Bassassin

- These things really are the arse-end of Japcrap (and even KoreaCrap & TaiwanCrap) but seemed to be produced consistently throughout the 60s & 70s - plainly there was a market for them! Top Twenty would have been some importer's brand that Woolies sold, and I wouldn't be surprised if dlloyd's bass appeared with that name as well as Aria. I think a lot of the Teisco/Kay/Top 20/Sakai/Zenta/Jedson cheapies were made by Kawai - who later went on to much nicer things, but with much less success. Kay's an interesting brand, they started out as US-built student level instruments & these are now very sought-after. However, 99% of what turns up on the Bay is from the Far-Eastern trash years - most of which isn't even worth the effort of burning! These will be the Woolies guitars with a "K" in a circle, btw. Some Kays are middling to good - I recently picked up a Kay P Bass copy - it has all the hallmarks of early JapCrap - "sandwich" body, strip-laminate neck, and it also has a MusicMan style 6-bolt neckplate, which is associated with a factory called Moridaira. This thing actually plays pretty nicely, and has a great, authentic Precision sound, and is loud as f***. The only problem is, it's so ridiculously heavy that when you get it out, the room goes dark as light is dragged into its gravity well. I've never gigged with it, as I don't think my back would stand it - so it's gotta go! Anyway - I digress. Later Korean - made Kays are worth a look too - these are identifiable by the Matsumoku-type through neck build, and often lots of fancy brass bits & inlays, as was fashionable at the time. Here's one: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-70s-Kay-Bass-Guitar-NEck-Thru-Construction_W0QQitemZ120134739638QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-70s-Kay-Bass-Gu...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] These were made by Cort, who are broadly regarded as the best Korean factory, & more or less picked up where the Japanese left off after the 70s. It's suggested these designs might've been licensed through Japanese builder Kasuga - many were very similar to Kasuga's original designs. Cort/Kay were also responsible for those rather nice neck-through Precision copies that come up on the Bay occasionally. J.

And here's another Generic-enbacker cipy [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220126243136&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:uk"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...hlink:middle:uk[/url] Don't know what this is - the guy says it might be an Aria - don't think so, probably the first 70s brand he could think of. Makes a change from sodding Ibanez, I guess. Something about it says "Hondo" to me - it has an indefinable air of tackiness - however the body doesn't look like ply, so it might not be. J.

[quote name='finnbass' post='24238' date='Jun 28 2007, 01:11 AM']WTF? When did you ever go missing Mr Assin Binface...[/quote] That's "Assin-ine", to you sir. I just thought I'd be polite, and "join in", as it were. Thinking about it (inadvisable, I know) - in a sense I have been missing for many, many years. J.

Back to waffle on about 70s JapCrap, fake Ricks, real Ricks, the joys of owning hundreds of cheap rubbish basses instead of one half-decent one, the complex & subtle intricacies of plectrum technique, and err.. chasing bats. Jon.

[quote name='Alpha-Dave' post='24081' date='Jun 27 2007, 05:49 PM']Excellent, personally I would have chopped the headstock off, but that's a good idea. I'm sure I've seen a horn extension somewhere before too, but I can't remember.[/quote] The clue's in your proposed weight distribution solution! The recent Steinberger Synapse has a weird hooky thing for the strap: [url="http://www.steinberger.com/synapsebass.aspx"]http://www.steinberger.com/synapsebass.aspx[/url] Jon.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='23462' date='Jun 26 2007, 11:55 AM']Warning! Warning! Danger! Danger! These are OFF-TOPIC and are NOT RickenFakers ... but I thought you might be interested anyway. [/quote] That's just fine with me - appreciating, as I do, all things vintage & Japcrap, & all things with Rickenbacker on the sharp end. Always fancied a Triumph-alike, but remember it's a safe bet that the same thing with a name other than Ibanez on the end will likely cost half as much. There's a guy on the RickResource board who converts standard 4003s to 5ers. Wonder if that one's real, or one of his? J.

[quote name='finnbass' post='23262' date='Jun 25 2007, 10:24 PM']That's a lotta gear [/quote] And you just make do with one then, Mr Binface? J.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='23269' date='Jun 25 2007, 10:46 PM']What's this one Jon? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200122858256&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] Rather a nice one, if the dodgy photo is anything to go by.[/quote] He's been trying to shift that for a while - he even signed up to BW/BT and tried to punt it there - for £495, if I remember right - Refused to answer any questions about it. Unsurprisingly, it didn't get a lot of interest. As for what it is - I'd say either a Maya or a Greco - these being the only identified 4001s copies I've seen. Either way, it is nice. Like the way he's incorporated £20 straight profit into his postage. That Gibsonbacker's interesting in that it now has the same pickup arrangement as most Ibanez 4001 copies! J.

Impossible question - but three from my massive "wish to f*ck I'd written that" category: [i]The Chinese Way[/i] - Level 42 [i]Free Will[/i] - Rush [i]Gutter Cat Vs The Jets[/i] - Alice Cooper Band Jon.

