1968 Vox Constellation IV Vintage Hollowbody Bass Sunburst 100% Original w/ Ferro-Sonic, Eko-Made

Up for sale, a 1968 Vox Constellation IV teardrop bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. Produced at the Eko factory in Italy, this rare bass was only made from 1967-68 and features a pair of Vox's Ferro-Sonic pickups. Essentially a more feature-rich version of the earlier Bill Wyman Vox Bass (as Wyman's Vox endorsement with the Rolling Stones was short lived), the Constellation IV retained the distinctive semi-hollow teardrop body shape as its predecessor, and the electronics include onboard Fuzz and Treble/Bass Booster circuits.The Ferro-Sonic pickups are round-sounding and detailed, and the onboard active fuzz ("Distortion") circuit delivers a robust, sizzling sound. The Boost circuit works independently for extra volume and punch, and pairs with the fuzz for over-the-top buzzsaw bliss. This Vox weighs 7lbs 8oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with fresh 45-105 roundwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.The three-piece maple neck with walnut stringers has a notably narrow and slim C-shaped profile carve with round shoulders, measuring .790” deep at the 1st fret and .905” at the 12th. The bound ebony fretboard has pearloid dot inlay and practically perfect slender fretwire. This Vox plays cleanly up the 30” scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The stock aluminum nut measures 1 7/16” in width, just behind the zero fret. The oversized headstock retains its raised Vox logo and original long stem tuning machines, which turn smoothly and hold pitch well. The small "Made in Italy by Vox" lettering is also present on the back of the headstock.All electronics work as they should, and the Boost and Distortion circuits are powered by a 9V battery which is concealed beneath a plastic cover under the original padded, snap-on cushion. The Boost and Distortion circuits have two-way On/Off toggles and dedicated knobs, which enable the otherwise wild and wayward fuzz to be tamed and blended well. Additionally, there is a On/Off G Tuner switch which, when engaged, generates a synthesized G for easy tuning. Further controls include a three-way pickup selector switch, Master Volume, and independent Tone controls for each pickup. The chrome-plated hardware is notably clean, including the control plate, bridge with its pair of threaded saddles, and “V” ashtray bridge cover. The thick one-ply dark tortoise pickguard is intact, as is the full complement of reflector cap knobs, each labeled for its function.The gloss Sunburst finish is framed by ambered binding on top and back, with prominent checking across the body. The top has excellent curvature, with a factory sound post beneath the bridge pickup and robust bracing ensuring optimal structural integrity. There are a pair of professionally addressed splits in the small space between the neck and the neck pickup cavity, and an additional strap button hole has been cleanly doweled on the neck heel. Further cosmetic wear includes a few marks on the bass-side of the pick path, a few small nicks along the lower bout rim and on the back, and a small finish chip on the bass side corner of the neck pocket. The smooth ambered gloss on the neck profile feels fast in the palm, with few tiny marks along the profile length that have no impact on playability.A gigbag is included.