Bassassin

Don't know what this specific "bass" is, but it's plainly a 70s/80s budget cheapo that's been treated with the level of contempt & abuse that this kind of thing genuinely does merit. It's Oriental in origin, although unless a country is stated on the neckplate I couldn't say where. Korea, Taiwan & even Japan turned out this sort of trash in abundance between the mid 60s & mid 80s, and designs & hardware were pretty much interchangeable. I really hope it's not MIJ, though. Unfortunately this level of "instrument" probably discouraged a lot more people from playing than those who went on to pursue music more seriously. I started out on something similar, & probably wouldn't have persisted if a schoolmate hadn't sold me a halfway decent bass. Jon.

Me too. Never seen a Yamaha SB-35 before, didn't see the £78 Ebay one - would've been all over it if I had! Jon.

Someone came on last week asking about an old Commodore Semi. Where were you lot then, eh?? Eh??? Hopefully buying the bass in question for the £60 it was listed at: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/251367-mystery-commodore-bass/"]http://basschat.co.u...commodore-bass/[/url] Jon.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1419704034' post='2642081'] Looking at the Daisy Rock site, it appears that this bass has been discontinued. Their guitars and basses mostly seem to be only available in spangly finishes now. Which IMHO is a rather odd business decision. Isn't Daisy Rock a sub-brand of Cort? EDIT: They used to be part of Schecter, but have been independent for over ten years now. [url="http://www.daisyrock.com/products/electric-guitars-basses/rock-candy-bass/rock-candy-bass"]http://www.daisyrock...rock-candy-bass[/url] [/quote] Looks like there's just the two bass models now - that one looks like a glittery Ibanez SR wannabe, and [url="http://www.daisyrock.com/products/electric-guitars-basses/rebel-rockit-bass/rebel-rockit-bass"]this one[/url] - a pink glitter P/J thing. I like the colour but it's otherwise not very adventurous. It's a massive shame they discontinued the Stardust Elite: I think that's a great-looking bass - but then I'm lacking a shortscale set-neck & that would fit the bill! Jon.

That Jolana looks for all the world like they took a Flying V & hacked the points off it! Poor man's Burns Flyte? Not surprised Eric's had one! Jon.

Pretty guitar. If it's consistent with its era, all that fancy marquetry should be real inlays & not the transfers you see on contemporary cheapo Classicals. Can't really go far wrong for £25. Don't know anything much about DIA, not a UK brand as far as I can tell, always assumed they were a random EU importer brand. I've seen Matsumoku Rick copies, not sure about LPs, some are definitely not Mat. J.

T-Cut. Brings lacquer & frets up like new. Jon.

Something old & blue - Aria Pro RSB Deluxe II, from 1984. Bought this new in December '84, was my main gigging bass until the original neck went like a corkscrew in the mid 90s. Neck's been replaced with a similar (but not identical) RSB Straycat version, which is straight but doesn't feel quite right. Still looking for a proper MIJ RSB replacement, then it might gig again! Jon.

Registered trademark headstock profile, registered trademark logo = counterfeit. That'll be the law, that will. Jon.

[quote name='BassmanPauly' timestamp='1419378485' post='2639468'] Awesome. Thx for the info. So basically its like a pre sb-40? [/quote] I think it's an SB-40, just an earlier version. Hard to put a value on it as these are rare basses - and unfortunately that doesn't seem to make 'em worth more. The "Vulture II" models with tihe 2-a-side headstock was superceded by the Force 40 series - essentially the same bass with a 4-inline headstock & various permutations of electronics. One of these sold on Ebay just a few days ago: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Washburn-Force-40-bass-guitar-/321612815116"]www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Washburn-Force-40-bass-guitar-/321612815116[/url] IMO £124 is a derisory amount of money for a bass of comparable specification & quality (and made on the same production line) as the Aria Pro SB series, which can sometimes command prices approaching 4 figures. That said, it's worth what someone will pay, and I'd say yours, being a Yamaki-built example, is more desireable than mine, having an associaton with Yamaki's highly collectable & often very expensive Daion range. J.

