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

[Mastermold]

'69 Framus Apollo ss bass -

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pre-Kubicki multi-lam neck -
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Nice! How does it sound? Looks like a Hofner pickup.

 

[JIO]

Nice! How does it sound? Looks like a Hofner pickup.

Oh, not mine - it's currently for sale on eBay (no affiliation) - 1969 Framus Apollo Bass – Vintage W German Short-Scale | Sunburst | All Original | eBay

It's in VGC and I wouldn't be surprised if there is a similarity to a Hofner -

 

[paulelhierro]

I used to have this Framus Star Bass 10 years ago. Very slim and fast neck. Had to sell it...

 

[JIO]

I used to have this Framus Star Bass 10 years ago. Very slim and fast neck. Had to sell it...

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Very cool hollow-body! I've not seen that model before.

 

[JIO]

Another cool Teisco Del Rey - love the pg & green/black-burst finish. Not the best pics (eBay)...

 

[Bent77]

Very cool hollow-body! I've not seen that model before.

I have only seen that in a picture, and only once. Beautiful bass, too bad @paulelhierro had to move it

 

[JIO]

I have only seen that in a picture, and only once. Beautiful bass, too bad @paulelhierro had to move it

We probably all have a story like that. I know I've had to let go of an awesome bass due to paying the bills. (my '86 Kubicki Ex-Factor comes to mind) Or that regardless of how awesome that bass is - it just isn't for me. I had a sweet '86 Fireglo Ric 4003 like that.

 

[Bent77]

We probably all have a story like that. I know I've had to let go of an awesome bass due to paying the bills. (my '86 Kubicki Ex-Factor comes to mind) Or that regardless of how awesome that bass is - it just isn't for me. I had a sweet '86 Fireglo Ric 4003 like that.

Yeah those lust stories that don’t last. Had a few of those, all nice instruments just not right

 

[JIO]

Yeah those lust stories that don’t last. Had a few of those, all nice instruments just not right

I always like the less rare/affordable sleeper basses that surprise you how good they are! My '99 MIK Dano Longhorn comes to mind -

 

[paulelhierro]

I have only seen that in a picture, and only once. Beautiful bass, too bad @paulelhierro had to move it

Look for old pictures of Bill Wyman, he played nearly the same bass(es)

 

[JIO]

Look for old pictures of Bill Wyman, he played nearly the same bass(es)

Definitely one like it - pg & controls are different and his had a top of some light stripy-charactered wood (most likely a veneer)

 

[ac100X]

me playing my first bass in 1967 (a 1964 st. george):
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here's a pic of it now:
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a cool old Harmony bass that i wish that i never sold:
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Vox Cougar:
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my groovy 1968 Ovation Typhoon (Hofner made the complete body and sent to the USA where Ovation made and installed the neck):
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Looking through this 2022 post, and finally a VOX, .........it's about time.

 

[cdef]

Definitely one like it - pg & controls are different and his had a top of some light stripy-charactered wood (most likely a veneer)

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Framus used the "Star-Bass" appellation for a whole range of different models from the late '50s thru the '60s - solid or hollow, thin or full, large or small, offset or not. Bill Wyman played and endorsed at least three variants with the Stones. That one was the "de Luxe":

 

[JIO]

'60s CRUCIANELLI -

plastic side trim shrank -

interesting racing stripe -

 

[paulelhierro]

Very interesting to see that the 'user interface' (text) for the 4 switches is upside down, to make it easier for the player in case he/she does not remember!

 

[BruceG68]

Let's not forget Hagstrom.I have a 76 Hagstrom Jazz bass that plays great and I still use it today.

 

[JIO]

Let's not forget Hagstrom.I have a 76 Hagstrom Jazz bass that plays great and I still use it today.

Not '60s but Haggies are definitely players!

 

[JIO]

Very interesting to see that the 'user interface' (text) for the 4 switches is upside down, to make it easier for the player in case he/she does not remember!

Yes, I've seen many examples the opposite.

 

[JIO]

'69 Framus Apolo -

 

[Nerve]

'69 Framus Apolo -

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How fricken' cool. I think people sleep on Framus.