70's MIJ "Lawsuit" Matsumoku P Clone - $125

[Quadzilla]

No Trades

This is a real mid-70's Matsumoku Precision copy. Yep, you've seen these selling for a LOT, LOT more lately. I believe one fine Matsumoku Precision copy example was selling for over $500 here recently. Some even go for more.

Anyway, why so cheap? Well, she has some wear and she needs some TLC. When I first got her a long time ago, I plugged her in the P pup worked and was strong, but the tone knob did nothing. I opened it up and it was bypassed and the wires were held together with putty and tape (yeah, I know, crazy huh?!?!?!). P pickup is nice sounding and has a brass grounding plate.

So she needs to be re-wired, but I'll include two new 250K audio taper pots. There is the original cap in there, so all you need is wire and to solder it all together (I'm out of wire).

The neck needs some work. Action is medium - medium high but certainly NOT very high. Some frets buzz a little bit and they prob need some leveling, maybe more (slight twist maybe, not sure). Don't get me wrong, it's playable as is and the buzz is not super severe. I just like my action very low and free of buzz. Frets do not seem too worn, but as stated, it needs attention to get ultra low and 100% buzz free. Truss is near maxed, but neck does NOT have a crazy amount of relief in it, so you will prob be ok here. Nut is brass.

Body is ash and NOT laminated. It's a sold ash body. Has some dings and some wear behind the pickup on the top (see pics).

Pickguard is split down by controls, but is functional. I have pickguard screws that I took off of it and will put them back on before I ship her. She's pretrty light, prob 8ish lbs.

She is wearing new stainless rounds (45 - 105 DR as I recall). The new pots and stings worth about $40 alone!!!

So now you know why I'm only asking $125 + shipping for her. I have not spent anytime with the bass and don't know how it's going to turn out, so for that reason it's sold as is. If nothing else, you can break it up and get some nice parts out of it. I just don't have the time or energy (or funds for that matter) to devote to this thing. So I'm dumping her at a loss (your gain). She just may make a fine bass with some TLC or maybe just some good parts that are certainly worth more than $125 in total.

Lots more pics ---> http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/f...69/Cortez%20P/

[dave88]

I'm confused about the truss part. Its almost maxed and there's a lot of relief, but that's not a problem? Maybe I've got something backwards in my thought process. Anyway, do you know if a Fender neck would fit?

[Quadzilla]

Originally Posted by dave88

I'm confused about the truss part. Its almost maxed and there's a lot of relief, but that's not a problem? Maybe I've got something backwards in my thought process. Anyway, do you know if a Fender neck would fit?

Sorry, bad wording on my part. truss is near maxed (or just very stiff from not being adjusted for over 30 years) and the neck does NOT have a lot of relief in it. There is some, but it's certainly not severely bowed at all. I'd say the neck has mild relief in it in my opinion.

As for a Fender neck fitting, I'm pretty sure that these old MIJ copies were modeled very closely after their real Fender counter-parts and I think there is probably a good chance a Fender neck will work. Hopefully an expert on these old MIJ copies will chime in.

[Quadzilla]

Originally Posted by dave88

Anyway, do you know if a Fender neck would fit?

I just compared it to my '78 P measurements earlier this eve and they are equal at the nut (1 5/8") and the neck heel is also equal width and depth. It's appears to be a true clone!

[whoapower]

PM.

[Godfather]

pm'ed

[Quadzilla]

Looks like this is sold (pending payment)