Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1039058' date='Nov 27 2010, 05:56 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Iwama-bass-guitar-/170571979053?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27b6e1d92d"]Iwama[/url] Just not a name I've seen often, doesn't look great.[/quote]

I don't like the look of that either. The bridge cover is too big, the body just looks misshapen to me. It's almost as if they had a pile of excess bits around, and they designed a bass that could use all their excess parts.

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1039058' date='Nov 27 2010, 05:56 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Iwama-bass-guitar-/170571979053?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27b6e1d92d"]Iwama[/url] Just not a name I've seen often, doesn't look great.[/quote]
It looks really titchy... even for a ss.

[Bassassin]

The bridge cover's just a Jazz one somebody's stuck on it - probably wouldn't look quite so misproportioned without it.

I'd buy the neck for a s/s project, if I could have if for a tenner.The rest's pretty shonky looking.

J.

[Bloc Riff Nut]

Here's my JapCrap 75 reissue.
[attachment=65155:avanti.jpg]
I love it.

Long live the crap!

[Annoying Twit]

Westone Concord, pickup only in Matlock. Good to see something listed at 99p start, no reserve. Being pickup only it might turn out to be a bargain for a Peak district person.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-concorde-bass-guitar-/140483529562?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b5788b5a"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-concorde-bas...=item20b5788b5a[/url]

Cardinal series, reasonable start, reasonable postage [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aria-pro-II-csb-380-bass-guitar-/270670633141?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f053a18b5"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aria-pro-II-csb-380-...=item3f053a18b5[/url]

Washburn force 40 bass. Low start, no reserve. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-40-Japan-1983-/110617274059?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19c14da6cb"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-40-Ja...=item19c14da6cb[/url]

Good to see stuff that will actually sell.

Edited November 28, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[Bassassin]

Does that Washburn look [i]familiar[/i] to anyone?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220702696780"]Kasuga Scorpion, badged as Pro Martin[/url], £50 start, secret reserve.

J.

[Happy Jack]

Italian rather than Jap, another Gherson with a VERY short time left, but it looks very nice indeed.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unusual-rare-vintage-GHERSON-JAZZ-BASS-guitar-c-1970s-/390263758204?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5add885d7c"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unusual-rare-vintage...=item5add885d7c[/url]

The description is ludicrously flowery and seems to have been written by an estate agent.

[Happy Jack]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-concord-II-bass-guitar-loyal-blue-/250734317434?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a60ee0f7a"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-concord-II-b...=item3a60ee0f7a[/url]

I know that the Westone Concord was made in Japan, but I struggle to believe that there really is a colour called Loyal Blue.

Except in a Benny Hill sketch.

[i]Why you no [u][b]rissen[/b][/u]?[/i]

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1040404' date='Nov 28 2010, 08:35 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-concord-II-bass-guitar-loyal-blue-/250734317434?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a60ee0f7a"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-concord-II-b...=item3a60ee0f7a[/url]

I know that the Westone Concord was made in Japan, but I struggle to believe that there really is a colour called Loyal Blue.

Except in a Benny Hill sketch.

[i]Why you no [u][b]rissen[/b][/u]?[/i][/quote]
Looks more like gleen to me.

[chaypup]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1040404' date='Nov 28 2010, 08:35 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-concord-II-bass-guitar-loyal-blue-/250734317434?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a60ee0f7a"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-concord-II-b...=item3a60ee0f7a[/url]

I know that the Westone Concord was made in Japan, but I struggle to believe that there really is a colour called Loyal Blue.

Except in a Benny Hill sketch.

[i]Why you no [u][b]rissen[/b][/u]?[/i][/quote]

This was my first ever bass! Hated the colour and promptly did a respray job on it.
Doesn't look too bad in retrospect.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='chaypup' post='1040539' date='Nov 28 2010, 10:17 PM']This was my first ever bass! Hated the colour and promptly did a respray job on it.
Doesn't look too bad in retrospect.[/quote]

That colour seems quite common for Concords.

Loads of Westones going up today. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-Thunder-1A-Active-Bass-Westone-Case-99-Mint-/180593755078?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a0c3a03c6"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westone-Thunder-1A-A...=item2a0c3a03c6[/url] 99p start, no reserve. Case too. High postage though.

[chaypup]

SEXY [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Westone-Thunder-III-Bass-/140484052530?pt=Guitar&hash=item20b5808632#ht_686wt_936"]Thunder III[/url]

I want I want I want!

[LawrenceH]

Sumbro jazz bass:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-Jazz-bass-Sumbro-Fender-copy-collectable-/220703657796?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3362f68f44"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-Jazz-bass-Sumbro...=item3362f68f44[/url]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='1041890' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:52 AM']Sumbro jazz bass:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-Jazz-bass-Sumbro-Fender-copy-collectable-/220703657796?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3362f68f44"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-Jazz-bass-Sumbro...=item3362f68f44[/url][/quote]
That looks quite tidy, definitely needs a bit of a setup, though! Shame the pics are a bit arse, would like a better look.

J.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='chaypup' post='1040588' date='Nov 28 2010, 11:19 PM']SEXY [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Westone-Thunder-III-Bass-/140484052530?pt=Guitar&hash=item20b5808632#ht_686wt_936"]Thunder III[/url]

I want I want I want![/quote]

In the UK, but fretted. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-3-BASS-1984-ACTIVE-WALNUT-/230557530716?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item35ae4cba5c"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-3-BA...=item35ae4cba5c[/url]

[chaypup]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1042848' date='Nov 30 2010, 08:04 PM']In the UK, but fretted. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-3-BASS-1984-ACTIVE-WALNUT-/230557530716?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item35ae4cba5c"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-3-BA...=item35ae4cba5c[/url][/quote]


Nice!
I never understand though why basses are "becoming rare and collectable"?
Is someone burning a load of them?

