NBD: Vintage Matsumoku (Vantage) Double P

[CTBassGuy]

I'll thank (blame, jk ) @Killed_by_Death for the GAS for this one. I had a Fender Blacktop P NBD last month, and he brought up the Fender Blacktop Jazz (jazz neck and 2 P pickups). Seeing those, I got a serious GAS attack, but, if you can find them, they're like $750.

Then I found out about the Matsumoku-made Vantage VP-710B, and fell in love. Last week, I jumped on one from e(vil)Bay, and it was delivered last night.

It needs some TLC, as it's almost 40 years old now, but the 2 P pickups sound awesome through my V4B-RI and flatback 810. There are a few things that need to be addressed (listed below), but it feels terrific. It's a Jazz spec neck and the frets are very low and thin. I think I can get the action almost as low as my fretless basses. It's amazingly light too; the lightest of all, now 5, of my basses. It is a little neck-divey, but with my 3.5" straps and right forearm, it's not a problem.

TLC things:
- Fretboard needs a serious cleaning (you can see it in the picture, I think)
- I think the pickup switch needs to be rewired (center position seems to have the pickups in series vs parallel; if either volume knob is off, there's no signal)
- bridge needs to be replaced (notorious bend that the 3-post style Gibson and Epiphones get)
- New strings, once the bridge is replaced; I think the ones on it might be originals...

By the time I'm done, though, I should have less $ into it that I do my used PRS SE Kestrel. I have no idea why these Vantage basses do not have a larger following, but they seem to be every bit as good as a vintage Aria Pro II (made in the same factory...), and those go for over 3x the price of the Vantages.

More pics to come as I clean her up.

 

[Jazz Ad]

These were really inexpensive, entry level models. I thought they sounded terrible but I may have been biased. At least they're beautiful and well built.

 

[CTBassGuy]

Oh, and thanks to @Baa from the Vantage Club for offering advice/guidance on these; he's got a whole collection of them!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I guess folks finally realized that the Blacktop Jazz is the best bass Fender ever designed.

 

[two fingers]

These were really inexpensive, entry level models. I thought they sounded terrible but I may have been biased. At least they're beautiful and well built.

Everything I have ever played that came out of that factory had fabulous fit and finish.

Cool bass @CTBassGuy !!!!

 

[Jazz Ad]

Everything I have ever played that came out of that factory had fabulous fit and finish.

Cool bass @CTBassGuy !!!!

I take it you've never played a ZZ Bass?

 

[two fingers]

I take it you've never played a ZZ Bass?

The Aria Pro II? Sure. The body is a bit odd. But they are just like all Aria basses from that era made in Japan.... well build.

 

[Reedt2000]

Yeah man, very solid platform. A clean up and new hardware and you'll be good to go. Congrats

 

[Spectrum]

Congrats from a fellow Matsumoku owner here!

 

[Rib 13]

I guess folks finally realized that the Blacktop Jazz is the best bass Fender ever designed.

best? No...I think that goes to either the 1983 Precision Elite II or the Roscoe Beck....but I handled a blacktop P after curiosity sat in (if I remember correctly, I can also blame you here ) and it certainly qualifies for "Best Kept Secret".....Im currently in a herd-thinning stage, otherwise I'd be actively looking for one

 

[CTBassGuy]

I guess folks finally realized that the Blacktop Jazz is the best bass Fender ever designed.

I wonder why it took Fender that long to get there; Aria, Vantage, BC Rich and many others did it in the 80’s. And then Fender stopped after only a couple of years of making the Blacktops.

 

[CTBassGuy]

... the 1983 Precision Elite II...

Ah, forgot about that one...

 

[bolophonic]

Sweet!

 

[Rib 13]

Ah, forgot about that one...

my apologies: Grats on the bass.....Many Vantages are very well-made instruments (like that one). I believe those pickups are Dimarzzios that were stock.

Check and see if any pots are push/pull

 

[cheechi]

- I think the pickup switch needs to be rewired (center position seems to have the pickups in series vs parallel; if either volume knob is off, there's no signal)

Your bass is wired like a Les Paul. Center on the switch is both pups, but requires the volume knobs not be at 0. They go to the same common ground so when one vol knob is grounded there is no volume output from the instrument. This is expected behviour unfortunately you'll have to either rewire it or live with it. On the flip side, a lot of guitar techniques wouldn't be available without it. The solo from Bulls on Parade for instance relies on a form of this effect.

It would be worthwhile to add a series/parallel switch to each individual pup even if you leave the rest of the wiring standard Les Paul style.

 

[hintz]

That's is absolutely beautiful, congratulations!! As someone who might never afford an Alembic, I totally want one of these!

 

[CTBassGuy]

Your bass is wired like a Les Paul. Center on the switch is both pups, but requires the volume knobs not be at 0. They go to the same common ground so when one vol knob is grounded there is no volume output from the instrument. This is expected behviour unfortunately you'll have to either rewire it or live with it. On the flip side, a lot of guitar techniques wouldn't be available without it. The solo from Bulls on Parade for instance relies on a form of this effect.

It would be worthwhile to add a series/parallel switch to each individual pup even if you leave the rest of the wiring standard Les Paul style.

Thanks cheechi; good to know it’s working as intended. Maybe it’s too complex for me given my other basses’ controls ( ). Seriously though, the series/parallel switch is a good idea; I’ll have to consider that once I get it cleaned up.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I guess folks finally realized that the Blacktop Jazz is the best bass Fender ever designed.

They certainly do sound fantastic, although I rarely see one in the wild anymore.......

 

[40Hz]

Congratulations on scoring a Matsumoku! Those are some fine basses IMO. Play it well.

I have an early 80s Matsumoku “Memphis” branded 4-string neck-thru (i.e. “hippy sandwich”) bass. Thing has a beautiful tone and plays well. Tends to neck dive since it’s a 34” scale neck on a relatively small body. But it’s light enough that a sueded back on your strap fixes it.

Build quality is amazing. I don’t have a good full length picture of it. But here’s some closeups:

 

[CTBassGuy]

Congratulations on scoring a Matsumoku! Those are some fine basses IMO. Play it well.

I have an early 80s Matsumoku “Memphis” branded 4-string neck-thru (i.e. “hippy sandwich”) bass. Thing has a beautiful tone and plays well.

The redish body sides on your Memphis are beautiful. I saw a few Arias of that color and would have grabbed that over the blonde of mine, if one was available.

It’s amazing how many brands came out of Matsumoku that seemed to have been considered 2nd rate, at the time. The fit and finish seems to be as good as my Carvin of that same timeframe. Of course, there are quite a few folks who feel that way about Carvins too...