Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[paul, the]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='114517' date='Jan 6 2008, 02:18 AM']Yep - Ibanez 2354LB - the "L" is the long scale version. These were an early Fujigen factory design, so will be out under different brands too, likely Greco & Antoria. I think these had a slotted headstock.

1972 catalogue:
[url="http://www.ibanez.ru/info/catalog/1972/09.jpg"]http://www.ibanez.ru/info/catalog/1972/09.jpg[/url]

There will be others from other factories too - they were copies, after all.

J.[/quote]

Cheers Jon! Although the ad suggests they're not Mahogany. And 11" deep would be quite a challenge

[quote name='spinynorman' post='118277' date='Jan 11 2008, 12:16 AM']And wasn't someone looking for a [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SG-EB3-Japanese-Vintage-Copy-Bass-with-Slotted-Peghead_W0QQitemZ250203577391QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]long-scale EB3[/url]?[/quote]

Aye, that's the one. I suspect I stopped looking because I couldn't afford one. I still can't but it's good to know they exist.
That bass is lovely.

[WishICouldWalk]

Is it me or should the person who decided to put those truss rod covers on the headstock be turned into sushi?

[Bassassin]

[quote name='paul, the' post='123242' date='Jan 19 2008, 02:48 AM']Cheers Jon! Although the ad suggests they're not Mahogany.[/quote]
I'd think they probably are - having seen a lot of basses & guitars from Fujigen, they don't tend to use ply too often. The "finished in mahogany" is probably just a peculiarity of the Japlish translation!

[quote name='WishICouldWalk' post='123256' date='Jan 19 2008, 09:01 AM']Is it me or should the person who decided to put those truss rod covers on the headstock be turned into sushi?[/quote]Are we talking about the Fender copies here? Another peculiarity of the Jap factories' construction methods, most of the Fujigen/Matsumoku/Rokkoman Fender clones had this until quite late in the 70s. Tends to go hand-in-hand with 3-piece quarter-sawn maple necks on many of them. Personally I quite like them, one of the inexplicable little quirks that makes these instruments a bit more individual, like the round-end Jazz pups that turn up on a lot of them.

J.

[nick]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='123235' date='Jan 19 2008, 01:33 AM']A very strange & interesting semi-acoustic:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290199537819"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290199537819[/url][/quote]

Anyone interested in this semi?
I quite like it myself.....

[sgt-pluck]

There's also this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140199305553&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004"]Tokai Jazz Sound[/url]. Looks right to me, same as mine only a bit earlier. It's a lot of money.

Pluck

[WishICouldWalk]

Yeah, sorry the Fender copies. I guess it's just an aesthetic - but if you're gonna copy something.... Another gripe is those nuts - like a white piece of lego at the top of the fretboard.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='123310' date='Jan 19 2008, 11:40 AM']I'd think they probably are - having seen a lot of basses & guitars from Fujigen, they don't tend to use ply too often. The "finished in mahogany" is probably just a peculiarity of the Japlish translation!

Are we talking about the Fender copies here? Another peculiarity of the Jap factories' construction methods, most of the Fujigen/Matsumoku/Rokkoman Fender clones had this until quite late in the 70s. Tends to go hand-in-hand with 3-piece quarter-sawn maple necks on many of them. Personally I quite like them, one of the inexplicable little quirks that makes these instruments a bit more individual, like the round-end Jazz pups that turn up on a lot of them.

J.[/quote]

Edited January 19, 2008 by WishICouldWalk

[barneythedog]

beautiful tokai. Couldn't live without mine.

[Bassassin]

Sunday night roundup - not much to report:

Serious bargain-basement 80s kitsch - a Marlin, in white with black/red binding. Party like it's 1983!
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140199304544"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140199304544[/url]

Avon EB-0 copy. Words fail me:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180208354444"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=180208354444[/url]

Southpaw Aria Pro Laser Heritage:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180208670765"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=180208670765[/url]

Nice looking Aria Pro SB-R60 fretless, buy this & find out what £18.79 worth of bubble wrap & cardboard looks like:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250208006836"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250208006836[/url]

Odd little P copy with mini-Humbucker, I'd say Korean, He says Teisco. Which makes a change from Ibanez - but it's neither:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190192338829"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190192338829[/url]

J.

[Jono Bolton]

[quote name='nick' post='123365' date='Jan 19 2008, 01:38 PM']Anyone interested in this semi?
I quite like it myself.....[/quote]

I like it too. Might take a punt if it doesn't go too high

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='123387' date='Jan 19 2008, 02:13 PM']There's also this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140199305553&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004"]Tokai Jazz Sound[/url]. Looks right to me, same as mine only a bit earlier. It's a lot of money.

