My first bass resurrected (including back-story)

[JIO]

As someone who still owns his first bass, and also did a thread on resto-modding it, I'll be watching this!

Can you post that link here Jon? Maybe I already saw it - but maybe not.

 

[JIO]

Glad to hear the neck is decent! I'd be happy to make a decal if you can find a clean image (or draw it).

Missed this - thanks for the offer ... the metal Tempo badge is on the way!

 

[JIO]

Ah yes; the Sears Christmas Wishbook and all that.

sears catalog guitars - Google Search

spiegel catalog guitars - Google Search

ward's catalog guitars - Google Search

Play the game yourselves. Just keep catalog and guitars in all your searches and change the name of the store (being sure to always be looking at the "images" page). Not represented here are Lafayette Electronics, Radio Shack, Heathkit, even Western Auto.

This is confusing - the 2pu 1443 Silvertone Hornet was $79.95 w/HSC, and the 1pu Silvertone Hornet w/HSC was $114.95!?! Also, it appears the 1pu version was short-scale judging from the bridge location. More $ for a short-scale?

 

[Beej]

That's gotta be a mistake. Longer scale, additional pickup, more knobs and fancy multi-ply pickguard. Some ad copy guy lost his job I bet!

 

[Swings]

Toe the Line vs. Tow the Line

Society and modern culture needs more people like you

This is confusing - the 2pu 1443 Silvertone Hornet was $79.95 w/HSC, and the 1pu Silvertone Hornet w/HSC was $114.95!?! Also, it appears the 1pu version was short-scale judging from the bridge location. More $ for a short-scale?

View attachment 5041936

Darn it, purrty colours shiny hardware and offset shapes.

I’m sure if I’d been even alive At publication date i would have resented these BECAUSE of their appeal. Guess i am crazy. (The hockey stick looking-ish headstocks for electric instruments will never endear itself however)

 

[JIO]

That's gotta be a mistake. Longer scale, additional pickup, more knobs and fancy multi-ply pickguard. Some ad copy guy lost his job I bet!

Must have been something like that - the 1pu version is definitely student-grade comparatively.

 

[JIO]

Society and modern culture needs more people like you


Darn it, purrty colours shiny hardware and offset shapes.

I’m sure if I’d been even alive At publication date i would have resented these BECAUSE of their appeal. Guess i am crazy. (The hockey stick looking-ish headstocks for electric instruments will never endear itself however)

Maybe it's because I find the designs that have established themselves as 'blue-chip' over the years on one hand "classic" and the other hand boring - I've always found the quirky left-of-center designs interesting/attractive. Not necessarily the "whacky” ones - but the more "club-footed”ones. (maybe that's an un-PC term now... ) In one sense these designs could be considered 'daring' - but in reality I can imagine the young Japanese designers (especially) in the 60s frantically coming up with as many crazy guitar/bass designs as they could to capitalize on the (especially US) guitar boom then.

Speaking of hockey-sticks... this Gretsch short-scale bass is one I've always liked, and they are going for serious money these days.

When I was in grade-school, I would draw guitar body shapes/designs (during school of course) and try to come up with something unique. I wish I still had those drawings.

 

[JIO]

Here's what was listed on Reverb as an "early '60s" Orpheus. Mostly the same with different V/T knobs and smaller tuner pegs/shirts.

Not sure what's going on with the 5 holes above the bridge, but I'll guess it was relocated lower on the body... for whatever reason.

This one has a serial # - 6969 - my neck-plate is blank.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Can you post that link here Jon? Maybe I already saw it - but maybe not.

Sure:
Refurbing my first bass

 

[swink]

Or this:
View attachment 5039561

Or this:

 

[JIO]

I still have my Sears Silvertone 1490! The stickers on the case patch the torn vinyl covering. It went through a lot when I was Kid.
View attachment 5041185

The one in the lower left corner is pretty similar to yours but has pu rocker-switches instead of a toggle-switch.

 

[mapleglo]

rocker-switches

Mmmmm, rocker switches

 

[JIO]

Mmmmm, rocker switches

 

[JIO]

Sure:
Refurbing my first bass

That came out great! Nicely finished Jon! Hey, I think I have a pg like that one w/o the cutout for a second pu if you want it.

 

[mapleglo]

One of these days, I'll build a bass with rocker switches...

 

[GretschWretch]

One of these days, I'll build a bass with rocker switches...

But since you haven't, you're off your rocker at present?

 

[JIO]

But since you haven't, you're off your rocker at present?

Nex is neither a mod nor a rocker.., like Ringo in "A Hard Days Night" - she's a mocker.

 

[JIO]

New bass coming out that is kind of retro with split PG:
New Gear: Rapier Saffire Bass
Said to be available in Fiesta Red, Arctic White and Daphne Blue!
View attachment 5041395

I just checked what the Saffire cost - $594.34... seems like a decent price for a cool retro short-scale. My '67 WEM/Watkins Rapier is currently on Reverb.., for a bit more.

 

[Jon Clegg]

That came out great! Nicely finished Jon! Hey, I think I have a pg like that one w/o the cutout for a second pu if you want it.

Thanks! I think that was my first attempt at doing a burst with lacquer. Oddly enough that wasn't a cutout for a second pickup but for a chrome handrest type thing.

 

[GretschWretch]

Nex is neither a mod nor a rocker.., like Ringo in "A Hard Days Night" - she's a mocker.

So I guess she chills out then with both the Rolling Stones and the Dave Clark Five?