- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Yes - that's probably it. Was called the "Big Al" or something...
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Mystery Tele Bass
- Thread starter WayneDupuis
- Start date
Yes - that's probably it. Was called the "Big Al" or something...
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
early '70s Ibanez / Silvertone (Sears) / Angelica Telecaster bass
pu cover explains the shape of the pu surround
pu cover explains the shape of the pu surround
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Yes I think you have it right and everything looks like this. Finding that pickguard and pick-up with surround is going to be...I plan on cutting my own pickguard, covering the pickup and will put a 51 P bass pickup in the hole. Leaving everything else stock.
That should work.
Finding original anything for that is unlikely, so what you do is going to depend on a combination of your imagination and what is available.
I would consider it to be a blank canvas.
Finding original anything for that is unlikely, so what you do is going to depend on a combination of your imagination and what is available.
I would consider it to be a blank canvas.
As knigel said, it could also be an Aria - if not for the consistently metal knobs. Most appear to have decal logos on the headstock, but at least this one shows a metal one like the Angelica:
Aria Tele Bass 1970's Blonde MIJ | Reverb
Some sold under the Ibanez name also had a datachable logo:
Ibanez Tele Bass 2352 MIJ early 70s Blondie | Reverb Canada
Logo rivet positions in the OP's bass appear inconsistent with all three though.
Perhaps a Columbus, like @Flat Eric's?
Flat Eric's Bass & Guitar Collection: Columbus Telecaster Bass. . . . .
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Yep, same bass - many different 'brands'.
That should work.
Finding original anything for that is unlikely, so what you do is going to depend on a combination of your imagination and what is available.
I would consider it to be a blank canvas.
Occasionally rare parts do surface, but you have to haunt all potential sources for the chance they eventually will. I scored a rare-as-hens-teeth early '60s Italian bridge-cover/string-stop with the help of a friend in Poland who saw it listed in Italy on ebay. The rarity and value of the bass it was from made it worth it - but yes, cutting ones own pg is an easy fix as long as you have a band-saw.
I think I remember one Tele bass like that branded " Castilla" They all came out of the same factory far away from Fullerton Calif.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
There are repo-logo/badges out there (eBay) of a number of '60s Japanese brands. If you ever narrow down (by hs hole pattern) which logo/brand it was/is - it's possible that one of these biz's could laser-print one. You never know until you ask.
The headstock makes me think it's eastern european/USSR. Maybe a Jolana. 50s-70s. Can't help you with the exact model, as it's a total mess of manufacturers and models. Seems serial numbers, catalogs and consistency weren't a priority back then
Heres something similar, not the same, but: Jolana Galaxis Galaxy Bass Vintage GDR Soviet USSR Guitar | Reverb
Go through the shops listings, they have several other brands from the same time/area. Theres also some good websites with collected info.
Btw, does it have a normal jack output?
Heres something similar, not the same, but: Jolana Galaxis Galaxy Bass Vintage GDR Soviet USSR Guitar | Reverb
Go through the shops listings, they have several other brands from the same time/area. Theres also some good websites with collected info.
Btw, does it have a normal jack output?
My first bass in '73 was an Ibanez branded one of these for $60. Nothing wrong with it a set of Hipshots wouldn't have fixed. The cheap slightly microphonic pickup on the short scale hollow body sounded pretty freakin giant through a Traynor YBA-2A 2x15 rig.
When I began gigging steady at 16 I played a Raven with black nylon strings through a couple 15 Traynors with a YBA-4. Same neck. Funny thinking back that I didn't go looking for a Fender until years later....
Very cool find!
I’d be happy to do a vinyl or foil decal for the headstock if you need it.
I’d be happy to do a vinyl or foil decal for the headstock if you need it.
Too cool for school! Personally, once I got the electronics the way I wanted, I'd probably just shoot a coat a clear rattle-can on it and let it be. Love the vibe.
