Mystery Bass ID

[bigstepp]

I bought this bass and couldn't find any information about it and the seller doesn't know who made it either! Any ideas on who could have made this?

 

[Les Fret]

Some custom build. But no idea from who. How does it play and sound?

 

[bigstepp]

Not generally recommended, but I bought it online and haven’t received it yet. I’ll update though!

 

[TrustRod]

Tobias employees over the years have sometimes been given the chance to do their own thing. There’s a non zero chance this could be one.

 

[Apolicious]

seeing the title I just assumed it was gonna be another Mitchell or Antonio Tsai piece of garbage, but this looks legitimately cool! no idea who made it, but would love to. it's a neat and bold design. obviously I can't speak to quality, but I'm very curious. keep us posted!

 

[fretno]

JAF looks but probably not.

 

[Mastiff_5]

Indeed - curious! Looks like the logo appliqué came off the headstock?

 

[rtslinger]

Saw it on Ebay for $16M only description is high end 6 string

Vintage Emporium Warehouse maybe they have more info?

 

[ardgedee]

Looks vaguely like a Invalid Link Removed design although I assume it isn't.

If OP's pics are a hobbyist or part-timer's build it's very well done. Usually when an inexperienced builder designs something with an exaggerated offset it looks unbalanced but that one doesn't.

 

[bigstepp]

Tobias employees over the years have sometimes been given the chance to do their own thing. There’s a non zero chance this could be one.

Interesting! Might be a little harder to track down if it is.

 

[bigstepp]

Saw it on Ebay for $16M only description is high end 6 string

Vintage Emporium Warehouse maybe they have more info?

That’s who I bought it from but they’re not sure either

 

[bigstepp]

Indeed - curious! Looks like the logo appliqué came off the headstock?

It seems so! When I receive it I’ll check the control cavity and neck joint. Not sure that will solve anything though because the seller said they couldn’t track it down either.

 

[bigstepp]

Looks vaguely like a Invalid Link Removed design although I assume it isn't.
View attachment 7435384

If OP's pics are a hobbyist or part-timer's build it's very well done. Usually when an inexperienced builder designs something with an exaggerated offset it looks unbalanced but that one doesn't.

I thought the same thing about the design and found it while searching for an Affirma actually.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I recognize the builder's work--he used to post over on The Bottom Line board back in the old days (20+ years ago?)--but I'm afraid I am totally blanking on his name! IIRC, he was a pro player who build a few instruments for himself and others on the side.

 

[bigstepp]

I recognize the builder's work--he used to post over on The Bottom Line board back in the old days (20+ years ago?)--but I'm afraid I am totally blanking on his name! IIRC, he was a pro player who build a few instruments for himself and others on the side.

Oh no! Good that you recognize it though

 

[kittywithabanjo]

It resembles some Basses that Laurence Mollerup built.

 

[bararan]

The headstock and upper horn somehow made me think Fbass.

 

[bigstepp]

The headstock and upper horn somehow made me think Fbass.

That was also one of my first thoughts, but the worn-off appliqué on the headstock doesn't seem like it would match. Fbass does have a very nice asymmetrical horn style.

 

[trevcda]

The neck where it meets the body and headstock kind of reminded me of a Sire M7, but a little less refined at the top of the headstock.

 

[Hues]

There's a serial number or build code on the back of the headstock... Would a one-off or boutique have that?