Can't come close to Paul's total, but I've been through one or two in the last 25 years or so (* denotes JapCrap): Grant medium-scale Jazz style thing* No-name Les Paul shape medium scale thing* Washburn B-20 Stage series* Aria Pro II RSB Deluxe II* Hohner B2A headless Ibanez SR800FL fretless* Ibanez SR800 fretted* Peavey C20 5-string Ibanez EDA-900 Ergodyne Tokai Talbo* CSL Jazz copy* Ibanez 2366B Precision copy* Yamaha SBV-500 (formerly a member of The Collection!) Kasuga Rickenbugger 4001 copy* Cimar Jazz copy* Columbus Jazz copy* Marlin P/J thing Cheapo electro-acoustic Ebay special fretless Franconia Jazz copy* Wesley messed-up Rick-shaped thing Kay/ Moridaira ten-ton Precision copy* Aria STB-GT Precision/Stingray sex-on-a-stick hybrid ...and anything I might have overlooked! I still own an unhealthy proportion of these. Jon.

I've got more tools than I know what to do with - I'm attached to a couple but not too bothered about most. Easy come, easy go, and there's always a new or different or longed-for or prettier tool just up ahead. Jon.

[quote name='KevB' post='23056' date='Jun 25 2007, 03:47 PM']Am I missing something here? That last link seems to be to an acoustic 6 string![/quote] How odd! I'll see if I can find the proper link again! Edit: here it is: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=676&print=1&keys2=yokohama%40ishibashi%2Eco%2Ejp&tid=list3"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?...p&tid=list3[/url] Given that it'll probably turn into an ad for a petrol strimmer in an hour or two, here's the page with the link too. It's about half way down: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=gazo&word=2&or8=32&key=&equal1=&value5=&select5=down&print=40"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?...wn&print=40[/url] J.

An Arsebiter, probably Matsumoku: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300124090915&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] ...being sold by Oxfam. So just how much of a b@stard are you willing to be, Mr. Hall? And interesting to see what these retail for in the Land Of The Rising Sun - a 4001S style Greco at Ishibashi: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=674&print=1&keys2=yokohama%40ishibashi%2Eco%2Ejp&tid=list3"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?...p&tid=list3[/url] 69,800 yen is £283. J.

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face' post='22669' date='Jun 24 2007, 03:42 PM']Are there any kind of trade shows etc?[/quote] There's always a fair bit of bass stuff & lots of things to play & buy at Music Live in Brum. Tends to be first weekend in November. Doesn't look like Steve's in Edinburgh this year. Damndamndamndamn & kicking myself for missing him the last 2 years in a row! Jon.

Dunlop black nylon 1mm. I prefer the slight flex from a nylon pick, I think it allows more feel & tonal control, and the material produces a denser, less clicky sound than a rigid pick. I always meant to try those rubber picks that were all over Ebay for a while, but never got around to it. Anyone know where you can get them? It's good that this thread has managed 18 posts without some self-righteous gonk coming on & accusing plectrum wielders of all being "failed guitarists". Jon.

[quote name='roman' post='21727' date='Jun 22 2007, 08:59 AM']Hi there. We do shipping prices according of the czech post . We cannot give You other price . . . . except We´d brought it to Portugal in person. Sorry I am kidding . This are very correct prices from us . . pls believe us. Roman [email protected] they quoted me €22.50 for Portugal (where I live) and €28.50 for the UK (why it's more expensive, beats me O.o)[/quote] Hi Roman - glad you signed up here - there's quite a lot of interest in your instruments , I think. So, if I order a bass through the Bachmusik website, would €28.50 be the shipping charge to the UK? Cheers, Jon.

Maya29 would definitely be up for it - we'd play your local bus shelter for a half of warm shandy. J.

Here's another current copy: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170123959999&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] Looks like this is a re-badged Shine RK2000NT: [url="http://www.saein.co.kr/2007/bass/rk2000nt.php"]http://www.saein.co.kr/2007/bass/rk2000nt.php[/url] - and I really think the prices for these Korean/Chinese cheapos are being pushed up by the same factors affecting the vintage copies on Ebay. This one looks not bad (Seymour Dunks, decent looking bridge, through neck) - but £400? 'Avin' a larf. And wtf is that headstock meant to be? J.

Bloody hell, I go away for a day & you lot just fall to pieces! This look familiar? [url="http://www.matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html"]http://www.matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html[/url] Quite possible it wasn't marketed as an Aria in the UK - although the one in the scan is unbranded, so it may have been. No telling really (but I'll make an educated guess) where it was built - prior to 1975, there's no proven connection between Aria & Matsumoku, ands IMO this bass isn't Matsumoku. Aria probably sourced their instruments from a variety of different factories prior to settling with "Uncle Mat" around 1975 - and this Burns-wannabe will have been from one of them. A factory called Moridaira were known for using that 6-screw neckplate (ever wondered where MusicMan pinched the idea? ) so I'd speculate it was from there. Moridaira was one of the less well-known builders, and probably best-known for their own Morris brand. They're still going now, building high-end acoustics. As far as brands are concerned, I've seen this sort of thing with Audition & Top Twenty (Woolies own brand! ) on the head - I don't think any of the names Adee listed (apart from Kawai & Aria) were UK brands. Kay is also a possibility - I have a Moridaira - built Kay Precision copy (anyone want to buy it ?), which suggests Kay may have sourced other models from there. I really wouldn't want to stick my neck out about value - but this is identical to the Aria on the Matsumoku site, and looks original and complete, which is really unusual for an instrument of this ilk/era. Vintage Arias don't attract the Ebay idiots the way Ibanez do, but they're getting there. A good ad, with all the searchable buzzwords in the title, good photos & a well-timed listing would probably see this thing into 3 figures. [i]Probably[/i]. Jon.

