Ibanez Black Eagle Limited Reissue Bass 2609b

OK.  Relisted because even though this is the best bass I've had in ages, my shoulder has been demanding a featherweight bass.  I love this bass though! Note: it's not boat-anchor heavy, just under 9.5lbs - it's my shoulder that is more at fault than the bass is.  It's a reissue of the Black Eagle of the mid-70s, which may be known for its association with Kris(t) Novoselic and Nirvana, but which has mojo all its own regardless of famous players =0)

The story goes a bit like this, as told to my bass brethren when I got her:

I WAS BLOWN AWAY by this bass when I picked it up at the store.

- The sound: This is, IMHO, basically a Geddy Lee Jazz in retro-rock-throwback clothing. Jazz-type as it is - singlecoils, maple board, VVT controls - the piano clarity and very slight growl made me smile instantly. And the pickups are dead silent when at equal volume, like a good set of singles should be.

- The feel and playability: The big hooked upper horn puts the balance point in the perfect place for me. What's more, though, is this is by far the best-setup bass I've ever pulled off a Guitar Center wall. Action is really low but not so low that every note is buzzing all over; and the neck is nice and slim and just feels great. If I had to pick any nits it would be that I'd lower the saddles a little and add a tiny bit of relief, to make the very high frets just a tad lower without adversely impacting the lower positions.   But as it stands now, it plays, how you say, like butta.

Includes a pretty nice Fender gigbag and Schaller straplock buttons installed (original strap buttons are in the gigbag).   The whole package is pretty much dead mint; it's only been from the store to the house and hasn't left the house since.   Just a few months old!

Note: roundwound strings, a bit broken in so they're not brand-new zingy, but still growl nicely.