Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[Bassassin]

I don't think Marlins were ever made in Japan - they were mid 80s, by which point cheap Japanese copies had long-since ceased to exist. It was a UK-based brand (Wales, I think) and they came from Korea, and, strangely enough, East Germany.

I had one that was a typical plywood cheapo, I've heard it suggested that some were made of chipboard or MDF! I don't know how true that is but for that reason I'd say £30 is fair enough for this...

J.

[Musky]

Ditto to what Jon and Sgt Pluck said. Though at least some of the earlier ones were definitely solid wood - I had a friend who cobbled together a bizarre tea chest type contraption using the remains of a Marlin and and old dustbin.

[Happy Jack]

That's absolutely crazy - you can get good money for an old dustbin.

[Mr. Foxen]

Another Satellite through neck P. Keep being tempted by these. This guy is really selling on the Matsomuku:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EARLY-80S-THRU-NECK-SATELLITE-BASS-GUITAR-MATSUMOKU_W0QQitemZ130266225975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130266225975&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]130266225975[/url]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='319711' date='Nov 1 2008, 05:40 PM']This guy is really selling on the Matsomuku:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EARLY-80S-THRU-NECK-SATELLITE-BASS-GUITAR-MATSUMOKU_W0QQitemZ130266225975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130266225975&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]130266225975[/url][/quote]
I suppose he can try - just as long as we can accept that these are Korean, probably made by Cort, around 1980.

J.

[nick]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='319711' date='Nov 1 2008, 05:40 PM']Another Satellite through neck P. Keep being tempted by these. This guy is really selling on the Matsomuku:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EARLY-80S-THRU-NECK-SATELLITE-BASS-GUITAR-MATSUMOKU_W0QQitemZ130266225975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130266225975&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]130266225975[/url][/quote]

Go on Oli you know you want to.
They're actually not bad, borrowed one for a gig couple years ago - was quite pleasantly surprised.
Good solid basses.

[Mr. Foxen]

Hondo, appropriately cheap?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hondo-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ140279540858QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140279540858&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]1302662259758[/url]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='321386' date='Nov 3 2008, 10:15 PM']Hondo, appropriately cheap?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hondo-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ140279540858QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140279540858&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]1302662259758[/url][/quote]

I suppose for FeeBay it is. It would be £15 at your local car boot - it probably was at his...

Considering the much nicer & much more not-plywood Shatellite through-neck's still at £50, I'd be looking at that if I wanted an old Korean P.

I am, in fact.

J.

[Dan_Q]

overpriced? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-70s-Hondo-Precision-bass-guitar-made-in-Japan_W0QQitemZ190264315566QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item190264315566&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]hondo II P[/url]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Dan_Q' post='323130' date='Nov 6 2008, 12:25 AM']overpriced? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-70s-Hondo-Precision-bass-guitar-made-in-Japan_W0QQitemZ190264315566QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item190264315566&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]hondo II P[/url][/quote]
Yes, very.

J.

[Annoying Twit]

This one says Japanese.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLUMBUS-Electric-BASS-Guitar_W0QQitemZ290273235739QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLUMBUS-Electric-BA...9QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

I think it looks horrible. Don't mind SG basses, but this one looks just a little .... crowded.

[Ou7shined]

Jeez!
If it has 2 pups and we can clearly see them, what the Dickens is that cover for?

Not a big fan of SG's but I kind of admire the Mad Max-ness of this creature. Don't get how that thumb rest works though.

[Annoying Twit]

I know that this is only £30 starting bid, but I'm sure the seller could have written a more encouraging description of it than this:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-JAP-BASS-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ280283324185QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-JAP-BASS-GUITAR_...5QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

On second thoughts, the description isn't so bad. But the price is £30 + £20 p&p. So that's a minimum of £50 unless collected. Is it really worth that?

Edited November 7, 2008 by Annoying Twit

[Musky]

That looks like one of those Aria A-200 burns-a-likes, or one with another brand on it like the 'Eclipse' that went up on Ebay earlier today. It has the scratch plate over the top horn missing.

[url="http://matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html"]http://matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html[/url]

[Annoying Twit]

Is it unusual to post in this thread when I have no intention of buying any of these ... uh ... "classics".

Here's what's left of a 70s Rickenfaker. Still seemed quite popular with bidders though. I wonder what the story was behind the telecasterisation of this bass.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=230304503513"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230304503513[/url]

Edited November 9, 2008 by Annoying Twit

[nick]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='324337' date='Nov 7 2008, 05:11 PM']I know that this is only £30 starting bid, but I'm sure the seller could have written a more encouraging description of it than this:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-JAP-BASS-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ280283324185QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLD-JAP-BASS-GUITAR_...5QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

On second thoughts, the description isn't so bad. But the price is £30 + £20 p&p. So that's a minimum of £50 unless collected. Is it really worth that?[/quote]


[quote name='Musky' post='324539' date='Nov 7 2008, 09:56 PM']That looks like one of those Aria A-200 burns-a-likes, or one with another brand on it like the 'Eclipse' that went up on Ebay earlier today. It has the scratch plate over the top horn missing.

