Dave Vader Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 The DI-Marzios, if original, would point to the mighty Hondo 2 series, which used Di-Marzios as standard in the early 80s. Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1319101330' post='1409805']The DI-Marzios, if original, would point to the mighty Hondo 2 series, which used Di-Marzios as standard in the early 80s.[/quote]Good call. I have a rare Hondo II J and yes there is a similarity in the bulky feel of the two basses. The J has a full headstock decal and those cheaper round ended pups though. Blondie is obviously a far superior bass. The one piece ash body is gorgeous and reminds me very much of my natural finish Stingray (except it is a 2 piece) and the fit & finish is of a similar standard too - although somewhat let down by some of the hardware. The nut is a horrible fat plastic thing, halfway between a Gibbo nut and a Fender one. I'm going to make a nice bone one for her. Quote
Dave Vader Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 Hondos are odd, some of them are really nice well made things, others are bits of plywood sh*te, I have had bolt on manky Les Paul copies made of ply, and I at one point had a lovely mahogany set-neck one. Bloody brilliant it was, shame I moved it on. (both had the excellent DI-Marzios though). Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1319111323' post='1409992']Hondos are odd, some of them are really nice well made things, others are bits of plywood sh*te, I have had bolt on manky Les Paul copies made of ply, and I at one point had a lovely mahogany set-neck one. Bloody brilliant it was, shame I moved it on. (both had the excellent DI-Marzios though).[/quote] Ah well maybe it is then. Any idea why there's no decal? I'm positive one's not been removed as the lacquer is deep and even and totally original looking. Having a few 80's basses in my collection my gut feeling is that this is a 70's bass. Did Hondo ship out there 70's basses decal-less and have them added in the US? Quote
Dave Vader Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1319113543' post='1410043'] Ah well maybe it is then. Any idea why there's no decal? I'm positive one's not been removed as the lacquer is deep and even and totally original looking. Having a few 80's basses in my collection my gut feeling is that this is a 70's bass. Did Hondo ship out there 70's basses decal-less and have them added in the US? [/quote] Not that I know of. I assumed it had been sanded off (like so many of my old japcraps were) to lose it's provenance. Replacement neck? It could well have been bitsa'd at some point (like so many of my old japcraps were). A lot of old 70s factories had a lot of different wholesalers names, so your shipping without decal theory holds water. Maybe this one was waylaid on the way in by some helpful official looking for a cheap bass? Quote
Slipperydick Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1319119570' post='1410173'] Not that I know of. I assumed it had been sanded off (like so many of my old japcraps were) to lose it's provenance. Replacement neck? It could well have been bitsa'd at some point (like so many of my old japcraps were). A lot of old 70s factories had a lot of different wholesalers names, so your shipping without decal theory holds water. Maybe this one was waylaid on the way in by some helpful official looking for a cheap bass? [/quote] I still have the original neck from mine - I bought the Bass as a bag of bits - theres no sign of a decal, and as said, the laquer doesnt look like its been sanded. Different pups, but they might not have been the original ones, and different machine heads as the screw holes match the ones that came with it. So maybe a different year. mighty mite Jazz neck was almost a direct fit, but somebody had butchered the pocket at back. Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 I doubt if a Fender-a-like neck will fit mine as the pocket is very long (top horn starts on the 15th fret) and it's a few mil deeper than a standard fit heel. The unusual dimensions says to me that it is indeed the original neck. Been playing Blondie at every opertunity today, she's a real gem. And the best thing is... I'm getting some luthiery jobs off the seller too, so I'll be getting my money back anyway. Quote
Musky Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1319111323' post='1409992'] Hondos are odd, some of them are really nice well made things, others are bits of plywood sh*te, I have had bolt on manky Les Paul copies made of ply, and I at one point had a lovely mahogany set-neck one. Bloody brilliant it was, shame I moved it on. (both had the excellent DI-Marzios though). [/quote] I've got to admit, I thought 'Hondo' when I saw it. I seem to remember Jon saying that Hondo were knocking out some good quality basses in the early eighties. If I didn't dream it, it'll probably be buried in this thread somewhere. I do remember him saying that there were DiMarzio copies about though, so despite the hex adjustable pole pieces they [i]might[/i] not be the real McCoy. I've got an old DiMarzio P pickup knocking about somewhere, so if you want something to compare yours to I'll dig it out. Quote
