Vintage MIJ (formerly J@pCr@p) Spotting

[sgt-pluck]

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='523304' date='Jun 25 2009, 09:20 AM']Yeah exactly - the sunburst looks crap - and one of the questioners has already mentioned the body wood issue. Need to see a pic of the headstock that shows how the fretboard has been applied.

Pluck[/quote]

Edit. I've just found [url="http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.guitarmaniacs.de/html/users/achim/Tokai_SB_front.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.guitarmaniacs.de/html/users/achim/achim-bass-tokai2.shtml&usg=__uKKTUn6sMApd8QT1CLW4EThz9LQ=&h=500&w=171&sz=17&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=9u2fDDFvDp9XEM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=44&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtokai%2Bjazz%2Bsound%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US%3a%6ffficial%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1"]these [/url]pics of another JS with a rubbish-looking sunburst! Does seem to follow the Jaco colour scheme.....

Pluck

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='neepheid' post='523299' date='Jun 25 2009, 09:01 AM']That's a pretty boggin' looking sunburst job - what's with the yellow straight to black on the lower horn? It looks like two different basses.[/quote]
That's coz often they didn't bother wasting paint on a section that would get covered by the pg.
besides....

[sgt-pluck]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='523340' date='Jun 25 2009, 09:51 AM']That's coz often they didn't bother wasting paint on a section that would get covered by the pg[/quote]

Ah. You learn something everyday, see!

Pluck

[neepheid]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='523340' date='Jun 25 2009, 09:51 AM']That's coz often they didn't bother wasting paint on a section that would get covered by the pg.
besides....
[/quote]

Ahh, I get it - the shirt hides it!

[Bassassin]

The guy reckons he's had it from new, kept it for decades & barely touched it - I'm prepared to accept that, having done the same thing myself with an Ibby Soundgear fretless:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=23341"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=23341[/url]

As has been mentioned the iffy burst is not only very common but accurate to the original. There are loads of 80s Tokai catalogues [url="http://www.tokairegistry.com/tokai-info/tokai-catalogs.html"]here[/url] and the Jaco-alike appears in most of them. The catalogue pics are poor quality so you can't make out much detail for comparison - but really I think the only thing that's at all suspicious is the shinyness of it. However, me & my old SR800FL exist as living proof some people just can't do fretless!

J.

[sgt-pluck]

Well the guy just sent me a pic of the headstock which shows the neck construction with the arched fretboard, so that confirms it for me.

Be interested to see how much this fetches in that kind of condition - would have been a very decent sum or year or so ago.

Pluck

[Mr. Foxen]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antoria-Japanese-jazz-bass_W0QQitemZ330341023684QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item4ce9dbffc4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10|66%3A2|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50"]Antoria[/url]

[Bassassin]

Not something you see every day:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1980s-Quest-Manhattan-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-Japan_W0QQitemZ260439185023"]Quest Manhattan M3[/url]

Built by Matsumoku, Quest was a spin-off brand of Vantage. This is a bit on the pricey side - if it had been the through-neck, transparent/flamed front version I might not have been able to stop myself...

J.

[zbigniew]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='530131' date='Jul 1 2009, 10:01 PM']Not something you see every day:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1980s-Quest-Manhattan-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-Japan_W0QQitemZ260439185023"]Quest Manhattan M3[/url]

Built by Matsumoku, Quest was a spin-off brand of Vantage. This is a bit on the pricey side - if it had been the through-neck, transparent/flamed front version I might not have been able to stop myself...

J.[/quote]

Wow, that's a quite interesting bass - looks good and is kinda unique.

I can only imagine the through-neck version you talk about, it must be quite something.

z

[Bassassin]

[quote name='zbigniew' post='530354' date='Jul 2 2009, 10:36 AM']Wow, that's a quite interesting bass - looks good and is kinda unique.

I can only imagine the through-neck version you talk about, it must be quite something.

z[/quote]

It has its charms:

[attachment=28140:questmanhattan.jpg]

:brow:

J.

[zbigniew]

Absolutely it does !!

Thanks for the pic, much obliged

[beerdragon]

Yet another Vox Standard. don't think its the one Happyjack posted.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vox-Standard-Bass-1979-classic-vintage-rarity-case_W0QQitemZ120444212650QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item1c0b08d5aa&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1688|293%3A1|294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vox-Standard-Bass-19...93%3A1|294%3A50[/url]

[guzzibass]

'won' this Ibby Roadstar 11 today, - looking forward to collecting and checkin it out!!

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140331333460&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fitems%2F%3F_nkw%3D140331333460%26_sacat%3D0%26_trksid%3Dp3286.m270.l1313%26_odkw%3D14033133346%26_osacat%3D0%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...%3D1&_rdc=1[/url]

[zbigniew]

Very cool lookin bass !!

[quote name='guzzibass' post='537259' date='Jul 10 2009, 12:13 PM']'won' this Ibby Roadstar 11 today, - looking forward to collecting and checkin it out!!

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140331333460&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fitems%2F%3F_nkw%3D140331333460%26_sacat%3D0%26_trksid%3Dp3286.m270.l1313%26_odkw%3D14033133346%26_osacat%3D0%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...%3D1&_rdc=1[/url][/quote]

[Bassassin]

[quote name='guzzibass' post='537259' date='Jul 10 2009, 03:13 PM']'won' this Ibby Roadstar 11 today, - looking forward to collecting and checkin it out!!

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140331333460&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fitems%2F%3F_nkw%3D140331333460%26_sacat%3D0%26_trksid%3Dp3286.m270.l1313%26_odkw%3D14033133346%26_osacat%3D0%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...%3D1&_rdc=1[/url][/quote]

Great score for £120! Very surprised it went as low as that.

