So the other week I decided I wanted to have a decent bass around the house because I've been doing more and more recording...so I set out to hunt for something with a max budget of about $500ish. I came across this beautiful Ibanez ATK500 Koa and grabbed it. Great condition, no case but that never bothers me when the price is right.
Then, it arrives...here's the box:
So automatically I get the camera ready because I know what's waiting for me in that box. And sure enough, there it is
RIP to this beautiful bass that was made in Japan for only one year in 1996 (aka, not something you can easily just find again). Bummer.
This was shipped wrapped in a SINGLE layer of bubble wrap, and the bubble wrap was not even taped on the front sides or bottom. They literally just put in a small piece of bubble wrap, then the bass wrapped in one single layer of it untaped and unsealed, and then boxed it up. And that was before UPS played the 2020 World Cup with it. Yikes and double yikes.
GC so far has been cool about it - they sent UPS to my house the next day to pick it up for the return with a prepaid label. It's already been delivered back to GC so I should have a refund in the next couple of days (or maybe a bit more, with the Covid craziness going on).
Back on the hunt I went, and this time came across this Tagima TW73 Woodstock Series Bass. This is a Brazilian company but their cheaper (aka $400ish and less) stuff is MIC. These are about $300 new, after a GC rewards certificate I had I ended up paying just over $100 shipped for it. Arrived today packed flawlessly (THANK YOU to this 2nd GC for giving a damn!), and I also found the previous owner upgraded with a cool metal-tooled pickguard.
The quality of the bass I would say lines up nicely with a Fender MIM...nice tight neck pocket, fretwork is great across the board, and the bass plays well with nice low action. I wasn't able to play the Ibanez so I can't offer a direct comparison, but I can say that I am VERY happy with this for the price and I think this is a brand to really be on the lookout for. They have lots of other models including guitars (Jazzmaster style, etc) and if the quality of this is any indication I wouldn't hesitate to grab one for a good price.
Here are the pics, and luckily all's well that ends well!
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