Bassassin

Long time no update - but I think we're almost done now. Tort P plate, 2x v/t stack pots, new nut & a bunch of screws, plus lashings of T-cut & elbow grease, and a good opportunity for a before & after: Not quite there yet - I still need to take the nut slots down a little, something I'm always a bit nervous about fecking up, and my stack pots don't [i]quite[/i] work the way they're intended to yet. :blush: Anyway, it plays nicely as it is, and sounds [b]big[/b] - the P pup is from an Ibanez Blazer (did a swap with Burpster for the one the bass came with) and once I've sorted out the wiring for my stack pots, it will be way more versatile than the original setup of single volume/tone & 3-way selector switch. I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out aesthetically. There are plenty of battle scars revealed now the rattle can black's gone - unfortunately the grey primer under it has infiltrated every little scratch & crack, and there's little that can be done about that. I'm not bothered because this is a 29 year old bass & I don't expect, or want it to look pristine. The new scratchplate is a much better fit than the old white one, and just required a little trimming around the top of the neck pocket to go on. The screwholes are a different story - only the top 3 lined up, all the rest had to be redrilled. I plugged all the old holes - for about 3 different plates, by the looks of it, the bloody thing looked like a pincushion! There are a couple of old holes which the plate doesn't cover, so I'll have to find some stain to colour them. I'm really glad I went with the tort plate, it really suits the body colour, I think - although the photos make it look much more lurid than it is in real life. I plugged & then re-drilled the bridge screwholes, so the alignment's now correct. The brass saddles are the old ones from my CSL, and coincidentally are the correct type for this bridge. And I have found out what it is - it's a Cimar XR-2065BS! At least now we know why they just put "Electric Bass" on the headstock. Anyway, in my web-trawling I found this: - From a 1979 catalogue, apparently. It describes this bass as being Mahogany, faced with Judas Wood. I presume Judas Wood refers to the Japanese Judas Tree, which I'm aware of being used in wood carving & cabinet making - but my bass is made from two lumps of what looks awfully like ash to me - and nowt else. Maybe they changed the timbers used at some point in the production. Anyway, that's about it. Looking forward to gigging it soon. J.

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='142367' date='Feb 18 2008, 11:42 AM']I know this thread is mostly for UK Japcrap, but I thought I'd post [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220203009494&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012"]this[/url] as it's an absolute beauty, and fairly rare too, and I'm struggling to keep my finger away from the trigger! Pluck[/quote] Oh, now that is something. It's like a single pup Ibanez Musician (MC800, I think) crossed with a Blazer. That big humbucker's the same as the one on the very first Blazers, before the redesign. Rare? That'd quite likely be unique in the UK if you did go for it - I don't think Greco was ever officially available here, it was predominantly a Japanese domestic brand. Lovely bass! J.

Fixed now - I hope! Ta for pointing it out gents. :blush: J.

Roundup time - there's loads! OK - Westy Thunders first, all 1's & 1A's [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190199615527"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190199615527[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130198929886"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=130198929886[/url] (Fretless Thunder Jet) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260212714819"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260212714819[/url] 2x Ibanez Blazers: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140208051467"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140208051467[/url] (Early model with big humbucker) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160209648880"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=160209648880[/url] (De-fretted) 2x Columbus Jazzes: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140207112448"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140207112448[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310024222589"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=310024222589[/url] (Very messy de-fret) Hondo P copy: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250215568278"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250215568278[/url] Hondo early 80s original design, these [i]might[/i] be Matsumoku: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280201011230"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280201011230[/url] Very cool & odd early EB-1 type thing - might have a pop at this myself... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140208018371"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140208018371[/url] CSL Jazz copy, Fujigen Gakki - I have one of these - recommended: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CSL-Jazz-Bass_W0QQitemZ200200074323"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CSL-Jazz-Bass_W0QQitemZ200200074323[/url] Avon EB-0 copy - this won't be great, it'll probably be cheap, though: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190199624462"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190199624462[/url] Washburn Bantam Steinberger-with-a-notch - hu... hu... hu - [i]how[/i] much???? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260212084762"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260212084762[/url] And definitely one for the 80s looking basses thread - a Biscayne Jazz: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180215992361"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=180215992361[/url] Until next time... J.

I had one of these a couple of years ago, exactly the same apart from the colour. Better quality than I had any right to expect, overall, played not bad at all, and I was actually pretty damned impressed by the output from the little preamp. I picked mine up ultra-cheap because it had a slight neck problem which meant notes below the 1st "fret" had quite bad buzzing, so it was sold as seconds. I would've kept it if it had been fretless & full-scale (these are medium) & definitely enjoyed mucking about with it. And it does come with all the gubbins they advertise - iirc, mine had a pitch-pipe & a stick-on scratchplate as well. Jon.

Squier VM Jazz + refin + upgraded hardware & electronics = less than £500, I'd think. Jon.

Shockwave's right - not Jap, but £30? It would be downright defamatory no to! I'd also guess it's a different Ventura to the 70s Japanese one - that was a brand owned by long-since defunct US importer C. Bruno & Co, & it's highly unlikely any of that brand officially made it to the UK. Nice find, anyway, and for £30, I'd certainly put up with a bit of Black & Decker Home Relic-ing! Also makes me think of an interesting point - ever seen a 70s JapCrap jazz copy with a rosewood board & dots? Me neither... Jon.

