I've never played a Tune (bass that is
)... but I do have an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB501LH, and it is indeed a fine instrument... which I suppose only factors into this conversation via the unofficial theory/opinion going around on Talkbass that SGC Nanyo Bass Collection's goal was pretty much copying elements of what Tune was doing with the Bass Maniac design (but I've never been able to officially verify that)...and ultimately building a reputaton as a great brand in their own right, which subsequently led to them being copied by others as well...what's that they say about imitation and flattery?
Built in Japan, the original SGC Nanyo Bass Collection was a series that added features and component upgrades at each level: the entry-level 300 Series; the 400 and 500 Series; and the top of- the-line 600 Series. However, only the 500 series offered a left handed version- the SB 501. The SB 501LH featured that distinctive trademark narrow head stock shape, a lightweight contoured body, heel-less 34” scale hard rock bolt-on maple neck, unmarked Ebony 24-fret 2 octave fingerboard, two-per-side black Gotoh tuners and bridge. Tone shaping for the P/J pickups was provided via an active SGC EQ with Volume, Balance, Treble Boost/Cut, and Bass Boost/Cut controls. Retail price for the SB 501LH was $1295 , and sold new for around $995 (see attached price list below).
Per
The Blue Book of Electric Guitars: "These original Bass Collection basses were built by the Japanese company SGC Nanyo, and offered a variety of configurations, from the entry-level 300 Series, the 400 and 500 Series, and the top of- the-line 600 Series- the higher the number, the more features and component upgrades. All models were prefixed “SB” followed by three digits: “01” (fretted) “02” (fretless) and “05” (five-string)... According to the 1993 price list, retail prices ranged from $659 for the SB 301, to $1195 for the SB 501, to $1650 for the SB 615. The SB 401 last retailed for $995, and sold new for around $700 (the “new” price is what most retailers would sell it for with all standard discounting and minimum advertised pricing policies that may have applied). Today, an SB401 is worth about the same- between $650 and $700- which is a nice return for a Japanese instrument, considering most imports from the 1990s aren’t worth half of their original retail price today. Based on the online reviews I’ve read these basses indeed play like “buttah!” I’d certainly consider this a treasure, considering how well it plays and how high the resale value has held.
