advice. Sorry...........

 

[kenito]

If the pre-eb is as good as you say then get it, especially if you can keep your existing eb ray.

I went down the same route, bought a eb ray 15/16 years ago but always wanted to check out a pre-eb. Got a '77 last year on ebay for £900 - no regrets !!
I use them both. It doesn't matter if it is beat up looking, its the sound and feel that counts. Personally I could never buy a new bass again of any make.


Cheers, K

 

[kenito]

Hey Mantaray, there's a couple of pre-EB rays on ebay uk.

Have you checked them out ? Prices (for the moment) are more interesting than £1000