Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='99312' date='Dec 5 2007, 12:11 AM']A Fresher - this brand's more common in Yurp than here:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120192211147"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120192211147[/url]

J.[/quote]

What do we know about Freshers, Jon? Can't say as I've ever heard of them. Are they any good?

Jack

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='101553' date='Dec 9 2007, 12:29 AM']What do we know about Freshers, Jon? Can't say as I've ever heard of them. Are they any good?

Jack[/quote]
Bugger-all really! Never seen one in the flesh, the name comes up from time to time on Jap guitar geek forums mostly because of the odd range of Les Paul & Strat copies they made with built-in effects.

Just did a Google & found this:

[url="http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=1032"]http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/bran...ls.asp?AID=1032[/url]

Not much there about basses - but clearly someone's interested!

Anyhoo - the Jazz is quite nice-looking, but £125 start price is a tad ambitious, considering it's not looking any too original.

J.

[Happy Jack]

What about this one:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1968-Vintage-IBANEZ-2030T-Jazz-Type-BASS-Guitar-MIJ_W0QQitemZ160187461659QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1968-Vintage-IBANEZ-...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

I have to say that I'm tempted. It would match up nicely with the Ibanez P-bass I got a few months ago.

Is it genuine? Any other BC-er planning to bid? Have I blown someone's chances of a bargain (sorry, should that be "bargin"?) by putting up that link?

[Bassassin]

Yep - that's for real, Jack. It's probably a little later than 1968 - this model stayed in the Ibby catalogue into the early 70s, the 60s version had a weird 2-a-side headstock, rather than the Fender type on this one. Looks in good original nick, just a missing bridge cover - and I don't think the scratchplate screws are the originals, are they?

These older Ibanezes (Ibaneezers?) don't seem to attract the nutter bids that the "lawsuit" era ones can - but still curious & collectable. BTW Jack, bid with impunity as far as I'm concerned.

You might be interested in this one too, considering your main preoccupation:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-Bass-Guitar-Beatles-Hofner-RELISTED_W0QQitemZ270194908261"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-Bass-Guitar-B...emZ270194908261[/url]

Don't think I'm pi$$ing on anyone's fireworks by posting this, not exactly a bargain at that price - but interesting nonetheless.

J.

[Happy Jack]

Oh dear oh dear oh dearie me. £300 for that? Not so much a copy as a pastiche.

You can buy a brand new Hofner Contemporary for not much more than that.

As to the Jazz copy, I can definitely feel a "Xmas Bonus" sort of punt coming on. If any other BC-er plans to bid, please PM me first so that we can avoid ramping up the price unnecessarily.

As usual, Jon, many thanks.

[Happy Jack]

Ouch! £155 with 24 hours to go ... maybe I won't bother then.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='102404' date='Dec 10 2007, 09:35 PM']Ouch! £155 with 24 hours to go ... maybe I won't bother then. [/quote]

That price is a bit brutal for that.

Also, looking at that auction & its sudden leap top such an inflated price in the last 24 hours - does anyone else get the feeling that Ebay's new "anonymous bidder" option is just a Licence To Shill?

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='101553' date='Dec 9 2007, 12:29 AM']What do we know about Freshers, Jon? Can't say as I've ever heard of them. Are they any good?

Jack[/quote]

We can now add "bolt-neck Rick copy" to the Fresher KnowledgeBase:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280183149355"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280183149355[/url]

Wonder who made that? The pics aren't giving anything away.

J.

[Musky]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='103035' date='Dec 12 2007, 02:03 AM']We can now add "bolt-neck Rick copy" to the Fresher KnowledgeBase:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280183149355"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=280183149355[/url]

Wonder who made that? The pics aren't giving anything away.

J.[/quote]

That one didn't last long. Though putting 'Rick copy' in the title probably didn't help - maybe he thought RIC didn't know their basses are sometimes called Ricks.

[Bassassin]

Well, Christmas is over, and the JapCrap's coming back. Which is nice.

