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Bossa Bass Club

Let's try to settle this. On my OB-5, at the bridge I'm measuring 72mm from middle of B to middle of G. We divide that by 4 and get 18mm spacing. Just for comparison's sake, on my Peavey Cirrus (bolt-on) 5, it is 17.5mm. Care to measure your OB-J5? It sure looks wider, but that could just be the photograph.


freshly measured specs:
  • nut width: 1 3/4"
  • string spacing: 18mm
  • board width at end of board: 2 7/8"
 
Check this out from the Wayback Machine! --> Bossa USA: Home Of Bossa Bass and Guitars

so it looks like they offered both OBJ5 and OB5 with 24 or 25 frets, I've seen both versions.

I know see that the main difference is the pickup location. the "J" versions both pickups are closer to the neck. the OB5 pickups are slightly closer to the bridge.

I've got an OB5!
 
so it looks like they offered both OBJ5 and OB5 with 24 or 25 frets, I've seen both versions.

I know see that the main difference is the pickup location. the "J" versions both pickups are closer to the neck. the OB5 pickups are slightly closer to the bridge.

I've got an OB5!
freshly measured specs:
  • nut width: 1 3/4"
  • string spacing: 18mm
  • board width at end of board: 2 7/8"

Then by golly, they are the same!
 
so it looks like they offered both OBJ5 and OB5 with 24 or 25 frets, I've seen both versions.

I know see that the main difference is the pickup location. the "J" versions both pickups are closer to the neck. the OB5 pickups are slightly closer to the bridge.

I've got an OB5!

For me, the main difference is that upper horn. It's much shorter and crazier looking on the OB-5 vs the OBJ-5. And what's with the "E" at the end? Like this: OB-5E. Was the E always there, or does that mean something different? :eyebrow:
 
For me, the main difference is that upper horn. It's much shorter and crazier looking on the OB-5 vs the OBJ-5. And what's with the "E" at the end? Like this: OB-5E. Was the E always there, or does that mean something different? :eyebrow:
I think the E might have been ebony board? So maybe mine is an OB5e? I should probably reach out to Danny Stewart as Bass Japan and just ask
 
Now I need to track down a semi hollow OBJ5, didn't even know that existed!

Yeah, I'd sure love to try one. I once visited their U.S.A. distributor Hussain Jiffry at his home studio. He sold me a replacement preamp when my bass boost went bonkers. I tried to contact him later regarding replacement knobs, with no success. I figured he was on tour with Yanni again or otherwise busy.
 
I've gotta think the pickup shift sounds different, it's more pronounced than even 60s vs 70s jazz pickup spacing. Chances of playing the two side by side are slim, I've never come across another one in person.
I think the E might have been ebony board? So maybe mine is an OB5e? I should probably reach out to Danny Stewart as Bass Japan and just ask

Ahhh, you're probably right. In that case I also have an OB-5E. Cool. And check out that BUS-5 model. Brazilian Rosewood?! That was pre CITES for sure.

As for the pickups, that's surely a more important difference. I just meant it's not the first thing I noticed. I would imagine the neck balance is better on the OB-J5. It's slightly neck heavy on my OB-5E. A wide strap tames it pretty well.
 
Yeah, I'd sure love to try one. I once visited their U.S.A. distributor Hussain Jiffry at his home studio. He sold me a replacement preamp when my bass boost went bonkers. I tried to contact him later regarding replacement knobs, with no success. I figured he was on tour with Yanni again or otherwise busy.
AFAIK Hussain Jiffrys hasn't been affiliated with Bossa for quite some time. He was definitely a good guy to deal with.
 
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I know this is an extreme long shot but if anyone has a 5 string Bossa they’d like to sell, I’d be more than willing to buy! Been wanting to purchase one for a while now and hoping I get lucky here.
Keep rocking on!
Dan at Bass Japan Direct has them for sale pretty regularly, I think he has one or two right now.

You'll worth it, probably my favorite bass I've owned out of....40?
 
Hello folks,

I am thinking of posting my OB5 for sale in the classifieds. I got it a little over a year ago in the classifieds, and will likely ask the price I paid. I haven’t taken it out of the house, but I haven’t had much chance to bond with it, so I would like someone to give it some use. It is a stellar bass. I wanted to give first crack at it to someone here who knows how cool and rare these are. I am located in Boston.

Here’s the original ad:

 
Hello folks,

I am thinking of posting my OB5 for sale in the classifieds. I got it a little over a year ago in the classifieds, and will likely ask the price I paid. I haven’t taken it out of the house, but I haven’t had much chance to bond with it, so I would like someone to give it some use. It is a stellar bass. I wanted to give first crack at it to someone here who knows how cool and rare these are. I am located in Boston.

Here’s the original ad:

I have a friend who has been begging me to sell him my Bossa, I'll run it past him. that price is incredible!
 
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Hello folks,

I am thinking of posting my OB5 for sale in the classifieds. I got it a little over a year ago in the classifieds, and will likely ask the price I paid. I haven’t taken it out of the house, but I haven’t had much chance to bond with it, so I would like someone to give it some use. It is a stellar bass. I wanted to give first crack at it to someone here who knows how cool and rare these are. I am located in Boston.

Here’s the original ad:

Aaand sold to the Groovy guy above. Thanks again, TB…
 
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My newest addition to the arsenal bossa ujb5 custom order flawless
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