Cool 60's basses (OTHER than main-stream brands)

[rickwrench]

There were some interesting Pioli/Wandre basses.
Here's a shot of an early "toilet seat" Rock Bass (and an Eko). Badged as a Framez.

Rick (were these shots posted earlier?)

"Girl's Rock" album cover shot.

 

[GretschWretch]

But oh those expressions. I couldn't ask to be mugged by a prettier pair.

 

[Nerve]

I’ve wondered about that. Never had one “in hand” but the pictures generally make the neck look like a #2 pencil.

I actually like that. Narrow but rounder necks work for me.

 

[Nerve]

Awesome Wandrè RIF 347 Rock n Roll bass - It sold for over $14k on Reverb - a true museum piece.

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[Calebmundy]

I think this Goya is from the late 60s. My little brother rescued it (with permission) from his Jr High band room where someone is smashed it up pretty good. My dad slapped some Formica on the bottom where the inputs had all Ben smashed through and my little brother decoupaged some torn book pages into the inlays.

 

[H K]

I think this Goya is from the late 60s. My little brother rescued it (with permission) from his Jr High band room where someone is smashed it up pretty good. My dad slapped some Formica on the bottom where the inputs had all Ben smashed through and my little brother decoupaged some torn book pages into the inlays.

Oh damn! That makes me think of all the weird old basses I've seen in places like that. Schools, old community centres etc. Crap, I'll br wringing my brain out now trying to remember

 

[JIO]

There were some interesting Pioli/Wandre basses.
Here's a shot of an early "toilet seat" Rock Bass (and an Eko). Badged as a Framez.

Rick (were these shots posted earlier?)

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"Girl's Rock" album cover shot.
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Not posted earlier - thanks for posting!

 

[GretschWretch]

I think this Goya is from the late 60s. My little brother rescued it (with permission) from his Jr High band room where someone is smashed it up pretty good. My dad slapped some Formica on the bottom where the inputs had all Ben smashed through and my little brother decoupaged some torn book pages into the inlays.

Goya Rangemaster.

 

[JIO]

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For sure! Italian surrealism! (with a nod to Spanish Dali!) In fact, a guitar he made was played by Sal Dali in a band called "The Surrealists".

 

[JIO]

I think this Goya is from the late 60s. My little brother rescued it (with permission) from his Jr High band room where someone is smashed it up pretty good. My dad slapped some Formica on the bottom where the inputs had all Ben smashed through and my little brother decoupaged some torn book pages into the inlays.

poor thing...

 

[JIO]

There were some interesting Pioli/Wandre basses.
Here's a shot of an early "toilet seat" Rock Bass (and an Eko). Badged as a Framez.

Rick (were these shots posted earlier?)

View attachment 4604751

"Girl's Rock" album cover shot.
View attachment 4604750

 

[spiritbass]

So, there may be various threads that bump up against this one but here's what I'd like to more specifically do here.

What I'd like to do is start the ball rolling to create a reference library of sorts that covers non-mainstream brands . So not Fender, Gibson, Ric, Gretsch, Guild, Vox, etc. They can be from various parts of the globe like Japan, Germany, the US, Russia, England or Italy with an emphasis on the electric guitar/bass boom that went into high gear once the Ventures and Beatles inspired young people to learn to play electric guitar. ('62-'64) Basses that were created in the late 50's can be posted but I want to avoid the 70's as many non-mainstream brands started becoming mainstream then and started making direct copies of Fenders etc moving away from more unique designs, which is what I'm hoping for here.

Here's a few examples to set the visual tone for this thread - please feel free to post basses that fit within the overview I've laid out. Pics can be of basses from your own collection or culled from an on-line/book source.

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St George - Japan
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Silvertone - Japan
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Egmond - Canada
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Coral - (Dano) US
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Framus - Germany
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Meazzi - Italy
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Teisco - Japan
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Guyatone - Japan
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Teisco (Baritone) - Japan

That Framus is so funked!

 

[JIO]

(no affiliation)

Wandre Rockbass 1962 Natural | Jaco van der Steen | Reverb

 

[H K]

BAH! Welp, I just got some bad news. I've been waiting and wanting for a "re-issue" of the Ampeg Scroll bass by Eastwood for a while, and was excited about it coming back in stock this week. I went to the company website to order, only to find it still was not in stock. After emailing them, I was told that the shipment had been delayed until july... 2nd hand costs as much as they do new, if not more in some cases, so guess Ill just have to wait. Unless one pops up locally, which I highly doubt... There is an ampeg tho, but it's about 4000$ and I'd prefer the "updated" version. Anyway heres the ampeg and the eastwood.

The headstock on the ampeg is better, but the neckdive tho

 

[H K]

In looking at the Ampeg, I also heard of a brand called Italia here on TB. Now, these basses are NOT vintage, but I think they belong here either way. Punch me if you disagree, but look at some of their models first.

 

[Nerve]

For sure! Italian surrealism! (with a nod to Spanish Dali!) In fact, a guitar he made was played by Sal Dali in a band called "The Surrealists".

Whoa. You're kidding, right?

 

[Nerve]

In looking at the Ampeg, I also heard of a brand called Italia here on TB. Now, these basses are NOT vintage, but I think they belong here either way. Punch me if you disagree, but look at some of their models first.
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I actually own a black version of that Italia Mondial you posted. It's a looker for sure, but I'll be honest... it's my least favourite bass. Borders on wall-candy for me.

Edited to add that I've read positive reviews on other Italia basses so, YMMV I guess.

 

[ThudThudThud]

A buddy of mine started out with one of these Futurama basses...

before getting his first Ric, then a whole host of Precisions.

 

[JIO]

Whoa. You're kidding, right?

It was noted in a book I have "Electric Guitars - The Illustrated Encyclopedia" by Tony Bacon / 2000 Thunder Bay Press.

 

[Mark76]

A buddy of mine started out with one of these Futurama basses...
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before getting his first Ric, then a whole host of Precisions.

My avatar approves