NBD: MAYA

tomersg · #1 01-22-2013, 03:27 PM

meet Maya - my new MIJ jazz bass.

first some photos:

as you can see, its a 70's jazz bass copy made in japan, probably also made in the 70's.
it's nice sounding and playing bass.
i cleaned, setup and put set of DR's. replaced the bridge. the neck is really nice and playable. but little chunky.
fret job is great with small frets. except the 12th fret at g string which buzz but i working on it.

wonder if i can learn some more info of this bass.
how are the electronics looks?
the sound is OK. the neck pickup have more power the the bridge.
what wood's ??

worth?

thanks.

tomersg · #2 01-23-2013, 04:36 AM

somebody help please maybe?

Yakob · #3 01-23-2013, 04:51 AM

Not much to be said. Tons of similar basses were produced around the same time. Probably made of mahogany, not worth more than maybe 250-300 dollars (being generous).

Not the cleanest wiring job, but if everything works then it's not a big deal.

tomersg · #4 01-23-2013, 05:11 AM

i payed 200$..

tabdog · #5 01-23-2013, 05:33 AM

$200 is an OK price.....

I recently paid $150 for a 1968 Electra Long
Necker model 2271 with an ash body. I had
to repair a back bow in neck and replace the
bridge pickup,

Tabdog

tomersg · #6 01-23-2013, 05:40 AM

nice one tabdog!

this is the back of my maya:

tomersg · #7 01-23-2013, 05:48 AM

my main interest is the woods this maya made of.

bassteban · #8 01-23-2013, 06:13 AM

The way the black portion of the sunburst finish covers the forearm contour says * plywood* to me, as does the looks of the electronics cavities; neck is likely maple. You need to become a supporting member to ask value- it's a rule here.

geoff_in_nc · #9 01-23-2013, 06:53 AM

I think I can see the layers of plywood in this picture.

Nevertheless, if you like it and it sounds and feels good to you, then great score!

**DeanT** · #10 01-23-2013, 09:41 AM

Maya and El Maya guitars were made by the same company in Japan in the 1970s. The El Maya range were Fender and Gibson clones. I'm surprised this one is not El Maya. Maybe the neck was swapped at some point.

Anyway, definitely plywood for the body. The electronics are low-end but can sound pretty good. I wouldn't have paid more than $150 but that's just me.

If you like it and it sounds good, then enjoy it. Don't worry about what anyone thinks about it.

tomersg · #11 03-22-2013, 06:34 PM

well here is a late update.
did some work and mods on this maya and very happy with it.
replaced the pickups with SD Quarter pounders i found for chip and also replaced the electronics with new pots.
replaced the crocked tuners with decent and nice tuners.
did some fret leveling and installed new nut.
replaced the bridge with nice one.
tone is good, looks is good and feel is good.
maya is happy - me happy

Fine Cut · #12 03-23-2013, 12:31 AM

Nice! The perfect color/neck combo in a Jazz!

Rip Topaz · #13 03-23-2013, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff_in_nc

I think I can see the layers of plywood in this picture.

Nevertheless, if you like it and it sounds and feels good to you, then great score!

I'm not sure if I'm seeing plywood or just the multiple passes someone took with a router to enlarge that control cavity.