[quote name='paul, the' post='140007' date='Feb 14 2008, 12:56 AM']So what's the best value bit of JapCrap then, Jon?[/quote] Hard to say, really - usually the stuff you pick up at car boots & charity shops for buttons! Not too many bargains on the Bay, because it's all becoming a bit collectable. Although Ebay has a funny hierarchy of brands, people assume (for no good reason) that some brands were better than others, and that some were junk - and it's not that clear-cut. Columbus, on the whole, were pretty cheap & nasty, but people will pay silly (for JapCrap) money for that brand. Avon, on the other hand, has a reputation for being the sh!ttest of the sh!t - and while this may have been true at first, later ones appear to be from Fujigen, and were really nicely made budget instruments. As far as the 80s original designs go, you won't go far wrong with any of the Matsumoku brands - Aria, Westone, Vantage, Westbury & so on. All built to a very high standard, very popular at the time, so lots about to choose from. Much, much cheaper than Ibanez or related brands - and in no way inferior. Unless you do find a Gumtree or boot sale bargain, there's an element of pot luck in buying JapCrap - but what's good is that you're unlikely to lose money re-selling, if you don't like it. J.

Two of em: A Tokai Rockinbugger, which I presume to be new: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280200308391"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280200308391[/url] And a Hondo Plywoodbugger, beat up & half the binding gone, by the looks. Wonder what the comedy reserve is? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280200381897"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280200381897[/url] J.

[quote name='finnbass' post='139085' date='Feb 12 2008, 08:58 PM']Sold! To the headed weirdo I'd like to say you led me to it Jon, but I spotted the relisted, reduced-in-price auction and then headed over here to see if it was on your list of JapCrap [/quote] Well done sir! Very unusual decapitee, that one. Think that's the third or fourth time that's been on, I did mention it the first time I saw it & kind of forgot subsequently, what with the price getting incrementally lower and all... I have been a little tardy with my JapCrapping of late though, I have to admit. Not that there's been all that much to shout about in the last week. Where are all the Rickenbuggers? J.

Gorgeous bass - and the upgrades just make it that bit more individual, imo. Glad to have been able to help you make your Rick a bit more user-friendly - and heavier! Jon.

[quote name='Tee' post='138014' date='Feb 11 2008, 10:27 AM']Anyone have an Epiphone Ripper? the [u]new one[/u] with the PJ config pickups. Any decent reviews anywhere? Harmony central seems to have older spec ones only. I'm guessing being all maple it's quite bright and snappy sounding.[/quote] Never seen one in the flesh - and I've looked. Pity they copped out & put Fender type pups on it. J.

I've been predominantly a plectrum user since I started - probably because all my early inspirations (JJ Burnel, Dennis Dunaway, Lemmy, Foxton etc) were pick users, and I stayed with it - apart from the inevitable mid-80s Mark King phase. In the intersts of broadening versatility, I started working seriously on my fingerstyle about 5 years ago, and these days never touch the pick at home. With the band it's now 50-75% fingers, depending on the set. Some things still need the pick, either because it sounds/feels "right" or I just don't have the speed to use fingers - but that will come. And some parts, like those that require aggressive right-hand damping, simply don't work without a fistful of plastic. Anyway, I'm really chuffed at the moment because after 27 years of playing it with a pick, I now can do [i]YYZ[/i] with fingers! Jon.

[quote name='David Nimrod' post='137349' date='Feb 9 2008, 10:30 PM']That is truly gorgeous - who needs a Gibson?[/quote] It is - and in all honesty, apart from the Gibson logos on the headstock, neckplate & pickup on the real deal, you'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart. J.

This one's looking promising, so far: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150212671996"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150212671996[/url] Slipped under the radar due to spelin issues. J.

[quote name='finnbass' post='137143' date='Feb 9 2008, 04:20 PM']I hope that's not your bedspread Jon [/quote] And what's wrong with a bit of pink fluff, exactly? :brow: J.

Keep ane eye on the JapCrap thread in the Ebay forum, Kev - Westy Thunders come up all the time, you'll score a decent one, no problem. Jon.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' post='136975' date='Feb 9 2008, 06:34 AM']Hi, I am looking for something slightly different and might be tempted as I wanted a Ripper or Grabber when I was a 14 year old schoolboy earning a pound a week doing a paper round so they were a little out of my league at the time !! What price are you looking to get for it ?? Regards Tony[/quote] Hi Tony - I really had no fixed sum in mind, the auction was 99p no reserve - so there was always the chance I'd be really unlucky! It seems some crazy mad foo' has bid it up to £100 already, I'm hopeful of it getting as much again considering there's still 8 days to run. Offers over £200 seem reasonable? J.

[quote name='dangerboy' post='136527' date='Feb 8 2008, 01:38 PM']I used to use one of those Hartke necks on a P-bass, and because the aluminium isn't bolted to the body, but all the string tension runs through it, it started pulling itself out of the neck by wrenching the fingerboard off. Not pretty.[/quote] I bought one off Ebay for a project about 4 years ago - it was brand new - when it turned up it was like this: [attachment=5483:fboardpeel.jpg][attachment=5484:volutegap.jpg][attachment=5482:fboardcrack.jpg] The centre section was blatantly ripping the fretboard off - even without string tension. There was no nut fitted, don't know if there had been originally - but fitting one would have been challenging, with the metal section standing about 1.5mm proud of the wood. Got a refund, fortunately. I later read that the headstocks of these have a tendency to detach - they're welded on, rather than part of the same casting - and presumably not particularly well welded. Piece of crap, basically. Don't touch! Jon.