Help identify this vintage bass?

[mudhooker]

My gut says vintage 60s or 70s Japanese made.. but what? Hard to find another like it online.

 

[JIO]

Whatever it was - it's been modded. (neck-hugger mud-bucker pu, pg, bridge, and most likely the electronics. Bridge pu looks original but may have been moved to its current location.

 

[user362432]

Probably some modified Teisco

 

[mudhooker]

After looking more I also think it looks modified. Im going to check it out soon, hoping it works at least.

 

[JIO]

After looking more I also think it looks modified. Im going to check it out soon, hoping it works at least.

If it plays/sounds good and it's cheap - and you get it, post bigger/clearer pics and I probably can determine what it 'was'.

 

[Reedt2000]

This tempo bass has a very similar body shape. It has the two screws by the bridge too for the cover. The headstock isn't a match. I don't think there is any question the one you're looking at is modded. Pretty sure @JIO hit the nail on the head.

 

[mudhooker]

If it plays/sounds good and it's cheap - and you get it, post bigger/clearer pics and I probably can determine what it 'was'.

if it passes the test I'll post more pics, thanks!

 

[Rabidhamster]

Think that’s from the early Ibanez factory. For the right price, I’d hit it.

 

[mudhooker]

This tempo bass has a very similar body shape. It has the two screws by the bridge too for the cover. The headstock isn't a match. I don't think there is any question the one you're looking at is modded. Pretty sure @JIO hit the nail on the head.
View attachment 3410886

Thanks for the response. Crossing my fingers the mods were done ok. I'll just have to see when i see it

 

[JIO]

This Tempo bass has a very similar body shape. It has the two screws by the bridge too for the cover. The headstock isn't a match. I don't think there is any question the one you're looking at is modded. Pretty sure @JIO hit the nail on the head.
View attachment 3410886

I just scanned my "History of Japanese Electric Guitars" and saw the guitar version of that bass - good eye. Similar, but not the one.

 

[Reedt2000]

Be sure to check intonation, the new bridge seems like it could be further from the neck than the original might have been. Maybe that was an improvement, maybe not...

 

[JIO]

Thanks for the response. Crossing my fingers the mods were done ok. I'll just have to see when i see it

For me anyway, if what I end up wanting is a price I've determined worth whatever it is (including mods done cleanly, correctly and has made it a better bass) - it's worth it.

 

[mudhooker]

Be sure to check intonation, the new bridge seems like it could be further from the neck than the original might have been. Maybe that was an improvement, maybe not...

This is something I am worried about.

 

[fretter]

Here's an old Hagstrom:

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[mudhooker]

For me anyway, if what I end up wanting is a price I've determined worth whatever it is (including mods done cleanly, correctly and has made it a better bass) - it's worth it.

I agree. For me as long as the neck isnt a mess and frets arent worn out then I can work with it. And if the bridge is in the right place..

 

[mudhooker]

After looking more I believe the following. Of course there are a few assumptions. Originally a 1 pickup bass. The neck pickup was moved to bridge spot, and the original bridge cover had to be removed for the pickup to fit. Some kind of "mudbucker" was put in neck spot. Pickguard was reshaped (you can see some unused pickguard screw holes). And its blurry, but maybe some mini switches put in and must had knobs and pots added for 2nd pickup. The fact that is has a strap and tuner makes me feel better, like someone actually played and tuned it!

 

[laughing house]

Sure looks a lot like my 1965 Kent Newport bass. It has been modd

ed, and not in a good way.

 

[Reedt2000]

Sure looks a lot like my 1965 Kent Newport bass. It has been moddView attachment 3410898 ed, and not in a good way.

I think that's it. Everything matches, logo is attached to the surface of the headstock so might have come off (or this one was unbranded).

 

[mudhooker]

Sure looks a lot like my 1965 Kent Newport bass. It has been moddView attachment 3410898 ed, and not in a good way.

That looks like the same neck, but the body is different. The one in question isnt as offset/angular as yours on the bottom bout.. and the top horn is more Pbass and yours is more Jag.

 

[JIO]

Sure looks a lot like my 1965 Kent Newport bass. It has been moddView attachment 3410898 ed, and not in a good way.

Closer, but this body is more "contoured" than the one posted. Pu and neck/tuners look the same, but not the body shape. Upper horn is smaller & less curverd and no 'hook' on the lower horn.