An Arbiter/Matsumoku (probably) Rick copy:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120203908461"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120203908461[/url]


And a no-name neckthrough 4001-a-be with a tongue-swallower of a BIN:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170181713050"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=170181713050[/url]


The ever-popular & so far sensibly priced Ibby RS900 Roadster:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140194099066"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140194099066[/url]


Keepin' it Fujigen, an Antoria Jazz, high start but worth a sniff if it doesn't attract too many bids:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320201155257"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=320201155257[/url]


And keepin' it both Fujigen and Antoria, a nice old LP bass (shame about the cack bridge):

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260198569119"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260198569119[/url]


And maintaining the Gibson-esque theme, but this time hailing (possibly) from the JapCrap anorak's favourite sewing machine factory:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260197959651"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260197959651[/url]


And finally, for the lovers of the weird, esoteric, and exclusive to Woolies in the late 60s/early 70s, a Teisco EB(?) which was probably sold as a "Top Twenty":

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290194561326"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290194561326[/url]


Good to have 'em back, isn't it?

J.

Edited December 31, 2007 by Bassassin

[sgt-pluck]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='111367' date='Dec 31 2007, 11:05 AM']Well, Christmas is over, and the JapCrap's coming back. Which is nice.

An Arbiter/Matsumoku (probably) Rick copy:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120203908461"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120203908461[/url]


And a no-name neckthrough 4001-a-be with a tongue-swallower of a BIN:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170181713050"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=170181713050[/url]


The ever-popular & so far sensibly priced Ibby Blazer:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140194099066"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140194099066[/url]


Keepin' it Fujigen, an Antoria Jazz, high start but worth a sniff if it doesn't attract too many bids:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320201155257"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=320201155257[/url]


And keepin' it both Fujigen and Antoria, a nice old LP bass (shame about the cack bridge):

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260198569119"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260198569119[/url]


And maintaining the Gibson-esque theme, but this time hailing (possibly) from the JapCrap anorak's favourite sewing machine factory:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260197959651"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260197959651[/url]


And finally, for the lovers of the weird, esoteric, and exclusive to Woolies in the late 60s/early 70s, a Teisco EB(?) which was probably sold as a "Top Twenty":

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290194561326"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290194561326[/url]


Good to have 'em back, isn't it?

J.[/quote]

At least two of those are in my 'watch, and might actually bid' list

[tauzero]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='111367' date='Dec 31 2007, 11:05 AM']And finally, for the lovers of the weird, esoteric, and exclusive to Woolies in the late 60s/early 70s, a Teisco EB(?) which was probably sold as a "Top Twenty":[/quote]
I'd forgotten about the Woolies guitars. I bought one - the six-string semi-acoustic. I remember there being a solid-body electric and an acoustic. I'm sure my brother bought one of the range too but can't remember what. I actually have the neck and body of one of the six-string solids knocking around in my garage - maybe I should stick it up on ebay in case anyone should want to restore one of these fine examples of junk.

[Davetbass]

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='111406' date='Dec 31 2007, 11:47 AM']At least two of those are in my 'watch, and might actually bid' list [/quote]

Same here.... Quite interested in the arbiter if it doesn`t go for stupid cash!!

[nick]

[quote name='Davetbass' post='111573' date='Dec 31 2007, 05:40 PM']Same here.... Quite interested in the arbiter if it doesn`t go for stupid cash!! [/quote]

Me too!
There's a lot about at the moment

Just for info, in case anybody's interested; seller of thru-neck 4001 a-like,Item 170181713050
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170181713050&ssPageName=STRK:MEBOFF:IT&ih=007"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...F:IT&ih=007[/url]
did not accept my maximum offer of £200 - which is OK with me.

Edited January 1, 2008 by nick

[tauzero]

[quote name='nick' post='111803' date='Jan 1 2008, 02:44 PM']Just for info, in case anybody's interested; seller of thru-neck 4001 a-like,Item 170181713050
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170181713050&ssPageName=STRK:MEBOFF:IT&ih=007"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...F:IT&ih=007[/url]
did not accept my maximum offer of £200 - which is OK with me. [/quote]
Right, who's going to offer him £150?

[Bassassin]

[quote name='tauzero' post='111836' date='Jan 1 2008, 03:40 PM']Right, who's going to offer him £150?[/quote]

I'd maybe give him £150 - but it's in a bit of a state. Looks like lots of bits of binding have started splitting & peeling off and have been Evo-Sticked back, and the scratchplate & knobs are non-original.

Surprised it hasn't been pulled due to the title - are the Rick Police on Xmas holiday?