J.

[guzzibass]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='537905' date='Jul 11 2009, 02:55 PM']Great score for £120! Very surprised it went as low as that.

J.[/quote]

Yeah me too. I'm gobsmacked as to how good it is. Looking forward to gigging with it. Got that 'smirky cat that got the cream' smile at the mo!!!!!

[Bassassin]

Here's a couple of under-the-radar 70s copies which might be of interest:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140332609892"]Hohner P copy - £75 BIN[/url]

This is apparently MIJ which means it's a Moridaira, not top-drawer JapCrap but pretty damn good. Might be a ply body or maybe a top/back veneer on butcher block. Collection only.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=320396472967"]CMI Jazz copy - 3-day stealth listing[/url]

Unsure of the maker here but CMI is quite collectable. Zero-feedback seller, collection only, 3-day list & invisible description means someone will get this for buttons. If I was near Milton Keynes it would be me.

Jon.

[nick]

A nice old [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-1960s-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-COMMODORE-JAPANESE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1688Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem35a2493b38QQitemZ230355974968QQptZUKQ5fMusicalQ5fInstrumentsQ5fGuitarsQ5fCVQQsalenotsupported"]Commodore Semi[/url]
& what I think is overpriced, considering what looks like a below par refinish [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-MAYA-PRECISION-BASS-Fend-r-copy-70s-Japan_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1688Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem19b4ffa97fQQitemZ110410836351QQptZUKQ5fMusicalQ5fInstrumentsQ5fGuitarsQ5fCVQQsalenotsupported"]Maya Precision copy[/url]

Edited July 12, 2009 by nick

[Bassassin]

Better off grabbing this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-MAYA-Precision-bass-neck-tuners-Japan-70s_W0QQitemZ320395966471"]Maya P neck[/url] & finding a body that hasn't been refinished with phlegm.

Obviously a week for Mayas - just spotted this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70s-LEFT-HANDED-MAYA-JAZZ-BASS-in-TRI-COLOUR-SUNBURST_W0QQitemZ250458553308"]southpaw J[/url] ending in a few hours, currently at £122. Recession?

J.

[Musky]

[quote name='nick' post='538439' date='Jul 12 2009, 12:52 PM']A nice old [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-1960s-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-COMMODORE-JAPANESE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1688Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem35a2493b38QQitemZ230355974968QQptZUKQ5fMusicalQ5fInstrumentsQ5fGuitarsQ5fCVQQsalenotsupported"]Commodore Semi[/url]
& what I think is overpriced, considering what looks like a below par refinish [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-MAYA-PRECISION-BASS-Fend-r-copy-70s-Japan_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1688Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem19b4ffa97fQQitemZ110410836351QQptZUKQ5fMusicalQ5fInstrumentsQ5fGuitarsQ5fCVQQsalenotsupported"]Maya Precision copy[/url][/quote]

I love the description of "sound calibration holes".

Edited July 12, 2009 by Musky

[Bassassin]

[quote name='Musky' post='538485' date='Jul 12 2009, 01:49 PM']I love the description of "sound calibration holes". [/quote]
That's what's been wrong with my basses for all these years - incorrectly calibrated sound, because I can't find the holes!

I wonder what on earth they mean? Couldn't possibly be making stuff up just to sound clever, could they? I might message them and ask for more details about these "sound calibration holes", how they work, and if the bass is supplied with all the necessary tools & calibration charts to, er, calibrate it.

J.

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='538677' date='Jul 12 2009, 06:22 PM']That's what's been wrong with my basses for all these years - incorrectly calibrated sound, because I can't find the holes!

I wonder what on earth they mean? Couldn't possibly be making stuff up just to sound clever, could they? I might message them and ask for more details about these "sound calibration holes", how they work, and if the bass is supplied with all the necessary tools & calibration charts to, er, calibrate it. [/quote]
Are they talking about the pickguard screw-holes? If it originally had an EB-2 style guard, there'd be "ONE TO THE FRONT AND ONE TO THE SIDE". I suppose (if you knew nowt about anything) you might think they were designed to have the stem of a tuning fork stuck in them to "calibrate" your sound. :wacko:

[spinynorman]

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='538844' date='Jul 12 2009, 09:43 PM']Are they talking about the pickguard screw-holes? If it originally had an EB-2 style guard, there'd be "ONE TO THE FRONT AND ONE TO THE SIDE". I suppose (if you knew nowt about anything) you might think they were designed to have the stem of a tuning fork stuck in them to "calibrate" your sound. :wacko:[/quote]

The "front" hole is visible in the second picture down on the left. Looks like you're right.

[BottomEndian]

Not on eBay, but certainly JapCrap: there's a Westone Spectrum ST in my local music shop for about £120/£130 (I forget the exact price). All black, with chrome hardware and a rather spiffing-looking one-piece P pup. Condition looked OK, but I didn't have time to really give it an inspection. Opinions? Worth going back for another look?

[Happy Jack]

Another AshDigits special:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kramer-Duke-Headless-Bass-Aluminium-Neck-Vintage_W0QQitemZ140333900049QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item20ac8d6111&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kramer-Duke-Headless...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url]

Obviously it's a Kramer because it has an aluminium neck. It doesn't actually say "Kramer" on it, but it looks like one. It doesn't actually use the same strings or pickups as a Kramer, but never mind, eh?

I'm particularly impressed with: [i][color="#8B0000"]Controls are volume and tone and a switch that I assume acts as a coil tap and also works as a mute. [/color][/i]

Now that's class. The switch doesn't seem to do anything except kill the output, but it's not broken or in need of attention. It's a "mute" switch, just like you get on most basses.

Quality.