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Basses you love that don't get enough recognition

I like uncommon bass and

  • I cannot lie

    Votes: 70 44.0%

  • You other brothers can't deny

    Votes: 27 17.0%

  • I don't understand the poll

    Votes: 20 12.6%

  • I don't care what this thread is about, I'm going to talk about my P bass

    Votes: 42 26.4%
  • Total voters
    159
#121
APB 5.png



And another current 'hide in plain sight' axe. To me one of the very best 'Fender-ish' fives, all the serious hot-rod pieces already installed (PLUS an ebony fingerboard), and yet these things are so invisible that ESP should do consultant work for Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman . . . . .

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#125
Another under the radar bass that I’ve played would be the Gibson EB4 from I think 2013 through 15? Played it at a local shop and thought it was very cool. It’s been on my list ever since. To me it looks like it fits right in with classic Gibsons of the 70s like the RD bass and the Ripper/Grabber.

Now we need a thread for all the under the radar basses that we’re merely curious about.
 

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#126
You’re probably not going to find these anywhere...
46EA9C53-85E2-41AB-AE83-39EC58F5F35D.jpeg

The Washburn, on the right, is a set neck spin-off of their Idol guitar line, and is a solid, beefy instrument. It it reminiscent of a Les Paul, with a bit of Jazzmaster thrown in to be different, and I dig it. Slightly narrower neck, but not baseball bat. The Samick 5’ers, one fretted, one fretless(they also made a 4 string)were mid-90’s ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ models, disappeared quickly, which is a shame as they were exceptionally well made Korean basses, sleek, unique headstock design, bolt-on wide but flat neck. Don’t recall the model name.
 
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#127
JW56789 said:
Two sentimental favorites that I think foreshadowed today's axes . . . . in the 80's. TUNE was derailed by losing his control over their designs to Samick for markets outside of Japan, and have never quite recovered or came out with the rush of designs they did in the 80's, which would be hard for anyone to match.

The BASS MANIAC:

View attachment 3716864

To me, the true beginning of a full 34" scale with the body and head shrunk down to minimums in a traditional shape. He made his own hardware and electronics. One of the first P/J off the rack basses, that tiny head with almost overlapping string paths, 24-fret neck with great access and great balance. The spiritual godfather of the Ibanez Soundgears, the first ones look exactly like these. P Bass Lytes, Soundgears, and all compact long-scale instruments owe this original design some props.

And The TUNE WB:

View attachment 3716867

Another design jump by TUNE in the 80's. Semi-hollow, piezo only (with the electronics done by Ron Wickersham and Alembic in a contract job), unlike anything else at the time. Any number of currently available axes like this all lead directly back to this bass.

These axes are still made in Japan by the original owner in small numbers, and elsewhere by Samick. To think these designs are from 30-odd years ago and are still templates for more than a few current axes says to me just how groundbreaking they were, and still so useable today. That they were so groundbreaking amidst their contemporaries of that day (Yamaha BB, Ibanez Musician, Aria SB, and more) says a lot.
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I second that on Tune basses.

Except mine are South Korean Hatsun TWB63's.
I'm loyal to that particular model bass.

I bought my first one in 2007.
The second,for a fretless conversion,a year later.

A while later I swapped the necks.
Sold the fretless.

Pawned the fretted.
Bought the fretted back two years later.

Converted IT to fretless.
Bought another fretted TWB.

Sold it for a seven stringer.
Sold the seven.

Had the fingerboard removed and replaced with an unlined fingerboard.
Bought another fretted TWB in 2019.

So now I'm back at two TWB's
20191205_152009.jpg
 
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#128
Watchootognbout said:
I second that on Tune basses.

Except mine are South Korean Hatsun TWB63's.
I'm loyal to that particular model bass.

I bought my first one in 2007.
The second,for a fretless conversion,a year later.

A while later I swapped the necks.
Sold the fretless.

Pawned the fretted.
Bought the fretted back two years later.

Converted IT to fretless.
Bought another fretted TWB.

Sold it for a seven stringer.
Sold the seven.

Had the fingerboard removed and replaced with an unlined fingerboard.
Bought another fretted TWB in 2019.

So now I'm back at two TWB's
View attachment 3718575
Click to expand...
Tune basses other than maybe the Maniac aren't often on the radar for most people but these basses, Japanese or Korean are terrific basses. One of the flattest basses I've ever owned. Super comfortable, neck is really playable, very easy basses to play on. I agree, these basses are great basses that don't get enough recognition, in this country anyway. In Japan, I believe they get their kudos.
My Tune.
84506521_978806652520211_6045149512589115392_n.jpg
 
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#132
JW56789 said:
Kodiak, that was what I'd been told, and now stand corrected. While we're at it, do you know the particulars of how TUNE's distribution got splintered ?

Thanks !

JW
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Way I recall it Tune in Japan won the contract for the Levinson Blade guitars/basses,as it gained importance their own work was subbed out. Initially necks/bodies came from WSC in Korea for assembly in Japan,then the whole package was handed to WSC necks/bodies/hardware,assembly and distribution.

Tune Japan went bust, WSC said they had a "Gentleman's Agreement" to continue and Tune Japan had no proof either way. WSC had the name Tune Guitar Tech and carried on filling orders/attending NAMM etc,Tune Japan renamed themselves Tune Guitar Maniac.

Tune Guitar Tech is just a part of WSC Music but they are proud of it. Some years back Sam Ash wanted the name,WSC refused prompting SA to blow out stocks for pennies. Can't say if it was a deliberate attempt to damage the brand name.
 
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#136
kodiakblair said:
Way I recall it Tune in Japan won the contract for the Levinson Blade guitars/basses,as it gained importance their own work was subbed out. Initially necks/bodies came from WSC in Korea for assembly in Japan,then the whole package was handed to WSC necks/bodies/hardware,assembly and distribution.

Tune Japan went bust, WSC said they had a "Gentleman's Agreement" to continue and Tune Japan had no proof either way. WSC had the name Tune Guitar Tech and carried on filling orders/attending NAMM etc,Tune Japan renamed themselves Tune Guitar Maniac.

Tune Guitar Tech is just a part of WSC Music but they are proud of it. Some years back Sam Ash wanted the name,WSC refused prompting SA to blow out stocks for pennies. Can't say if it was a deliberate attempt to damage the brand name.
Click to expand...


OK, now I know: I was THIS close to pulling the trigger on a Bass Maniac Five at a Sam store here in Nashville, and when I went back, they were all GONE.

Thanks, Again,

JW
 
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#137
JW56789 said:
I was THIS close to pulling the trigger on a Bass Maniac Five at a Sam store here in Nashville, and when I went back, they were all GONE.

JW
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That's a pity. If it's any use to you the MGR in Elk Grove,CA has a fretless Maniac. Not the ultra rare 3 octave version but a heck of a deal at $540.

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