1960's - Made in Japan - Kent Basin Street (or "ST") Bass - DIRT CHEAP!

[Quadzilla]

Late 60's Kent Basin ST bass!

Below are the pics of the Kent. As you can see, she's in good shape overall for her age. Appears to be all original (with the exception of two bridge screws from what I can tell). Killer tone (more on that below)! As for playability and functionality:

Note: I'm going to be very open and honest here and even a bit overly critical. This is not something that everyone does here, but I like to do my best to address all aspects of the condition and playability of the instrument. Overall she does look good and play well.

1 - Neck is straight (no twists) and it plays well. Action is a bit high, but that's due to two things:

- bridge saddles should be "adjusted" or in this case, filed for slots. The saddles are plastic and filing slots will take a few minutes tops. There are currently no slots on the saddles.

- There is some relief in the neck, but I'm also using very high tension flat wounds on her which I recently put on and they are in great shape. Lower tension strings would relieve some of this. The neck has two steel rods in it (from the factory), but they are not adjustable. They just keep the neck stiff and straight.

The action is medium-high to high, but far from "stupid high". It's very playable as is in my opinion. By doing a few minor tweaks mentioned above, you can get it even better.

2 - Tone pot may need cleaning or replacing. It seems to work OK at either extreme (full on or full off), but there is buzzing when it's in the middle (2 - 9).

3 - Strings are a bit off center going up the neck. In looking at it, it seems the the bridge is at fault and it should be moved over to the right just a hair to correct the issue.

Aside from those minor things, she's pretty good to go. A few dings, etc. It's not perfect, but in good shape all things considered.

Bass sounds REALLY cool. Nice vintage thump with just a hint of growl. Really fills up the mix. She's not a light weight, but not terribly heavy either. My shoulder says about 9 lbs. Neck is beefy feeling, much like an old-school P (50's/60's).

I've seen these and similar Kent basses sell for $200+. How about just $150 and I'll toss in a free gig bag!

As for a couple points of reference, there is a seller that's selling just the knobs for $35 and another that's selling just the body for $250 (with a twisted neck and an altered pickguard)
Links:
1960'S KENT GUITAR KNOBS TEISCO GUYATONE | eBay
1960'S KENT BASS GUITAR BODY TEISCO GUYATONE | eBay

[GeneralElectric]

I had one of these. My tone pot was also pretty useless. Interested in any trades?

[Quadzilla]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I had one of these. My tone pot was also pretty useless. Interested in any trades?

Sure, why not. Run what you have past me.

A quick thread update. I lowered the price and just for a couple points of reference, there is a seller that's selling just the knobs for $35 and another that's selling just the body for $250 (with a twisted neck and an altered pickguard)
Links:
1960'S KENT GUITAR KNOBS TEISCO GUYATONE | eBay
1960'S KENT BASS GUITAR BODY TEISCO GUYATONE | eBay

[superbassman2000]

hey cool--i've got one of these at home and the headstock was painted over...now I know what it is it's the two pickup model though

[Nortega]

These can actually be made to play really well, and is a cheap, fun way to get into a short scale bass... esp at this price!

[Quadzilla]

Anyone? Bueller?

[Low Main]

I had one of these as my first bass back in the late 60's. It's long gone but fondly remembered. Had it plugged into a Kalamazoo Bass 30 amp. Which weighed more than my dad.

Back in the day, I was told my Kent bass wasn't cool enough for prime time - in those days, many of the cool bands all had the same brand equipment, like an all Mosrite band or an all Vox band. There wasn't much cool factor in being part of an all Kent band.

Unless you were fronting a coordinated backline of sparkle padded Kustom amps. And were plugged in via coily cords. That would get your ticket punched.

I almost wasn't going to click on this listing, out of concern that wistful nostalgia would overcome prudence and restraint. Hmmm...

[low end yooper]

Just shot you a PM.

[PJMcK1954]

My very 1st electric bass could be best described as a Japanese knock-off of the Fender Precision Bass, which was probably made sometime around 1965. I have such great memories of that bass. I wish that I never let my lead singer work on the body for a shop class project. I also wish that I never sold it to a friend.
Even though I now have 11 electric basses, my old Kent was a gem.