Fretless thing

[Beedster]

Calling @Bassassin

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335773204696?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=rVs2LmaFT_6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=155UlNbXQGW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

Thoughts?

[Bassassin]

It's nice, but £445's a bit steep! If you've ever noticed cheapo Satellite through-neck P types, circa 1980-ish, this is basically the same thing. This one's been modded somewhat - additional J pickup & nice Schaller M4S tuners (possibly Japanese copies), and looks in pretty good order.

 

I'm familiar with Maison from the early 90s & only fairly recently came across their earlier output, this 'small Korean manufacturer' thing appears to be a myth, and the fact this is a budget early 80s bass, probably made by Samick, supports that.

 

There's a Maison FB group, and here's an unmodded fretted version of the same bass.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1458034901099196/permalink/3437722686463731/

 

I had one of the Satellites years ago - mine was in a bit of a state but I do remember it being very heavy & having a massive tree-trunk neck, and the construction being nothing like as good as the through-neck MIJ basses it was trying to imitate. It's possible the build/materials on this are a little better but it's a close relative.

 

Considering the upgrades & the condition, if it plays as good as it looks I'd think maybe £250-£300 was a realistic price, but £445 seems a bit much.

 

 

 

 

[Beedster]

1 minute ago, Bassassin said:

It's nice, but £445's a bit steep! If you've ever noticed cheapo Satellite through-neck P types, circa 1980-ish, this is basically the same thing. This one's been modded somewhat - additional J pickup & nice Schaller M4S tuners (possibly Japanese copies), and looks in pretty good order.

 

I'm familiar with Maison from the early 90s & only fairly recently came across their earlier output, this 'small Korean manufacturer' thing appears to be a myth, and the fact this is a budget early 80s bass, probably made by Samick, supports that.

 

There's a Maison FB group, and here's an unmodded fretted version of the same bass.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1458034901099196/permalink/3437722686463731/

 

I had one of the Satellites years ago - mine was in a bit of a state but I do remember it being very heavy & having a massive tree-trunk neck, and the construction being nothing like as good as the through-neck MIJ basses it was trying to imitate. It's possible the build/materials on this are a little better but it's a close relative.

 

Considering the upgrades & the condition, if it plays as good as it looks I'd think maybe £250-£300 was a realistic price, but £445 seems a bit much.

 

 

 

 

John, what would we do without you mate 🙏

 

I kinda had had that gut instinct, but was wanting to sense check it. Yes the Satellites were better to look at than they were to play or listen to, but I hoped there was a chance this was a step up!

 

I think the J-PUP fooled me 😆

 

Many thanks mate 🙏