Mystery bass

[Johnrandall]

Hey bcers,

I've just been given a bass by a woman I've never met except on a 'preloved' site. It belonged to her late brother and so she kindly passed-it on to whoever expressed an interest.
It says 'Axe' on the headstock. Does anyone know anything at all about basses made by 'Axe'?
Google searches take me to the Gene Simmons Axe-shaped bass by Contor, which it most definitely is not. It's a regular double cut-away bass.
My guess is it was a budget guitar made by a company now defunct. It is supremely weighty.
Any information would be great. Thank you.
John

[Bassassin]

Hi John & welcome to BC.

You'd probably get a bigger response posting this in the "Bass Guitars" section - plus requests for pics!

However, I do remember an "Axe" brand from the late 80s - in fact I have an old Axe-branded chorus pedal, which I think is a re-branded Aria unit, and a friend way back had an Axe drumkit. Which was a bit rubbish, to be frank.

I think Axe was a UK importer's budget gear range, and I'm fairly sure they were mail-order only - I can remember ads in the old "Making Music" free magazine. I can't remember specifics about the basses or guitars but I strongly suspect that's what yours will be.

Any danger of some pics?

Jon.

[nightsun]

That may have been Axe Musics own brand basses, they were based in Colchester for years. I think they also did mail order.

[bartelby]

I remember the ads in Metal Hammer & Kerrang! mags in the mid 80's.

My mate had one of their guitars. All I remember about it was the ply body, cheap electronics and unstable neck.