Annoying Twit Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 [quote name='Samashton12' timestamp='1389356513' post='2333190'] I just want the neck :'( [/quote] I would vaguely want the whole thing, but as of today not enough to bid full market price for it. But, what I'm bidding (still winning I see) is more than people would probably want to pay just for the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 10, 2014 Author Share Posted January 10, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1389355942' post='2333174'] Thanks for the info on your Cardinals. Interesting looking El Maya here. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/El-Maya-Ibanez-active-bass-made-in-Japan-1981-/271364720733?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f2e99085d"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3f2e99085d[/url] [/quote] That's a very interesting El Maya, since most of it's an Ibanez RS900 Roadster. Not going to say too much because I'm pretty sure the seller's a BC member, but given that the El Maya neck has an extra fret over the RS900, it's likely struggling to intonate properly. And £350+ is a [i]lot[/i] of money for a [s]bodge[/s] bitsa. He has another very rare & interesting MIJ bass for sale though: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polytone-Contempo-B-bass-ultra-rare-Mij-like-Ibanez-artist-/271364652076"]http://www.ebay.co.u...t-/271364652076[/url] I've only ever seen pictures of these before, very striking bass, love the inlays but not too sure about the headstock. Curiously enough though, the exact same bass was sold branded as El Maya, with a neck ever-so-slightly exactly the same as the one bolted onto that poor Ibanez. Whatever can it mean? J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I did think I hadn't seen a bass with a neck like that, but the body looked familiar. But I did assume that it was simply a bass that I hadn't seen before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razze06 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 That Contempo is lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) Columbus bass. With a case and amp, but still £350 looks just a bit steep. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Columbus-Bass-Guitar-Case-Amp-And-Speaker-/121252286311?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c3b330f67 Edited January 11, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1389437136' post='2334092'] Columbus bass. With a case and amp, but still £350 looks just a bit steep. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Columbus-Bass-Guitar-Case-Amp-And-Speaker-/121252286311?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c3b330f67"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c3b330f67[/url] [/quote] That seller's been having the same sadly unrealistic dream for a few months - check their completed listings. And Carlsbro Cobras really weren't very good! Overpriced instruments being constantly re-listed can be interesting. Locally there's been someone trying to sell a Pearl Les Paul copy (70s, MIJ, probably Matsumoku replica-grade) for about 3 years! It started at aboout £500 and has now reached £200 - if/when it gets to £150 I might go & have a look. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) In the meantime, my unrealistically low bid on the Maya fretless is still winning. I think it'll go for £80-100, or more. And therefore I do not see a trip to Nottingham in the near future. Edit: Outbid now. Edit: The Columbus seller previously sold the instrument for £5? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Columbus-Bass-Guitar-Case-Amp-And-Speaker-/121204769408?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c385e0280"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c385e0280[/url] Edited January 11, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoiho Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 1970s EB-0 copy, in central Scotland, for £100. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152149210477431&set=gm.579612698785958&type=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 [quote name='hoiho' timestamp='1389443431' post='2334176'] 1970s EB-0 copy, in central Scotland, for £100. [url="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152149210477431&set=gm.579612698785958&type=1"]https://www.facebook...98785958&type=1[/url] [/quote] Looks like all the JapCrap anoraks were wrong all along, and all they had in Japan was one big Ibanez factory badging up the same things with names like Avon. Gawd. Reality: Not Fujigen, nothing like Ibanez, made from plywood & tin, cheap at the time, worth about £30 from your local car boot tomorrow morning. Take the Avon badge off & it's suddenly worth twice that. I've joined the group, though... J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 anybody got any thoughts on this [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Left-Handed-Jazz-bass-Japan-Made-/331102633541?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d17413e45"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4d17413e45[/url] wondered if it was a Matsumoku Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 You asked if anyone had any thoughts on it, not whether anyone actually has any useful information about it I think it looks pretty nice apart from the Fender logo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1389640926' post='2336486'] anybody got any thoughts on this [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Left-Handed-Jazz-bass-Japan-Made-/331102633541?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d17413e45"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4d17413e45[/url] wondered if it was a Matsumoku [/quote] I don't know what it is but it's definitely not made by Mat - no three piece quarter sawn neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 It was either a Columbus, or the same bass with some other name, so not a Matsumoku. Opinions vary about Columbus - the ones I've had were OK but not wonderful - and I'd say £150 was a tad optimistic. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 thanks for your comments guys, don't think I'll bother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1388100081' post='2318606'] £75 Matsumoku-built Hondo Pro: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hondo-Bass-Guitar-Made-in-Japan-70s-80s-Low-action-/321283739270 Original DiMarzio Model P is long-gone but still a damn good price. J. [/quote] I've got one of these, with the original pickups, there seems to be some doubt whether it is a Matsumoku Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1389708341' post='2337071'] I've got one of these, with the original pickups, there seems to be some doubt whether it is a Matsumoku [/quote] I suppose unless it says "Matsumoku" on the neckplate (and a few Hondos do) it's hard to be 100% sure. It seems MIJ Hondos were either Mat or Tokai, the examples of these I've seen have features in common with a number of late 70s/early 80s Mat basses including Westburys, Vantages, Washburns and even some early Aria Pro models. Matsumoku made several different basses with double cut bodies, 3-part quarter-sawn necks, DiMarzio pickups & 3-point bridges - the Hondo strikes me as a variation on a particular type they were making at the time. