coachcbg Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Hi all, I've double checked this is the right place to post this question with moderator first so hope you guys can help cast a little light on this. I just picked up a nice little precision style bass that I would like to try and identify. If you can help, great, if you can't it'll remain a mystery; no big deal. The thing with this bass is that there is not one distinguishing label, tag, mark or anything. It plays like a dream, has beautiful tone but I'd really like to know its origins for the sake of knowing, so I hope someone, somewhere may have an idea. Here's the spec: The guy I bought it from had it for 27 years and he bought it from someone that had owned it for at least 7 years which makes it an approximate 70's era bass. Solid, one piece body. (heavy like a seventies 'P') Tuning keys at an odd angle on the reverse of the headstock Neck, I suspect to be an addition at some stage, laminated 3 piece flamed maple, with a beautiful flamed maple fret board jazz style (approx. 38mm at the nut) 20 fret. 13 hole, three ply scratch plate (with a screw in the centre). No marks on the pickups except 'PAF' on stickers and the little hex type adjusters on the poles. Sound wise the pickups are punchy and very loud. At some point someones added a nightmare 'nut' that looks like something made in the shed from bits of old aluminium. There are no identifiers on hardware or electronics or neck pocket. I'm completely at a loss. A mate of mine suggested it may have come out of the Ibanez factory mid to late seventies but apart from that, not a clue. Anybody got any ideas?[attachment=127229:photo copy 2.JPG][attachment=127230:photo copy 3.JPG][attachment=127232:photo copy 5.JPG][attachment=127233:photo copy 7.JPG][attachment=127234:photo copy 8.JPG][attachment=127235:photo copy.JPG][attachment=127236:photo.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) It's got a 3 piece neck with the little veneers between them which suggests Matsumoku. Not sure if the DiMarzios are original. Edit: Just spotted the truss rod adjuster - I don't think Mat ever used that type. Edited February 10, 2013 by Musky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 [quote name='Musky' timestamp='1360518318' post='1971617'] It's got a 3 piece neck with the little veneers between them which suggests Matsumoku. [/quote] I'm constantly surprised by the amount of in depth knowledge people here have about basses. I bow to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 looks very much like a columbus which a friend of mine had in about 79 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachcbg Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 A mate had a Columbus years ago, and I have to say it was horrible but obviously there was always the lucky 'nice one'. The body on this is lovely and the neck is so nice it's unreal. I'd be surprised if it was a Columbus but I'm always willing to take ideas. The truss rod adjuster threw me completely too, hence thinking it could have been a later addition/ swap. Thanks for the ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerstodge Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 It looks very much like my 1st bass which was a columbus, has it got a fat chunky slow neck? . I'll dig it out and take a pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulconnolly Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Kay P bass? Had one of these around 1979/80 - my first bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachcbg Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) The neck is chunky on this and I don't like it even though it tapers off to the thin Jazz style. (to be replaced!) Still got my original K Bass I had from '79! I bought it to replace the Fenton Weill Bass I had that was really hard to play. The Kay is still with me (for pictures and nostalgia only) that's why I know (complete respect all) this is not a 'nasty' old bass, it's way too nice, I think that's why I'm stuck on what it could be. I'm even thinking it could be an Ibanez lawsuit with a replacement neck, Di Marzio pickups and unmarked hardware. As I say, I really appreciate your feedback, we'll figure it out in the end! Be really good to the see the pics of your old Columbus and K's as comparisons. Attached a picture of mine (K bass) 30 years ago and today, blooming awful thing! [attachment=127267:Outcast 2013.jpg] Edited February 11, 2013 by coachcbg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) Having experienced a few of these late 70's Japanese P copies my feeling is that it is a Hohner bass purely down to the smaller than normal neck plate all of the others (Maya, Columbus and Kay) have all had a standard Fender sized neck plate. Hope this helps Edited February 11, 2013 by Roger2611 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachcbg Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Cheers and thanks for the input guys. I think this will stay as an 'I wonder?' bass. It plays nice and it's off to Bob, my guitar 'set up guy', so I'll enjoy playing the mystery bass even though I haven't a clue what it is. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyBiskit Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 It looks very much like a hondo2 precision copy from the late 70's I had my one out this weekend,neck profile like half a log very heavy too T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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