This is a stick bass made in Japan. There are 2 models, a black one and a red one which is a little more expensive with a better magnetic pickup. They play pretty ok, but are very radical in design. No scroll/headstock, the ball ends of the strings attach to the back of the stump they have instead of a scroll, and the tuners are at the bottom of the bass. One thing to be concerned about, is that the fingerboard is stained maple on the better model, and I'm not sure, but I think the lower model is actually without a fb, just carved out of one solid piece of wood. If you wear it out, then what happens? However, they are super-portable.
Anyway, all the information about the bass is here at the STK website:
http://www.stk-co.com/music/StudB-Excel/ENGL.html
If it's not too late, I'll pass through the neighbourhood where a shop I know has one on Monday or Tuesday, if there's anything you want to examine.
Oh, they sell for about 126000 to 140000 yen in Japan, list being 155000. If that helps.
Brent