J.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='111367' date='Dec 31 2007, 11:05 AM']And finally, for the lovers of the weird, esoteric, and exclusive to Woolies in the late 60s/early 70s, a Teisco EB(?) which was probably sold as a "Top Twenty":

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290194561326"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290194561326[/url][/quote]

Looks as though the light's attracting them:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220187500085"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=220187500085[/url]

This one still has its Top Twenty sticker.

J.

[beerdragon]

A bit tatty kay. not a bad BIN. who knows what it plays like though.
[url="http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140194152185&indexURL=2#ebayphotohosting"]http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...bayphotohosting[/url]

Someone in South Yorkshire seems to be collecting this stuff. he says this is a Kay, but nowt on headstock.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.ie/Mystery-1960s-70s-Bass-Guitar-Project-Buy-It-Now-75_W0QQitemZ140194153323QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.ie/Mystery-1960s-70s-Bass-...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

[sgt-pluck]

[quote name='beerdragon' post='112310' date='Jan 2 2008, 02:29 PM']Someone in South Yorkshire seems to be collecting this stuff. he says this is a Kay, but nowt on headstock.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.ie/Mystery-1960s-70s-Bass-Guitar-Project-Buy-It-Now-75_W0QQitemZ140194153323QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.ie/Mystery-1960s-70s-Bass-...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url][/quote]

I quite like that one

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='beerdragon' post='112310' date='Jan 2 2008, 02:29 PM']A bit tatty kay. not a bad BIN. who knows what it plays like though.
[url="http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140194152185&indexURL=2#ebayphotohosting"]http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...bayphotohosting[/url][/quote]

Be very careful ... there's no full-length photo and that could easily be a short-scale or even a 3/4-size bass.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='112427' date='Jan 2 2008, 05:10 PM']Be very careful ... there's no full-length photo and that could easily be a short-scale or even a 3/4-size bass.[/quote]

That's full-scale, I had one for a while. These are not bad, but might take a bit of brutalising to set up right - the neck on mine was glued as well as bolted into the neck pocket, and I'm certain came from the factory like that. It took some persuading to remove - which was absolutely essential to shim it down to a playable string height. They also weigh an absolute ton - I don't know what the body's made of, but I'm sure a whole tree made of it would have its own gravity well.

The necks are weird - what in the early days of Jap/Oriental guitar manufacture was referred to as "strip mahogany" - plywood by any other name. This means the neck's very rigid - but also ridiculously heavy, too. Quite a bulky feel to the neck if I remember. Mine actually sounded great, very authentic, and played not bad too, would have benefited from a decent fret dress but was perfectly playable anyway.

TBH though, £49, plus £17 postage, plus necessary upgrades (bridge!) and replacement bits & bobs - you could pick up a better/proper JapCrap P copy for about the same if you're patient.

J.

[beerdragon]

That Kay looks a lot like the dog bass i posted.
[url="http://www.dogswebspace.com/bass1.htm"]http://www.dogswebspace.com/bass1.htm[/url]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='beerdragon' post='112615' date='Jan 2 2008, 10:26 PM']That Kay looks a lot like the dog bass i posted.
[url="http://www.dogswebspace.com/bass1.htm"]http://www.dogswebspace.com/bass1.htm[/url][/quote]

It does, doesn't it?

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=10320&view=findpost&p=109528"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=109528[/url]




J.

[aj5string]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='111367' date='Dec 31 2007, 11:05 AM']And keepin' it both Fujigen and Antoria, a nice old LP bass (shame about the cack bridge):

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260198569119"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260198569119[/url]J.[/quote]

What scale length will this be? And what type of price would you aficionado's think is acceptable for it?

Alex.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='aj5string' post='113055' date='Jan 3 2008, 05:17 PM']What scale length will this be? And what type of price would you aficionado's think is acceptable for it?

Alex.[/quote]
It looks medium-scale to me, but if I were you I'd message the seller & get them to measure nut to bridge.

Pricewise it's hard to say - the Antoria brand attracts a premium because they're from the same factory as Ibanez & are often identical. There's no good reason for the premium, other than Ebay Madness. If I really wanted one of these, I'd probably be prepared to go to £150 or so, which bears in mind I'd get my money back reselling if I didn't get on with it.

If you're prepared to go a bit higher, you could probably snag the very similar Shaftesbury:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260197959651"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260197959651[/url]

- Because I'll be very surprised if people will actually bid competitively on it, at that start price. This bass appears to be very similar to early Aria versions, and was possibly built by Matsumoku.

J.