Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

[Slowy]

I stared at the strangely shaped case while the owner, eyes glittering, dared me to guess the contents. I failed.

It's completely original except for the Gibson speed knobs. It has a headstock repair.

What is known:
It was purchased in person from Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden.
During the transaction, Shepherd mentioned he'd bought it with a broken headstock 'from McCartney.'

Hell, I don't know.....
What I do know is this isn't your usual under the bed find. It's been tweaked, fettled and cherished. It plays perfectly. It's a working tool you could gig with complete confidence.
It has almost no sustain. What it does have is the most satisfying warm thump that makes every note individual. If you can shred a bass, you would love this.

So, for your visual pleasure:

20230325_155145.jpg (2.66 MiB) Viewed 2810 times

20230325_154621.jpg (1.97 MiB) Viewed 2810 times

20230325_154654.jpg (2.4 MiB) Viewed 2810 times

[NippleWrestler]

https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/ben-shephe ... 093257687/

?

[Slowy]

https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/ben-shephe ... 093257687/

?

That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?

[NippleWrestler]

https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/ben-shephe ... 093257687/

?

That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?

That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.

[Lyle]

That's awesome! I'm pretty sure Ben plays it in the music video for Pretty Noose.

[Slowy]

https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/ben-shephe ... 093257687/

?

That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?

That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.

That's a fair point. I don't know either.

[NippleWrestler]

That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?

That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.

That's a fair point. I don't know either.

Well here's something:

https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/the-st ... iolin-bass

He did have a righty which he flipped to play lefty. The marks etc are different to yours but it sets a precedent for flipped righties.

[Slowy]

That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.

That's a fair point. I don't know either.

Well here's something:

https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/the-st ... iolin-bass

He did have a righty which he flipped to play lefty. The marks etc are different to yours but it sets a precedent for flipped righties.

This one definitely doesn't have a setlist taped on.
And that photo is a lefty.

[jeremyb]

Super cool provenance!

[TmcB]

That’s epic! I love the pedigree

[Lyle]

Here's the video with Ben playing a Hofner with Gibson Speed Knobs that I'm assuming is the same guitar.

[Slowy]

Here's the video with Ben playing a Hofner with Gibson Speed Knobs that I'm assuming is the same guitar.

That's cool!

[GrantB]

very cool. I'm intrigued; how does one buy a bass from a very high profile rock dude? As in what set of circumstances?

[robthemac]

very cool. I'm intrigued; how does one buy a bass from a very high profile rock dude? As in what set of circumstances?

And is it now Bruce's?

[Lyle]

very cool. I'm intrigued; how does one buy a bass from a very high profile rock dude? As in what set of circumstances?

He's spoken publicly about having substance abuse issues and was broke for a while (sounds like he's back on track now), so maybe it was sold out of necessity?