DrDad Posted December 17, 2019 Posted December 17, 2019 (edited) I recently acquired an electric bass guitar that I am trying to find out more about. The headstock says "Diamond Guitars and Basses - Japan". It is an in-line four string jazz style model, and has two bartolini pickups that look to be original. I cannot find a model number anywhere, but the serial number on the back plate is 015519. I'm mostly interested in finding out what year it was made and what the value of the guitar might be before I start swapping out parts or refinishing it. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Edited December 17, 2019 by DrDad Photos added 1 Quote
AndyTravis Posted December 17, 2019 Posted December 17, 2019 Jokes aside... Weren't Diamond associated with Aria? @Bassassin will know. If it’s japanese and a bass, he’s had one (or narrowly missed out on one on eBay). Quote
Maude Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 Maybe Woolworths, the tuners are from the pick 'n' mix counter . Sorry, I couldn't help myself. It actually looks nice with the flamed maple top. 😎 1 Quote
Bassassin Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 Well this is interesting... Sorry @AndyTravis - amazingly I've never seen one of these before - I'd remember if I had, it's a stunner! Can't be 100% but I'm not sure this is the Aria Diamond sub-brand. Might be wrong (Japanese home market stuff's pretty inexplicable) but typically Aria Diamond is low to midrange & Matsumoku-made. This is neither. I have a feeling this is made by Tokai - the serial number position & format are the same as on their 80s basses: That wouldn't rule out Aria - some post-Matsumoku MIJ Arias apparently came from Tokai after Matsumoku closed in 1987, but I've never seen a high-end Diamond, or that "guitars and basses" subtitle before. Inclined to think it's a different Diamond brand - but Google's giving me nowt. Tip about the unmatching tuners - the E string machine is the only remaining original, as far as I can see, and it's a Gotoh GB1/GB10. These were very common on 70s/80s MIJ basses, and fortunately are still available. It'd be worth replacing the unmatched ones on a bass as nice as this. 1 Quote
songofthewind Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 I rather like that. I think the top might be a good old photo flame. I’m fond of a photo flame. Quote
pete.young Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 I suspect that whatever it is, the Bartolinis are not original. The lack of control plate is interesting. The body, particularly the arrangement of the controls and the cover plate on the back reminds me very much of a Jim Reed Jazz that I used to own, but the neck's clearly wrong. Could it have been a neck swap? Doesn't look like one, it was a good job if so. Quote
Marc S Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 As has been said, I suspect those Bartolini's are not original. They're decent pickups though - so I think I'd be tempted to leave them there, if you like the sound. Definitely get a full set of matching tuners as first thing you do with this bass. Perhaps even pick up a suitably aged, second-hand set? This is a nice looking bass. I don't think I would "mod" it too much. The lack of a control plate is interesting. Nice bass Quote
NikNik Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 Barts are way too dark for a Jazz IMO. Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 The Prince Andrew signature model. Sadly it's value has plummeted in the last couple of months... largely because he insists he can't recall ever having played one and the finish is wrong because he sweats like Rory Gallagher... 2 Quote
pete.young Posted December 18, 2019 Posted December 18, 2019 33 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: The Prince Andrew signature model. Sadly it's value has plummeted in the last couple of months... largely because he insists he can't recall ever having played one and the finish is wrong because he sweats like Rory Gallagher... Pub near us has just re-opened and re-branded itself 'Dukes Ipswich'. Formerly the Grand Old Duke Of York. Could be co-incidence ... Quote
DrDad Posted December 18, 2019 Author Posted December 18, 2019 Thank you for your feedback, everyone. I've tried researching Aria Diamond & Matsumoku-made basses and haven't yet found anything that resembles my bass, so I'm still at a loss as to its origins or age. If anyone stumbles upon any additional info that might clarify what I have here, I would be grateful. Quote
Bassassin Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 I think it's early/mid 80s, made by Tokai Gakki and is likely a Japanese home-market brand unconnected to Aria. I'm confident it's absolutely not a Matsumoku instrument. The Barts might be original - a look at the soldering on the pots might give you a clue as to whether it's factory standard. 1 Quote
Pea Turgh Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 I have a mystery jap Perspex strat. I used to want to know more about it, but these days I’m happy with it being my mystery guitar. Enjoy it! Quote
miles'tone Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 12 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: The Prince Andrew signature model. Sadly it's value has plummeted in the last couple of months... largely because he insists he can't recall ever having played one and the finish is wrong because he sweats like Rory Gallagher... That just made me 'LOL' and scare the shoot out of everyone on a very quiet train! 😂😂 2 Quote
uk_lefty Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 Looks great. I like Bartolinis in a jazz, worked well in my MIM, but it depends what tone you want. It's a good looking bass with decent pickups. If only someone's mum hadn't written his name on it before he took it to school Quote
uk_lefty Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 13 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: The Prince Andrew signature model. Sadly it's value has plummeted in the last couple of months... largely because he insists he can't recall ever having played one and the finish is wrong because he sweats like Rory Gallagher... Available in pizza express. Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 2 hours ago, uk_lefty said: If only someone's mum hadn't written his name on it before he took it to school If not a nitro finish, meths and if no joy, lighter fluid might do the job "test on an inconspicuous part of the garment"... Quote
therealting Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 4 hours ago, uk_lefty said: Available in pizza express. 17 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: The Prince Andrew signature model. For those Woking bass lines 2 Quote
miles'tone Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, therealting said: For those Woking bass lines Edited December 19, 2019 by miles'tone Quote
Paul S Posted December 19, 2019 Posted December 19, 2019 20 hours ago, pete.young said: Pub near us has just re-opened and re-branded itself 'Dukes Ipswich'. Formerly the Grand Old Duke Of York. Could be co-incidence ... I've played there! Did the last gig before they closed. No relationship between these two events.... Quote
MacDaddy Posted December 20, 2019 Posted December 20, 2019 sorry to drag this back OT, but I am quite interested to find out what it is too... Quote
prowla Posted December 21, 2019 Posted December 21, 2019 (edited) On 18/12/2019 at 07:27, therealting said: I’m curious as to who Andrew is. I had a Diamond branded Ric copy some time back - it was a generic bolt-on neck Mat model. Edited December 21, 2019 by prowla Quote
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