1970's Jazz bass - Maple/Ash Made in Japan Diplomat / Cimar bass - £180 or trades £180 Leeds - Bradford

[LukeFRC]

1974-76 Diplomat Jazz bass - Made in Japan and looks to be similar to the Cimar 1905 model  - but branded Diplomat who I think were a Kiwi brand?

 

I had one of these years back and it was amazing. A really fun playable bass, that was just enjoyable to play. A mate took it off me and still uses it regularly. I've kept my eyes open for one ever since... spotted this, did it up with new bridge and fixed the wiring with two new pots and got it all set up and... It is a really fun playable bass and enjoyable to play... but unlike years ago I've got 3 other basses that do that jazz bass thing, including my main one, and I can just see this gathering dust... so offering it up for sale or trade, just to get money back

 

£180 or trades

 

The Good

• Its a fun bass to play
• It's pretty light weight
• Solid Ash body 
• Mostly original and it really good condition for the age
• Nice vintage style sound
• The original bridges on these are evil things with sharp screws - it was also missing two parts - I replaced it with a Gotoh 
• Sets up and intonate well 
• Looks cool
• really nice neck to play
• Save money compared to an original 70's fender
• Comes with old sadowsky blue rounds AND a set of flats that came with it. The look, sound and feel like TI jazz flats I've got on my other bass but I'm only 95% sure they are - I'll set it up for you with either.
•  

The Bad

• From the era just before Japanese basses became accurate - so note the square heel and I think it's 33.5inch scale. Pickups are normal size but with the classic curved ends. So if classic Japanese basses aren't your thing and you are looking for a mod platform - it will do that but not be drop-in for fender parts. 
• With where the bridge pickup was tucked close to the bridge to fit under the original cover, and with the Gotoh bridge being a fair bit longer it looks like the bridge and pickup are closer than a 34in fender bass. The bridge probably could go back a bit if you wanted. 

The Ugly

• It could probably do with shielding to get it quieter 

 

So it's a fairly cheap, fun, old bass. Anyone have any love for it? 

 

Trades... try me, P basses, Telecaster copies, jazz master, Microkorg or similar simple synth... I also seem to like trying effects pedals... .

Edited 5 hours ago by LukeFRC

[Rayman]

I think it’s cool that. I had a Cimar guitar in the early 80s, it was a really nice player. Made by Ibanez?? Not sure, but that’s what I remember, but it was  long time ago.

 

Nice bass

[LukeFRC]

11 minutes ago, Rayman said:

I think it’s cool that. I had a Cimar guitar in the early 80s, it was a really nice player. Made by Ibanez?? Not sure, but that’s what I remember, but it was  long time ago.

 

Nice bass

There’s a link between Cimar and Ibanez I think - but later in the 70s or 80s than this bass