Julian Cope's Squier "Fake Fender" Jazz Bass listed for sale on eBay UK

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I'm a big fan of Julian Cope, so when I saw this listing  on eBay UK for his "Fake Fender" Jazz Bass (actually a re-badged Squier circa 2004), it made me sit up and take notice.

To quote from the auction listing:

Here for auction is a bizarre experimental Squier Jazz bass from about 2004/5. The item was inherited by singer/author Julian Cope, who removed the original pick-ups and added several different types during his years of ownership. Why? The body of the bass is so heavy that it works well as a platform for whatever is installed. Cope recorded the bass with its variety of pick-ups, then also added genuine Fender 50’s-style anodyzed gold aluminium scratch-plate, plus genuine Fender pick-up covers.

Thereafter, the bass was abandoned as a musical instrument and the pick-ups were removed. The item became a focal point for Cope’s press photos during 2008 (see main photo). A genuine Fender waterslide decal was added to the newly painted gold headstock, and the body was coated with the kind of hellish glitter (in the style of the mid-60s Irish Showbands) that sparkles in the sun, whilst a chrome iron cross was installed in place of the original neck plate.

I'll post the final price when it sells. Note, it's for UK bidders only.

EDIT: It eventually sold for  £313.36. I was so tempted to bid myself, but had to ask myself, realistically do I need another bass right now?

G L Wilson

© 2018, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

President George Bush (Snr)'s guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:  

Back in 1989 during the inauguration party of President George Bush (the first), the news organizations snapped this picture of the president-elect and political strategist Lee Atwater, "jamming" onstage. Bush was slinging a guitar custom-painted for the occasion and the press ate it up.

The guitar is on exhibit right now at the Newseum in Washington DC, as part of the "Every Four Years" exhibit, looking at media coverage of the presidential elections.  Specifically, it is an inexpensive Epiphone Strat clone from around 1988 - most likely an S-310 - and is pretty much stock, with its laminated alder body, hockeystick neck, ivory finish, low-grade hardware and maple fingerboard. In truth, it probably wouldn't receive two glances on eBay or Craigslist today, except for the fact it was the guitar worn (but not really played) by "The Prez" a little over 20 years ago.

As an aside, the Newseum is a pretty cool place to visit for anyone coming through D.C.  Look it up: www.newseum.com

Alan Peterson

Washington DC USA

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!