Bass Maniac by Tune?

[ShallowBayXI]

*For those that like the the Reader's Digest version "It's Made in Japan". Yes it's Japanese Tune.

That TUNE link is for the Korean company Hatsun. This is TUNE Japan [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] What's printed on that headstock is not the serial #. The serial would have been screen printed on the heel just above the body, due to the screen printing many of them wore off. The bridge is the biggest clue, is the bridge made of stainless steel? It would have "TUNE Stainless Steel" engraved on the bridge. The stainless bridge got dropped by the Koreans since it was one of the most expensive components. The strap locks aren't really mysterious TUNE OEM pieces, they are just Dunlop inset locks used by TUNE Japan.

This bass has had parts replaced, those tuners are not original to the bass. However it is Japanese, late model Japanese production before the original company imploded. It's very similar to my older 4 string, same finish, you don't find that paint on a Korean TUNE. Also the Japanese fingerboards were tiger striped ebony. The Korean guys were parts suppliers/contractors to the original TUNE Japan, how the whole 2 TUNEs came about is not worth rehashing and someone else could condense it better then I. But once again to the original question, "Yes Virginia, it is Japanese!" The price? That's open to debate. I think they priced it based on condition, that being very good from the looks of it. Since they aren't well known, most Japanese Maniacs sell rather cheaply unless the seller knows what he has, I'd say the guy at GC that priced that one maybe knew what it was.

Alright perfect. Thanks a bunch for the information. It's good to know! I'm going to go pick up the bass later today. Can't wait.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Just poking around on Google last night it seems as though the neck heel on Korean ones is straight. Yours has the curved neck joint. The serial number should confirm when you find it but I now think it is Japanese.

The neck heel isn't definitive. A few Japnese TUNEs have a straight cut (there is one on Ishibashi right now) and three of my Korean builds are curved.
-Kahuna

 

[spectorfreak]

The neck heel isn't definitive. A few Japnese TUNEs have a straight cut (there is one on Ishibashi right now) and three of my Korean builds are curved.
-Kahuna

Kahuna your Koreans are higher end model basses are they not? Some of the higher priced Koreans, as you say, do have the irregular shaped neck to body joint like the old Japan models.

 

[spectorfreak]

Alright perfect. Thanks a bunch for the information. It's good to know! I'm going to go pick up the bass later today. Can't wait.

Anyway you will love it. The fretwork on the old TUNEs is impeccable, getting super low action is quite easy if they are set up properly and everything is working right (read, the truss rod). Are those EMGs? My 4 string Maniac has an EMG j set installed on top of the TUNE preamp, it's pretty killer.

 

[Billybladez66]

You should enjoy it. I recently got a Korean TWB6 that plays great...has an awesome neck and overall feel. Enjoy...and enjoy the uniqueness amongst other players as ALOT of folks don't own not have heard of em...least guys that aren't on TB.

 

[ShallowBayXI]

Anyway you will love it. The fretwork on the old TUNEs is impeccable, getting super low action is quite easy if they are set up properly and everything is working right (read, the truss rod). Are those EMGs? My 4 string Maniac has an EMG j set installed on top of the TUNE preamp, it's pretty killer.

The pickups just say tune on them, but they look pretty reminiscent of EMG..

 

[spectorfreak]

lol

 

[wraub]

The finish on the OP's bass and the one above looks the same as my MIJ Ibanez basses from '85.
Have liked every Tune I have played, which is a few- always seemed well built and played nicely.

OP- enjoy!

 

[ShallowBayXI]

lol

Haha sweet, looks just like mine!

Out of curiosity, I've seen a lot of people talking about tunes and calling them the "Japanese Alembic"... I'm assuming this is just a fun moniker of sorts, but is there any real relation with Alembic? I've heard something about the wood being similar...?

 

[spectorfreak]

Haha sweet, looks just like mine!

Out of curiosity, I've seen a lot of people talking about tunes and calling them the "Japanese Alembic"... I'm assuming this is just a fun moniker of sorts, but is there any real relation with Alembic? I've heard something about the wood being similar...?

Well, the story I heard, maybe it's not true, but I read that the original TUNE cat, I can't recall his name off hand, but I read that when he started building he knew the Wickershams and he had come over and purchased a bunch of tone woods from the Alembic stocks and imported it back to Japan to use in building them. Might just be lore but the Japanese Alembic thing I am aware of. Also there's the passing resemblance of the headstock shape of course.

 

[InhumanResource]

I'd jump on it...these are very nice!

 

[Dan B]

First off, glad you got the bass!

*For those that like the the Reader's Digest version "It's Made in Japan". Yes it's Japanese Tune.

That TUNE link is for the Korean company Hatsun. This is TUNE Japan [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] What's printed on that headstock is not the serial #. The serial would have been screen printed on the heel just above the body, due to the screen printing many of them wore off. The bridge is the biggest clue, is the bridge made of stainless steel? It would have "TUNE Stainless Steel" engraved on the bridge. The stainless bridge got dropped by the Koreans since it was one of the most expensive components. The strap locks aren't really mysterious TUNE OEM pieces, they are just Dunlop inset locks used by TUNE Japan.

