Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[Bassassin]

Either ply or veneered butcher-block - I've seen both types on Columbuses. I did have a Cimar Jazz 10 or so years ago (which is one reason I know this isn't one!) and it was ply.

[sharedmedia=core:attachments:74442]

[chriswareham]

Finally got down to my brother's and picked up the Maya Jazz bass copy that was posted above. It's in good shape, the only thing wrong with it is a missing retaining nut and knob on the treble volume control. In the meantime I ordered a pair of John Birch Hyperflux 3 pickups to replace the standard Jazz style pups. John Carling at JB made the pickups with black covers and mounting rings - delivered to me within five days of ordering, and they look the business. I'll start a (re)build thread soon.

[No. 8 Wire]

This must be the shortest scale bass I've seen that isn't a ukelele! Still, despite looking like a mash up of an EB0 and stratocaster, its attracting some interest so must be legit.

Anyone know anything about these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Zenta-SG-bass-guitar-EB511-made-in-Japan-short-scale-bass-MIJ-1970s-/152384620631?hash=item237ad4c857:g:XBkAAOSwUKxYbqUl

[Bassassin]

Cheap & nasty starter bass out of yer Ma's Littlewoods catalogue. Probably Korean.

[BigRedX]

Wasn't the Zenta brand sold in Woolies in the 70s?

[Bassassin]

I think so, along with Top Twenty & the like.

I have pages from a 70s catalogue showing a number of Zentas (including this one) alongside some JHS-branded instruments, so I'd assume they were the importer/distributor.

[Paul S]

Cimar bass - worth doing up? Not for me.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cimar-Electric-Bass-Guitar-EZRA-PARK-/282326050509?hash=item41bbf1a6cd:g:viYAAOSwt5hYek7y"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cimar-Electric-Bass-Guitar-EZRA-PARK-/282326050509?hash=item41bbf1a6cd:g:viYAAOSwt5hYek7y[/url]

[Paul S]

Takeharu bass - doesn't look crap at all. Not cheap.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-1970-s-MIJ-TAKEHARU-TAKEKARU-Bass-Guitar-Comes-in-ORIGINAL-Hardcase-/172486708376?hash=item2829024c98:g:xnwAAOSw9GhYel5M"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-1970-s-MIJ-TAKEHARU-TAKEKARU-Bass-Guitar-Comes-in-ORIGINAL-Hardcase-/172486708376?hash=item2829024c98:g:xnwAAOSw9GhYel5M[/url]

[Bassassin]

These are both cool IMO - the Cimar looks to be a Fujigen build, going on the s/n (despite the Ibanez/Hoshino connection I think most of them weren't), and the Takeharu is just a great-looking & unusual bass. This - or one the same - has been on before a few times - can't remember when. I think it might be a little more reasonably priced now, assuming bidding doesn't go mad. I think I've also seen this design with a different brand but not sure.

[Paul S]

Thanks for that Jon. I find myself drawn to the Cimar, although the last thing I need is another 4 string bass kicking around the place.

[Grangur]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1484564778' post='3216296']
Thanks for that Jon. I find myself drawn to the Cimar, although the last thing I need is another 4 string bass kicking around the place.
[/quote]
I know the feeling. It's too easy sometimes to go for these, find they actually bring nothing new to the collection, then polish the frets and move them on, often losing money on the experience.
Interesting to watch them though.

[Paul S]

I think it must be because I came into bass playing late in life so feel I need to catch up with all these different basses I didn't see first time around. However, I have decided I feel strong enough to resist!

[pete.young]

An Ibanez Black Eagle, nice apart from a clunky attempt to repair the usual headstock break.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-Black-eagle-bass-guitar-vintage-70s-made-in-Japan-/112264840400?hash=item1a238184d0:g:qqEAAOSw5cNYdUOj"]http://www.ebay.co.u...qEAAOSw5cNYdUOj[/url]

And an Antoria SG which has definitely seen better days. Found in a loft, naturally.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1970s-Antoria-SG-Type-Bass-Guitar-Rare-Attic-Find-/292001183115?hash=item43fca0758b:g:mWoAAOSw2xRYe9Se

Edited January 17, 2017 by pete.young

[Bassassin]

Bargain alert, at least from where I'm standng:

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vox-Standard-Bass-/172493612892"]Vox Standard (with DiMarzio Model P)[/url] - £85 BIN, £25 post.

Couple of cosmetic knocks but looks in good order, s/n suggests '83, these are generally assumed to be Matsumoku.

[BassApprentice]

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1484871343' post='3219387']
Bargain alert, at least from where I'm standng:

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vox-Standard-Bass-/172493612892"]Vox Standard (with DiMarzio Model P)[/url] - £85 BIN, £25 post.

Couple of cosmetic knocks but looks in good order, s/n suggests '83, these are generally assumed to be Matsumoku.
[/quote]


Hmmmm, interesting.

Could very easily stick another P pickup in there and have a fun little bass. Anybody know what the necks are like on these?

[alyctes]

[quote name='BassApprentice' timestamp='1484913769' post='3219619']
Hmmmm, interesting.

Could very easily stick another P pickup in there and have a fun little bass. Anybody know what the necks are like on these?
[/quote]

Aaargh... I've been hoping for a decent cheap one for ages (I want to defret it). Missed it!

The neck is a treetrunk. It weighs a ton. The pup is a touch on the puny side. None of these are my thing, but I will never get rid of the one I've got. Great bass.

[solo4652]

Westone Spectrum ST with an interesting body crack

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Spectrum-ST-Bass-Guitar/322393129216?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40860%26meid%3D02c8c1e38ff7459fa6f6c71156882231%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D292001183115

[dyerseve]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1484992845' post='3220191']
Westone Spectrum ST with an interesting body crack

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Spectrum-ST-Bass-Guitar/322393129216?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40860%26meid%3D02c8c1e38ff7459fa6f6c71156882231%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D292001183115"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D292001183115[/url]
[/quote]

I would guess that its just a crack in the fnish. I wouldnt expect wood to crack in that manner. I could be wrong though

[Bassassin]

I think that crack is likely the consequence of the bass having been on the receiving end of some violence. Possibly involving being chucked down the stairs or under a bus. Or both.

[2x18]

Westone Rail in Kings Lynn here ;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Headless-Bass-guitar-1985-black-westone-gig-bag-collectable-Vintage-/182430523850?hash=item2a79b4e1ca:g:h1oAAOSwA3dYhPQw

[Bassassin]

[quote name='2x18' timestamp='1485110978' post='3221192']
Westone Rail in Kings Lynn here ;

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Headless-Bass-guitar-1985-black-westone-gig-bag-collectable-Vintage-/182430523850?hash=item2a79b4e1ca:g:h1oAAOSwA3dYhPQw"]http://www.ebay.co.u...1oAAOSwA3dYhPQw[/url]
[/quote]

Gone now - guessing it was £200 BIN?

Probably just as well, I likely wouldn't have been able to help myself...

[pete.young]

A Fresher jazz bass. I don't think we've seen one of these for a while: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Fresher-Bass-Guitar-1975-made-In-Japan-/232216063265?hash=item361127ed21:g:pWgAAOSwopRYh4ZD

[Bassassin]

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1485878867' post='3227441']
A Fresher jazz bass. I don't think we've seen one of these for a while: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Fresher-Bass-Guitar-1975-made-In-Japan-/232216063265?hash=item361127ed21:g:pWgAAOSwopRYh4ZD"]http://www.ebay.co.u...WgAAOSwopRYh4ZD[/url]
[/quote]

Nice bass & an unusual finish for its era. Had [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/299353-quite-tasty-copy/"]its own thread[/url] that no-one paid much attention to...

[pete.young]

Oh yeah. Got to say the title of the other thread didn't help.

[dieseldalziel]

"..[color=#000000]it was in working order when it went into storage a year ago and is now sold as untested."[/color]

[color=#000000]hmmmm...[/color]