Mystery bass. Thoughts?

[BeGotten FreeK]

Just bought this! $400 AUD.

Wasn't ever thinking of getting a 6-string, but this was too good to pass. It plays beautifully and is unexpectedly comfortable and well-weighted.

Still, I'd love to know who made this and when - but there's no branding or logo's or anything on it.

The previous owner bought it 2nd hand 25 years ago. Judging by the tuner layout, it looks like someone has modified a right-handed neck to make it a lefty. If the body was homemade, they've done an amazing job, but it's possible. I thought the electrics might tell some of the story, but they don't offer any brands or logos either. I'm particularly curious about the pick-ups. Whoever made them, they're sounding great for 25+ years old.

Has a generic brand case and strap, so no clues there.

Anybody got any thoughts on maker? - or if it is a Frankenbass, the brand of any components?

 

[Michael Jewels]

The only guesses I can make are that the headstock looks Yamaha-ish.

The body could be homemade or an entry level bass body shaved down to someone’s personal taste.

That’s it.

Mike

 

[gepettus]

I only have info of the preamp. I own a Korean Vantage 755BA and as far a i can remember it´s the exact same preamp from the 3rd picture !
What is the layout like ? VOL - BALANCE - HIGH - LOW ?

 

[Jens Telemark]

I know I’ve seen that headstock before. Neck might be from one of the Japanese factories which would narrow it down to 200 or so possible brand names.
Check out this list of what Japanese factories built what brands. I can only imagine the research that went into creating it!

Have you taken the neck off to see if the neck pocket has a stamp or looks homemade?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Looks like a Carvin headstock to me.
Perhaps even a Warmouth maybe?

 

[badgrandad]

A second vote for the neck being Carvin.

 

[ezstep]

Carvin was my first thought.

 

[Beej]

A few clues:

Maple neck blank with an angled headstock but a fender-shaped rounded heel and a mid-neck scarf joint. That looks like a Cort factory product to me.

Right-handed preamp installed in a left-handed body. Looks like this is either lower end factory product or someone made a new lefty body for a righty bass - coupled with the 'backwards' layout of the headstock, this may have been a right made left.

MG Super Shield nickel silver shielding paint. Not something that is widely seen in commercial or factory offerings but it's IMHO the best shielding paint. It also looks brushed, not sprayed, which would be more likely to be a factory approach, which again makes me think DIY.

Horns appear to be snubbed down or reshaped from a longer more-balanced reach. Body may still balance just fine due to the wood density, but the reach to first fret would be lengthened.

Body appears a one-piece nice hardwood, which also does not seem 'factory' to me.

 

[DanAdams]

A predict that it's a big time neck diver.

 

[winegamd]

Its not Carvin, Washburn, Yamaha, or Hohner. All of their six's are 3+3 headstocks.

 

[lug]

Its not Carvin, Washburn, Yamaha, or Hohner. All of their six's are 3+3 headstocks.

Carvin also have the cut above the nut even on both sides.

 

[RWRLV]

The neck and pre look very Samick-ish to me.

 

[BeGotten FreeK]

I don't really want to remove the neck just yet. But may do sometime in the new year.

I hadn't considered the right-hand layout of the pots. Interesting. I guess that adds to the idea that somebody created the body themselves. But they've done a brilliant job.

The last owner was primarily a drummer, so I don't think this has had much use at all over the decades. Whoever made this bass originally, I thank you and will give it much love.