Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[Annoying Twit]

Westone Thunder II at a very reasonable starting price. This should show us the current market value for these. I like the dark wood/finish on it.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-II-BASS-GUITAR-JAPAN-MATSUMOKU_W0QQitemZ190389422547QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2c541809d3"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-II-B...=item2c541809d3[/url]

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-Thunder-1a-Vintage-Bass-Guitar-1984-Matsumoku_W0QQitemZ230463945706QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item35a8b8bbea"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-Thunder-1a-V...=item35a8b8bbea[/url]

Nice, but I think that a £180 starting bid is too high.

Edit: Is this yet another Korean Satellite neck through precision being sold as an MIJ?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70S-VINTAGE-PRECISION-TYPE-BASS-GUITAR-JAPAN-MIJ_W0QQitemZ250617779931QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a59fbd6db"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70S-VINTAGE-PRECISIO...=item3a59fbd6db[/url]

Edit: Or not? What's up with the HB looking extra pickup hole?

Edited April 18, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[Annoying Twit]

I was outbid by a tenner on this one! Maybe I should have gone higher, but my guitar budget is still zero at this point. I'd like one of these eventually, so it's interesting to note that it went for less than I expected.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230462883292&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEDWX:IT[/url]

Thanks to Jon for pointing this out.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='810888' date='Apr 18 2010, 11:03 PM']Edit: Is this yet another Korean Satellite neck through precision being sold as an MIJ?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70S-VINTAGE-PRECISION-TYPE-BASS-GUITAR-JAPAN-MIJ_W0QQitemZ250617779931QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a59fbd6db"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70S-VINTAGE-PRECISIO...=item3a59fbd6db[/url]

Edit: Or not? What's up with the HB looking extra pickup hole?[/quote]
That's exactly what it is!

Silly really - but if any of these guys knew their JapCrap they could try & punt them as [url="http://www.fernandes.co.jp/others/catalog/1980/20.html"]these[/url]. Not that I'd sink that low. Oh no.

Bloody shame about the Artist - but I had an idea it wouldn't go stratospheric. There's no way of knowing how high the other guy's top bid was, though.

J.

[FlatEric]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='811120' date='Apr 19 2010, 10:33 AM']Bloody shame about the Artist - but I had an idea it wouldn't go stratospheric. There's no way of knowing how high the other guy's top bid was, though.

J.[/quote]

For what it's worth and to make you feel a little better, Mr Twit - I was looking at this one but didn't got for it.
I have got one of these - same finish, in MINT condition - great bass, so I was looking for another.
[attachment=47705:ibartbass1.jpg] This is mine at a gig, earlier this year - bit of a naff pic, brightened it up
as best I can.

I asked about the marks on the neck but didn't get any further images, so I brightened up the pic of the neck
and it looked quite bad, looked like it had been dragged over a sharp edge, although had been varnished over.
So I think whoever has got it, paid a fair ish price - they are as rare as hens teeth.
If you are looking for one. . . . . race yer!

[Annoying Twit]

I had one of the Artist basses when I was a teenager. For sentimental reasons, it would be nice to have one again. However, if it were really important to me, then I'd put my money on the line and simply pay the going rate for one. If it were a really major life aim, then I could go onto the collector sites, and offer £1500 for one, and I'm sure I'd get one fairly quick

But, it makes a nice fantasy to think that one day I'll run across one in a pawn shop or at a car boot or where-ever. Also, I must admit I've had daydreams where I win the lottery and I get a known luthier to make me a replica.

One think I would like though. Could I have some more detailed photos of yours?

Edited April 19, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[FlatEric]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='811559' date='Apr 19 2010, 05:03 PM']I had one of the Artist basses when I was a teenager. For sentimental reasons, it would be nice to have one again. However, if it were really important to me, then I'd put my money on the line and simply pay the going rate for one. If it were a really major life aim, then I could go onto the collector sites, and offer £1500 for one, and I'm sure I'd get one fairly quick

But, it makes a nice fantasy to think that one day I'll run across one in a pawn shop or at a car boot or where-ever. Also, I must admit I've had daydreams where I win the lottery and I get a known luthier to make me a replica.

One think I would like though. Could I have some more detailed photos of yours?[/quote]

Mr Twit, good day to you.

This one?



I have posted a couple of others on Gear Porn - Classic Ibanez.

Edited April 21, 2010 by FlatEric

[Annoying Twit]

Thanks FlatEric.

Here's a Shiro bass: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shiro-Aria-Pro-quality-classic-vintage-70s-80s-Japan_W0QQitemZ160425790404QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item255a1f4bc4"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shiro-Aria-Pro-quali...=item255a1f4bc4[/url]

[Annoying Twit]

CSL Les Paul bass.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CSL-LES-PAUL-STYLE-BASS-MADE-IN-JAPAN-1970s_W0QQitemZ370368532338QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item563baf4f72"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CSL-LES-PAUL-STYLE-B...=item563baf4f72[/url]

Westone Thunder III

Edited April 21, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[LukeFRC]

CSL Les Paul bass is pretty

[Happy Jack]

Nice Maya P-bass, maple board, 2-saddle bridge.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-Maya-precision-vintage-bass-guitar-made-in-Japan_W0QQitemZ180495810501QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2a06637fc5"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-Maya-precision-v...=item2a06637fc5[/url]

[Mr. Foxen]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Satellite-Bass-guitar-Great-Bass_W0QQitemZ160427653390QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item255a3bb90e"]Cheap BIN satellite.[/url]

[Happy Jack]

Subtle, under-stated re-fin on a 70's EB0 copy.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Colourful-old-EB0-style-shortscale-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ140402490644QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item20b0a3fd14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Colourful-old-EB0-st...=item20b0a3fd14[/url]

You'd hardly notice the re-fin really.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='819660' date='Apr 26 2010, 05:08 PM']You'd hardly notice the re-fin really. [/quote]
As it happens I didn't - I was too busy choking at the £200 starting price!

