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Identify Old (?) Bass
- Thread starter Sarakisof
- Start date
Just an observation - the way the black part of the burst covers the forearm relief means it's got a plywood body. Inexpensive bass from the 70s or 80s, likely Japanese. I wouldn't give $50 for it, way better basses available for cheap now.
Never seen that brand. Going by the bridge design i would guess late eighties early nineties MIK. Looks cool though.
Yup. The telltale is the big blotch of black paint over the forearm contour - done to hide the plys from showing through. You'll never see a burst on an actual solid wood body done like that.
Take the control plate off and look at the wood inside. That will let you know what it is made from.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I concur that the arm-cut being done black often is a sign that it's plywood with a veneer top to show for the center yellow portion.
Most likely that bass dates to the early to mid 80's I had the same bridge on a Madeira bass that was a Japanese build (somehow connected to the Guild people of that era). Here's an 80's Japanese Madeira bridge:
Most likely that bass dates to the early to mid 80's I had the same bridge on a Madeira bass that was a Japanese build (somehow connected to the Guild people of that era). Here's an 80's Japanese Madeira bridge:
I think that bridge is common to lots of Matsumoku-made basses. Not sure that's what these are, just that it was a common bridge. (And a pretty decent design, actually, imho.)
Some Epiphone basses had that same bridge.
Likely not an amazing bass. But not horrible.
It's Samick made bass. Google around for a 'H830-S bass" and lots of them will come up. Some are Hondo branded. Different looks and pickup configurations are out there. Most have that same bridge.
I think the "Alabama" lettering is aftermarket.
Likely not an amazing bass. But not horrible.
It's Samick made bass. Google around for a 'H830-S bass" and lots of them will come up. Some are Hondo branded. Different looks and pickup configurations are out there. Most have that same bridge.
I think the "Alabama" lettering is aftermarket.
Hondo made an H830 and it has that same string retainer on the headstock. OG Samick product. Would probably pay $50 for it. No more.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
There may be some sloppy Fenders out there too. It doesn't reveal that it's plywood...it hides that it's plywood.
The classic Fender burst on a solid wood body:
If the arm-cut is done on plywood and you have the black to the outside edge like that, the arm contour reveals all the plies of the wood there. Thus blacking out that whole curve on the instrument on plywood bodies.
Hondo, Arbor, Daion, Lotus, Orlando, etc. all had similar designs which shared the same bridge.
Cannot see from pics if it says MIJ but it's quite possible to.
Will probably go for that price and see what seller says.
I don't think that is MIJ. I think that is Samick, MIK... Doesn't matter that much at $50. It's $50 of parts at least.
- Jan 1, 2014
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- Decendant from the Clovis culture. "Emitting that wonderful bass effect since 1970".
