My wife was given her grandfather's bass guitar after he passed. Wondering if anybody could tell me about it? Year it's from, who is Mayfair, etc. I'll post pics. Thanks.
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Help Identifying Bass?
- Thread starter CT77
- Start date
According to google, Mayfair was a Japanese brand, parent company is Kawai, made in the 60's. I can't find an exact match for that bass but I'd say that's in the ballpark.
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That's the issue I'm having also. Can't find this exact bass at all in a google search. I did see it's more than likely from Japan. But, that's it. Not sure if it's all original or it was pieced together? Interesting...
What fun!
Definitely a Japanese bass. Extremely likely it’s from the 60s. It has all the tribal markings: zero fret, bar string hold down, pot metal tuners, etc. But beyond that I’m at a loss. The names on the headstocks for these basses are largely meaningless. Any one of three or four companies could have built it.
Did you get a chance to play it? Some of these monstrosities turn out to be decent players with their own unique sound after they get a little TLC, a decent set of strings, and a good setup. They’e an essential fashion accessory if you’re ever in a hardcore grunge or punk band. And they always get surprised looks and a fair amount of attention whenever you take one to a jam session.
Definitely a Japanese bass. Extremely likely it’s from the 60s. It has all the tribal markings: zero fret, bar string hold down, pot metal tuners, etc. But beyond that I’m at a loss. The names on the headstocks for these basses are largely meaningless. Any one of three or four companies could have built it.
Did you get a chance to play it? Some of these monstrosities turn out to be decent players with their own unique sound after they get a little TLC, a decent set of strings, and a good setup. They’e an essential fashion accessory if you’re ever in a hardcore grunge or punk band. And they always get surprised looks and a fair amount of attention whenever you take one to a jam session.
What fun!
Definitely a Japanese bass. Extremely likely it’s from the 60s. It has all the tribal markings: zero fret, bar string hold down, pot metal tuners, etc. But beyond that I’m at a loss. The names on the headstocks for these basses are largely meaningless. Any one of three or four companies could have built it.
Did you get a chance to play it? Some of these monstrosities turn out to be decent players with their own unique sound after they get a little TLC, a decent set of strings, and a good setup. They’e an essential fashion accessory if you’re ever in a hardcore grunge or punk band. And they always get surprised looks and a fair amount of attention whenever you take one to a jam session.
Thanks for that! I have not played it...No amp. And I'm actually a drummer. Lol! I do play a little bit of guitar though. Just thought it was pretty cool, being her grandfather's. He played in a band back in the day. Johnny Cash stuff mainly. So, we know it's from the 60's and Japan made. Appreciate the info from everybody so far!
Mayfair would be one of the bajillion “brand names” coming out of the Matsumoku factory 1960s/70s Japan.
That bass doesn’t look pieced together, seems to be in fairly original condition. Probably late 60s is my guess. Looks like it’s strung with GHS precision flats which are great strings. How’s it sound?
That bass doesn’t look pieced together, seems to be in fairly original condition. Probably late 60s is my guess. Looks like it’s strung with GHS precision flats which are great strings. How’s it sound?
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,962
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Fujigen Gakki, founder Yuichiro Yokouchi - started making guitars in 1960. Mayfair was one of over 40 brands under their umbrella. Most likely mid-60s
Mayfair guitars
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/please-help-identify-this-bass.966588/
(Post #13)
According to Frank Meyers' book History of Japanese Electric Guitars and Basses, Mayfair instruments came from the factory of Fukigen-Gakki. Period. No Kawai, no Teisco, and Matsumoku was a region, not a company.
And just before I post this, I see that @JIO pre-empted me while I was thumbing through my copy of the book.
Perhaps he will make amends by writing a review of the book for TalkBass so I won't have to. 
I have the same style of knobs, but in black, on my Sears Roebuck Silvertone guitar from @1975. It also has the zero fret and it had the same string retainer on the headstock. It also has the same width rounded heel and truss rod adjustment, and three-tone sunburst, although, of course, the body shape, pickups, pickguard, and some other details are different on my guitar compared to the OP's bass.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,962
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Those knobs both cream and black were installed on many guitars & basses then, including Teisco's.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
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- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,962
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Mayfair guitars
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/please-help-identify-this-bass.966588/
Sure - once I do, I'll post it on my Japanese basses thread - https://www.talkbass.com/threads/vi...for-those-who-appreciate-them.1481664/page-39
When you see a barrel shaped truss rod nut like that in that position it’s more than likely Japanese as you’ve been told. If you were a distributor, or even just a good sized music store, you could have any name you wanted put on a headstock if you bought a high enough quantity. Looks likely to have a plywood body by virtue of the black paint covering the forearm chamfer and appears to have a “tug bar” made from either Macassar ebony or possibly Brazillian rosewood.
FWIW, Mayfair was an import brand registered to Grossman Music in Cleveland, OH. It seems not to have survived the '70s.
Here is another specimen, but with a different headstock logo:
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