Slipperydick Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1319144990' post='1410630'] I doubt if a Fender-a-like neck will fit mine as the pocket is very long (top horn starts on the 15th fret) and it's a few mil deeper than a standard fit heel. The unusual dimensions says to me that it is indeed the original neck. Been playing Blondie at every opertunity today, she's a real gem. And the best thing is... I'm getting some luthiery jobs off the seller too, so I'll be getting my money back anyway. [/quote] Same here, Nothing a few bits of thick card didnt cure though. One day I'll make up a piece of hardwood to shim it properly... and give it a paint job. Although I been thinking that for about 5 years now. But dozens of gigs later and it still sounds fine to me. I thought the pocket was deeper because it had been hacked out - butchered more like - by the previous owner. Intonations OK, although the bridge is adjusted a bit further back than usual. Pockets around the same length as my MIM Precision looking at them side by side. I'll have a look and see if I can find the pups that were with it, doubt if they are Dimarzio though, sounded really weedy with them on. Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Musky' timestamp='1319149514' post='1410700'] I've got to admit, I thought 'Hondo' when I saw it. I seem to remember Jon saying that Hondo were knocking out some good quality basses in the early eighties. If I didn't dream it, it'll probably be buried in this thread somewhere. I do remember him saying that there were DiMarzio copies about though, so despite the hex adjustable pole pieces they [i]might[/i] not be the real McCoy. I've got an old DiMarzio P pickup knocking about somewhere, so if you want something to compare yours to I'll dig it out. [/quote] Yeah that would be cool. I'm fairly sure they are real though. They have the exact same coloured wires as a set of DiMarzio J's I have here and they also look from the rear to be constructed identically to a set of Schaller PBX's (DiMarzios in a different guise) P bass pups I have too. Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 [quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1319151595' post='1410728'] Same here, Nothing a few bits of thick card didnt cure though. One day I'll make up a piece of hardwood to shim it properly... and give it a paint job. Although I been thinking that for about 5 years now. But dozens of gigs later and it still sounds fine to me. I thought the pocket was deeper because it had been hacked out - butchered more like - by the previous owner. Intonations OK, although the bridge is adjusted a bit further back than usual. Pockets around the same length as my MIM Precision looking at them side by side. I'll have a look and see if I can find the pups that were with it, doubt if they are Dimarzio though, sounded really weedy with them on. [/quote] I honestly don't think we have the same bass mate. If you look at where your upper horn starts at the neck, it's somewhere in the 16th fret. Mine starts at the 15th. Also both your horns are finer and more pointy, mine are thick and round. The p/gs are very close indeed it has to be said but as you see yours has a neat fit inside the lower horn while mine doesn't follow the lower line very well. Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 Here you go, [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-DIMARZIO-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-PICKUPS-1978-/160648272796"]these[/url] are identical to mine. Mine are in much better condition, although obviously more cream [s]dis[/s]coloured. Quote
Slipperydick Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1319152690' post='1410737'] I honestly don't think we have the same bass mate. If you look at where your upper horn starts at the neck, it's somewhere in the 16th fret. Mine starts at the 15th. Also both your horns are finer and more pointy, mine are thick and round. The p/gs are very close indeed it has to be said but as you see yours has a neat fit inside the lower horn while mine doesn't follow the lower line very well. [/quote] yep, the bodies are a bit different in shape, come to think of it mine has an extra hole under the neck plate as well, possibly had a rake adjustment originally. Either theyr different years/models from the same manuf' or both sourced necks and scratchplates from the same factory. pup is different, but wire colours are the same. Possibly we'll never know. If its any help in trying to work out the age of it, I remember a lot of the 70s copies, Jazz copies seemed far more common than Precision copies in the early 70s, ( Guitar copies always seemed to be Tele copies a\s well-something to do with copyright maybe ?? )But I cant remember ever seeing one with the thumb rest above the E string, which was, I think only on post 73/74 Fenders. With copies, it always seemed to be under the G string. [size=2][i]Edit - Missing line.[/i][/size] Edited October 21, 2011 by Slipperydick Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Don't get me stared on neck plates, Blondie's is a weird 40mm x 65mm*. *26mm x 49mm centre screws Quote
Musky Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1319155199' post='1410750'] Here you go, [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-DIMARZIO-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-PICKUPS-1978-/160648272796"]these[/url] are identical to mine. Mine are in much better condition, although obviously more cream [s]dis[/s]coloured. [/quote] They look exactly like mine as well, though mine don't have the PAF stickers. And those ones haven't had one of the magnets just fall off... Quote