This bass has had parts replaced, those tuners are not original to the bass. However it is Japanese, late model Japanese production before the original company imploded. It's very similar to my older 4 string, same finish, you don't find that paint on a Korean TUNE. Also the Japanese fingerboards were tiger striped ebony. The Korean guys were parts suppliers/contractors to the original TUNE Japan, how the whole 2 TUNEs came about is not worth rehashing and someone else could condense it better then I. But once again to the original question, "Yes Virginia, it is Japanese!" The price? That's open to debate. I think they priced it based on condition, that being very good from the looks of it. Since they aren't well known, most Japanese Maniacs sell rather cheaply unless the seller knows what he has, I'd say the guy at GC that priced that one maybe knew what it was.

I'm curious about history of Tune Japan. Is the current Japanese Tune the same company that went under and now reformed? Or is it a completely different third company using the same name? I want to say it's the original company because the Japanese site is still up and you can get new basses from them, but I am curious.

 

[quilanthegreat]

Truth is... the country of origin should be irrelevant. If the instrument speaks to you and can inspire you to become a better musician than you were yesterday, then that should be the deciding factor.

 

[sonicnuance]

Always love the look of that bass, especially the headstock

 

[Dan B]

Truth is... the country of origin should be irrelevant. If the instrument speaks to you and can inspire you to become a better musician than you were yesterday, then that should be the deciding factor.

That's obvious, but I'm just wondering about the current companies and am interested in the history of them.

 

[pnchad]

IIRC they made pretty fancy models early on too. Neckthru maybe but I definitely remember Hippie woods.

 

[ShallowBayXI]

I'm proud to say that I took it home. I absolutely love this bass. Here's a quick little sample of what it sounds like, through me stumbling to think of what to play at least

 

[Big Kahuna]

Hey SBXI-

Pretty good sounding B string U got there! Oh, and the other four too.

Your sound clip makes me think this bass doesn't have the percussive element like the TUNES I play; rather, it's got more of a "Hi-Fi" sound. Not "Hi Fi" like a Yammi TRB4P (those who've played a TRB4P will "grok"), but this Maniac sounds headed in that direction. Gorgeous and versatile bass guitar you've got there.

Is it a 9 volt preamp, or the 18 volt model that is in both Japanese and Korean TUNES nowadays?

Congrats again.....she's a winner.

SpectorFreak, nice pix of your TUNE Maniac as well. I was seriously considering grabbing SBXI's from GC, just for the color. But damn GC never posted a picture on the used listing, and then SB walked in and made the score. Now it seems you've got the same finish on yours. Drooling is indicated here at Kahunaville.

Some of my TUNES in the TWB series do have the curved/rounded neck joint as was mentioned up-thread.

Let's make it even more interesting: an elderly TWB 4 Padauk/mahogany I bought that was essentially unplayed, mint, NOS, whatever. Also, it was kept in a case that even prevented the Padauk from darkening. I'm guessing it too is from the 80's. Long story short, this TWB has no headstock logo. Many of the Japanese TUNE basses were supplied without that logo, in the earlier production. This Padauk TUNE is definitely Korean, but perhaps there was more cross pollination between the two companies, earlier in their split.

A last suggestion to any TUNE players.....I've tried lots of different string sets. The ones that seem to sound the best on my basses are Everley B52's. Not to say that's going to translate to anyone else as we all have different rigs. I run a fair amount of tube compression into 2 GK heads/speaker combinations that add their own sonic elements. But perhaps worth a try when it comes time to change strings.

Best to all....
-Kahuna

 

[ShallowBayXI]

Hey SBXI-

Pretty good sounding B string U got there! Oh, and the other four too.

Your sound clip makes me think this bass doesn't have the percussive element like the TUNES I play; rather, it's got more of a "Hi-Fi" sound. Not "Hi Fi" like a Yammi TRB4P (those who've played a TRB4P will "grok"), but this Maniac sounds headed in that direction. Gorgeous and versatile bass guitar you've got there.

Is it a 9 volt preamp, or the 18 volt model that is in both Japanese and Korean TUNES nowadays?

Congrats again.....she's a winner.

SpectorFreak, nice pix of your TUNE Maniac as well. I was seriously considering grabbing SBXI's from GC, just for the color. But damn GC never posted a picture on the used listing, and then SB walked in and made the score. Now it seems you've got the same finish on yours. Drooling is indicated here at Kahunaville.

Some of my TUNES in the TWB series do have the curved/rounded neck joint as was mentioned up-thread.

Let's make it even more interesting: an elderly TWB 4 Padauk/mahogany I bought that was essentially unplayed, mint, NOS, whatever. Also, it was kept in a case that even prevented the Padauk from darkening. I'm guessing it too is from the 80's. Long story short, this TWB has no headstock logo. Many of the Japanese TUNE basses were supplied without that logo, in the earlier production. This Padauk TUNE is definitely Korean, but perhaps there was more cross pollination between the two companies, earlier in their split.

A last suggestion to any TUNE players.....I've tried lots of different string sets. The ones that seem to sound the best on my basses are Everley B52's. Not to say that's going to translate to anyone else as we all have different rigs. I run a fair amount of tube compression into 2 GK heads/speaker combinations that add their own sonic elements. But perhaps worth a try when it comes time to change strings.

Best to all....
-Kahuna

Yeah, I love the sounds this bass can make! It handles distortion pretty well too. Cracked it open and it's got one 9v, so I'm guessing that's more proof it's Japanese? Lol, yeah, I'm really happy with this bass. My biggest regret ever musically was selling my 80s Fender P Bass (MIJ), but this is easily as good, and has a much nicer neck profile.

 

[ShallowBayXI]

Here's a quick picture, a little nicer than the other one: