Funky semi bass Japanese?

[Jack Havoc]

anyone know what this gem is. No serial #. No made in Japan on the plate. Looks original apart from the paint job. Plays sweet. Short scale. And has that surf string damping feature. Got it for next to nothing years back….

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Most of it looks like an Aria or Conrad, which would have come from the same factory, from the 70s although I don't remember seeing a single pickup version but that could be the reason for the refinish also, a pickup route got filled. The headstock is different from a "typical" Aria or Conrad however. I know I've seen that headstock I'm blank on whose it was.

 

[yodedude2]

that looks similar in shape to an old Kimberly (Teisco) bass i once briefly owned. same sort of tulip/hollowbody mash-up style ~

 

[micguy]

That's definitely a funky design. The amount of length between the butt end of the body and the bridge, and the upper horn only going to the 16th fret or so (even if the strap is attached behind the neck, it's about the same place) means....you have a short scale with considerably MORE reach to the first fret than a long scale FSO would have.

 

[ajkula66]

Zero fret would point in the direction of Europe, most likely. The "wheel" truss rod adjustment could point to what was Eastern Europe back then, mainly Czechoslovakia and East Germany.

A conversation piece, most certainly.

 

[Jack Havoc]

Thanks for the info. Never heard of Conrad. I know the kid who painted it and I don't think there was another pickup. No switch, no tone control neither. Body is solid. It's a great punchy bass. Cheers.

Most of it looks like an Aria or Conrad, which would have come from the same factory, from the 70s although I don't remember seeing a single pickup version but that could be the reason for the refinish also, a pickup route got filled. The headstock is different from a "typical" Aria or Conrad however. I know I've seen that headstock I'm blank on whose it was.

 

[Jack Havoc]

Thanks for the info. Never heard of Conrad. I know the kid who painted it and I don't think there was another pickup. No switch, no tone control neither. Body is solid. It's a great punchy bass. Cheers.

that looks similar in shape to an old Kimberly (Teisco) bass i once briefly owned. same sort of tulip/hollowbody mash-up style ~

My thought was teisco. Got a few older ones. They usually say made in japan on the neckplate. Any idea of the year?

Most of it looks like an Aria or Conrad, which would have come from the same factory, from the 70s although I don't remember seeing a single pickup version but that could be the reason for the refinish also, a pickup route got filled. The headstock is different from a "typical" Aria or Conrad however. I know I've seen that headstock I'm blank on whose it was.

 

[Jack Havoc]

That's definitely a funky design. The amount of length between the butt end of the body and the bridge, and the upper horn only going to the 16th fret or so (even if the strap is attached behind the neck, it's about the same place) means....you have a short scale with considerably MORE reach to the first fret than a long scale FSO would have.

You right. The access is spot on. Also weighs nothing. Great to throw around. Odd that it only has the volume control. But the damping can be done at the bridge. Sweet little bass.

 

[yodedude2]

solidbody, eh? my old kimberly was a true hollow body, some sort of tulip-shaped shorthorn mash-up. i didn't have it for very long. no idea of the year, but i reckon it was ca. 1970 or thereabouts ~