Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[Bassassin]

Sorry for my lack of attention last night - lost about 8 hours playing [i]Fallout 3[/i].

Anyroad up, as has been explicitly pointed out, it could be anything [b]but[/b] a Yammy! Interesting suggestion that it might be German, I have seen the occasional Marlin-branded P copy made in the DDR (the old East Germany, kids) and there's an old Str*t copy on Ebay at the moment which the seller reckons to be German - so it seems they exist. Otherwise I'd say Hondo, or a different Samick rebrand, or go with Andy67's Kay suggestion - the later plywood KB24s were very much like this.

Anyway, can't hang around, I'm presently trapped on the roof of ruined building, beseiged by Fire Ants...

J.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='353505' date='Dec 13 2008, 12:51 PM']Sorry for my lack of attention last night - lost about 8 hours playing [i]Fallout 3[/i].

Anyroad up, as has been explicitly pointed out, it could be anything [b]but[/b] a Yammy! Interesting suggestion that it might be German, I have seen the occasional Marlin-branded P copy made in the DDR (the old East Germany, kids) and there's an old Str*t copy on Ebay at the moment which the seller reckons to be German - so it seems they exist. Otherwise I'd say Hondo, or a different Samick rebrand, or go with Andy67's Kay suggestion - the later plywood KB24s were very much like this.

Anyway, can't hang around, I'm presently trapped on the roof of ruined building, beseiged by Fire Ants...

J.[/quote]
Shoot the antenni off, they'll finish the work for you.

[WarPig]

I quite like the look of this:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-VINTAGE-COLUMBUS-EB-GIBSON-SG-STYLE-BASS-PROJECT_W0QQitemZ300279615230QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item300279615230&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-VINTAGE-COLUMBU...%3A1|240%3A1318[/url]

But anymore basses and im out of the house, dont think a bass can give much shelter

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='WarPig' post='353746' date='Dec 13 2008, 05:51 PM']I quite like the look of this:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-VINTAGE-COLUMBUS-EB-GIBSON-SG-STYLE-BASS-PROJECT_W0QQitemZ300279615230QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item300279615230&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-VINTAGE-COLUMBU...%3A1|240%3A1318[/url]

But anymore basses and im out of the house, dont think a bass can give much shelter [/quote]

"Built somewhere between the 50's and the 60's".

[Pedantic] There wasn't anything between the 50's and 60's. They sort of flowed from one straight into the other. In fact, they were ascloseasthis.

Just saying. [/Pedantic]

[nick]

Nice looking Maya lefty Jazz copy
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maya-Left-Handed-70s-Jazz-Bass_W0QQitemZ270317331926QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item270317331926&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maya-Left-Handed-70s...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url]

Edited December 13, 2008 by nick

[Mr. Foxen]

Not much moeny, Not much bass either I guess: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/jazz-copy-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ200288103918QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item200288103918&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/jazz-copy-bass-guita...%3A1|240%3A1318[/url]

[sgt-pluck]

I'm amazed ( and annoyed, was hoping to pick it up cheap!) at how much [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370124642362"]this[/url] fetched, as a non-'name' piece of japcrap - especially as prices seem to be coming down a bit just now. It's probably worth it though, I have Westbury g****r and it's excellent by any standards.

Pluck

[Musky]

I'm not too surprised to be honest - Westbury might not be brand on the tip of every players tongue but they were made by Matsumoku. The Track 2 basses don't come up too often and this one was in pretty good condition (missing saddle excepted).

Algis Kizys out of Swans used to play one of these incidentally.

[nick]

[quote name='Musky' post='354121' date='Dec 14 2008, 11:14 AM']I'm not too surprised to be honest - Westbury might not be brand on the tip of every players tongue but they were made by Matsumoku. The Track 2 basses don't come up too often and this one was in pretty good condition (missing saddle excepted).

Algis Kizys out of Swans used to play one of these incidentally.[/quote]

As did Muttley McLad!

[Bassassin]

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='354108' date='Dec 14 2008, 11:00 AM']I'm amazed ( and annoyed, was hoping to pick it up cheap!) at how much [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370124642362"]this[/url] fetched, as a non-'name' piece of japcrap - especially as prices seem to be coming down a bit just now. It's probably worth it though, I have Westbury g****r and it's excellent by any standards.

Pluck[/quote]

I was watching that too, funnily enough...

Westburys are pretty sought-after among JapCrap enthusiasts - in fact it was finding a rather lovely Westy Standard g*it*r in a charidee shop a few years back which reawakened my interest in all things Jappy & crappy. Paid £60 (was looking for a new g*it*r & remembered the name from yonks ago), was blown away by the quality, checked it out online to find the Fleabay price at the time was about £120 - £150.

I then put 2+2 together & discovered most of my favourite basses & guitars past & present were from the same era & mostly the same origin.

I've always fancied a Track series bass to go with the Westy Standard, would prefer a Track IV - set neck & 2x P pups - but I'd settle for a Track 2. For £60...

J.

