Background: The Pangborn Legacy

Ashley Pangborn is one of the most respected British custom luthiers of the 1980s. Working from his workshop in Dulwich, South London, Pangborn quickly gained a reputation for crafting high-end, neck-thru basses that rivalled contemporaries like Wal and JayDee. His most famous model, the 'Warlord', was evolved with Level 42's Mark King in mind, who used Pangborn basses during the band's earlier days. 

Pangborn instruments are known for their exceptional woodworking, through-neck construction, and sophisticated electronics.

Instrument Specifications (1985 Custom Build)

This instrument is a superb example of Pangborn's work, custom-built in 1985 and based on the iconic Warlord model.

There is not another Pangborn bass for sale anywhere online, so this forms a rare opportunity to own a piece of British bass guitar building history, at one of it’s best times.

Feature Specification

• Model - based on Warlord model
• Year - 1985
• Finish - Cherry Red
• Construction - through-neck lamination - combined 7-piece laminated body with 3-piece laminated neck
• Neck Woods - Mahogany & Maple lamination
• Body Wings - Mahogany & Maple lamination
• Fingerboard - African Rosewood (edge of fingerboard dot position inlays only )
• Frets - 21
• Pickups - 2 Kent Armstrong Humbuckers
• Electronics - Phantom-powered Parametric EQ System, switchable between off, rear, rear/front & front pickups.
• Tuning Pegs - Schaller M4
• Signature Feature - Original 'Funk Groove' cutaway at the base of the neck
• Weight - 9.6lbs

1986 Upgrade by JayDee Guitars

In 1986, this bass was professionally upgraded by JayDee Guitars (helmed by John Diggins, another titan of British lutherie), enhancing its hardware for improved performance:

• Bridge System: Upgraded to a JayDee Bridge System.
• Nut: Custom-made Brass Roller Nut installed - on the G-string for improved tuning stability and reduced friction.

Condition and Playability

This is a player's instrument that performs beautifully, but it does carry the marks of its nearly 40-year history:

• Playability and Sound: The bass is exceptionally well balanced, plays smoothly, and sounds great, delivering the punchy, versatile tone expected from a high-spec 80's active bass.
• Neck Condition: The rear of the laminated neck is in overall, very good condition.
• Frets: The frets were dressed on a couple of occasions so are a bit lower than they would be as new, but that’s not unusual given the bass’s age.
• Cosmetic Defects (Body): The body has several small dings, which are clearly visible in the attached photos, as well as general wear & tear in the finish caused by finger nails etc. 
• The 1/4” jack plug works as follows - when connected, no power to active circuitry, therefore it only works ‘passively’, with the active micro switch in the ‘off’ position (downward) - in this configuration, only volume & pickup selector switch are operational.
  
  However, the photos are unable to capture the following cosmetic issues, as follows:
• Cracks in the lacquer - caused by the expansion of the wood during the summer of 2022 whilst the bass was in storage - there are longitudinal cracks on the front and rear of the body wings, and body edges. There’s a small crack in the lacquer on the front of the headstock (below the D & G tuning pegs), and a crack in the lacquer that extends from the jack socket.
• Note: The cracks in the lacquer are cosmetic only (not structural) - they are only really visible close-up (and a couple, you have to look for!) - they do not affect the tuning, sound, or playability of the bass, whatsoever.
• This custom Ashley Pangborn Warlord represents a rare piece of British bass guitar history, offering a superb playing experience with its high-end components and unique history.

Bass comes with

Gig bag, phantom power unit with dual-1/4" line outs, and cable with XLR connections.