Help to identify old bass

[Matteo Marzo]

Hello can I get your help to name the bass in the attached pictures?

I got it from a friend at the beginning of the 00’s, he might have bought it in the 80’s or 90’s (?!)

I’ve got no other information, other than it was originally black, but it turned out it was sunburst underneath (what you see is a painting I did myself).

I have no clue what model it is and I would like to understand if it’s worth trying to bring it back to life.

I am an intermediate bass player, I have been playing blues guitar for 5 years now, I like funk bass and I’ve got a Squier Classic Vibe 60 Jazz bass and a micromark 801 Markbass.

Thank you for your help,
Matteo

 

[ghostdog93]

My first thought was an old Epiphone ET-270 bass, but the neck and headstock aren't correct. It's got a lot of the same features - single coil pickups, 3 way switch on the lower horn, and the bridge screw pattern looks really similar.

Are there any markings on it at all? Neck plate? Under the heel or pickguard? Pots?

 

[Matteo Marzo]

No, no marks, no serial numbers, no additional data, unfortunately. I know it’s complicated, but the only information available is why we can see, i.e. shape of the body, pickguard shape and holes, the pickups…

 

[JIO]

Looks to have a zero-fret so possibly made in the early '70s. It's pretty generic - a cheap bass whatever it was branded.

 

[ghostdog93]

Just a correction: ET-280, not the 270. The 270 was the guitar, the 280 the bass.

Also, this -

Read more about it
Epiphone 1820 Bass / Epiphone ET-280 Bass >> Vintage Guitar and Bass

 

[JIO]

Just a correction: ET-280, not the 270. The 270 was the guitar, the 280 the bass.

Also, this -

View attachment 7172559

Read more about it
Epiphone 1820 Bass / Epiphone ET-280 Bass >> Vintage Guitar and Bass

Similar, but not the same.

 

[ghostdog93]

Similar, but not the same.

I didn't say they were the same.

If you read the article I linked, it says "The imported Epiphone guitars of late 1970 were based on existing models produced at the Matsumoku plant since the late 1960s. These were available from numerous dealers worldwide, re-badged, sometimes adapted slightly, but effectively the same guitars."

At least that offers some explanation of what it might be, given the similarities (burst finish, control layout, holes for the tug bar and bridge, etc.), so I hope the OP finds it useful.

 

[JIO]

I didn't say they were the same.

If you read the article I linked, it says "The imported Epiphone guitars of late 1970 were based on existing models produced at the Matsumoku plant since the late 1960s. These were available from numerous dealers worldwide, re-badged, sometimes adapted slightly, but effectively the same guitars."

At least that offers some explanation of what it might be, given the similarities (burst finish, control layout, holes for the tug bar and bridge, etc.), so I hope the OP finds it useful.

I missed the link below the pic which would have informed my response - thanks for posting!

 

[Matteo Marzo]

Is there a way to change the title of this thread and edit my first post, to avoid comments from people making jokes with names I don’t need and didn’t ask for?

That’s off-topic, as I clearly stated what I needed help with in the message.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Matteo

 

[Matteo Marzo]

Can you please stop commenting with names I didn’t ask for help with?

As I already mentioned, I don’t need that—that’s not why I posted in this forum, and it’s starting to feel childish.

Just FYI, I’ve reported the users who commented after my previous message, in case that helps put an end to this silly game.

Thanks,
Matteo

 

[Ritter667]

Can you please stop commenting with names I didn’t ask for help with?

As I already mentioned, I don’t need that—that’s not why I posted in this forum, and it’s starting to feel childish.

Just FYI, I’ve reported the users who commented after my previous message, in case that helps put an end to this silly game.

Thanks,
Matteo

What the....

How about you change the thread title to "Help identify this bass" instead.

You got what you asked for!

 

[Mastiff_5]

Is there a way to change the title of this thread and edit my first post, to avoid comments from people making jokes with names I don’t need and didn’t ask for?

That’s off-topic, as I clearly stated what I needed help with in the message.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Matteo

Dude - you said “Help me name old bass” - clearly we are all childish and are going to suggest silly names.
It’s what we do my friend.
Now… are going to put flats on it, or what?

 

[HaphAsSard]

Hello can I get your help to name the bass in the attached pictures?

I got it from a friend at the beginning of the 00’s, he might have bought it in the 80’s or 90’s (?!)

I’ve got no other information, other than it was originally black, but it turned out it was sunburst underneath (what you see is a painting I did myself).

I have no clue what model it is and I would like to understand if it’s worth trying to bring it back to life.

I am an intermediate bass player, I have been playing blues guitar for 5 years now, I like funk bass and I’ve got a Squier Classic Vibe 60 Jazz bass and a micromark 801 Markbass.

Thank you for your help,
Matteo

I hope TB member @cdef can chime in.

In the meantime, could you take
- one picture of the body in horizontal position,
- one of the headstock, and
- one of the entire bass from afar, perpendicularly to its surface?

 

[ajkula66]

I have no clue what model it is and I would like to understand if it’s worth trying to bring it back to life.

It's an inexpensive Japanese instrument from early '70s. Once restored it may give you a nice quirky sound which will be very far removed from what you're used to with your Squier. It's unlikely to ever become your main player.

BTW I owned an Aria Diamond 1820 - very similar to your bass and identical to the Commodore seen in post # 5 - and decided to let it go instead of setting it straight...

I wouldn't put too much time/money into it, but it's your bass...