[Bassassin]

[quote name='chaypup' post='1042903' date='Nov 30 2010, 08:37 PM']Nice!
I never understand though why basses are "becoming rare and collectable"?
Is someone burning a load of them?
[/quote]
A lot of 70s & early 80s JapCrap is pretty hard to come by these days - back then these instruments were seen by a lot of people as cheap, disposable rubbish, and it's fair to assume a lot of them were abused, trashed & just chucked away.

Still millions of Thunder 1s around though!

J.

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-PRO-II-TSB-350-THOR-SOUND-Bass-MIJ-JAPAN-MATSUMOKU-/120656752428?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c17b3ef2c"]Aria Pro II TSB-350 Thor Sound[/url]

Edited December 6, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[Annoying Twit]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-2A-BASS-1983-ACTIVE-BLACK-/230561133012?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item35ae83b1d4"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-2A-B...=item35ae83b1d4[/url]

Thunder 2A. Not cheap.


I'm not sure how much this should be: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-Aria-Pro-II-SB-Elite-Matsumoku-bass-rare-/320627927558?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4aa6e9ea06"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-Aria-Pro-II-SB-...=item4aa6e9ea06[/url]

Edited December 8, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[zbigniew]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1049904' date='Dec 6 2010, 07:36 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-PRO-II-TSB-350-THOR-SOUND-Bass-MIJ-JAPAN-MATSUMOKU-/120656752428?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c17b3ef2c"]Aria Pro II TSB-350 Thor Sound[/url][/quote]

I really like the look of this one

z

[Happy Jack]

Watch the weight on those Thor basses ...

[tauzero]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1052522' date='Dec 9 2010, 10:39 AM']Watch the weight on those Thor basses ...[/quote]
At least they should take a bit of hammering...

[Bloodaxe]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1049904' date='Dec 6 2010, 09:36 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-PRO-II-TSB-350-THOR-SOUND-Bass-MIJ-JAPAN-MATSUMOKU-/120656752428?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c17b3ef2c"]Aria Pro II TSB-350 Thor Sound[/url][/quote]
This one has been loafing around on London Gumtree for a yonk & a half, still overpriced IMO, but edging down. Seller doesn't state if the case is branded which would help the value a bit.

[quote name='zbigniew' post='1052507' date='Dec 9 2010, 10:25 AM']I really like the look of this one [/quote]
[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1052522' date='Dec 9 2010, 10:39 AM']Watch the weight on those Thor basses ...[/quote]
Approx 3.5 Tons. The catalogue claims they have "Nato" bodies. It's debatable whether that's some kind of Indonesian Mahogany or a fully-loaded Cold-War cruiser.

[quote name='tauzero' post='1052735' date='Dec 9 2010, 01:45 PM']At least they should take a bit of hammering...[/quote]
I know your game, Zero. Comin' in 'ere wiv yer punnage, tryin' t'drive the good ship Japcrap onter Knobgag Reef to be at the mercy of the Murd'rous Finns wiv their Rubber Dresses & fibreglass & that

Actually a TSB can take a good battering. Mine has, & continues to do so. If you drop them, they tend to go out of tune a bit, but that's about all - you might have to duck to avoid the shrapnel if the paint gets chipped though. Mats from this era are unbelievably robust, not so sure about the later models from 1983 onwards when specs were dumbed down a lot to be more like a certain Californian manufacturer.

Edited December 9, 2010 by Bloodaxe

[noelk27]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1049904' date='Dec 6 2010, 09:36 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-PRO-II-TSB-350-THOR-SOUND-Bass-MIJ-JAPAN-MATSUMOKU-/120656752428?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c17b3ef2c"]Aria Pro II TSB-350 Thor Sound[/url][/quote]
Seller states short scale, which I always take to mean 30". Worth noting that these are, in fact, 32" scale length.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='1052844' date='Dec 9 2010, 03:01 PM']Seller doesn't state if the case is branded ...[/quote]
Seller says that it's the original factory case, and Aria cases from that time would have a green fur interior, like the one pictured.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='1052844' date='Dec 9 2010, 03:01 PM']Mats from this era are unbelievably robust, not so sure about the later models from 1983 onwards ...[/quote]
The reason might very well be that post '83 not all Aria production came out of Matsumoku, so differences in quality and construction can often be encountered.

Edited December 9, 2010 by noelk27

[noelk27]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1052072' date='Dec 8 2010, 08:22 PM']I'm not sure how much this should be: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-Aria-Pro-II-SB-Elite-Matsumoku-bass-rare-/320627927558?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4aa6e9ea06"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-Aria-Pro-II-SB-...=item4aa6e9ea06[/url][/quote]
A few potential pitfalls with this particular SB. The first, being post '83, is that this may not have been made by Matsumoku, as claimed. With the introduction of new lines, and parallel models, Aria located manufacture of various SB and RSB lines with other factories - so, unless it says Matsumoku the assumption should always be that it's not Matsumoku, unless the seller can prove otherwise. Another issue, particularly with Elite models, is that this may not feature a five-piece thru-neck, instead having a three-piece thru-neck. The premium models, with clear finishes, certainly do feature five piece thru-necks, but Aria were cost cutting as well as increasing production. The final point is rarity - not something you can really claim with Elite models. Aria had significantly increased production, and was making large quantities of this model, and the contemporary Elite II model. The Elite I was in production for circa five years, as opposed to the SB-R60 which was in production for circa three years. If the description rare is to be applied to any of the SB700 alternatives it should be the R60 and not the Elite I.