FS: Maya Fretless Bass & ohsc, 1970s/80s, £450 o.n.o. £450 Potton, Central East Bedfordshire

[silverfoxnik]

Hi Folks, 

 

Background

Bit of an unusual one, this, so here goes... 

 

So, at the 3rd time of trying, I have realised that fretless bassis not for me. Hence why this is now up for sale. 

 

It's a 1970s (or possibly early 80s) Maya Precision bass in superb condition, completely stock, and comes with its original case and some of the case candy.

 

The only thing that's not original (AFAIK) is that, at some point in it's life, it's been defretted. 

 

As I hope the photos show, it's a bit of a stunner, but when I bought it, it wasn't playing very well. So, I I took it to my local luthier, Nick Hartel in Letchworth, who's done a fabulous job on it so that it now plays beautifully (very happy to share his report on the work he did btw) . 

 

I bought this on Facebook last autumn thinking it looked totally cool, and it would be the perfect fretless to get me going so that I could discover my inner 'Mick Khan' or 'John Giblin'.. But sadly, that dream is now over - I just don't enjoy the fretless sound/vibe enough to persevere with it. 

 

The guy I bought it from is a very credible guitar dealer in Suffolk and here's what he had to say about it:

 

"Very rare and collectable Japanese bass from the golden era of MIJ quality. Maya instruments are up there with the other highly regarded names, quality hardware, proper woods and built by people who knew their business.

This is one owner from new, converted to fretless in the 1980s, in the original case with the tools and booklet for the top class adjustable tuners.

A few bumps and marks but nothing major, a Japanese quality instrument for Chinese Squier money..."

 

Price

All in all, this has cost me £460; £295 when I bought it and £165 in luthier fees. 

 

So, based on that outlay and the fact that it's a real nice, all original vintage MIJ, high quality instrument, I've priced it at £450 or near offer.

 

But if I'm way off on price, then please let me know... 

 

Collection /meet ups

Collection in Potton, east Central Bedfordshire much preferred, though I could do meet up anywhere between here and Ealing, London, where I work. Or indeed, a meet up within an hour's drive from me in any other direction. 

 

You're very welcome to come and have a play of the bass through my Mesa Walkabout combo (or your own amp/cab) here in Potton.. Kettle's always on, with plenty of tea /coffee available. 

 

Anyway, that's enough rambling from me. 

 

Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for looking! 👍😊

 

Cheers 

 

Nik 

 

 

[silverfoxnik]

More photos... 

[silverfoxnik]

And yet more photos... 

[howdenspur]

Looks very nice Nik👍!

[lemmywinks]

Lovely that.

 

@Bassassin he's got the little wrench thing for the tuners!

[Stub Mandrel]

I've had mine since about 1987 or 88.

 

It's fretless from the factory, a blockwood body, rather roadworn and a new scratchplate. But IMHO a nice bass.

 

My only fretless so it does still get gigged.

 

 

[silverfoxnik]

4 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I've had mine since about 1987 or 88.

 

It's fretless from the factory, a blockwood body, rather roadworn and a new scratchplate. But IMHO a nice bass.

 

My only fretless so it does still get gigged.

 

 

That's a very cool looking bass @Stub Mandrel - it just oozes mojo!! 

[Hellzero]

8 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

Lovely that.

 

@Bassassin he's got the little wrench thing for the tuners!

I guess you mean this: 

[Hellzero]

What's the weight @silverfoxnik as sen ( also called Japanese ash) can be very heavy?

 

It's a superb looking example that said. 👌🏻

[silverfoxnik]

34 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

What's the weight @silverfoxnik as sen ( also called Japanese ash) can be very heavy?

 

It's a superb looking example that said. 👌🏻

Thanks! 🙏

 

That's a good question... 🤔

 

Compared to other basses I have, this is pretty light.

 

But I'll measure it and get back to you soon. 

[silverfoxnik]

9 hours ago, howdenspur said:

Looks very nice Nik👍!

Thanks Rod... 🙏

[silverfoxnik]

9 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

Lovely that.

 

@Bassassin he's got the little wrench thing for the tuners!

Cheers @lemmywinks 🙏

[Beedster]

As the owner of four (yes you read that correctly) maple board fretless basses, there is a unique tone to the combination of a maple board and a Precision PUP that once heard is hard to let go of. Before owning one I'd always assumed that it would be a somewhat polite combination compared with, for example an ebony board, but quite the opposite, growly, rich, and articulate, If I didn't already have four etc...... 

[silverfoxnik]

1 hour ago, Hellzero said:

What's the weight @silverfoxnik as sen ( also called Japanese ash) can be very heavy?

 

It's a superb looking example that said. 👌🏻

It's 3.9k, or 8.6 lbs in old money. 

 

And just to say, that was done using the old-fashioned method of weighing myself on the scales first, then weighing myself with the bass.  

[silverfoxnik]

4 minutes ago, Beedster said:

As the owner of four (yes you read that correctly) maple board fretless basses, there is a unique tone to the combination of a maple board and a Precision PUP that once heard is hard to let go of. Before owning one I'd always assumed that it would be a somewhat polite combination compared with, for example an ebony board, but quite the opposite, growly, rich, and articulate, If I didn't already have four etc...... 

Only 4, Chris? 🤣

 

Seriously, thanks for pointing that out. 👍😊

 

This bass does have a lovely tone, despite my rather lame efforts at playing it.. 

[lemmywinks]

1 hour ago, Hellzero said:

I guess you mean this: 

 

 

Yeah that's the one, hard to come by apparently. Little hook spanner to adjust the tuner friction. I had to gently adjust mine with small pliers and an elastic band for cushioning/grip but one of these would have been handy!

[Bassassin]

That's a thing of beauty! Looks like a top-class defret job, and it's in fantastic condition. This is mid - late 70s - Maya (a brand owned by Japanese retailer/distributor Rokkomann) was made by Chushin Gakki during the 70s but moved manufacture to Korea in the 80s.

 

To everyone @-ing me about the tuners - I have never seen the little spanner before! That's actually odd, because these tuners (which are fairly common on a lot of late 70s/early 80s basses) are the same as the ones fitted to the vast majority of 80s  MIJ Yamaha BBs - the only difference being having a cast key rather than a cloverleaf type. Must be thousands of these odd little spanners lost in the dust at the backs of drawers!

 

Also really good to see the little manual too - might have a go at translating the katakana one day.

 

Anyway - very best of luck with the sale - there aren't many of these around, and certainly not in that sort of condition.

 

 

[silverfoxnik]

Thanks for your expertise and insights as ever @Bassassin.. 🙏

 

Glad to hear you think it's a mid-late 70s example, and it is as you say, a thing of beauty!  

 

Who would've thought those little spanners are so rare..  🤔🤷😁

[silverfoxnik]

Happy Bank Holiday Friday, Folks! 

 

Figured I'd better give this beautiful and seemingly, quite unique, bass a BUMP, as it needs to find a new home. 

 

Cheers, Nik