Does anyone know this bass guitar?

[bigthemat]

Wait... faders instead of knobs??!?!! Has any other brand done that?

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

It's not a Hofner.
It looks like an Eastern European, Cold-War bass to me.

 

[Dynacord]

Wait... faders instead of knobs??!?!! Has any other brand done that?

Defil did that on a lot of different models in the 70s. Not sure about others. Variation on the theme, I love the sliders on some of the Meazzis (I have this one from '65)

 

[bigthemat]

Defil did that on a lot of different models in the 70s. Not sure about others. Variation on the theme, I love the sliders on some of the Meazzis (I have this one from '65)

View attachment 4629396

woah!! that's radical, I love it!

 

[bluespenny]

While you've obviously solved the mystery, I think it's worth mentioning that the headstock was probably influenced by Framus of Germany. They were using that "duck's foot" design around 1968 on Framus and IMS branded instruments, the latter apparently being sold in Poland (not sure about Framus proper).

 

[Sir Nose]

Wait... faders instead of knobs??!?!! Has any other brand done that?

L. Ellis Hahn will build you one:

L.E.H. Guitars

 

[Dynacord]

While you've obviously solved the mystery, I think it's worth mentioning that the headstock was probably influenced by Framus of Germany. They were using that "duck's foot" design around 1968 on Framus and IMS branded instruments, the latter apparently being sold in Poland (not sure about Framus proper). View attachment 4629444

Defil 'borrowed' a lot of design elements. Some obvious Hagstrom knock-offs and the best known guitar (Kosmos) was a budget Gibson Moderne sort of copy.

 

[Breeze3]

L. Ellis Hahn will build you one:

L.E.H. Guitars

I thought of Ellis Hahn as soon as I saw the headstock on this bass , Lisa uses sliders on her eq .

 

[Joe Gudole]

Defil for sure. Old factory is about 15 miles from me. Repros of the logos are still available.

View attachment 4629352

Where can I order them?

 

[Dynacord]

Where can I order them?

Defil - Loga i naklejki na główkę Wyszków • OLX.pl

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

But why is the instrument that great in your opinion?

 

[Phaidrus]

It looks like a Defil Baston bass.



Defil Baston, Poland, 70s, Green – Reforged Guitars

Yes, I thought it looked soviet-type design alright.

@Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati

That is exactly my question as well.

 

[funkinbottom]

Just bought this instrument and it really sounds marvelous. I just can't find any information on it.

Glad you've solved the mystery. Congratulations, that is one awesome bass. Is it a long or short scale?

 

[mikewalker]

While you've obviously solved the mystery, I think it's worth mentioning that the headstock was probably influenced by Framus of Germany. They were using that "duck's foot" design around 1968 on Framus and IMS branded instruments, the latter apparently being sold in Poland (not sure about Framus proper). View attachment 4629444

Yep, I have played circa 68-69 Framus instruments with the 'duck-foot' headstock. It's always been a favorite of mine...

 

[NOVAX]

Get that g string under the retainer tree before I plotz.

 

[Green Knight]

i had a hofner and the neck inlays looked just like that

 

[Joe Gudole]

Defil did that on a lot of different models in the 70s. Not sure about others. Variation on the theme, I love the sliders on some of the Meazzis (I have this one from '65)

View attachment 4629396

Good God! I want that one!

 

[Joe Gudole]

Glad you've solved the mystery. Congratulations, that is one awesome bass. Is it a long or short scale?

It's long scale.

 

[Joe Gudole]

But why is the instrument that great in your opinion?

Well it plays very grateful. The neck is quite slim, u shaped. The Sound is very much like the 70's, Stooges, Joy Division, Velvet Underground, etc. It's well defined and clear. Let's call it ancient funky. It's medium weight and well balanced. Tho the bass is all I never wanted. It's 4 string, passiv and a bold on neck. I have to boost it, to get the volume similar to my active basses. I lowered the strings and adjusted the octave. But it's real fun playing it and I love it. It doesn't stand back to my younger, active, neck through body, 5 to 7 string, fretted or fretless gear.

 

[JIO]

Defil did that on a lot of different models in the 70s. Not sure about others. Variation on the theme, I love the sliders on some of the Meazzis (I have this one from '65)

View attachment 4629396