Help me identify this no name J Bass

[Jazzcaster89]

Hi all! Saw this fellow on the local swap. Looks like it could be a fun project if I can get it cheap enough. Can anybody figure out what it is? Worth anything? Worth playing around with or just firewood? He says he thinks it's a "magnum" can't find anything on that. Thanks guys for any info! Oh, he's asking 150. I'm thinking 80 tops.

 

[bobcruz]

No truss rod???

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Could be anything... Japan multi-brand bass. $80 all day.

 

[12BitSlab]

My guess would be is that it is a "Shop Class 101"

 

[cdef]

Magnum was a brand manufactured in Korea in the '70s-'80s, never very ambitious. Perhaps one of Cort's sub-brands. Your price is right, I'd say.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Could be a "Memphis?"

 

[BlacknWhite]

I found this and it looks very similar Vintage 1970's Magnum Jazz Bass - Maple Board - Made in Japan - MIJ - WOW !!!

Probably a knock off of this

 

[BlacknWhite]

I agree with Ogle though it could be anything. All the old knock off 70's jazz bass's looked the same with a different name on the headstock lol and that one doesn't even have that.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Those are either very poorly done inlays, or stickers on the fingerboard.

 

[Jazzcaster89]

No truss rod???

I just noticed that!! I'm sure the neck is junk anyway. I figure 80 for a decent body wouldn't be the worst project start. I kinda dig the body.

 

[Jazzcaster89]

Wonder how hard it would be to get a good fitting aftermarket neck?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Good neck. Easy. Whether it will fit. Who knows?

 

[Jazzcaster89]

Good neck? Easy. Whether it will fit? Who knows.

Right?!? There's a nice j bass neck for sale locally. Who knows if it would even be close.

 

[Spidey2112]

Those are either very poorly done inlays, or stickers on the fingerboard.

Bul, those are 'fanned' inlays, as in, "I see your fan had an electrical problem... Can I borrow some tape for the inlays on my neck?"

 

[PortlandBass77]

I almost guarentee Japanese from the Matsumoku factory. I used to own a very similar unbranded bass that had "Made in Japan" stamped in the neckplate and a date in the neck heal. Also those stickers with the serial # on the back of the headstalk were very common for that era.

 

[Jazzcaster89]

Bul, those are 'fanned' inlays, as in, "I see your fan had an electrical problem... Can I borrow some tape for the inlays on my neck?"

That made me spit my beer out! Thanks.
LOL

 

[NortyFiner]

I hate to say it, but that body wood looks like it was made from my dining room table.

 

[Rib 13]

The Gumby-ish body of the OP's J reminds me of how Stellah makes their J-bass knock offs:

 

[jaybones]

No truss rod???

That was the first thing I noticed. Very 70's RI vibe going on there, and I think the wood grain on the body looks good.

As far as price, no more than $80. I'd roll the dice on a Fender neck fitting.

 

[NoiseNinja]

I'd say, without not being any kind of expert, that that bass is with much certainty definitely a no name J bass!