Help identify my bass

[ThatDudeOrion]

I just came into possession of what I believe to be a fairly cheap MIJ/MIK Jazz Bass copy. I was wondering if you guys could give me more info on what I've got just to satisfy my curiosity or save me from modifying a bass that has some value. I can't find any serial numbers or anything on the bass to identify who made it or where. Thanks.
-Orion

 

[FretlessArt]

Have you taken the neck off to see it there are any numbers at the union of the body?

 

[tplyons]

70's Japanese... Tokai maybe. Not too particularly valuable, but fun nevertheless.

 

[savit260]

Definitly 70's Japanese. Probably not a Tokia. More like a Kent, Global, Teisco, some mail order brand etc. etc. Mod 'till your hearts content. Those don't have an real collector value. You might be able to make it reasonably playable with some effort. Honestly, those era Japanese basses usually make better wall hangers than players.

 

[Bard2dbone]

I'm voting Kent. A friend had one that looked VERY like this.

 

[Bone]

Kent or Conrad, looks like that zero fret could use a little work.

 

[crkempton]

General Electric? hahaha.... it's a long story

 

[Lokire]

I vote Tiesco Del Ray (who exported under a bunch of different names).

I had one that had the same neck (zero fret), finger rest, and bridge:

 

[ThatDudeOrion]

Thank you so much for all your replies. I feel much more informed now. I was actually hoping it wasn't too valuable so I could take it apart, put it back together, see how it works, mod it, etc. before I try any of that on a nicer piece. Thanks again.
-Orion

 

[joebingo]

hey, what does the zero fret do exactly? I've always wondered, but not been able to find anything about it on the net.

 

[Busker]

I could be wrong, but I think the zero fret was a Gretsch innovation. At least Gretsch used it, even if they weren't the first.

String nuts can be a problem, getting them cut just right for proper string height, good action, etc (making a good nut from scratch is an accomplisment). But Gretsch, along with Chet Atkins (he helped with some of their guitar designs) figured a zero fret would eliminate string nut problems. Guitars with zero frets use the nut merely as a string holder/spacer.