Pluck[/quote]

Gotta love that headstock logo! Lovely bass!

[setekh]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='124300' date='Jan 21 2008, 12:57 AM'](...)

Odd little P copy with mini-Humbucker, I'd say Korean, He says Teisco. Which makes a change from Ibanez - but it's neither:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190192338829"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190192338829[/url]

J.[/quote]
man...this poor thing has been around!

[setekh]

take this with a grain of salt (not that keen on checking authenticity)

[url="http://cgi.ebay.de/ARIA-original-Japan-Vintage-Precision-Bass-70er_W0QQitemZ160200913853QQihZ006QQcategoryZ87487QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]70's Aria Jazz[/url]

[Jono Bolton]

Hondo explorer bass: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hondo-Deluxe-880-Bass-Guitar-Heavy-Metal-4-String-Wood_W0QQitemZ120211600772QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122"]Click[/url]

EDIT: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1980s-Vox-Standard-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Fretless-Japan_W0QQitemZ260205555207QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Vox curiosity[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Charvel-Jackson-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-Japan-Rare_W0QQitemZ260205622293QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Charvel P-bass[/url]

EDIT AGAIN:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARIA-DIAMOND-VINTAGE-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-MADE-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ220192783105QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Aria Diamond[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-70ger-LAWSUIT-JAPAN-MAYA-51-teIecaster-E-BASS_W0QQitemZ230213048904QQihZ013QQcategoryZ23300QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Maya T-bass[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRECO-86-THUNDERBIRD-BLACK-Japan-Made-Bass_W0QQitemZ350015114592QQihZ022QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Scruffy Greco T-Bird[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TEISCO-Japan-Bass-Guitar-OLD_W0QQitemZ110217512224QQihZ001QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Teisco (?) Jazz[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-VI-Bass-NOS-1-Japan-Serie-The-Cure-Beatles_W0QQitemZ110216705981QQihZ001QQcategoryZ87487QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Not Jap Crap - Fender Bass VI Re-issue[/url]

Edited January 23, 2008 by jono b

[stewblack]

Thunder 1A
We had [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUALITY-WESTONE-THUNDER-1A-ACTIVE-BASS-GUITAR-N-R_W0QQitemZ220194738907QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]this yet?[/url] What is the matter with me?? Just bought one of these and now I want this one too. The knobs are different mine had two swiches but that simply won't wash. Not the thing at all. Aaargh.

[Happy Jack]

A very unusual take on the Les Paul:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fujigen-Greco-Lespaul-custom-Bass-LGP-90_W0QQitemZ300193411129QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fujigen-Greco-Lespau...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

I rather like it ... but not at that price!

[tauzero]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='128072' date='Jan 25 2008, 10:28 PM']A very unusual take on the Les Paul:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fujigen-Greco-Lespaul-custom-Bass-LGP-90_W0QQitemZ300193411129QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fujigen-Greco-Lespau...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

I rather like it ... but not at that price![/quote]
Isn't a FNGERBORAD some sort of Scandinavian way of serving food? Anyway, that bass doesn't give me Norwegian wood.

[Bassassin]

Sunday night roundup - quite a few, some of them are even interesting!

Let's do the Kay P bass copies first, shall we?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110217245951"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110217245951[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330207692836"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330207692836[/url]

Westy Thundahs:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160202289401"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=160202289401[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150210586005"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150210586005[/url]

Hofner copies:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300194265956"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=300194265956[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290201996904"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290201996904[/url]

A couple of Matsumokus, an Aria Cardinal:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230216767652"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230216767652[/url]

And a Westone Concord:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310017653447"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=310017653447[/url]

A very white Washboard B20 with a Kahler w@nk bar:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140202439812"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140202439812[/url]

Ibanez Musician MC924 - no reserve & nondescript listing, bargain?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200195440343"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200195440343[/url]

Ibanez Axstar headless weirdo:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200193352709"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200193352709[/url]

Antoria P bass hybrid - looks like an old (small tuners, r/wood board) Antoria/Fujigen neck on a Hammerited P body - the 6-bolt neck plate leads me to suspect it's another Kay under the paint:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230216442400"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230216442400[/url]

Nice looking through-neck/brass hardware Cort, Korean, probably branded Kay, no postage:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120216053300"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120216053300[/url]

And not at all Oriental, but a curiosity all the same, a Jolana Diamant LP bass, from Czechoslovakia:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330207675934"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330207675934[/url]


Happy JapCrapping

J.

