mystery Goodwill bass

[JIO]

This is an educational thread, thanks! I’m a sucker for vintage MIJs, there’s just something about them that catches my eye. I have an SG style Aspen that is an oddball, but I’m very attached to it.

I get a lot of information from this book - Frank Meyers did an amazing amount of work to catalogue the decade.

https://www.amazon.com/History-Japa...ocphy=9061275&hvtargid=pla-454504799996&psc=1

 

[littlebun]

What’s this mystery Goodwill bass? Not looking to buy, just learning to recognize different makes/models and wondering why this one is already over $300.

60s/70s-Era Electric Bass Guitar in Gig Bag

This model, with the original flatwound strings is one of the better-sounding cheap basses. It's right there with Kay and Hofner basses, and provides a great vintage tone. I've played an original one in great shape, and it sounded surprisingly good.

 

[TrustRod]

They probably went the laminated neck way because that “mahogany” looks more like Philippine luan wood, which is likely much less stiff than real mahogany.

Nope, other way.

Dark Red Meranti | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,743,000 lbf/in2 (12.02 GPa)

Honduran Mahogany | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,458,000 lbf/in2 (10.06 GPa)

Cuban Mahogany | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,351,000 lbf/in2 (9.31 GPa)

 

[JIO]

Nope, other way.

Dark Red Meranti | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,743,000 lbf/in2 (12.02 GPa)

Honduran Mahogany | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,458,000 lbf/in2 (10.06 GPa)

Cuban Mahogany | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,351,000 lbf/in2 (9.31 GPa)

Exactly - I think they used it because it was plentiful.

 

[TrustRod]

Exactly - I think they used it because it was plentiful.

Most builders decide on woods the way I decide what's for dinner.

I recently got some boards of what my best guess is Nato, cursed as the cheapest wood of the Asian discount builders.

Nyatoh | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,939,000 lbf/in2 (13.37 GPa)

It's specs out much higher than the other mahoganies, maybe one day it can be the next Punk Ash?

 

[Wilmingtonian]

I've never seen such neckdive in my life

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

What’s this mystery Goodwill bass? Not looking to buy, just learning to recognize different makes/models and wondering why this one is already over $300.

60s/70s-Era Electric Bass Guitar in Gig Bag

No idea, but that thing looks awesome

 

[Fender_Bender]

That is correct - I used the term 'mahogany' as a generalization. Many '60s MIJ guitars/basses (and there were a lot made then) were made of Luan mahogany. Many had laminated bodies also, but these had solid bodies. I know because I re-purposed one (mid '60s Teisco Del Rey) into a 34" scale bass. It's one of the basses I play in my band and have recorded - love it.

View attachment 4277543

View attachment 4277544
And the result was the Teiscobird -
View attachment 4277549
Liked it so much I made a red clone to see if I could... and I did! Sounds/plays great! (and it's for sale)
View attachment 4277551

The species sold under the name “luan” seem to be all over the map in terms of density. Some are almost balsa like, and others almost Honduran mahogany like.

 

[JIO]

I've never seen such neckdive in my life

??? As I stated as an owner of two of them... "balances well" (strap-peg near the 12th fret-13th to be exact) and I stand behind that as someone who would know. (vintage T-bird owner/player) Quite frankly, there are a few basses that were/are notorious "neck divers", and the Del Rey and even my '64 T-bird are not in that category. Much of the hype about T-birds neck diving (usually by non T-bird players or players that never played one) is actually deserved as it has no upper horn - but Gibson EB-0's, Ovation Magnums, and a host of other '70s/'80s basses had much more serious neck-dive issues. As to your assessment, it is your opinion and as always you are free to express it.

 

[40Hz]

Damn, I'd buy that bass just on general principle if I was loaded. I already bought two more instruments than I have boat space in my office. I'm already putting 5 basses on my 3-guitar boat. I do not need this.

And yet...

Just focus on the banjo until the urge passes.

 

[JIO]

Just focus on the banjo until the urge passes.

or accordion...

 

[JIO]

Most builders decide on woods the way I decide what's for dinner.

I recently got some boards of what my best guess is Nato, cursed as the cheapest wood of the Asian discount builders.