Ou7shined Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 [quote name='Musky' timestamp='1319269585' post='1411969'] They look exactly like mine as well, though mine don't have the PAF stickers. And those ones haven't had one of the magnets just fall off... <_<[/quote] Haha yeah, both of my pups had one magnet each fall off... but they stuck back into the waxy material quite well. Just make sure you put the magnet back exactly the way round that it came out - mine was easy to work out by the marks left by the stickers. One final observation on Blondie (I promise ) - while playing her last night, I realised that she doesn't have side markers. Obviously because it's taken this long to notice I'm not a neck watcher so it doesn't bother me but I think it's worth mentioning as a record for identification. Quote
Paul S Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 Washburn Force 4 on eBay [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170718966628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_949"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170718966628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_949[/url] How I wish I were in the market for this beauty - it is at times like this I wish my back was in fine fettle, not when I see vintage P-Basses Quote
Shambo Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 Vantage double p-pupped thing here I'm going to have to keep an eye on. Collection only from Liverpool though... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260881497789?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Quote
pete.young Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Aria fretless with maple board. I had one like this with a lined rosewood board, really nice bass. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aria-Pro-II-Fretless-Bass-Guitar-Good-Condition-New-Strings-/130594646447?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e680c29af Another Aria, possibly late 70's? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-guitar-used-/180748297839?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a1570266f Quote
Pow_22 Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Posted in here before but thought id mention again...if any 'japcrappers' have any tuners like this knockin round in bits boxes id be very happy to swap them for cash. Its for a project im working on and these are proving a very difficult bit to obtain. [url="http://www.watkinsguitars.co.uk/rapier10a%20(Medium).jpg"]http://www.watkinsguitars.co.uk/rapier10a%20(Medium).jpg[/url] [url="http://www.musicresourcesusa.com/new_music_products_resources/tmb/templa1.jpg"]http://www.musicresourcesusa.com/new_music_products_resources/tmb/templa1.jpg[/url] Need four in a row ones rather than the 2+2 Quote
Musky Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 [quote name='Pow_22' timestamp='1320585446' post='1428546'] Posted in here before but thought id mention again...if any 'japcrappers' have any tuners like this knockin round in bits boxes id be very happy to swap them for cash. Its for a project im working on and these are proving a very difficult bit to obtain. [url="http://www.watkinsguitars.co.uk/rapier10a%20(Medium).jpg"]http://www.watkinsgu...%20(Medium).jpg[/url] [url="http://www.musicresourcesusa.com/new_music_products_resources/tmb/templa1.jpg"]http://www.musicreso...tmb/templa1.jpg[/url] Need four in a row ones rather than the 2+2 [/quote] The first ones are Van Gent tuners. There's a couple being sold separately on ebay at the moment, so that would get you half way there. Plus he's spelt Gent with an added 'h' so they might not appear on the radar. The seller has just parted out an old Egmond, and said in the auction that he was going to be listing some of the other parts. So far only these two tuners have appeared, so it's possible he's holding them back for a bit. A bit rich at the BIN price though. You could source a complete Egmond for the price of the set - which I guess is another option you could consider! Quote
chaypup Posted November 8, 2011 Posted November 8, 2011 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170725330083&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123#ht_500wt_945 Bargainous Westone Thunder II in very good condition. Not my favourite choise of colour but very nice nonetheless. Quote
Paul S Posted November 8, 2011 Posted November 8, 2011 Just seen that - and it IS my choice of colour. not my choice of weight, though.. At the BIN it is a bargain, it may go for lower! Quote
allighatt0r Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Hmmm.... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300617963682"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300617963682[/url] Hondo 2 that's been stripped and stained... Lots of large photos in the listing... shame it's a bit disgusting!!! Quote
Ou7shined Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 [quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1321102131' post='1435376'] Hmmm.... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300617963682"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300617963682[/url] Hondo 2 that's been stripped and stained... Lots of large photos in the listing... shame it's a bit disgusting!!! [/quote] OMG that's fooked. About the only thing worth salvaging is the neck. Quote
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