Anyone know about Lotus p bass???

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Chop11777, Jul 1, 2020.

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  1. Chop11777

    Chop11777 Supporting Member

    Jul 22, 2016
    South carolina
    I picked up this old lotus p bass
    It plays and sounds fantastic
    Just looking for info
    The guy I got it from says he thinks it's an early 70s because of the placement of the flower on the headstock
    It's got fine fret wire
    34 scale
    Trus rod adjustment wheel at the heel
    A single humbucker of sorts
    3 piece wood construction
    And some killer knobs on it 15936231185357706598138516959605.jpg 15936231375733622114441601804023.jpg 15936230458639179347202946946259.jpg 15936231185357706598138516959605.jpg 15936231375733622114441601804023.jpg 15936231698241240590269807879610.jpg 15936231987401014342368201356516.jpg 15936232255688772618580754897816.jpg 15936232401125358565756375894864.jpg
    Any info from the Lotus gurus
    Would rock !!! 15936230458639179347202946946259.jpg 15936231185357706598138516959605.jpg
     
  2. Bass V

    Bass V

    Dec 11, 2008
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    not sure about the flower placement, but any Lotus with the flower is a good bet. your classic P may be even better than my dbl. cut (avatar), if so then you definitely should be celebrating, especially cos you no doubt got it for a song. Matsumoku Lotus' are super sleepers, congrats on your cool score.
     
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  3. Five String

    Five String Supporting Member

    I know nothing about Lotus basses (so why am I replying?) but that bass looks really cool and really distinctive and if you like it congrats to you.
     
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  4. Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    One of the best P bass clones I've tried was a Lotus at a local Pawn shop. Went back to get it and it was gone. I should have hid it behind the First Act :(
    I don't know much about that particular one, but yes the flower placement gives you an idea of the age, if the flower is next to the logo, it's a more current model, below, it's an older one and pretty darn rare. I'll see if I can find a post about it.

    Ah here.
    NBD: Possible Vintage Lotus Bass!
     
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  5. Killing Floor

    Killing Floor Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2020
    Austin, TX
    Wow, nice score. Yeah, they were kind of considered cheap in the day but they were very well made for the cost, punched above their weight. I had one like that in black that I stripped, oil rubbed and dropped in EMG and it was great. If you got it for cheap you have a bass that will outplay anything you can buy for $5-600 today. Maybe the machines aren't so luxe but that's an easy fix if you have any tuning issues.
     
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  6. Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    Did you get the one in Ohio? Saw this earlier, looks very similar. got the same headstock, pickup.
    ohio.jpg
     
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  7. GretschWretch

    GretschWretch Supporting Member

    Dec 27, 2013
    East Central Alabama
    It's got the Maxon single-coil pickup, so don't expect the split-coil humbucker P sound.
     
  8. Chop11777

    Chop11777 Supporting Member

    Jul 22, 2016
    South carolina
    Yes Max this is the same one
    Got it off reverb
    Jeff
     
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  9. Warpeg

    Warpeg

    Jun 20, 2005
    Ohio
    I had an identical one of these back in the early 1990's when I started playing. Hmm....I'm in Ohio. I wonder if this is the same one? :smug: In any event, I remember it being a decent player.
     
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  10. Chop11777

    Chop11777 Supporting Member

    Jul 22, 2016
    South carolina
    I do like the sound of it
    Just running old chrome's
    Sonic maximizer thru my new fender rumble 40
     
  11. I like the mix of grain patterns. Good score!
     
  12. _One//Man//Mutiny_

    _One//Man//Mutiny_ Gold Supporting Member

    I can't remember if it was a lotus or not but I played a similar bass with that pickup and while not a p bass, I remember it had some pretty nice tone, it was mid focused and round without having muddy bottom end or having a ton of top end. I thought it sounded really cool! One of those basses where you play it for a long time and dig it, go home and think about it, get wrapped up in the idea of that sound and next time you go back it's gone!
     
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  13. I believe I have actually encountered this exact bass before! From what I remember it sounded pretty good, the pup was interesting though. Good find! Sorry I dont have any info though:bassist:
     
  14. brianrost

    brianrost Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2000
    Boston, Taxachusetts
    That pickup and the flower ID it as an early Lotus, maybe mid 70s. Most of the ones I've seen have split-P pickups and no flower decal.

    Lotus is one of a million importers that bought instruments from Japan and later Korea. Factories cranked 'em out and slapped on whatever decal the buyer wanted.
     
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  15. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Back in the day, nobody really appreciated Lotus basses, but they really weren't bad at all.
     
  16. Chop11777

    Chop11777 Supporting Member

    Jul 22, 2016
    South carolina
    Encountered this bass ? Where what I am curious of its history tell me more
    Thanks
     
  17. Chop11777

    Chop11777 Supporting Member

    Jul 22, 2016
    South carolina
    That would be cool if it was your old bass
    I am looking for some history on it
    If you remember more let me know
    Thanks
     
  18. Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    Seems like the bass has been around and then some. Must have a lot of stories to tell. Best of luck and I would love to see where this bass has been.
     
  19. domplaysbass

    domplaysbass

    Dec 22, 2015
    Bay Area
    My first bass was actually a lotus p copy. I got it for 100 bucks with a hard case off my dads friend who played in 2000. I believe mine was made in Japan it weighs a ton has a big chunky neck with a 1.75 nut. I still have it but lent it to my cousin a couple years ago so she can learn. Hopefully she’s playing it. I guess this doesn’t help you at all, Sorry ‍
    I was just surprised to see a lotus bass.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  20. mmbass21

    mmbass21

    Dec 10, 2016
    Florida
    When I was a teenager my best friend got a Lotus P bass for his birthday. It was the first bass I ever played. He taught me how to play Money on jt. Then I begged my father for a bass and 2 days later he came home with a Memphis P bass that he borrowed from the keyboard player in his band. I was hooked forever.