Anyone recognize this bass?

[J_Bass]

Hello, I saw this bass for sale and I was curious if it's worth anything.

I was drawn to the peculiar pickups and the overall design that I don't recognize.

The owner says it's a Paloma, but I can't find anything online.


Does anyone have or heard about these basses?


Thanks.

 

[Double E]

This is likely one of many brands that were manufactured in Japan in the late 60's and early '70s by just a small number of factories and rebranded under many nameplates for resale to various markets. These things do have nostalgic appeal to some that grew up in that era and there is a bit of a cult following for instruments like this. Probably plays and sounds awful and has only collectible value to this rather narrow market.

If it's cheap and speaks to you then it may be worth buying and tinkering with but there will be no significant windfall in the resale of this bass.

 

[J_Bass]

Thank you.

I am looking for a cheap bass to learn to setup properly, I don't want to experiment on my other basses.

For what you said, it's better if I don't buy it. Maybe I'll just use my Hamer for that.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[GretschWretch]

I agree with Double E regarding the value, but the pickups and knobs to me suggest a 60s 70s Soviet bloc bass.

 

[Double E]

Thank you.

I am looking for a cheap bass to learn to setup properly, I don't want to experiment on my other basses.

For what you said, it's better if I don't buy it. Maybe I'll just use my Hamer for that.

Thanks for the advice!

Don't be afraid to make adjustments on your own bass. Just make sure you're using the right information to address the issues.

This guy covers the basics and is somewhat funny to listen to. He has very many videos of himself doing bass and guitar setup and repairs. I have become more confident in doing my own work from watching this goof do stuff.

 

[Double E]

I agree with Double E regarding the value, but the pickups and knobs to me suggest a 60s 70s Soviet bloc bass.

I am not a huge aficionado of basses from this era. I think the same phenomenon was happening in both Japan and Russia (among other regions). They were just looking to capitalize on this rather new found market for electric instruments.

They did push the envelope in many ways and were certainly responsible for steering some aspects of design... for instance, notice the spoke wheel truss rod adjuster in the OP's pic. Ahead of it's time I'd say.

 

[J_Bass]

Don't be afraid to make adjustments on your own bass. Just make sure you're using the right information to address the issues.

This guy covers the basics and is somewhat funny to listen to. He has very many videos of himself doing bass and guitar setup and repairs. I have become more confident in doing my own work from watching this goof do stuff.

Great suggestion, thank you.

I agree with Double E regarding the value, but the pickups and knobs to me suggest a 60s 70s Soviet bloc bass.

Thank you.

I am always looking in the local "ebay" site, you never know what comes up. Not that I need another bass, quite the contrary, actually.

 

[Mark76]

Also the 3 + 1 tuners. Which predate Music Man by at least half a decade.

Unless it's from later than '76.

 

[HaphAsSard]

They did push the envelope in many ways and were certainly responsible for steering some aspects of design... for instance, notice the spoke wheel truss rod adjuster in the OP's pic. Ahead of it's time I'd say.

Also the 3 + 1 tuners. Which predate Music Man by at least half a decade.

Unless it's from later than '76.

Yeah, it's fascinating how churning out cheap instruments for the masses, usually just vaguely reminiscent of most famous ones, involved coming up with innovation (and in some cases very valid aesthetic choices - I've seen very slick vintage Framus basses on here), and sometimes anticipation of design elements that became commonplace only years later.
According to a quick web search I made after seeing this 1960s Spanish Guillermo Lluquet bass
Whats's this bass? (found on Barcelona)
truss rod adjustment wheels were used by Burns, Vox, Jolana and other brands well before Music Man (though engineering details may differ).
The 3+1 HS is even more of an egg of Columbus, so I wouldn't necessarily expect direct influence even if the instrument in question didn't predate MM (which it probably does anyway).

 

[dukeandrews]

Totally cool bass. Rewire it and I bet it won’t be bad as long as the neck is straight...as long as it’s cheap.