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  #1  
Old 02-03-2009, 02:01 PM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Default 1998 Burner???

Hi all,

I just introduced myself over in the intro.

I'm not a bass player but may be soon. Someone offered me a possible trade of a Burner for a 12-string guitar I have listed FS/FT in another forum. I'm looking for a good bass for recording.

I was told this is a 1998 Standard Burner. My old edition of the Blue Book makes me think this is actually a Custom.

http://s734.photobucket.com/albums/w...fcharli/bodie/

Assuming I make this trade, what might I expect from this bass. How does the tone compare to Fenders or Ernie Ball MM? And what might I need to use this in my home studio? DI or Amp? I'm a singer/songwriter... mostly acoustic.

Thanks so much for your help!

Chuck
Flagstaff, AZ
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  #2  
Old 02-03-2009, 02:46 PM
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Cool Standard Burner??

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Cheesman View Post
Hi all,

I just introduced myself over in the intro.

I'm not a bass player but may be soon. Someone offered me a possible trade of a Burner for a 12-string guitar I have listed FS/FT in another forum. I'm looking for a good bass for recording.

I was told this is a 1998 Standard Burner. My old edition of the Blue Book makes me think this is actually a Custom.

http://s734.photobucket.com/albums/w...fcharli/bodie/

Assuming I make this trade, what might I expect from this bass. How does the tone compare to Fenders or Ernie Ball MM? And what might I need to use this in my home studio? DI or Amp? I'm a singer/songwriter... mostly acoustic.

Thanks so much for your help!

Chuck
Flagstaff, AZ
That is a BSR 'B' model Burner, Custom Maple 4-string. Not at all a Standard which was only made in solid black then. Get the serial # so I can confirm the year for you. We shipped only about 10 of this exact model in late 1998, the year we introduced the BSR 'B' model.
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Old 02-03-2009, 03:12 PM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Thank you! I have a digital photo of the fretboard:

The numbers read 981605CM... the last number is obscured by a string. I'll try to get it from the seller. Here's the photo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/...876c1e50_o.jpg

OK. I can see I'll need to learn to post photos here.

Last edited by Chuck Cheesman; 02-03-2009 at 03:14 PM. Reason: link to photo and mistake in number and I can't spell
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Old 02-03-2009, 03:16 PM
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Cool Standard?....Not.

This is not a standard Burner. This is a BSR-B: Custom Burner.

If the bass is in original excellent condition, I don't think you will be disappointed. My first Ken Smith Bass was a new Burner 6-String Standard (onyx black). It also happened to be THE LAST 6-String Burner to leave Ken's shop before they were discontinued. I still have that bass. It is because of this bass (i.e. quality, feel, sound, etc.) I stayed with Smith basses.

Depending on the condition of this bass, you should see a value in the neighborhood of $800.00 to a $1,000.00.
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Old 02-03-2009, 04:51 PM
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Cool last #

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Cheesman View Post
Thank you! I have a digital photo of the fretboard:

The numbers read 981605CM... the last number is obscured by a string. I'll try to get it from the seller. Here's the photo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/...876c1e50_o.jpg

OK. I can see I'll need to learn to post photos here.
The last # is a 4, =4-string but, the first #/Ltr. is a 'B' for BSR 'B'. Under the 'B' under the E-string and not shown either.

The serial number, date of completion and my signature are hand written on the inside of the back plate over the shielding foil. It should read as B981605CM4.
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Old 02-04-2009, 03:43 PM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Ken,

Thank you very much for the information regarding this instrument.

The fellow trading this bass was curious about what I'd learned about his bass, but even after seeing this thread and the fact that his bass is a different model he has agreed to the exchange. I probably still won't see the bass for at least a week.

I thought I was looking for a Music Man or a Fender bass. Obviously, I've got to try this thing out, but it looks much more interesting. I can't afford high end "boutique" instruments, but I've always managed to find affordable alternatives - like my Bourgeois JRA guitar - that retain some of the unique "mojo" of higher end instruments.

So I expect this will be fun!

And I'll be back back here after my new, old bass arrives.
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Old 02-04-2009, 03:46 PM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Oh... Thanks Tim as well! I don't know how accurate those numbers are, but they are just right for making our trade seem reasonable!
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  #8  
Old 02-04-2009, 04:38 PM
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Cool Accuracy?

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Originally Posted by Chuck Cheesman View Post
Oh... Thanks Tim as well! I don't know how accurate those numbers are, but they are just right for making our trade seem reasonable!
You're welcome!

"Accurate"?.....

If you're talking about $ value accuracy, the "numbers" I gave you, ($800. -$1,000.) for this model bass in original/excellent condition, are accurate.
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Old 02-04-2009, 05:10 PM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Thanks Tim! I believe you.

Hopefully the $ value will not matter. Hopefully, I'll like it enough to keep it for a long, long time.

I've been on a mission the past couple years to sort out my guitars so that each one is a keeper. I don't collect them. But if I can find a reason to regularly play it, it sticks around. I've got my two main acoustic six string guitars, a keeper twelve-string, and a Fender Srat that has become part of the family. I thought once those were in place I'd be over GAS. But I keep discovering other things I need. Like a bass. Or a mandolin. Or a mandola.

At least I haven't started thinking about a banjo yet!
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  #10  
Old 02-04-2009, 09:42 PM
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Default Lol!

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Originally Posted by Chuck Cheesman View Post
Thanks Tim! I believe you.
I thought once those were in place I'd be over GAS. But I keep discovering other things I need. Like a bass. Or a mandolin. Or a mandola.
At least I haven't started thinking about a banjo yet!
Believe me when I tell ya; I understand about the "GAS" thing!
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  #11  
Old 02-12-2009, 10:36 AM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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...supposed to be here today!
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  #12  
Old 02-12-2009, 12:10 PM
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Cool Great!

