"Realistic" Violin Bass - Japan-made like Univox

DuoSonicII · #1 03-08-2011, 03:28 PM

Japanese-made violin bass, looking to date to the late 60's. It looks identical to some Univoxes that I have seen, but wears a "Realistic" (Radio Shack house brand) badge on the headstock. No idea if that badge is original or not, but some internet research indicates that Radio Shack did sell Univox violin basses for a time...interesting.

Anyway, it's fitted with tapewounds, and it really thumps. Original electronics work, though are a little scratchy and could use a cleaning. Tone knob has sadly gone AWOL, but everything else looks intact. No case.

$220 shipped OBO to the US lower 48.

gnergaard · #2 03-08-2011, 04:04 PM

Is this a long scale or short scale?

DuoSonicII · #3 03-08-2011, 04:13 PM

Short-scale. And it should also be noted that it has a zero fret. Action is decently low for something of this style and vintage.

DuoSonicII · #4 03-09-2011, 06:32 AM

I should add that the price is OBO, and I'm open to trades. My wishlist includes: Malekko B:Assmaster, Catalinbread SFT (possibly other C'bread stuff as well), MJM Britbender, Devi Ever stuff, various fuzz pedals, Epiphone Jack Casady bass, Danelectro basses, Fender/Squier Bullets, anything vintage and Japanese, or a Korg MicroKorg (or maybe Alesis Micron).

GaryLC · #5 03-09-2011, 06:53 AM

I remember the Schenectady Radio Shack selling those basses when I was a kid! And before it became Radio Shack, it was "Lafayette Electronics", they sold some very cool old tube amps, really screamed.

DuoSonicII · #6 03-10-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryLC

I remember the Schenectady Radio Shack selling those basses when I was a kid! And before it became Radio Shack, it was "Lafayette Electronics", they sold some very cool old tube amps, really screamed.

Very cool.

DuoSonicII · #7 03-15-2011, 11:39 AM

Still available. If you're interested, make me an offer.

snarenkunst · #8 03-16-2011, 12:36 AM

does the neck-plate says steel reinforced neck? I think it's been made in the matsumoko factory in japan.

DuoSonicII · #9 03-16-2011, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snarenkunst

does the neck-plate says steel reinforced neck? I think it's been made in the matsumoko factory in japan.

Yes, and yes.

DuoSonicII · #10 03-22-2011, 05:15 PM

Price drop - $220 OBO

DuoSonicII · #11 03-23-2011, 12:44 PM

Make me an offer.

DuoSonicII · #12 03-25-2011, 04:11 PM

Sweet thump bump.

kurtdaniel1 · #13 03-25-2011, 09:10 PM

thats so nice!! it looks even better than the orig violin bass used by sir Paul.

DuoSonicII · #14 03-26-2011, 04:24 PM

The body is considerably wider than your "typical" violin bass, which I dig. I'd keep it if I didn't have two other violin basses.

Getting some nibbles, but no bites - still available for now.

JimmyM · #15 03-27-2011, 09:08 PM

pm'd with a bite. for sure this time

JimmyM · #16 03-27-2011, 09:55 PM

and it's mine! everyone else go away!

girlonbass · #17 03-27-2011, 10:15 PM

If you're interested, there's a bit of info here...

brands

JimmyM · #18 03-27-2011, 10:30 PM

thanks for the link, girl. nice looking bass there, too. looking forward to brutalizing it through a b-15!

DuoSonicII · #19 03-28-2011, 01:30 AM

So there really are other Realistic ones? Very cool to know.