Hi I'm new and I've got a question...Bass Help?

Hello Brandi. I feel a bit rotten. You're new into the forum, have an excellent s/n and here I am posting a "bad news" reply - some welcome, isn't it?

Still, here goes. I'm afraid the bass won't let you retire comfortably just yet. This type of Epiphone was made in Korea to a fairly basic spec and a bit of "rad" styling. On eBay, I doubt if it would clear $150 as a good one. Yours has a couple of issues, though. The worst is, it looks like someone once ripped the frets out, then replaced them whilst using some filler. Still, the handwriting can be easily got rid of. Some windshield wash (isopropyl alcohol) should wipe the pen without affecting the body paint. Nail polish remover (acetone) will definitely wipe the pen marks but will probably hurt the paint, so avoid that.

I'd leave the stickers on, if I were you. They'll have an appeal. Your target market is the skint student working on his goatee. Sounds risky, but I'd put it on the Fleeb at $1, no reserve and see it through right to the end. In my exp, a start-bid (or reserve) of $100 gets you no bids and no interest (or, worse, just one bid at the last minute). $1 gets people "watching" the item and placing bids. In the last few hours, people bid more than they really intended and that works in your favour.

I've sold a couple of so-so basses for reasonable money using this route. Sorry if I'm bringing bad news, but it's the best advice I can give. At least I can promise I won't flag you up in the "optimistic eBayers" thread :)

Two "Merits" for glw. One for directing you to Guitarsite, and one for "Kerplunking" my memory cells. I'll try to keep the interesting bits to the top, and the bass-drivel lower down:

Good news. That marker pen around the frets is no problem (certainly no prob compared with, ripped, filled, replaced). Just get some more of that windshield screenwash to wipe it off. If it doesn't, check if nail polish remover effects the lacquer by rubbing it on an unobtrusive spot. If the lacquer stays firm, then acetone will definitely get rid of the marker pen with a quick wipe.

Secondly, glw has reminded me that your bass may be made in Japan. Is there any clue on the neckplate or elsewhere? A Japanese Epiphone will fetch more than the later models from Korea.

I used to work for a mag and, IIRC, "Epiphone by Gibson" was used as a tag shortly after their rival's "Squier, Fender"; around about the very late 80s. Epiphones may well have still been made in Japan at this point. If mentioned in the listing, the price should clear $150 quite easily for a Japiphone.