PSA - Chap Max bass @ Guitar Center

[P Franco]

Chaparral Max bass - doesn’t appear to come with a case though.

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Hamer/Used-1989-Hamer-Chaparral-Max-Bass-Natural-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc?algoliaQueryID=76a5e3da16ccfa25fce5d11f38dcd2b4&algoliaIndexName=guitarcenter

[specialk]

[HamerCustomEr]

Boomers alert!

[Jimbilly]

my first thought from the 2nd photo: "there's no way that's properly intonated" - which is a common observation/guess for me 

Edited Friday at 06:15 PM by Jimbilly

[veatch]

I'm assuming that a tapered E string was used when the intonation was set. That would push the saddle closer to the neck. I'm not sure if it would be that much though?

[DarkHammer]

it's a good thing I don't play base, no temptation for me

[Ham Rex]

What was the price.

Looks like Checking in the finish. 

[Jimbilly]

On 6/5/2026 at 12:25 PM, veatch said:

I'm assuming that a tapered E string was used when the intonation was set. That would push the saddle closer to the neck. I'm not sure if it would be that much though?

as I understand it... generally it's the size of the inner core of the string and not the winding diameter, which is why a strat for example will most often have the two 'stair steps' at similar placement (cores of the wound strings are roughly similar diameter as the plain strings). 

 I think I've got a tapered B on my old Chap 5, it's roughly a 'straight slant'.   As a sidenote; there's a youtube review of a low cost headless bass, a model that I own and like, where the guy goes on and on with difficulty setting it up after a string change, FINALLY getting to the point: he put standard scale with tapered B strings on his fan fret (35" scale) headless: the taper on both ends, especially at the nut made it impossible to setup. 

'User-error' ("what does this screw do?") is very common with used gear, I've been guilty but improving.  When buying used bikes to flip, I call it 'the mark of the bonehead', - something has been adjusted or setup weird, now where is it? More common with bikes, but not uncommon on guitars

[mathman]

On 6/4/2026 at 11:54 AM, specialk said:

That is purty but never felt a desire for those basses.  Don't know why.  My Cruise was always great and finding the Blitz was definitely on my list.  A 12ver also, but never  a Chap.  Would probably like it if I play one I must admit.

[cmatthes]

2 hours ago, mathman said:

That is purty but never felt a desire for those basses.  Don't know why.  My Cruise was always great and finding the Blitz was definitely on my list.  A 12ver also, but never  a Chap.  Would probably like it if I play one I must admit.

I had a pair of those that were my main gigging basses for a while.  

[mathman]

1 hour ago, cmatthes said:

I had a pair of those that were my main gigging basses for a while.  

yea, should be up my alley but never irritated that itch...Probably cause I suck as a bass player!!!!  hahahaha. no really, I could be much better.. 

[Jimbilly]

If I didn't like 5 ers so much, I'd play the 4 in my profile pic a whole lot more