Please help ID Vintage Japanese bass

RickRocks · #1 01-31-2013, 06:04 AM

I picked up an old Japanese made EB-2 knock off before Christmas that needs a bit of work. Been trying to get on it in my very uncommon spare time. Anyway I just stripped the headstock tonight and found his clue. Hoping some of you older guys can flex your years here and help me figure out what brand this is.
Here's a picture before I tore it down to work on it

And here's a picture of the headstock after I stripped the paint.

There are 4 diamonds on it. Anyone know what this could be? The only other clue was the neck plate is stamped 'Japan.'
Any help is very appreciated!

RickRocks · #2 01-31-2013, 08:04 AM

Bump. Anyone?

JohnDeereJack · #3 01-31-2013, 08:21 AM

Could it be a Columbus? I'm sure the guitars had diamonds on the headstock, not sure about basses though.

**haystack55** · #4 01-31-2013, 08:49 AM

those F-holes are pretty distinctive. that might be your best clue as to its origin. quick google image search yielded this...

http://www.hollowbodybass.com/brando...ody-bass-1.htm

... which doesn't have a lot of specific information as to manufacturer but looks pretty close to what you've got.

RickRocks · #5 01-31-2013, 02:01 PM

Is there any way to contact the webmaster or admin of that site you linked, haystack?

I've been searching all day on my iPhone. I'm not sure if its becaue I'm on my phone but I couldn't find a contact info on that site.. He seems like he know a thing or 2 about hollow bodies.

**haystack55** · #6 01-31-2013, 02:12 PM

doing a quick lookaround, it looks like it's a fellow TB-er whose handle is circuitspore.

**haystack55** · #7 01-31-2013, 02:33 PM

are you planning on stripping the body paint as well? I'd be interested to see what's under there. one way or the other it looks like a super cool find.

cdef · #8 01-31-2013, 03:07 PM

Here's a good match as far as the headstock:

circuitspore · #9 01-31-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdef

Here's a good match as far as the headstock:

Looks like cdef has a winner, the mounting holes for the 'mayfair' plate match the extra holes on the face of your headstock. I've seen that four-diamond inlay on other basses as well (that weren't badged as Mayfair). Unfortunately a specific brand or example is escaping me at the moment.

The fact of the matter is that you have a Japanese hollowbody that was produced at one of a few plants that produced these types of basses that were then badged under huge variety of names. I personally wouldn't sweat the brand, because in a lot of cases, they're interchangeable.

RickRocks · #10 01-31-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdef

Here's a good match as far as the headstock:

Wow! Thank you cdef! That is an exact match down to the binding!
It looks like the company logo is stuck or glued on that headstock which would explain why it is missing.

There aren't any extra holes in the headstock. Those 2 marks that seem to line up with where it had the company logo are Knicks down to the wood. In the picture they sort of look like holes, but they're not.

I did a small test spot of the stripper on the body. I did it towards and edge though. It was black under there, but I want to hit it in the middle to see if it's a burst. I'll most likely post some progress when I make some more. I've been trying to take many pictures, but have forgotten to do a few befores until after.... Progress is slow because I have a job, a kid, and a cover band...

cdef · #11 01-31-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickRocks

... It looks like the company logo is stuck or glued on that headstock which would explain why it is missing.

Mayfair was a 1960's import brand owned by Grossman Music Corp. in Cleveland, OH. They may have just slapped the badge on in their warehouse.

Your bass was probably built by Matsumoku. Those distinctive f-holes are the same as on e.g. some of their Lyle and Commodore hollowbodies.