Anyone recognize this bass?

[dejo42]

I just picked up this old short scale bass guitar. It's kind of unusual. Les Paul shape and Gibson shaped head stock. Fixed bridge. It has 2 switches (like a hofner or jazzmaster guitar). Four Gibson style speed knobs. I'm a guitar player so it's new to me. I have mad respect for the bass though. Kind of why I picked this thing up. $45. Thanks in advance to any and all replies.

It is a single cutaway, my fat face makes it kind of look like a double.

 

[EricssonB]

Oh, that's a uhm...





...welcome to TB.

 

[darkstorm]

Unusual. Any name on the neckplate if bolt on? Or stamped into heal of neck if set neck? Anything stamped onto the back of the headstock? Looks like could be a nice les paul style bass.

 

[waynobass]

Let's just call it a Fibson.

 

[dejo42]

No serial numbers that I can find. Maybe if I pull it apart. There were these two stickers on the back though. One is an inspection sticker.

 

[Gar Bear]

Hi dejo42,

My google shows eb40 to be an Epiphone model. That may send in the right direction.

Good Luck!

Gb

 

[Rumblefisher]

Looks like an Epi Les Paul with a modded input jack, painted over headstock and changed tuners. $45, if it's functional, good buy!

 

[dejo42]

the switches should be a clue but I still got nothin.

 

[Deathblade Eric]

the switches should be a clue but I still got nothin.

Yeah, blank here too. The switches and especially the tuners scream late 70s/early 80s "Lawsuit" JapCrap to me, exactly the same pattern on my 1981 Aria TSB-400 but I've seen them on other brands like Columbus & Avon etc.

It's unlikely to be a Matsumoku-built bass - if it were I'd expect to see the neck plate stamped 'STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK'.

Any chance of a better shot of the headstock? preferably in daylight & at a bit of a shallow angle. It *might* throw up something hiding under the paint.

P.

 

[nestyq]

I got one too recently. Same stickers on the back. The previous owner said it was Epi, but could not give me more info. Mine was functional but really bad looking. I don't know if it is worth to repaint it and upgrade the hardware.

 

[pfox14]

As far as I've seen all Epi basses say Epiphone on the front of the headstock. I always think of no-name basses as being made by people who don't want you to know they made it.