I'd give him a tenner for the J-pup, though, looks like an old DiMarzio Model J - I'm after one of these for my CSL Jazz.

J.

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-1A-LEFT-HANDED-BASS-L-K-/120562128042?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c121014aa"]Left handed Westone Thunder 1A[/url]

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOX-White-Shadow-Fretless-Bass-1985-NO-RESERVE-/160428421400?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item255a477118"]Vox White Shadow Fretless[/url]

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stunning-Vintage-Aria-Pro-II-SB-1000-Bass-Early-80s-/260593778979?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cac998123"]1980s AP2 SB 1000 for £950 starting bid[/url]

Anything special about this one I'm not familiar with, or is this a very, very, high price?

[deaver]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='822275' date='Apr 28 2010, 06:18 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stunning-Vintage-Aria-Pro-II-SB-1000-Bass-Early-80s-/260593778979?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cac998123"]1980s AP2 SB 1000 for £950 starting bid[/url]

Anything special about this one...[/quote]


Yes, it's just round the corner from me mam's

[Bloodaxe]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='822275' date='Apr 28 2010, 06:18 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stunning-Vintage-Aria-Pro-II-SB-1000-Bass-Early-80s-/260593778979?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cac998123"]1980s AP2 SB 1000 for £950 starting bid[/url]

Anything special about this one I'm not familiar with, or is this a very, very, high price?[/quote]

Doubt it, it's a very pretty series-2 in Padauk Red.

If it sells at that price you can call me Susan for a whole month.

[Annoying Twit]

Is this likely to be MIJ?

[url="http://leicester.gumtree.com/leicester/21/57814821.html"]http://leicester.gumtree.com/leicester/21/57814821.html[/url]

Not that I really want it, but I'm curious. I suppose when the value of the SD pickup is factored in (a quarter pounder?), it's a good deal.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='822392' date='Apr 28 2010, 08:07 PM']Is this likely to be MIJ?

[url="http://leicester.gumtree.com/leicester/21/57814821.html"]http://leicester.gumtree.com/leicester/21/57814821.html[/url]

Not that I really want it, but I'm curious. I suppose when the value of the SD pickup is factored in (a quarter pounder?), it's a good deal.[/quote]
Don't think that'll be MIJ - the old "Hondo II" logo & Fender-shaped headstock is 70s, and I think pretty much all the 70s Hondo copies were Korean.

It's a bitsa & not a very good one - look at the scratchplate fit around the heel, and I'd be surprised if it wasn't a Halfords refin.

I suppose Glumtree sellers are always open to haggling, though.

J.

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140403325388"]70s Ibanez Artist Bass[/url]

Yeah, I'd like this, and have bid £305 on it. But, fundamentally even though I'd like to have this, not quite enough (not yet anyhow) to pay the £500 or so it may well go for. Over to you Flat Eric?

PS: If anyone's wondering why I'm being open about my bid amount in front of potential competitors, just say that I wouldn't be if I thought I had a realistic chance of winning

Edit: These had an ebony neck? Edit2: by "neck" I mean "fretboard" of course

Edited April 29, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='822711' date='Apr 29 2010, 09:21 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140403325388"]70s Ibanez Artist Bass[/url]

Yeah, I'd like this, and have bid £305 on it. But, fundamentally even though I'd like to have this, not quite enough (not yet anyhow) to pay the £500 or so it may well go for. Over to you Flat Eric?

PS: If anyone's wondering why I'm being open about my bid amount in front of potential competitors, just say that I wouldn't be if I thought I had a realistic chance of winning

Edit: These had an ebony neck?[/quote]

Loads of these turning up at the moment - fingers crossed for you Ross.

And speaking of Ibanez - well, sort of - I got a PM question & heads-up about this:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ibanez-bass-guitar-/310216051066"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ibanez-bass-guitar-/310216051066[/url]

Which is a very, very fake fake.

J.

[Dave Vader]

Comes to something when you have to rebadge Korean crap as japcrap...
I know these are great guitars (the old Jap ones) but why did they have to start getting expensive and collectable? So many I turned down for £25 back in the day.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Dave Vader' post='822903' date='Apr 29 2010, 12:01 PM']Comes to something when you have to rebadge Korean crap as japcrap...
I know these are great guitars (the old Jap ones) but why did they have to start getting expensive and collectable? So many I turned down for £25 back in the day.[/quote]

A while back there were a glut of Westone Thunder basses, quite a few selling for less than £100. If we take inflation into account, that's probably comparable to much less than £100 "back in the day".

Oh, and If I can go all six string non-bass on everyone, the Westone forum's collective jaw dropped when someone sold a Westone Spectrum 6 string on ebay for a BIN of £15! Cheap postage too!

Edited April 29, 2010 by Annoying Twit