Great! Looking forward to hearing back from you once you get the bass. Remember, set-up is everything! Make sure strings are fresh and action is set-up for YOU!
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Old 02-12-2009, 10:42 PM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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It's a beauty, and it looks much better in person.

I don't have a proper amp so I'm playing it through a little Roland Cube monitor. I can find my way around it from years of guitar, but I have no real bass skills. I really don't deserve a nice bass like this.

The "A" buzzes pretty good if I play it even medium hard. Minor adjustment I'm thinking. Sending any instrument up to 7000 feet in the dead of winter is going to mess with it I think.

I'll get some proper photos soon.

I've been thinking about a small combo. I've no need for anything big, but I might try accompanying another local acoustic songwriter at a coffee shop for fun. Carvin has something called a BR-15 for what seems a very reasonable price. Any ideas if that would be a reasonable first amp? I will likely record direct, but I don't like practicing with headphones.

Ken, I'm sure you know this, but you make nice instruments!

Cheers,
Chuck
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  #14  
Old 02-12-2009, 10:52 PM
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Default ......

Sounds like you need a good set-up on your bass. It's always best to keep the bass in the case when not playing. It's also good to store your guitars in a climate controlled room: Monitored humidity level at 47% and you'll be good.

Not sure what you want to spend on an amp, however, here's what I believe to be the best bass combo amp on the market .

http://www.eden-electronics.com/prod...v/dc210xlt.asp

Keep your eyes open on eBay for one of these. I've seen them go in the $850. range which is absolutely a steal . If you find one at this price, grab it! It will most likely be the last bass amp you will ever need.
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Old 02-13-2009, 12:07 AM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Bishop View Post
Sounds like you need a good set-up on your bass. It's always best to keep the bass in the case when not playing. It's also good to store your guitars in a climate controlled room: Monitored humidity level at 47% and you'll be good.

Not sure what you want to spend on an amp, however, here's what I believe to be the best bass combo amp on the market .

http://www.eden-electronics.com/prod...v/dc210xlt.asp

Keep your eyes open on eBay for one of these. I've seen them go in the $850. range which is absolutely a steal . If you find one at this price, grab it! It will most likely be the last bass amp you will ever need.

Well... the amp is a little out of my range at the moment. I also bought an old Guild 12-string guitar and some recording gear recently. Now I need to behave. I just need something to get me playing.

I understand about the humidity. My guitars are kept 45-50% at all times. But that Bass has been riding in UPS trucks since Monday. It's cold out there. And there is something about living at 7000 feet above sea level. Every instrument I've ever brought up here needed a set-up almost immediately. So yep, this bass is going to need one.

Thanks for all the help Tim! I have a feeling this bass is a keeper!
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  #16  
Old 02-13-2009, 11:10 AM
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Enjoy, and welcome to the bassist brotherhood! In time you will understand the folly of that puny guitar and become one with the bass!
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  #17  
Old 02-14-2009, 12:09 AM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Default couple of ??????

Thanks Bob!

OK. Dumb question: Which knob is which? Obviously the one closest the strings is the volume, and that's the one to pull for passive. Which reminds me... the battery is dead. Do I open up the back to repalce the battery?

Below the volume knob and next to it appear to control tone? Which is which? The bottom one appears to effect the treble more? I'm not used to messing with bass tone.

Diagonal from volume (closest to the jack) I can't quite figure out. Does it blend the pick-ups? Which way for neck? Which way for bridge.

I bought a Yorkville Bassmaster 100 for 300 bucks. Seemed like a really good deal - the local guitar shop matched an online price - and it was what I could afford. I did some playing today. Fun stuff. I haven't quite discovered the tone I'm looking for yet, but I've got to get a new set of strings on it. And, well... I have a lot of practicing and experimenting to do! LOL I'll bet I'm the least bass-wise guy on this forum at the moment.
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  #18  
Old 02-14-2009, 12:17 AM
Chuck Cheesman Chuck Cheesman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner View Post
Enjoy, and welcome to the bassist brotherhood! In time you will understand the folly of that puny guitar and become one with the bass!

Well.... the bass is quite a bit longer. But my Guild F212 has more girth, three times as many strings, and if the power goes out it is about 100 times louder!

Somehow, I can't picture myself doing a two-hour set of my originals with only a bass as accompaniment! These coffee shops can be pretty lonely gigs as it is.
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  #19  
Old 02-20-2009, 04:37 PM
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much better than a fender or music man!

great catch!
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Old 02-20-2009, 11:07 PM
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Default Answers...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Cheesman View Post
Thanks Bob!

OK. Dumb question: Which knob is which? Obviously the one closest the strings is the volume, and that's the one to pull for passive. Which reminds me... the battery is dead. Do I open up the back to repalce the battery?

Yes, the Volume and Passive/Active Control is closest to strings and Neck P/U. Yes, open the back and replace the battery: Sounds like it's dead if you can't discern between Passive/Active and/or Tone Controls.

Below the volume knob and next to it appear to control tone? Which is which? The bottom one appears to effect the treble more? I'm not used to messing with bass tone.

The Control below and closest to the Volume Control is the P/U Pan/Blend: Clock-wise for neck P/U; counter-clock-wise for Bridge P/U; center detent for both Neck and Bridge P/U.

Diagonal from volume (closest to the jack) I can't quite figure out. Does it blend the pick-ups? Which way for neck? Which way for bridge.

The Control closest to the Input Jack is your Bass Tone Control. The Control above you Bass Tone Control and next to the Volume Control, is your Treble Tone Control.

Hope this helps if you haven't figured it all out by now.
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Last edited by Tim Bishop; 02-20-2009 at 11:21 PM.
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