Any help identifying mystery bass?

[polvo]

Would love it if someone can tell me anything about this bass, or have a guess at who made it and when.

 

Here's what I know...

• neck thru
• double truss rod
• active
• serial number 00134

 

Bonus points if you can tell me what's going on in that last photo, I've never seen electronics like that (but also don't know much about active electronics). What's the rectangular thing and is meant to look that lumpy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bigwan]

Those electronics are a DIY effort. That's stripboard or veroboard (depending who you talk to!). It's a DIY alternative to a proper PCB. Tin foil cavity shielding. If it weren't for the stamped numbers on the headstock I would have said it's a homebrew effort.

[Bolo]

19 minutes ago, Bigwan said:

. If it weren't for the stamped numbers on the headstock I would have said it's a homebrew effort.

Even those numbers are hand punched, looking at the spacing. 

Could be 1st of March 2004 instead of a serial but I suspect only the builder will know.

[Chienmortbb]

Not sure about the headstock, but that body a Matsumoku or a homemade clone of an Aria or Westone, late 70s or early 80s. On second look, the stripes and hardware is also not consistent with Matsumoku.

Edited February 15, 2024 by Chienmortbb

[Norris]

The "backside" is too saggy for an Aria (looking at my SB-1000 hanging on the wall) - a much perter posterior 😀 

[polvo]

Thanks everyone, good sleuthing!