[Cabal]

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='354108' date='Dec 14 2008, 11:00 AM']I'm amazed ( and annoyed, was hoping to pick it up cheap!) at how much [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370124642362"]this[/url] fetched, as a non-'name' piece of japcrap - especially as prices seem to be coming down a bit just now. It's probably worth it though, I have Westbury g****r and it's excellent by any standards.

Pluck[/quote]
You weren't the only one hoping to pick it up cheap. I was gobsmaked when i saw how much it went for.

Used to have one myself, circa 1980: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31173"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31173[/url]

Cheers,

Jake M

Edited December 14, 2008 by Cabal

[guzzibass]

This looks nice. Not cheap tho' what with shipping etc.....

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-RSB-800-Rev-Sound-Bass-Guitar-MIJ-80s_W0QQitemZ220328500213QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item220328500213&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-RSB-800-...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url]

[sgt-pluck]

[quote name='guzzibass' post='355285' date='Dec 15 2008, 07:21 PM']This looks nice. Not cheap tho' what with shipping etc.....

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-RSB-800-Rev-Sound-Bass-Guitar-MIJ-80s_W0QQitemZ220328500213QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item220328500213&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-RSB-800-...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url][/quote]

My finger's been hovering dangerously close to the trigger on that one for ages now - but it's just going to cost too much once you include shipping and tax. Gorgeous bass - love the headstock and I bet it plays too.

Pluck

[nick]

Maya fretless P-Bass project
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maya-fretlless-jazz-bass-project-M-I-J-70s-collectabl_W0QQitemZ130276334509QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item130276334509&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maya-fretlless-jazz-...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url]

[Happy Jack]

I thought the general idea was that the strings went over the pole-pieces ...

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-collectable-Ibenez-MIJ-60s-70s-Bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ190273516875QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item190273516875&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-collectable-Ibe...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url]

Mind you, that's with Ibanez basses. It's probably different with Ibenez basses.

Got to love that "crazed gold sparle" finish. [i][Trans: My re-spray went horribly wrong.][/i]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='360159' date='Dec 21 2008, 12:16 PM']I thought the general idea was that the strings went over the pole-pieces ...[/quote]
It would be useful if they were over the frets, up the dusty end! Then again that "Ibenez" wasn't born with that bridge...

J.

[Mr. Foxen]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/grant-bass-guitar-mij_W0QQitemZ320331004328QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item320331004328&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]Grant[/url]

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='375191' date='Jan 9 2009, 02:37 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/grant-bass-guitar-mij_W0QQitemZ320331004328QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item320331004328&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]Grant[/url][/quote]

Never even heard of Grant ... were they any good?

While you're at it, check out [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60s%2F70s-GRANT-Bass-Guitar-Project-%A369.00-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ110328277042QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081220?IMSfp=TL081220111001r7495"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60s%2F70s-GRANT-Bass...1220111001r7495[/url]

Especially the headstock photo ...

[Ou7shined]

Apparently it gives more sustain. LOL

Who needs 4 strings anyway. If you can't play in on 3 strings you're not trying hard enough.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='375316' date='Jan 9 2009, 04:09 PM']Never even heard of Grant ... were they any good?[/quote]
Depends on the Grant! My first bass was a Grant - and it was awful. However Grant was just another UK importer brand (owned by a music shop in Glasgow, it seems) and they will have sold a fairly broad range like most brands. I think the Grantson brand was probably from the same importer:

[attachment=18437:headfs.jpg]

And it's likely they changed their logo/brand etc when they realised that certain US companies might have issues about similarities to certain trademarks...

My bass wasn't the same as either of these two - although if you imagine a Jazz-ish take on the second one you'll get the general idea - and I'm confident it could have been made somewhat more playable if I'd had a clue about setup back then.

I do like that Telebass type one, I have to say. Shame its covers & thumbrest are long gone.

J.

[nick]

Cheap [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130280522888"]Ibanez Roadstar[/url]

[allighatt0r]

Is a roadstar a different model to a roadster? Phil Lynott had an Ibanex Roadster and i would love to have one, has anyone seen them Coming up on the fleabay?



Best picture i can find. They had his actual one in bass guitar magazine about a year ago i think...

EDIT: just had a quick search: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330300541459"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330300541459[/url]

Edited January 16, 2009 by allighatt0r

[Happy Jack]

Yup - two different basses, though obviously there was absolutely no intention to confuse or mislead the buying public ...

[Bassassin]

The Roadstar series was the successor to the humble Roadster. I have an RS924 - Steve bleedin' 'Arris played one of them, you know...

Anyway, still in IbbyLand, there's a rather nice first-series Blazer, if you're in Derbyshire:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190280470814"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190280470814[/url]

Nice meejum-scale Aria Cardinal:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180320146884"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=180320146884[/url]

Kawai Aquarius - seriously rare, [i]very[/i] serious project:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270327663528"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=270327663528[/url]


Ain't much JapCrap around, this weather.

J.

[Mr. Foxen]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Japanese-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ140295673034QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item140295673034&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]Vintage Japanese bass[/url]