Blackstar 5er . . .

[bassduke49]

. . . on eBay. I wouldn't bid on this for several reasons: 0 feedback seller, foreign country, lot of chewage on the back, but there are some interesting things. First, it is said only a handful of "Blackstar" 5-stringers were made (Gary Clauson has one), but supposedly they weren't "certified" - this one has a certificate. Hmm. Also, note novel use of the treble pickup cover mounted over the mute. Terrible photos:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-BASS-4 ... 240%3A1318

[rickaddict]

Cool! The certificate looks like it says: "40035/SPC BLACKSTAR... #164 in a production run of 200..."

Looks real to me!

That is the most hilarious use of the pickup cover I've ever seen! And I'm guessing that it means two extra screw holes above and below the tail piece, 'cuz the mounting holes for the pickup cover are too wide to go on the mute screws.

[weemac]

It has the elusive 5 pole Horseshoe re-issue bobbin.
I played one like this years ago.... Should have nabbed it!
Eden.

[rickaddict]

It has the elusive 5 pole Horseshoe re-issue bobbin.
I played one like this years ago.... Should have nabbed it!
Eden.

What? Am I missing something here? Both my '89 and my 2000 S/5 have the same bobbin. It is similar to the RI HS bobbin, but I don't think it's very elusive. As far as I know all the S/5's (except for maybe the very earliest examples) had this bobbin.

[weemac]

It has the elusive 5 pole Horseshoe re-issue bobbin.
I played one like this years ago.... Should have nabbed it!
Eden.

What? Am I missing something here? Both my '89 and my 2000 S/5 have the same bobbin. It is similar to the RI HS bobbin, but I don't think it's very elusive. As far as I know all the S/5's (except for maybe the very earliest examples) had this bobbin.

Oh!! I thought that the fibre board Higain style pickup was more common than the HS one....
Eden.

[libratune]

Here's the REVERSO translation of the eBay descripton of this bass for those, such as me, who don't speak (or read) Spanish:

GOOD SINCE NOTHING IS ONE 4003S 5 STRINGS LIMITED SERIES DEL1989 BLAKSTAR TO SAY TO YOU THAT IT HAS A SOUND WORTH LISTENING
IT IS AN UNPOLLUTED BLACK A PRECIOUSNESS DISCREETLY AND AT THE SAME TIME VERY LITTLE SEEN ONLY ONE
And WITH THE WHOLE CLAW OF 4001 IT IS PASSIVE HAS ESPECIALLY BEHIND WHERE IT RUBS WITH YOUR BODY WEAR OF PAINTING FOR THE FRET AND
ALGUN ANOTHER TOUCH SLIGHTLY VALUABLE PEQUEÑITO I GIVE FAITH OF THE GUARANTEE

I am sure there is a way to make better sense of some of these words, it's just beyond me.

PS "good since nothing" would be a good album title for the "make your own album" project . . .

[cjj]

Here's Bablefish's translation:

GOOD THEN NOTHING IS 4003S 5 CORDS LIMITED SERIES OF 1989 BLAKSTAR DECIROS THAT HAS a SONIDAZO WORTHY TO LISTEN

A DISCREET AND AT THE SAME TIME ONLY PRECIOSIDAD IS BLACK UNPOLLLUTED VERY LITTLE SIGHT

AND WITH ALL THE CLAW OF 4001 HE IS PASSIVE HAS MAINLY BACK WHERE PAINTING WEARING DOWN GRAZES WITH YOUR BODY BY THE RUBBING AND

SOME OTHER LITTLE APPRECIABLE TOUCH PEQUEÑITO I GIVE FAITH OF THE GUARANTEE

Interesting differences in the translations...
Between the two, I think it's reasonably easy to get the gist of what he's saying...

[ilan]

Interesting differences in the translations...

Both translations say it's better than nothing, and I have to agree.

I wish the owner of such a rare bass had kept better care of his instrument.

[bottom4]

I stepped aside from the one Gary snagged - that one seemed to be in much worse condition at the time

[rickfan60]

Pretty cool - so there are at least two.

[jaymi]

Pretty cool - so there are at least two.

If my walnut was ready for ebay, I would be ALL over this one...

[gareth]

Hmmm. Every Blackstar I've seen has had checkerboard binding.

I'd give this one a miss....

[blueflamerick]

I've never seen a Blackstar with checkerboard binding, including the one I own.

[pflash4001]

Actually, MY (loose) translation says:

This is a 5 string 1989 Blackstar 4003S limited edition series that has a sound you have to hear to believe.

It is completely black and a well kept example of a rarely seen bass.

Like all 4001's this bass is passive. The back of the bass has a bit of buckle rash and a couple of other minor scuffs and marks, but I assure you that it is in good shape.
I speak Spanish and this is what I got out of it. Sounds like an average description. Whether it's accurate or not, I will leave to you experts.

Buenas Noches!
javier

[weemac]

Hmmm. Every Blackstar I've seen has had checkerboard binding.

I'd give this one a miss....

Blackstars have the "S" body with no binding and dod markers.
Shadow basses have checker binding..
Eden.