Anyone know about Lotus p bass???

[Chop11777]

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
Any info from the Lotus gurus
Would rock !!!

 

[Bass V]

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.

 

[Five String]

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.

 

[Maxdusty]

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 itView attachment 3888142 View attachment 3888143 View attachment 3888137 View attachment 3888142 View attachment 3888143 View attachment 3888144 View attachment 3888149 View attachment 3888150 View attachment 3888151
Any info from the Lotus gurus
Would rock !!!View attachment 3888137 View attachment 3888142

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!

 

[Killing Floor]

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.

 

[Maxdusty]

Did you get the one in Ohio? Saw this earlier, looks very similar. got the same headstock, pickup.

 

[GretschWretch]

It's got the Maxon single-coil pickup, so don't expect the split-coil humbucker P sound.

 

[Chop11777]

Did you get the one in Ohio? Saw this earlier, looks very similar. got the same headstock, pickup.
View attachment 3888227

Yes Max this is the same one
Got it off reverb
Jeff

 

[Warpeg]

Yes Max this is the same one
Got it off reverb
Jeff

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? In any event, I remember it being a decent player.

 

[Chop11777]

It's got the Maxon single-coil pickup, so don't expect the split-coil humbucker P sound.

I do like the sound of it
Just running old chrome's
Sonic maximizer thru my new fender rumble 40

 

[ATLbassist]

I like the mix of grain patterns. Good score!

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

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!

 

[HG1180]

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

 

[brianrost]

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.

 

[JimmyM]

Back in the day, nobody really appreciated Lotus basses, but they really weren't bad at all.

 

[Chop11777]

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

Encountered this bass ? Where what I am curious of its history tell me more
Thanks

 

[Chop11777]

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? In any event, I remember it being a decent player.

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

 

[Maxdusty]

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

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.

 

[domplaysbass]

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.

 

[mmbass21]

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.