[url="http://matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html"]http://matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html[/url][/quote]

I had one of those A-200 things in sunburst, it was alright, fun to play - thinking about it now, wish I'd never got rid of it. They quite often come up on Ebay, usually with R/W fingerboard. Never seen one like that with a maple F/B though. However, it has also been re-painted red.

[spinynorman]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='323715' date='Nov 6 2008, 08:26 PM']This one says Japanese.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLUMBUS-Electric-BASS-Guitar_W0QQitemZ290273235739QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLUMBUS-Electric-BA...9QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

I think it looks horrible. Don't mind SG basses, but this one looks just a little .... crowded.[/quote]

Actually if you took off the redundant cover and put a bridge cover on, it's not a bad copy of a 69 EB3. (The one on the left)

[Bassassin]

I think with the Gibson copy, what they've done is just stick an extra pickup & controls on the standard single pup EB3 copy. I had one identical - same scratchplate, cover, finger rest etc, except it just had the one big (fake) mudbucker.


[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='325416' date='Nov 9 2008, 05:45 PM']Is it unusual to post in this thread when I have no intention of buying any of these ... uh ... "classics".

Here's what's left of a 70s Rickenfaker. Still seemed quite popular with bidders though. I wonder what the story was behind the telecasterisation of this bass.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=230304503513"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230304503513[/url]

[/quote]

Have a dig through the Rickenfakers thread & you'll find there's a (fairly dull) story attached to this one. Isn't there always....

J.

[Bassassin]

No worries Nick - I won't be bidding! I do like it, though, it's almost a semi-acoustic Mosrite copy. This will be Japanese, late 60s or early 70s. Bruno was a US importer/distributor & presumably Royal Artist was a sub-brand thereof. In fact this bass, or one like it, has been through the Bay before, and was discussed &, I think, lusted after right here at that time:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=7473&view=findpost&p=196039"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=196039[/url]

Can't remember if it sold, and obviously the listing's long-gone, so this might be the original seller having another go. Can't help thinking a £150 start's a bit steep for such an obscure bass, regardless of how unique/original it is.

J.

[nick]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='327059' date='Nov 11 2008, 08:05 PM']No worries Nick - I won't be bidding! I do like it, though, it's almost a semi-acoustic Mosrite copy. This will be Japanese, late 60s or early 70s. Bruno was a US importer/distributor & presumably Royal Artist was a sub-brand thereof. In fact this bass, or one like it, has been through the Bay before, and was discussed &, I think, lusted after right here at that time:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=7473&view=findpost&p=196039"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=196039[/url]

Can't remember if it sold, and obviously the listing's long-gone, so this might be the original seller having another go. Can't help thinking a £150 start's a bit steep for such an obscure bass, regardless of how unique/original it is.

J.[/quote]

Buggar. Just found out my wife's arranged for our drive to be done in two weeks = no money!
Better unsnipe that lovely bass.

Here it is back on - apologies!
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280283692071&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:GB:1123"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:X:AAQ:GB:1123[/url]

You're right, though a nice looking bass - price is maybe a shade too high.

[Musky]

Nah, that one's a snip. Check out this one

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUNO-GUITAR-ROYAL-ARTIST-Vintage-1970-With-New-Case_W0QQitemZ370095078885"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUNO-GUITAR-ROYAL-A...emZ370095078885[/url]

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Musky' post='327942' date='Nov 12 2008, 09:06 PM']Nah, that one's a snip. Check out this one

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUNO-GUITAR-ROYAL-ARTIST-Vintage-1970-With-New-Case_W0QQitemZ370095078885"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUNO-GUITAR-ROYAL-A...emZ370095078885[/url][/quote]

Someone made an offer on that which was declined. I wonder how much the offer was for.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Musky' post='327942' date='Nov 12 2008, 09:06 PM']Nah, that one's a snip. Check out this one

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUNO-GUITAR-ROYAL-ARTIST-Vintage-1970-With-New-Case_W0QQitemZ370095078885"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUNO-GUITAR-ROYAL-A...emZ370095078885[/url][/quote]
Good grief - that a whole special new vocabulary for wishful thinking!

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='327975' date='Nov 12 2008, 09:58 PM']Someone made an offer on that which was declined. I wonder how much the offer was for.[/quote]
12 quid?

J.

[Bassassin]

A few objects of curiosity & desire seemed to have slipped under the communal radar (or have they? ) so maybe an update might be prudent. Or something.

Hondo P in some disrepair - might be a cheap project for someone local to it:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140281294177"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140281294177[/url]

No-name EB0 thing; a bit of hacksaw damage but a sane BIN considering the altitudes some of these things achieve:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330285235598"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330285235598[/url]

Shaftesbury Rick 360/4005 hybrid:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150309633551"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150309633551[/url]

Really weird Morris Tele-shaped thing:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290274766531"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290274766531[/url]

Even weirder Morris neckthrough thing, in Italy:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110304011543"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110304011543[/url]

And finally - but bloody hell, I've never seen one of these outside a '72 Ibanez catalogue before. I want this, quite a lot:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160297642790"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=160297642790[/url]

J.

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='328018' date='Nov 12 2008, 10:47 PM']Good grief - that a whole special new vocabulary for wishful thinking!

J.[/quote]

<---- A fool ..................................................... His money ---->

Edited November 13, 2008 by Happy Jack