/ Register

Name that bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Jamigro, Dec 18, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 18, 2014 #1
    Jamigro

    Jamigro

    Dec 18, 2014
    Denmark
    Hi there

    I've recently received this old, ugly, beaten up bass in a trade including several basses. I thought I would sell it again to finance my illness (severe case of GAS).
    It's ugly as hell but when I tried it out in the rehersal room it blew my mind. It is simply fantastic!
    The guy I got it from thought it is a Navigator from the early eighties but have never been able to confirm this.

    Can you help me?

    On the front of the headstock I can see very fine sanding marks where the logo used to be and on the back it just says "Made in Japan".
    On the neckplate the number "10007" is stamped into the metal.

    Any info like brand, year of production or anything else on this bass would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

    image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
     
  2. Dec 18, 2014 #2
    Ajapses

    Ajapses Supporting Member

    Sep 28, 2013
    Cleveland, TN
    Can't figure out Madden football
    Can't help you, but love hearing the "Ugly Duckling" story.
     
    Jamigro likes this.
  3. Dec 18, 2014 #3
    deeptubes

    deeptubes

    Feb 21, 2011
    Stephanie. Her name is Stephanie.
     
    photogdude likes this.
  4. Dec 18, 2014 #4
    Ezrocks4u

    Ezrocks4u

    Sep 24, 2014
    He should have a decal made....
     
  5. Dec 18, 2014 #5
    scourgeofgod

    scourgeofgod

    Aug 17, 2006
    You may not be comfortable doing it, but if you take the neck off there may be more clues in the neck pocket or on the neck heel.

    I've been searching around and I've seen some Navigators and some Tokais that are set up with similar hardware and no pickguard, but none that have a fretboard that runs past the neck joint, also none guard-less in that color.
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2014
  6. Dec 19, 2014 #6
    Jamigro

    Jamigro

    Dec 18, 2014
    Denmark
    I've found some old ESP catalogues from the eighties in wich i saw a neck that runs past the neck joint.
    Maybe i'm closing in...
     
  7. Dec 19, 2014 #7
    Jamigro

    Jamigro

    Dec 18, 2014
    Denmark
    Ugly duckling... :)
    Perfect!
    Thank you for naming it.
     
    dmac1961 likes this.
  8. Dec 19, 2014 #8
    Grissle

    Grissle

    May 17, 2009
    Bitsa Bass

    Shecter or AllParts or mighty Mite?
     
  9. Dec 19, 2014 #9
    Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    I believe it's a 1980s-1990s Navigator/ESP bass - just like this one.
    Only difference is this one's got a painted neck but they likely produced some without. Also the neck overhangs the cavity just like in your yellow one.
    The serial number stamp is also in the same spot.

    http://www.vintageandrare.com/product/Navigator-Jazz-Bass--32666
    Screen shot 2014-12-19 at 3.15.21 AM.png
     
    Malak the Mad and Jamigro like this.
  10. Dec 19, 2014 #10
    scourgeofgod

    scourgeofgod

    Aug 17, 2006
    It's very similar but the neck is shaped different at the heel, and the neck plate stamp is in a slightly different position, hardware is different but that could be due to previous owners of both basses, maybe the same brand but different years
     
    Jamigro likes this.
  11. Dec 19, 2014 #11
    Jamigro

    Jamigro

    Dec 18, 2014
    Denmark
    That's it...
    THANK YOU maxdusty!!!
     
  12. Dec 19, 2014 #12
    Jamigro

    Jamigro

    Dec 18, 2014
    Denmark
    I think mine is from around '80-'85.
    Based on the catalogues found at espguitars.co.jp (now THAT'S one difficult site to navigate...)
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
  13. Dec 19, 2014 #13
    Jamigro

    Jamigro

    Dec 18, 2014
    Denmark
    I noticed the different stamp, knobs and bridge too.
    But it is definately a Navigator.
    Now I just need to date it. I wish I could read that stamp on the red one.
    Does anybody know if it is possible to buy the Navigator logo so I can restore the headstock?
     
  14. Dec 19, 2014 #14
    AltGrendel

    AltGrendel Squire Jag SS fan. Supporting Member

    May 21, 2009
    Mid-Atlantic USA.
    I dunno, Latka would be a good name too.
     
  15. Dec 19, 2014 #15
    wintremute

    wintremute mediocrity at its finest

    Oct 16, 2014
    Vegas
    Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
    I'll name her....Matilda!
     
  16. Dec 19, 2014 #16
    Bill Whitehurst

    Bill Whitehurst

    Sep 25, 2010
    Fort Worth, Texas
    Bond...
    James Bond,

    due to the serial number.

    Hey, whoever made it, if it looks like a Fender Jazz bass,
    plays like one and sounds like one,
    then just treat it like one and you should be happy.
     
    JIO and Jamigro like this.
  17. Dec 19, 2014 #17
    Doctor J

    Doctor J

    Dec 23, 2005
    Ugly? That thing is the boss.

    I've an 80's ESP Jazz bass and, let me tell you, there aren't many better Jazzes out there regardless of the name on the headstock. The serial on mine is 5 digit starting with 1 in the same font in the same place on the neckplate, although mine has the ESP logo engraved in it too, though it was branded as ESP rather than Navigator on the headstock. You've done well. Keep that thing, those basses really are superbly good.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
    Jamigro likes this.
  18. Dec 19, 2014 #18
    AltGrendel

    AltGrendel Squire Jag SS fan. Supporting Member

    May 21, 2009
    Mid-Atlantic USA.
    You really need to put this on there as a racing stripe:

    X001.jpg
     
    Max and Jamigro like this.
  19. Dec 19, 2014 #19
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    Sounds like you're looking for one of these:
    cabbie.jpg
     
    friendlybass likes this.
  20. Dec 19, 2014 #20
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    It's yellow...
    It's made in Japan...

    You could name it "Pikachu" or "Pik" for short.
     
    Floridabwoy likes this.
Page 1 of 3