Jihemt - once again, you're right (& your English is fine - don't worry! ) - the price of copies being pushed up was one of the issues I wanted to discuss with John Hall & the RIC forum people - I joined up there, and asked all these questions very politely. Hall removed my post within about 10 minutes, and banned me from the board! He is accessible & I did have an email discussion with him about some of these things - the prices & demand for copies is an unfortunate side-effect of what he says he [i]has[/i] to do to retain his trademark. I do actually have quite a lot of respect for his integrity - Gibson & Fender etc have taken the easy option & licensed their designs to overseas builders - hence Squier & Epiphone, etc. Rickenbacker refuse to do this - they are a small, family-run (owned entirely by Hall & his wife) business, and as such maintain an exceptionally high quality standard for a mass-produced instrument. Hall is committed to keeping it this way - he's not interested in making more money by building cheaper, imported branded copies, Rickenbacker's reputation is based on its quality & exclusivity. Although this annoys me as a collector of old Jap copies - I have massive respect for his principles on this, and (grudgingly!) support him. I'm less impressed with Hall's actions regarding the Hipshot bridge. The point is, Rickenbacker are designing, and apparently close to launching, a completely redesigned 4001/4003 bridge/tailpiece, which apparently addresses all the issues the original has - poor intonation adjustment, inflexible height adjustment, "tail lift", etc. Hipshot's bridge, which already addresses all of these issues, has been on the market for some time, at a fairly reasonable price, and has been deservedly popular. It doesn't seem to have bothered RIC up until now. Hall has now decided, because the base plate shape is the same as the Rick original (it bears no other resemblance), that it's an infringement, and is chasing Hipshot to cease & desist. He claims that while the bridge is a well-engineered & inexpensive (compared to the original part) replacement, using the same shape footprint as the original was nothing but a cynical ploy to ensnare RIC customers by trading on a copyrighted design. He claims Hipshot could have made the bridge any shape and it would have been just as efficient. While the last point is in some way true, one can't help thinking that the fact that RIC is intending to launch a redesigned bridge, which is likely to bear rather more relation to the modern Hipshot design, than the current 50s/60s era Rick bridge, means he wants the competition out of the way. RIC have already stated that their new product will be "expensive" and will be dearer than the current price for the Hipshot. J.

You're quite right about all that, Jihemt. Rickenbacker own trademarks to all branding & all parts of the design of their instruments - body, headstock, hardware (Rickenbacker are currently putting pressure on Hipshot to cease production of their replacement bridge. Doesn't look much like the original, though, does it? ) and [i]apparently[/i], under US law, a trademark owner must actively pursue all visible infringements (including ones from 30 years ago) or they run the risk of losing the trademark. Rickenbacker is a small company, and wants to stay that way, so they're down on the copyists, current & past, to preserve their market share. This is according to RIC CEO John Hall - who I've actually discussed this with, via email. There's a tiny discrepancy here, relating to the copies. The US trademark registry is a public record, and if you dig, it appears that Rickenbacker registered most of their TMs in the late 90s/early 2000s, presumably when Hall modernised the old company & formed Rickenbacker International Corp. Which obviously means that all those 70s copies were built to that design [b]before[/b] Rickenbacker registered its ownership of the design - and it would presumably only take one manufacturer (Ibanez, for example, since they're still trading) to hold up an old 70s copy in court & say - "but look - here's one we made earlier. In 1975, to be exact" - for all of RICs trademarks to be void. So pulling the auctions is effectively sweeping the old copies under the carpet & hiding them from public view. Sale of these things is in no way illegal, but if Ebay don't pull them when RIC request, they likely face the risk of John Hall taking them to court for facilitating the sale of counterfeit goods. J.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='19457' date='Jun 18 2007, 08:27 AM']If you're dealing with nitro-cellulose finishes, try the [i]Brasso[/i] cotton wadding (not liquid [i]Brasso[/i] - too abrasive). This isn't a joke ... I use it on my vintage Hofners when I first get them, and they're usually seriously crudded up.[/quote] On fingerboards? Wouldn't that leave a white residue in the grain? I use Brasso on light abrasions on lacquer - polishes out a lot of hairline scratches, kind of like T-cut on a car. J.

Just to split hairs - that listing hasn't been pulled - the seller ended it early. He says it's because someone's pointed out it's not actually a real one! He wants to re-list it as a copy, presumably. J.