Electra bass information

[groove pump]

I've got an Electra Phoenix 6-string guitar with an electronics layout similar to a Les Paul; double humbuckers, 2 vol, 2 tone, plus coil tap and series/parallel switching. It's absurdly heavy, even on my bass strap, but it sounds and plays SOOOOO sweet that I can't imagine getting rid of it any time soon. Spectacular build quality from the legendary Japanese builders back in the day

 

[mexicanyella]

If I’m not mistaken, TB member @Riff Ranger has (or had?) an Electra Phoenix bass, and spoke highly of it. Maybe he’ll see this and stop by.

I’ve never seen an Electra Phoenix bass in the flesh, but I have one of their guitars from the same time period, and it has been a solid and durable instrument. If it’s any indication, those Matsumoku characters were doing some respectable work in those days.

 

[Pauly 4001]

Chris Squire owned and played an Electra back in the Drama era so you'd be in good company.
His was a X-620 MPC with the built in effects cartridges:

 

[Riff Ranger]

If I’m not mistaken, TB member @Riff Ranger has (or had?) an Electra Phoenix bass, and spoke highly of it. Maybe he’ll see this and stop by.

I’ve never seen an Electra Phoenix bass in the flesh, but I have one of their guitars from the same time period, and it has been a solid and durable instrument. If it’s any indication, those Matsumoku characters were doing some respectable work in those days.

This is one of the Electra/Westone basses I haven’t had I can say I never owned one I didn’t like, though. Many of them came with sweet DiMarzios or perfect clones in them, including this one, I bet. That pickup may have been replaced, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good.

 

[Squint]

I own one and they are sleepers for sure. The only things negative I can say is that is it a little on the heavy side and the upper horn is shorter than average so the reach/balance is less optimal. But the build quality and cool factor always made up for it!

 

[mexicanyella]

I own one and they are sleepers for sure. The only things negative I can say is that is it a little on the heavy side and the upper horn is shorter than average so the reach/balance is less optimal. But the build quality and cool factor always made up for it!

That is 100% true of my guitar also. Fit and finish is excellent, nice vintage neck profile with smallish frets (kind of unusual in 80s rock guitars) and a pretty heavy maple body. And a nearly indestructible metallic grayish finish.

 

[dkelley]

Electra made GREAT instruments! Nice!

 

[cdef]

Electra made GREAT instruments! ...!

Good instruments, but Electra never made anything... it was an import moniker owned by St. Louis Music. Matsumoku and other OEMs in Japan made them.

 

[dkelley]

Good instruments, but Electra never made anything... it was an import moniker owned by St. Louis Music. Matsumoku and other OEMs in Japan made them.

yep, I'm aware. But anything branded Electra was excellent from my experiences. And my my Les Paul guitar is matsumoku and is insanely great.... although another store brand in this case.

They were interesting times....

 

[danbones]

this thread is the reason i love talkbass. thanks for schooling the rest of us today.

only reason I know Electra as a brand is because they had a Dan Armstrong knockoff bass and guitar. i can’t remember what the bass had for pickups off the top of my head, but they’re cool and usually affordable if you love plastic basses!