Do you play an instrument?

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'62 or '63 Beatle bass? I never liked the ultrathin necks on those, but they were still cool instruments.

Actually it's an Icon. But if you swap the stock strings for a set of flatwounds you get equal comparison, seeing as it doesn't have that inner sustain block and is fully hollow unlike the Contemporary model and the third party copies (I've got a Jay Turser myself). Aside from the wider pickup openings and the neck area strap functions, the body/neck shape is identical to the '63 model 500/1. Because of this the feel is authentic to the Germans I've played (and due to my carpal tunnel issues I'd say that finding this bass is perfect timing).

I was initially set on saving up for a German and I was in Guitar Center looking for a low-priced but hopefully decent Epi Thunderbird or EB-3, maybe a nice Dot or Casino if not a bass. I hadn't yet seen an Icon in a store yet (Guitar Center never carries Höfners and Sam Ash only carries the Contemporaries which despite the German feel and looks, they sound almost like a solid body) and I was impressed.
I can say now that there is nothing much left to motivate me into getting a German anytime soon even if I had two grand to spend. Höfner knew what they were doing when they put out this model.

Btw, is this economy having a lot to do with a guitar's price? I saw a Warwick Corvette for $599, I love Warwicks and to see one much less a Corvette in particular at that price range was shocking.

I'm actually not familiar with the Icons, and avoid Guitar Center and other similar companies like the blight that they actually are and buy used instruments. As far as the falling prices of guitars, I would imagine that the current state of the economy has quite a bit to do with that, though as far as vintage instuments like 50's &60's Gibsons,Fenders, Epis, etc are concerned, the prices are still for all intents and purposes unaffordable. I'm not familiar with Warwick's current line of instruments but remember them well when they were still selling necks and bodies. -- They put out good product.

Back in the day, My uncle had an Eko copy of a Beatle bass. It sounded somewhat similar to the Hofner, but had a bolt-on neck and had absolutely horrible action.

I abuse a satin black Les Paul studio... It's a much better guitar than I am a player.

Is that one of the 'Gothic Series' guitars from the beginning of the decade, or is it something more recent?

It's a bit older. I picked it up at a pawn shop a few years ago.

I can understand. Hell, pretty much everything in there is used in some way or another. Doesn't really bother me, if the condition is fine. But the other night I did see a beautiful Sheraton II on which the neck was beginning to crack around the headstock; the tag indicated that it was new. Whether it might have been a new guitar or not, it's a shame when people don't take care of the guitars in the store.

Guitar Center does suck. But it's the only thing in my area. In the rare occasion I can get a ride across town to one, I love the smaller stores despite their lack of selection, especially in the big-name area. But they work hard to keep their customers, when my parents got me my Ibanez bass a few years back as a birthday gift, they cut down the price considerately since my stepdad had recently bought a drumset from them. But just friendlier people in general.

And as far as used instruments go, it's a shame they don't have a floor-model/stock option where you test out whats in the store and they grab yours from the backroom (although once an employee was nice enough to offer me a guitar nearly fresh off the truck to take home instead of my SG taken from the floor.

It's a Gibson not an Epi but I got a great deal.... and I really am not worthy of the guitar!

I play,

guitar (very seldom)
pedal steel guitar (30+ years)
organ/pinao (ocasionally)
bass (I use to a long time ago)

tried,
fiddle (not for me)
sax (not enough wind)
drums (couldn't get the bass/high hat thing going)
vocals (If you want to clear a room, give me a mike)

JC.

Piano-since kindergarden
Recorder- since 1st grade
Clarinet- 4th and 5th grade
Harmonica- random
Guitar(electric and acoustic)- since junior (11th grade)
Xylophone- 3rd - 5th grade
Handbells and Tonechimes- since 8th grade
more...whenever I think of them

I want to play the ukulele.

I am a professional musician and have been singing and playing instruments, pretty much, all of my life. It is what I do for a living.

I took up playing the ukulele last Christmas ( '08 ) and I just love it. I initially purchased an inexpensive Jumping Flea (soprano), but within about 2 weeks bought my first baritone, which I completely prefer. I just bought the very first electric bass uke by Kala. It is SO AWESOME!

Beware! They are addictive and it is commonplace to start purchasing more and more of them as you become a better player. There are local groups to play with all over the country. It's isn't unusual to own more than 5 very quickly. Many people have more than 10!

ENJOY!

I shall keep that in mind when I do buy one!

I like your av btw, I did one of those things myself.