Bassassin

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1433028894' post='2787268'] Definitely seen one. (Wooden body, not perspex.) Link: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Guitar-DIY-Kit-Project-Headless-4-String-GK-SHB-20-Build-Make-Luthier-New-/390967297683?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_205&hash=item5b07778693"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5b07778693[/url] [/quote] That's really interesting - I've fancied building a custom headless for ages & that would potentially provide a lot of the components at a good price, presuming they're not total junk. However there's something fairly important that seems to be missing in the pics of this kit, if I'm right. Clue - it's not the headstock... J.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1433020026' post='2787198'] The Japanese Fenders are similarly described and there seems no difference, they just used different phrases at different times. [/quote] It's to do with the factory making the instruments. "Made In Japan" is exclusively used by Fujigen Gakki, who manufactured Japanese Fenders & Squiers from 1982 until the late 90s. Subsequently most production moved to Dyna Gakki & Tokai, who used "Crafted in Japan". These are all long-established & highly reputable factories, so build quality has remained consistent. I would expect the MIK/CIK situation is the same as in Japan, however I don't know which factories are involved. Jon.

[quote name='MutatisMutandis' timestamp='1432947960' post='2786574'] I got another one... A thru neck... but I don't know what i is..... [/quote] Show us a pic then. Might well be able to ID it. [quote name='MutatisMutandis' timestamp='1432948221' post='2786576'] Did Shergold make copies of Rickenbackers? Anybody? [/quote] No. But John Birch did. J.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1432931868' post='2786438'] This page shows a Korean bolt-neck Thunder II guitar, with three pickups! It's black and bolt-on like the bass in the ebay advertisement. Looks like your "Made in Korea" conclusion is bang on. [url="http://www.westone.info/thunder2.html"]http://www.westone.info/thunder2.html[/url] [/quote] Good work! That's it, same neck with dark stringers too, don't think any Mat bolt-ons had these. I've seen a few MIM Westone acoustics before but don't remember seeing electrics. What's interesting is that as far as I know, Westone was (initially at least) Matsumoku's own factory brand, so I wonder how come production continued at all after Mat closed. J.

That's really odd - never seen one like this before. Shame the pics show so little detail, but there apears to be no serial number & the headstock sticker looks suspiciously like it says "Made In Korea". Post-Matsumoku? J.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1432754555' post='2784702'] wjs guitars up here in Scotland have this prototype for sale just now. [attachment=192960:Layer Bass.jpg] The Layer Bass. Not quite sure what to make of it but as it's a proto anything could change. [/quote] Saw this on one of the local muso FB groups - they've previously done layer-body Strats like this. Guess you can tell it was designed by a guitarist... J.

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1432731586' post='2784351'] I feel that this really would benefit from a contrasting pink pickguard [/quote] Where's the contrast there? Black pearl incoming... Anyway - I take back what I said about Shell Pink - Kevin Lindsay's P is . Maple & pink tug bar - it's all in the details! J.

Shell Pink? Half-arsed, insipid excuse for pink. This is pink:

A lot of private sellers on Ebay these days seem to be junk shop blokes or car boot scavengers, listing big quantities of random items. Most of what this particular seller's been shifting recently looks like a large coin collection broken into individual lots - but I'd doubt he's either a bassist or a numismatist! J.

Ended up going for £196, which considering the half-arsed ad is probably massively more than the seller expected. Still a pretty good deal for a rare bass that looks to be in good condition for its age. Anyone here? J.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1432369121' post='2780832'] Rolf Spuler also designed the Ibanez Affirma bass. [/quote] First thing I clocked on that odd guitar was the AFR-ish lower horn. Had no idea Spuler had died. RIP. A long time ago I missed out on a badly-listed one of these on Ebay. Sold for about £100. Jon.

I quite like this one: [sharedmedia=core:attachments:71956] Jon.

I watched this with my other half, who sings in my band & is very supportive of my GAS habit. She says: "What's that he's playing". Me: "Quite possibly the most disgusting bass I've ever seen". Not a whole lot of help, I know... Jon.

There are a lot of nice-looking, accurate Jazz copies out there. There are also a lot of shonky, knockoff headstock decals - including 80s Tokai. So, putting 2+2 together... Jon.

Cor! Makes me wish I needed another fretless. Plus he's half an hour down the bypass from me. Jon.

Definitely wasn't born with that functionless piece of junk on it. Looks like a generic Tune/Nanyo/SR wannabe that someone thought would be improved by bodging a Rick copy (it's not a real one) tailpiece on. It's misaligned, the string spacing is stupidly narrow & I'd be prepared to bet it's impossible to set up or intonate correctly. So it's just like a Rickenbacker now! Jon.

It is indeed a horrible country & western-ised Jazz copy, nothing more. J.

It's a 60s Teisco. A keen collector might pay £150 or so for this. Jon.

Ibanez RB888 or MC888 "Bean" bass. Small bodied variants of the 80s Roadstars & Musicians - if you can find one. Jon.

Not too common (you see the Antoria-badged version more over here) but they typically fetch £500+. This one does look in good nick, which is unusual - it's very common to see the lower part of the headstock either missing or badly repaired, and many of these were subject to typical abuse suffered by lots of inexpensive 70s MIJs. No idea what the price for the recent reissue is, but it is a ltd edition & I doubt many - if any - made it to the UK. I suppose that might push prices of good originals up - but £1500 is bloody ridiculous. And yes - it is f***in' ghastly. Jon.

[quote name='Coldflows' timestamp='1432333758' post='2780689'] The antoria pickup FINALLY turned up. Many thanks to bassassin as it fits perfectly. Will hopefully have a look at the wiring over the weekend and free the blooming saddle. It's coming together folks. [/quote] Delighted to hear the pickup fits. These are surprisingly common on early 70s MIJs (Ps, Js, EB copies, Rick copies - you name it...) and frequently aren't working. Really good to have it confirmed there's a drop-in alternative. J.

Curious. Are these actually working, playable instruments? Whatever they are, they're custom one-offs, maybe based around Ricks or Rick copies. Hammered metal (bronze or copper, maybe), likely coverings over the original bodies/heads. No - never seen anything like these before! J.

Same seller also has this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brian-Bromberg-Signature-Dean-Bass-/271873215664"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brian-Bromberg-Signature-Dean-Bass-/271873215664[/url] Which really isn't something you see every day. Jon.