Bassassin Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) Delayed NBD thread, due to being away over the weekend. Regulars on the Ebay: Weird & Wonderful topic might know I grabbed a beat-up Daion Performer Precision copy for what seemed (to me) a silly-cheap price. Daion was a fairly short-lived brand built at the Yamaki factory, and are best-known for their boutique-standard original designs and acoustics. Like most other Japanese factories from the 70s era, Yamaki also produced copies, and these are of a similarly high quality to their original builds. The same instruments were also sold under the Yamaki brand, and more common in the UK, JooDee. Anyway before you doze off, this is the thing itself, in all its battered, 70s rock machine glory: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/daionlfront_zpslzj0ahtn.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/daionheadf_zpscvhbpfv9.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/daionheadb_zpsqvuk6qiv.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/daionback_zps9samozao.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/daionplate_zpsrt7rf11d.jpg.html"][/url] It's a minor project, needing a good clean-up, new pots & cap and some cosmetic issues with cracking lacquer addressed. It looks like it's spent time in a damp environment, leading to a bit of peeling & cracking, mostly around screwholes & other places where moisture could get to the wood. The only slightly worrying bit is around the skunk stripe, but fortunately this appears to be cosmetic, not structural. As it arrived, it works (albeit with no volume adjustment) and is perfectly playable. The neck's dead straight, a little fret wear mostly before the 7th position but nothing I think I need to address immediately. One of the reasons I went for this was my assumption that the original pickup had been replaced with a DiMarzio - and it turns out I'm right, it's an early, PAF-stickered DP122 which is probably the same age as the bass. Hardware is nice quality & quite interesting (apart from the bog-standard BBOT) - the tuners have solid, cast bodies and torque-adjustment collars, which was pretty common on MIJ open-gear units at the time. It also has the curious "Epochal" truss rod adjustment which should allow neck-tweaking with a geared system accessible through the neck plate. This is ultimately a high-quality bass of a similar build standard as the Tokais, Fernandes, Grecos & JV Squiers of the same era, and I'm probably going to hang on to it once it's sorted. Jon. Edited February 13, 2016 by Bassassin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 That looks great, what a pleasing find for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Nice, liking that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Nice. What's the weight like? Would this be a laminate body, or solid wood under there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Not seen one of these before, and not really aware of the brand. However, it looks a well built bass, like so many Japan made instruments of that era Good luck with the work. And if you got it for a song - hang on to it Looks like a real gigging workhorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldflows Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Looks great, Have you figured out how the truss rod works? Is it a square key or is it just a normal allen key? I am jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 [quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1454327756' post='2968550'] Nice. What's the weight like? Would this be a laminate body, or solid wood under there? [/quote] I'd expect solid timber, and from the edges of the routes it looks like it is. They are painted though, so it could be butcher-block, which is pretty common on MIJ stuff. Not weighed it yet but it's pretty hefty, going to be in the 10lbs region. My back won't thank me... [quote name='Coldflows' timestamp='1454328208' post='2968555'] Looks great, Have you figured out how the truss rod works? Is it a square key or is it just a normal allen key?[/quote] Allen key, looks like 4mm. Not tried it yet, I'm waiting for parts to turn up before it gets a full strip & fettling. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Congrats, that'll be quite a looker, when you're done. sounds a real bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Excellent! Now, about that finders fee you may not have seen in the small print.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Super nice!!! I know I have mentioned this before, but I have a 40 year old Law-Suit P - and I love it. I found it, not in the UK, for what seemed like a price that would mean I'd be receiving a 'project' instrument, but even with it's bashes and wear, it still plays and sounds superb! Definitely a steal in my book. I'd have another tomorrow in comparison to the prices 'the real thing' are fetching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 What a result. Congratulations on another fine purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 For Professional use eh? Wasted on me then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 I like it. Good colours, some mojo its good that it has some fret wear so its been played and I'm liking the truss rod adjust system, does it still work?. Worst thing I hate about fenders is the heal truss rod adjustment pain in the ass. Always end up either scratching the plate and or having to take off the neck several times grr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1454343205' post='2968742'] I like it. Good colours, some mojo its good that it has some fret wear so its been played and I'm liking the truss rod adjust system, does it still work?. Worst thing I hate about fenders is the heal truss rod adjustment pain in the ass. Always end up either scratching the plate and or having to take off the neck several times