Nyatoh | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Elastic Modulus: 1,939,000 lbf/in2 (13.37 GPa)

It's specs out much higher than the other mahoganies, maybe one day it can be the next Punk Ash?

I think wood, like everything gets knocked around if it isn't the "it" wood. Hype as always is highly suspect due to garbage propaganda.

 

[40Hz]

or accordion...

He’s only going for a banjo.…so far.

We should be grateful it isn’t bagpipes - although an evening of Gregorian Chant on bagpipes is an utterly unique experience that surpasses the ability of the spoken word to describe. One best avoided.

 

[TrustRod]

The species sold under the name “luan” seem to be all over the map in terms of density. Some are almost balsa like, and others almost Honduran mahogany like.

You said stiffness originally, density is something else entirely. And all woods vary, maple and ash have extreme ranges of density.

Honduran mahogany is not that dense, 37 pounds a cubic foot versus 42 for the meranti I listed. Hard maple is 44 for comparison.

 

[JIO]

This model, with the original flatwound strings is one of the better-sounding cheap basses. It's right there with Kay and Hofner basses, and provides a great vintage tone. I've played an original one in great shape, and it sounded surprisingly good.

Growing up and starting my bass-playing life in the later '60s, I knew nothing then about the details we fuss over these days. Set up?, intonation?, tone?, comparative value of an instrument? ... as if. I somehow stuck with high action/blisters, crappy early solid-state amps and I never looked back. These '60s gems (not all of them, but more than being given credit for) with a little TLC (proper set-up mostly) are vintage basses (50+ yr old wood!) - not dissimilar to Fender P's/J's or others of their era. They were just mostly short-scale - which if you haven't noticed is very popular these days. It's ok, I don't mind people dissing these basses - keeps them affordable for those who want them.

 

[JIO]

He’s only going for a banjo.…so far.

We should be grateful it isn’t bagpipes - although an evening of Gregorian Chant on bagpipes is an utterly unique experience that surpasses the ability of the spoken word to describe. One best avoided.

Yah, I rode a certain road-bicycle route though an idyllic section, and along the way a bag-pipest (is that a word?) would be piping away in the landscape. As it was unexpected and brief - I recall it fondly.

 

[JIO]

You said stiffness originally, density is something else entirely. And all woods vary, maple and ash have extreme ranges of density.

Honduran mahogany is not that dense, 37 pounds a cubic foot versus 42 for the meranti I listed. Hard maple is 44 for comparison.

As a builder, I've used many different woods/varieties for (custom) bass's. Much negative talk about basswood being cheap and dent-able. Both somewhat true, but it is a tone-wood and is light and sounds really good. Just depends if you are after a good sounding/playing comfortable bass or just one that you polish a lot.

 

[40Hz]

Yah, I rode a certain road-bicycle route though an idyllic section, and along the way a bag-pipest (is that a word?) would be piping away in the landscape. As it was unexpected and brief - I recall it fondly.

Yes indeed. Kidding aside, I find bagpipes (and “pipers” - the official term) are pretty awesome. I try not to miss any Scottish Games event within reasonable driving distance. I go mainly for the pipes.

 

[JIO]

Yes indeed. Kidding aside, I find bagpipes (and “pipers” - the official term) are pretty awesome. I try not to miss any Scottish Games event within reasonable driving distance. I go mainly for the pipes.

I agree - same as with accordion, both get a lot of slagging. I grew up with a Polish gramma and so know the world of accordions. I saw an Italian accordion player (who also sang baritone in Italian) on stage with Al Dimeola and he blew me away - as always - it's the player, not the instrument.

 

[Wilmingtonian]

??? As I stated as an owner of two of them... "balances well" (strap-peg near the 12th fret-13th to be exact) and I stand behind that as someone who would know. (vintage T-bird owner/player) Quite frankly, there are a few basses that were/are notorious "neck divers", and the Del Rey and even my '64 T-bird are not in that category. Much of the hype about T-birds neck diving (usually by non T-bird players or players that never played one) is actually deserved as it has no upper horn - but Gibson EB-0's, Ovation Magnums, and a host of other '70s/'80s basses had much more serious neck-dive issues. As to your assessment, it is your opinion and as always you are free to express it.

I'll use visual aids this time but say again: I've never seen such neck dive in my life