Help identifying bass?

[spinfreak]

Hi y'all. First off, let me say thanks for any help y'all can give me. Sadly, I have absolutely zero knowledge of music...well, I listen, but don't know jack squat when it comes to making it, or instruments. In trying to find info about this bass, I came across this forum, and figured someone here would know some info.

I'm looking for a manufacturer/name, more than anything. But a possible value would be helpful also, as well as the best place to sell it (I sell some stuff on eBay, but like I said, I have zero knowledge of instruments, so not sure if there's somewhere better to sell).

Anyway, the only thing I know is that it was manufactured in Japan. I can't find any markings on it. There is a loose tag inside the guitar case, but I'm not sure if it belongs to the bass or not, as a google search comes up blank. The front of the tag says "John Roberts Inc", and the rear of the tags says the same, as well as "NY, NY 10018", and has "RN 23973" and "Style 4050". I'm thinking the tag is either from something totally different, or possibly from the case itself???

Here's some pics of the bass...

Thanks in advance for any and all help

 

[HeavyRockBasser]

Because you're new here, we're not supposed to do any valuations. But, it appears that this is a Japanese seventies P-bass clone. Some of these were very well made, and can make great players, but they aren't generally worth a whole lot... somewhere along the lines of a used Squier, usually.

The tag appears to be a clothing tag. You can throw that away.

 

[lowphatbass]

It's a typical Japanese "lawsuit" Jazz Bass copy. They were imported under many different brand names. Some are better than others, typically the models with maple necks are better but what you have going for you is the fact that it's in near perfect shape and it's complete with all the covers and the case...that strap is worth a little bit as well.

You should check sold ebay listings for value, search terms like "mij" and "lawsuit bass". If you list it make sure to show some pictures with the metal bridge and pickup covers removed as well.

 

[millsbass5]

Definitely post some pics with the chrome covers removed.

 

[spinfreak]

Thanks. I truly appreciate the help. I did a quick search on eBay, and there's loads of listing under both "mij" and "lawsuit bass", and selling prices are all over the place. I'll have to do a more through search this weekend when I have more time, but st least it gives me a starting point.

And while I don't know squat about instruments, you are right, in that it appears to be in near mint condition. Also, I can't really compare it to anything, but the construction seems to be fairly decent quality...it's heavy and solid.

Aside from somebody coming along and being able to positively ID this particular bass, or me finding it on eBay, and seeing as you can't give me a value since I'm new here, would y'all possibly be able to tell me what the best route would be to sell it? Would just throwing it on eBay, and hoping it gets bid up be my best option? Or list it for a buy it now price? Or would something like Craigslist be better?

Thanks again

 

[spinfreak]

Definitely post some pics with the chrome covers removed.

I'll take, and post, a few pics tomorrow. Thanks

 

[Oren Hudson]

One of the brands that comes to mind is Lincoln, although most that I've seen had the name on the headstock. I have one from many years ago. It was a Fender Jazz Bass to every detail except the tuners and the truss rod cover - just like yours. As stated, value can fall in a wide section. I'd start on CL to see if any interest. Then decide whether to adjust the price and/or move to Ebay.

 

[wvbass]

But, it appears that this is a Japanese seventies P-bass clone.

Oops.

 

[Co0O]

It looks very much like my first bass, which was a late 70's Cimar Jazz Bass copy. Headstock, tuss rod cover, sunburst, inlays, tuning machines, pickguard looks exactly the same. But the Cimar decal is missing. I think the bridge had two saddles (tele-style) instead of four - check under the cover.

 

[spinfreak]

Well, I’m only close to 5 years late with a follow up, but better late than never, right? Lol

My apologies....I didn’t get a chance to take those additional pics back when I had first posted this thread, and then life kinds just happened, and the bass got ousted to the back of the closet and forgotten about.

As of now, I’m still in the same boat as I was back in ‘13..... no clue about the manufacturer, nor value. I do have pics with those chrome covers odd now, though. To my untrained eye, I don’t see anything disguinguishing about the new pics, but maybe y’all might know what the heck we’re looking at?

Once again, thank you in advance for any additional info and/or direction y’all can give.

 

[design]

It does look like the Cimar Jazz Bass previously posted by Klonk here
Any experts in 197? model Ibanez copy bases out there?

And this one
Any experts in 197? model Ibanez copy bases out there?

 

[spinfreak]

It does look like the Cimar Jazz Bass previously posted by Klonk here
Any experts in 197? model Ibanez copy bases out there?

And this one
Any experts in 197? model Ibanez copy bases out there?

Wow! Mine is a damn near clone of that first one. Only things different on mine is the knobs, the pickup (I think that’s what it’s called, right? I’m sorry, like I said in my original post, I have zero knowledge about this stuff. Lol), the chrome covers, and the name on the neck.

 

[spinfreak]

Ok, please correct me if I’m wrong, but upon quite a bit of searching before I fell to sleep this morning (I work nights), it looks like I have a pre-1975 Ibanez Silver Series P Jazz Bass in Tobacco Burst color/pattern. Would that be correct?

I was originally thinking that it was a knockoff, but apparently Ibanez’s are the knockoffs. And the lack of a serial number would put it at 1975 or earlier. Is the lack of a name on the head common, or maybe it was removed (or the bass refinished) at some point along the way?

If that’s accurate, I came across listing from about $500, up to about $900 or so. And those were for a few ‘76 and ‘78’s. Not sure if a pre-‘75 would be in the same ballpark, or higher or lower? I mean, I don’t intend on selling it anyway, but I’d still like to know an approximate value.

Thanks again.

 

[spinfreak]

Hmmm..... I was just checking out the old Ibanez catalogs, and it actually looks like it’s a Cimar 1908. It’s identical, other then the lack of name on the head. But I did notice that the 1902 lacks a name, so maybe some just didn’t get a name applied, or maybe another variant?

And if that’s accurate, are Cimar’s specifslly referred to as Cimar’s, or are they still generally referred to as Ibanez’s? Because all of the listings that’s I came across were Ibanez.

 

[spinfreak]

Ok, I’m confused as hell. Lol. Now, looking back into their catalogs even more, it actually looks like mine is a 2365B from their 1971 catalog. It’s exsctly the same, even including the lack of a name on the head. Hmmm....

 

[FranF]

It's not an Ibanez. It's a generic Japan Jazz Bass copy, badged under several different names in the early to mid 70s. And having a name or not, or knowing it's a '70 or '75 is also not important. They are what they are. ;-)

 

[spinfreak]

It's not an Ibanez. It's a generic Japan Jazz Bass copy, badged under several different names in the early to mid 70s. And having a name or not, or knowing it's a '70 or '75 is also not important. They are what they are. ;-)

I was under the impression that back then Ibanez’s were the copies, no? So mine is just a generic copy of something else, or a copy of the Ibanez?

 

[FranF]

Yours is a copy of a Fender. Ibanez did mostly copies from the mid 60's until around the late 70's when they introduced mostly original stuff, like the Musician, Roadstar, etc...

 

[spinfreak]

Yours is a copy of a Fender. Ibanez did mostly copies from the mid 60's until around the late 70's when they introduced mostly original stuff, like the Musician, Roadstar, etc...

Ok, gotcha. So would there be any way to identify the manufacturer of my copy, or is it pretty much impossible?

 

[user362432]

See this:

It came out in 70's as Kasuga, Aria, Ibanez, Greco, you name it...
Been there, done that. I hate that thing. Wood is great, electronics is a crap.
I believe yours is Aria 1540.