Washburn SB40 Vulture II, made by Yamaki in 1981. I have a Matsumoku-built SB40 which, while broadly he same bass, has a few differences in build, hardware & dimensions: The most obvious difference with the Yamaki-made Washburns is the use of matched timber veneers for the control covers & trc, but bridge, tuners & pickup positioning is different too. I think Washburns were made by Yamaki up until '81, after which, production went to Matsumoku for the remaider of MIJ manufacture. There's no real history of these, or many other Japanese-made basses from the 70s & 80s, but the quality of these is on a par with the best of any MIJ brand of the era. Jon.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1419354180' post='2639093'] [attachment=179211:Hovercraft_leaving_Ryde.jpg][attachment=179212:eels.jpg] [/quote] Babelfish translation from Urdu? Jon.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1418206001' post='2627872'] Washburn Force 40 - I think these are ok aren't they? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Washburn-Force-40-bass-guitar-/321612815116?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4ae19e1b0c"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4ae19e1b0c[/url] currently £40 [/quote] Sold for a miniscule £124. Phenomenal bargain, hope it was someone on here. Seems there's no logic in the world of JapCrap any more - the same seller sold a poxy (by comparison) & common-as-muck Westone Thunder 1a for £148. World's gone mad, I tell you. J.

That tuner's identical to the ones fitted to my Kasuga Scorpion - so clearly they weren't exclusive to Aria. The only MIJ hardware manufacturers I specifically know of were/are Gotoh & Chushin Gakki but I'm sure there were others, so that's not much help! These tuners lack the sprung screw on the top of the button which allows torque adjustment on most sealed units - I always assumed the collars were torque adjusters rather than for locking. The same sort of design also appears on tuners used by Yamaha & Tokai, amongst others. J.

[quote name='tonyquipment' timestamp='1418914670' post='2634792'] Kick it around the floor List it on eBay as vintage relic original Make money ??? [/quote] Or don't damage it, list it as "good condition vintage original" (not convinced '92 really counts as "vintage"!) and get more money. Wrecking old (ish) basses makes them less attractive to buyers. J.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1418899531' post='2634549'] Don't know if I can do a NBD about it on BC though. Decent bass I think. [/quote] I think it's OK to talk about them! Definitely be interested to hear first impressions & see proper pics, up to the mods whether it's legit or not though, I guess... J.

Now I see the pics - I have seen these before. Did a bit of digging & found an old catalogue, looks like it's '92: [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/anniversary/198/19.jpg"]http://www.ibanez.co...sary/198/19.jpg[/url] Maybe an early foray into Korean-made budget designs, hence the knotty/twisty neck. I had 2 early 90s SR800s, both of which were MIJ and top quality. Still an interesting & pretty unusual bass, I'd definitely hang onto it! J.

Which specific bass do you have - which model, what year? There have been hundreds of different Aria Pro basses! Jon.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1418865085' post='2634335'] 79p?? Someones got a bargain!! [/quote] Nah - Lidl will sell you 20 kilos of kiln-dried logs for £2.49. J.

I hate these things with a passion. There's another (non-music) forum I use which has an entire thread of simpletons patting themselves on the back because they managed nail a stick to some splintery old box they found, & now they want to pretend it's a musical instrument. Aaargh! Jon.

[quote name='darren' timestamp='1418847657' post='2634101'] I've still got by first bass. there is nothing left on the frets and the last time I loosened the strings the nut fell out. I keep it in the wardrobe if that helps. [/quote] When old basses get interesting - that's a Shaftesbury rebranded Eko, not too many of those about. Collectable, if not exactly worth a fortune! J.

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1418839434' post='2633973'] ....... please [/quote] What he said. I'm unfamiliar with the model & surprised that any 80s Ibby turned out to be a bit crap! Jon.

[quote name='wotsy' timestamp='1418828935' post='2633770'] Yasuki bass guitar, it's only 30 quid but it has an input jack fault. I'd risk 30quid on it if I was in London: [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/yasuki-electric-bass-guitar-for-sale-input-jack-is-loose/1093315060"]http://www.gumtree.c...oose/1093315060[/url] [/quote] £30? Crazy. These turn up with various different names (Lincoln & Asama are the first to come to mind) but were made in the late 70s by Kawai, & this is a variation of the Japanese market Fernandes FXB: [url="http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-amp/fernandes/1978/pdf/15.pdf"]http://brochures.yok...1978/pdf/15.pdf[/url] Someone buy it! Jon.

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1418646538' post='2631928'] The battery counter part and the pots counter part is plastic i think, I need to double check. If so, i guess is best not to put it on that part i guess? [/quote] Test a bit on the inside of one of the covers to see if it damages the plastic - it's quite possible it'll be OK. Why not ask the owner how much they want for it? Thunder 1s usually go for around £150, give or take. J.