[Jono Bolton]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60s-Japanese-Apollo-Hollow-Body-Bass-NICE_W0QQitemZ280196618990QQihZ018QQcategoryZ118984QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Apollo Semi[/url]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='jono b' post='130308' date='Jan 29 2008, 09:44 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60s-Japanese-Apollo-Hollow-Body-Bass-NICE_W0QQitemZ280196618990QQihZ018QQcategoryZ118984QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Apollo Semi[/url][/quote]
I'd [i]love[/i] to know who made these. One of my first basses was a LP shaped thing from the same place as this - it had the same wooden bridge, tailpiece, big split-diamond inlay, shield-shape neckplate. The pups on this will be really beefy humbuckers, in pressed metal surrounds. My bass had no identifying marks or brand - just "Made In Japan" on the neckplate. No idea who made it.

J.

[Sean]

Nice Thunder III

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-Thunder-3-bass-Old-classic_W0QQitemZ220197533245QQihZ012QQcategoryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-Thunder-3-ba...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

Interesting Aria P with a link to a nice set of photos

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-Precise-Bass-Natural-P-Bass-Guitar-MIJ_W0QQitemZ220197659878QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-Precise-...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

[Happy Jack]

In all fairness I'm not sure that this is actually JapCrap:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Franconia-Short-Scale-Bass-Guitar-Old_W0QQitemZ320214732819QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Franconia-Short-Scal...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

Potentially KrautCrap or a copy thereof, I suppose. Any idea what it is?

[spinynorman]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='129004' date='Jan 27 2008, 11:38 PM']Nice looking through-neck/brass hardware Cort, Korean, probably branded Kay, no postage:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120216053300"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120216053300[/url][/quote]

I had one of those when I first switched to bass. With a new bridge and DiMarzios it played pretty well.

[spinynorman]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='133930' date='Feb 4 2008, 10:03 PM']In all fairness I'm not sure that this is actually JapCrap:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Franconia-Short-Scale-Bass-Guitar-Old_W0QQitemZ320214732819QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Franconia-Short-Scal...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

Potentially KrautCrap or a copy thereof, I suppose. Any idea what it is?[/quote]

"Instruments previously built in Japan between 1980 and 1985.
The Franconina trademark was a brand name used by a UK importer. The guitars were generally entry level to mid quality copies of American designs. Source: Tony Bacon and Paul Day, The Guru's Guitar Guide."

Just seen someone's supplied the same information on the auction.

Edited February 4, 2008 by spinynorman

[Happy Jack]

Thanks Dinsdale.

[Bassassin]

I had a Franconia Jazz a few months back - I have to say I was by no means convinced it was Japanese - or 1980s. That little bass looks early/mid 70s to me, Woolworths or Marshall-Ward catalogue kind of thing.

Spiny - did you have to change the bridge on your neck-through Cort thingy to get the action low enough to be properly playable?

J.

[Bassassin]

The last few days' worth of JapCraps:

Curious little violin bass, branded Zenta:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170190407665"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=170190407665[/url]

Solid-looking no-brand P copy, needs a wash:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250212638816"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=250212638816[/url]

Pretty Ibanez RS800 Roadster, not worth the £200 reserve:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290203331882"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290203331882[/url]

Returning Ibby Slack Beagle - will it ever sell? Not with that reserve it won't:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230219067808"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230219067808[/url]

Medium-scale Shaftesbury Tele bass, from Italy. TallyCrap?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110220921015"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110220921015[/url]

Absurdly overpriced Columbus P copy:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330209361992"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330209361992[/url]

Aria Pro II Laser Classic, with hard case:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260209543285"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260209543285[/url]

A Westy Thunder 1 "base":
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150212671996"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150212671996[/url]

A trashy plywood EB-0. Why are people bidding on this? 'Cos it's a Kerr-LUMBARSE!
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190196088766"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190196088766[/url]

Another P copy, he's convinced himself it's a "Ventura, from the 60s" but we know it's probably an Avon, from the 70s, and someone slapped a sticker over the badge. Upside-down:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120217657652"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120217657652[/url]

A Cimar P copy, the seller proving conclusively that if you know sod-all about what you're selling, just make stuff up and all the collectors will believe it. Won't they?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200197931038"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200197931038[/url]

J.