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Bossa Bass Club

scubaduba

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Dec 23, 2003
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I'm guessing there aren't a ton of Bossa owners here on Talkbass but if you have one, let's see pics. Made by luthier Toshio Setozaki these are really rare in the USA so maybe some of our International brothers and sisters have one? Here's a few pics of my UJB 5 with Ash body and Ebony board. I love the preamp on theses basses. Very unique and highly versatile. My favorite tones are EQ flat with both pickups on in dual coil mode and then the inner coils. Talk about BIG tone, these things have that in spades. Cool stuff.

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I'm guessing there aren't a ton of Bossa owners here on Talkbass but if you have one, let's see pics. Made by luthier Toshio Setozaki these are really rare in the USA so maybe some of our International brothers and sisters have one? Here's a few pics of my UJB 5 with Ash body and Ebony board. I love the preamp on theses basses. Very unique and highly versatile. My favorite tones are EQ flat with both pickups on in dual coil mode and then the inner coils. Talk about BIG tone, these things have that in spades. Cool stuff.

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Congrats!
 
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If anybody ever wants to sell their Bossa please drop me a line. I love them.
I might sell mine if the price is right. OB-6E. Let me know if you are still looking for one.
 

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I'm guessing there aren't a ton of Bossa owners here on Talkbass but if you have one, let's see pics. Made by luthier Toshio Setozaki these are really rare in the USA so maybe some of our International brothers and sisters have one? Here's a few pics of my UJB 5 with Ash body and Ebony board. I love the preamp on theses basses. Very unique and highly versatile. My favorite tones are EQ flat with both pickups on in dual coil mode and then the inner coils. Talk about BIG tone, these things have that in spades. Cool stuff.

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Nice one scubaduba...indeed, basses from Original Bossa Design, Osaka (Japan) are a rare find..not only in The US, but also Worldwide and over here in Europe...they sound much better than they maybe look :-)..lucky enough I could buy my 3rd USED Bossa model last year..let my post some pics of them later on.:-)..cheers from Holland, JJ
 
I hope more Bossa fans chime in here. These basses sound fantastic. Amazing preamp. Rare, yes, and no longer being made but glorious instruments.
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What?..they are no longer made?..must be kidding..or not? :-)...I had not heard of this so far..yet, it's a bit quite around mr. Setozaki of Bossa lately?..hmm
 
My Bossa OB-5 fretless Walnutbody headstock.jpg My Bossa OB-5 fretless WalnutbodyBolton3pieceMapleneck25-fretEbonyboardBossaHbPu's+3-bandPreamp.jpg My Bossa UJB-5 CherryRedbodyBoltonMapleNeck21fretEbonyboardBossaHumbuckPu's+3bandPreamp  head.jpg My Bossa UJB-5 CherryRedbodyBoltonMapleNeck21fretEbonyboardBossaHumbuckPu's+3bandPreamp  body.jpg My Bossa OB-4 Koabody body.jpg My Bossa OB-4 KoabodyBoltonMapleNeck25fretMapleboardBossaHumbuckerPu's+3-bandPreamp.jpg
My Bossa UJB-5 CherryRedbodyBoltonMapleNeck21fretEbonyboardBossaHumbuckPu's+3bandPreamp  body.jpg

My Bossa OB-4 KoabodyBoltonMapleNeck25fretMapleboardBossaHumbuckerPu's+3-bandPreamp.jpg My Bossa OB-4 Koabody body.jpg My Bossa UJB-5 CherryRedbodyBoltonMapleNeck21fretEbonyboardBossaHumbuckPu's+3bandPreamp  body.jpg
My Bossa UJB-5 CherryRedbodyBoltonMapleNeck21fretEbonyboardBossaHumbuckPu's+3bandPreamp  head.jpg


Hey, cool to see other Bossa Bass lovers on Talkbass :)

They are indeed not widely known and rare to aquire or to find...especially over here in Europe :)
yet I had been lucky enough to own now 3 of them..they are all USED and older ones, as order mades are a bit pricey :)

Maybe it's nice to show them to you..though sorry for the poor pic quality! :)

1) Bossa OB-4 / Koa body / 3-piece bolt-on Maple neck / 25-fret Maple board / Bossa Humbucker Pu's & 3-band preamp...

My Bossa OB-4 KoabodyBoltonMapleNeck25fretMapleboardBossaHumbuckerPu's+3-bandPreamp.jpg
My Bossa OB-4 Koabody body.jpg


2) Bossa UJB-5 / TransCherry (Alder?) body / 1-piece bolt-on Maple neck / 21-fret Ebony board / Bossa HB Pu's & 3-band preamp with Halftone switch...


3) Bossa OB-5 Lined Fretles / Walnut body / 3-piece bolt-on Maple neck / 25-fret Ebony board / Bossa Humbucker Pu's & 3-band preamp / Sperzel Locking Tuners...

My Bossa OB-5 fretless WalnutbodyBolton3pieceMapleneck25-fretEbonyboardBossaHbPu's+3-bandPreamp.jpg


My Bossa OB-5 fretless Walnutbody headstock.jpg


Btw, the OB-5 fretless is the best one I ever could play on...great growl/vibe, preamp, balance & weight! :)
also I'm thinking to trade my UJB-5 now for a fretted OB-5 version..just for comfort sake :)..so I would like to hear what anyone of you might have got! :)

Cheers & Merry Christmas from Holland!
JJ
 
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Greetings, my name is William. I worked with Toshio from the beginning to market the bass in the early 90's.
I created the "Bossa Bass" name and also The Urban Jungle Bass.View attachment 2895213
He had a great run of 20 years or more. he is retired now I think. This is my upgraded Bossa 5 ...

Hello William...nice to hear from you!...I had no clue so far who worked with Toshio :-)..also I'm unsure of the year of build of my 3 Bossa basses...seems there are no serial numbers attached?...so you created the name for "Bossa Basses" and also the "Urban Jungle Bass"..Tropical Model?...did you knew it's difficult to find or search for Toshio's basses under this brand name? :-)...so, you think he's retired now?..ahm..that would explain why I had not heard anything from him for quite a while...hopefully he's in good health!...I would love to have more info about his basses..especially about the Pickups, Preamp & Hardware he used...do you think it's possible to get any re-placement parts for Bossa Basses?..sometimes I had the impression he had been inspired & also used stuff from TUNE Basses?...Nice Spalted Mable top bass you have!..a UJB-5? :-)...anyway, greets from Holland! JJ
 
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