[Hansi]

Found a dude in my country selling this Bacchus, he says it's a Vintage series Live Road model but doesn't know the exact model. It doesn't have a serial number. Any info? How much do you think it's worth?

[JVsearch]

I think it is a BLS-95, probably quite an early one.
Should be 2 piece back, poly finish, and could have a neck carve more towards the 60s profile. It has a medium tenon.
I think it's really nice, and looks to be in good condition.

Have a look at this info here:
http://almosttokai.freeforums.org/bacchus-vintage-series-gibson-types-t54.html

Most of this is probably in various places on this forum as well, but the above is a nice summary.

I would pay around 700 Euros for that, because that's what I would have paid for the one (exactly the same) that I saw on ebay, but thanks to the language barrier I didn't get the info I wanted so I walked away.
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Totally biased towards Japanese made guitars.

[marcusnieman]

That's a beauty

[Hansi]

Thanks for the info JVsearch! I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on this after all the stuff I've read about the Bacchus guitars. I'd love to try and find a BLS-59 since that would have all the specs I'm really looking for in a LP copy but this one looks real nice too... Damn GAS.

He's asking a few dozen euros more for it than 700 but that's including the hardshell case and the shipping so it's a pretty OK price. Would be easier to decide if I could find any more of these for sale but they seem to be kinda rare. Or no one just wants to get rid of theirs...

One thing kinda made me wonder though: Why don't some of the BLS-95 models have the "Live Road model" script on the headstock? The one I'm looking at has it though it wasn't that visible in the pics above...

[MIJvintage]

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"Yeah, yeah. We're in the bureau of beer and fire and cigarettes. And maybe some chicks, too." - Beavis

[JVsearch]

The things you will miss out on with the early BLS-95 over the later models and 120/59/59V are long tenon, nitro and an accurate looking ABR bridge.
I personally don't think any of these things make much difference to the tone. The neck size, well, we can't tell without looking at it real closely, or even better, having a play of it. It could have a thinner neck but that's not for sure. A thinner neck will have an effect on the tone IMO.

Assuming the one you're looking at is definitely an early BLS-95 then the ones that came after are an evolution from this model, not a revolution. The later ones are more highly valued by the Japanese because they are more accurate copies, not necessarily because they are better guitars IMO. I think the Bacchus Vintage Series has always had consistent high quality construction.

Here's a BLS Gold Top that just sold in Australia for $850 and I can tell you that it is a BLS-120 (I know where it was bought from and the pics are still up in the sold section). The price is pretty good but the seller has put that the guitar weighs 5kg! Which if true, makes it a real boat anchor:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120561051944&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1297wt_1167

So, try to find out the weight from your seller before buying it, and I hope he's not asking for too much more than the amount I mentioned. Although I do understand the import tax deal in your part of the world, so you may be happy to pay a bit more, as the one I missed out on was from Japan, so tax would be on that as well.

I have a Vintage Series SG with an oil finish, no serial number and the same wide type of bridge as on the BLS in question, and I really can't fault the thing, it's a pretty good guitar. Whether it's the greatest SG in the world I wouldn't know, it's only the second one I've played!
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Totally biased towards Japanese made guitars.

[JVsearch]

[Hansi]

[JVsearch]

That's a good price with the case and shipping, I was expecting you to come out with some huge amount the seller wanted!

4kg is really good too - just under 9lbs.

Good work on finding it in the Japanese store. And it's interesting that the retail price difference between the BLS-95 and BLS-59 is only 26k yen. I'm willing to bet that there isn't that much difference between them tone wise. It's just the extra for the nitro, long tenon and more exact vintage features - both will be quality guitars. I'm not sure about the pickups, the 59 could have different/better pickups, but that is something you can change yourself at your leisure if it's necessary.

The translation of that page reveals that they think it is 10 to 12 years old which would make it an early Vintage Series like we thought. They also mention a couple of scratches/minor injuries and that the truss rod still adjusts (and has been adjusted - I think?). I wonder what they sold both of those BLSs for.

If I had the money I would buy that BLS without delay!
_________________
Totally biased towards Japanese made guitars.

[JVsearch]

[Big Willie Style]

[MIJvintage]

edit
_________________
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=mij_vintage

"Yeah, yeah. We're in the bureau of beer and fire and cigarettes. And maybe some chicks, too." - Beavis

[marcusnieman]

I'm going to have to find one of those Bacchus Les Pauls because I'm a real believer in the brand. If they're anything like their vintage series strats, they should not be missed.

[Hansi]

[JVsearch]