Gretsch Committee Bass, natural finish, made in USA circa 1979. When I saw this come up for sale, I had to grab it for the shop... it's too weird and too cool to pass up. The Committee guitar and bass models debuted in 1979, as part of a push to reinvigorate the brand with some spicy new offerings in the thick of their Baldwin era. It didn't last long on the market, which is a shame really: this rules. At 4.4kg it's neither a boat anchor nor a featherweight, but it balances beautifully in the hands, sitting or strapped. The neck is similar in shape to the slimmer Precision Bass examples, but being a full neck-through construction, it has a great slick feel with easy upper-fret access. Plugged in, it takes no prisoners. It's got some P-like midrange focus, but with a Thunderbird-ish rounded low end and a Stingray-esque aggressive biting attack. The tone knob becomes a fast friend: roll it back for gooey Motown goodness with heaps of dynamic response, or max it out for a grinding snarl that loves some distortion and cuts through a mix with vigour. It looks pretty weird, but the combination of the German-carved body, bound board, quirky double and triple dot inlays and the oversized 'G' knobs make for a unique look. If you enjoy the seventies vibe, here's the meanest, brownest, most seventies bass ever made.

Model: Gretsch 7629 Committee Bass
Made: USA, 1979 approx (no serial)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: walnut
Neck: maple/walnut three ply, rosewood board, neck-thru construction, 12" radius, 34" scale, 42mm nut
Weight: 4.430kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gretsch 'Bass Response' rails-style humbucker
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and edges and some checking on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's some scuffs and significant rub wear on the back as well as a professionally repaired section of binding on the top side around the 7th fret. The back has a couple of bald patches on the horns and widespread light scuffs, dimples and checking lines around the whole body. The sides have dimples and scuffs around the whole body, as well some dents near the jack. The front has some holes from the since-removed bridge cover, some small scratches in the elbow area and around the bridge as well as widespread dimples and checking lines and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Electronics all tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.