grr. [/quote] By luck more than judgement I replaced my pick guard with an off the shelf three ply with the notch cut out for the truss rod adjustment - and nearly all the screws lined up perfectly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1454343205' post='2968742'] I like it. Good colours, some mojo its good that it has some fret wear so its been played and I'm liking the truss rod adjust system, does it still work?. Worst thing I hate about fenders is the heal truss rod adjustment pain in the ass. Always end up either scratching the plate and or having to take off the neck several times grr. [/quote] Not tried the adjuster yet for a couple of reasons - mainly the cracking around the top of the skunk stripe. I want to clean it up & flow some superglue around the fillet before touching the rod, to make sure everything's solid before subjecting it to tension. Also there's some corrosion visible on the adjuster nut itself, I'll strip, clean & lube the mechanism before tesing it. Will post some pics to satisfy the curious! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 I had a Joodee. I bought it from e bay around 9 years ago for £117. It was quite heavy and I painted it black, badly!! I ended giving it away. Here is a couple of pics. This was pics from the seller and aint my carpet!! [attachment=211243:Picture 024.jpg] [attachment=211244:Picture 026.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 Definitely related. One of those sold on Ebay last week, a bit more than £117! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JOODEE-PERFORMER-BASS-GUITAR-V-RARE-MADE-IN-JAPAN-TONERIDER-PICKUP-/222004594249"]http://www.ebay.co.u...P-/222004594249[/url] J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Great buy Jon, looking forward to seeing the finished article. Just acquired a Farida P myself that I'm 'upgrading' a little. Nowhere near as old but equally good value I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 A few months back, I picked up an old Japan built P bass (may have been early 80's) The logo had been removed (badly) and the neck was bu**ered I put a second-hand neck I'd bought from a local facebook group on to it And I then sold the bass. It had been a cheap, easy-ish project.... but I really wish I'd kept it The pickups were powerful, and sounded very vintage Fender-like. The bass was a bit beaten up, but it had some real mojo about it I'm a fan of some of the 70's & 80's Japan basses - many of them are much better than the awful name people gave them What surprises me, is that even now, there are "brands" I've not heard of before I've got GAS for a Tokai P Hardpuncher, in sunburst..... help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Mojo to the power of ten! Happy NBD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Quick Daion update - it's now in bits, I'm repairing the lacquer damage and the filthy bits are getting a hosedown & re-wire. Here's that curious truss adjuster system - just a little gearbox with a worm drive: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/adjuster_zps4wkkfkp3.jpg.html"][/url] Fortunately all working properly - which is good because if it failed, it's hard to see how the rod could be accessed to adjust it. Possibly not the Japanese guitar industry's brightest idea. And here's the filth and mess under the bonnet: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/guts_zps6el99imo.jpg.html"][/url] Note the huge excavation under the bridge - whoever drilled the hole for the earth wire plainly wasn't very confident! And that ancient DiMarzio DP122: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/pups_zpsowytkrla.jpg.html"][/url] Going to take advantage of all that uncut wire and have a push/pull tone pot for phase switching. For now, it's cleaning all that muck off the body & back of scratchplate - I don't even want to think about what it is and how it got there - then shielding the cavities and tidying up the neck. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I like the truss rod adjuster think it's very cool unlikely to fail and allows easy access and less risk of the slight markings around truss rod access you see on many older basses. Really liking the mojo of this bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 This is the gearbox removed from the truss rod: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/adjuster2_zpsx5gibpnz.jpg.html"][/url] It's in decent condition, a bit of corrosion on the worm thread but no visible wear. Spent yesterday afternoon tidying up the neck. Tempted to do a full fret dress but the bass played really nicely when it turned up, so no need just yet. Sorted out all of the flaky-looking bits of lacquer and now it looks pretty tidy: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Daion%20Precision%20Copy/neck_zpsmccfv11g.jpg.html"][/url] There's some really nice figuring & flamey bits on the board - not that you can tell under the striplights in my garage! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Daion used to make some really nice acoustic guitars, they tend to change hands for more than they cost originally these days. That truss rod adjustment system is a lot like the Baldwin era (70s) Gretsch truss rods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1455460623' post='2979255'] That truss rod adjustment system is a lot like the Baldwin era (70s) Gretsch truss rods. [/quote] That's clearly where Yamaki [s]stole[/s] got the idea! Cheers for that, I was unaware of the Gretsch mechanism. Seems broadly the same, except the Gretsch device needs a special adjuster tool, and appears to be integrated into the truss rod assembly. Sensible Japanese people, improving the design by using a 4mm allen key to work it, and making it replaceable if it fails. Unless it's 2016... J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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