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1389744246' post='2337580'] I suppose unless it says "Matsumoku" on the neckplate (and a few Hondos do) it's hard to be 100% sure. It seems MIJ Hondos were either Mat or Tokai, the examples of these I've seen have features in common with a number of late 70s/early 80s Mat basses including Westburys, Vantages, Washburns and even some early Aria Pro models. Matsumoku made several different basses with double cut bodies, 3-part quarter-sawn necks, DiMarzio pickups & 3-point bridges - the Hondo strikes me as a variation on a particular type they were making at the time. J. [/quote] no Matsumoku on the neck plate, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Matsumokus were easier to spot up to the mid-70s, when they bore "Steel Adjustable Neck" plates. Most of these had a serial number, and these appear to be completely random & don't give a year. Subsequently a variety of different plates were used as well as several different serialisation methods. The number on yours is consistent with Mat serials from the early 80s, where the first digit indicates the year - hence 1981, which would be about right. Looking at that, and the 3-part neck I'd be 90% confident that your bass is a Matsumoku. I don't associate plates/serials like that or that type of build with Tokai, plus there are confirmed Hondos with "Product Of Matsumoku" plates. From my perspective the suggestion of Tokai (or any as yet unidentified builder) making Hondos is entirely anecdotal - the MIJ Hondos I've seen look like Matsumokus. I have a Westbury Track 2 bass which has a similar plate to yours, except it's stamped Made In Japan, rather than stckered. The serial number's the same style and there's nothing else on it - however there's no suggestion (even from Matsumoku/Westbury forum geeks) that Westburys were made anywhere else. Identical basses turn up with both "Steel Adjustable" and "Product Of" plates. Understanding these old instruments is part archaeology & part detective work - none of the factories, importers, distributors kept any kind of record & most of them shut down decades ago, so there's usually nothing much to go on other than remaining relics & a few old catalogues. Matsumoku's way better documented/understood than lesser-known factories & brands like Kasuga, Maya, Chushin, Moridaira & so on. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Thanks very much for you detective work, guess it might be worth more than I thought if I ever sold it , although it is a bit battered (reliced lol), it was my first bass, it's got sentimental value, so I'll be hanging on to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswareham Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) Interesting bit of Jap Crap here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960s-JAPANESE-BASS-GUITAR-SILVERTONE-GUYATONE-TEISCO/181303806222 Strikes me as overpriced, but the seller is open to offers. I've now got two cheap and surprisingly not-nasty Kay short scale basses, otherwise I'd consider giving it house room. Edited January 17, 2014 by chriswareham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) Here's a Jedson. I thought that Jedson were down the cheaper and less fancied end of Japanese basses, and the earlier Jedsons were said to be poor. Didn't George Harrison have a Jedson guitar before he bought hsi Gretsch? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jedson-Jazz-Bass-vintage-70s-80s-made-in-Japan-fender-replica-/181303966868?hash=item2a368efc94"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a368efc94[/url] Edti: Or was it a Futurama that Harrison had? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Futurama-60s-Bass-Guitar-2nd-Hand-/370988751114?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5660a7190a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5660a7190a[/url] It seems that it was a Futurama that Harrison had. The rather confident sellers of Japanese basses seem to be out in force today. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261365108973?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Edited January 18, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 That Futurama. I had one as my first bass in 1974. The guy I got it off bought it new in 1967. I paid £10 for it. Once I learned more than 3 notes I realised it was a hideous pile of useless crap. Certainly against it's replacement, a new 1976 Shaftesbury Tele copy. 7 years ago we had yet another house move and I could no longer bear carting that Futurama around. I skipped it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1390031514' post='2340630'] Here's a Jedson. I thought that Jedson were down the cheaper and less fancied end of Japanese basses, and the earlier Jedsons were said to be poor. Didn't George Harrison have a Jedson guitar before he bought hsi Gretsch? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jedson-Jazz-Bass-vintage-70s-80s-made-in-Japan-fender-replica-/181303966868?hash=item2a368efc94"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a368efc94[/url] Edti: Or was it a Futurama that Harrison had? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Futurama-60s-Bass-Guitar-2nd-Hand-/370988751114?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5660a7190a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5660a7190a[/url] It seems that it was a Futurama that Harrison had. The rather confident sellers of Japanese basses seem to be out in force today. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261365108973?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1438.l2649[/url] [/quote] That's weird. The Jedson has a Matsumoku neck plate on it, although the neck isn't (nor anything else on the bass by the looks of things). Harrison did use an old Futurama but it was one of the early Czech built ones. By the sixties they were being made by Hagstrom (who were also selling them under their own brand) and that's what the one in the auction is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I wonder what the story with the Jedson is. I would have thought that the Hagstrom Futuramas would have been OK. Sad in a way to hear that they weren't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 The Jedson's a Matsumoku Jazz, likely the same bass as the Aria Pro J copies of the mid/late 70s. The pickups, which are "normal" J types only with height adjusters at the ends, only seem to appear on Matsumoku Jazzes. Aside from that it's very similar to most decent quality later Jazz copies ie pretty accurate - soilid timber body, full-size tuners etc. I have a couple of old Jedson catalogues and it looks like they sold instruments of a range of quality & prices, the Matsumokus being the higher end. Jedson's another UK importer brand - J.E. Dallas & Sons. Wonder how they came up with the name? Later on, J.E. Dallas merged into Dallas-Arbiter & gave rise to the Arbiter brand, as seen on JapCrap & I think is still around on some musical bits & bobs. By the way - anyone here bid on this? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/34-Electric-Bass-Guitar-/201017111061"]http://www.ebay.co.u...r-/201017111061[/url] Interesting looking thing a few miles up the road from me - my satanic punt of £66.66 was beaten by £2 - anyone on here? If so, let's see some good pics when you get it! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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