Newbie, wanted to see if anyone can identify my bass

[ddwood55]

My mom and dad bought this bass for me for me somewhere around 1969 or 1970. I played it in 3 different bands when I was in junior and senior high school. I have always loved this bass, I've had offers to trade for name brand basses or to sell it. But I've kept it and don't think I would ever part with it.

I can't remember where they bought it, but it was purchased at one of these four stores, Sears, Western Auto, Montgomery Wards or possibly JC Pennys

My son is using the bass right now with the youth group band he is leading.

It does not have the the correct bridge or knobs. The original knobs were chromed plastic Hat design and they cracked from age I guess and would not stay on. The bridge my son talked me into changing it. The bridge cover is missing, I lost it and I'm trying to find a replacement.

Here are some pictures

I asked my son to send some good pictures of the bass so I could post it and this is what he sent. Really didn't mean for him to try and be artistic about it, just wanted some good pictures. Any way as you can see by the finish I really took good care of it over the years, doesn't really look like it's 41 or 42 years old

I don't remember if there were any markings on the guitar, I don't even remember a decal on the headstock. It came as a package with a transistor amplifier. The amp finally gave up the ghost about 12 years ago. I should have kept it. The amp had a 15" speaker and the control panel was slanted on the front of the amp.

Thanks for any help you can give me,
Delos Wood

 

[ClydeMcAllister]

Looks like a Teisco.

 

[skwee]

No idea what it is, but it sure looks great!

 

[Billy3000]

I would also guess teisco, but I've never seen one that wasn't sunburst or black.

 

[ddwood55]

Eddie Albert bass player for Lonzo and Oscar played it on the Grand Ole Opry back in 73. He offered to trade me his Fender P bass for it. He really liked it. I wouldn't trade, I thought mine played and sounded better. Jack Watkins Lead guitarist for Ronnie Milsap back in the 70's told me to never get rid of it that it was the best bass he ever played.

I have always loved it.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[basstotheface]

My best guess is a Hagstrom. Like a 66-ish.

 

[Big_Daddy]

My best guess is a Hagstrom. Like a 66-ish.

+1

 

[AmieLouHat]

+1

+2

The keyboardist from my old band used to play his dad's bass occasionally and the body was different but the pickups and the neck profile look almost identical. His isn't in nearly as good shape but if yours plays anything like his I bet it's one hell of a player.

 

[KsToaDangr]

beautiful bass! keep it, no matter what.

 

[sonic assassin]

kay? tiesco? harmony?

 

[thumpbass1]

It's a Teisco EB 120 Bass, obviously without the little Teisco badge, and the replacement bridge, knobs, and missing ashtray cover have been noted. The model also came out in a solid red color. Teisco has their fans among those who like vintage Japanese made instruments. It would have been priced in the budget end of the market, but some of the Teisco stuff wasn't too bad. It would be a nice 'pawn shop prize' these days as the vintage collectors refer to guitars and basses in this market niche.

 

[ddwood55]

Thanks for all the replies. It was the budget end of the market, my mom and dad bought the bass and the amp as a package deal new, and if I remember correctly they paid $79.00
and I'm reasonably sure they came from Western Auto. Mom and dad had friends that owned the local Western Auto and they bought a lot from them.

Everyone I've let play it have really liked it. I've been offered to trade or sale many times.

But thanks again to everyone.

 

[billesq123]

This is a Teisco EB-120. I had one as my first bass in 1979. I just bought another one identical to it. I also noticed that the original bridge has been replaced with a BadAss bridge. Enjoy! Hope this helps!

Bill

 

[GretschWretch]

I would have guessed Montgomery Wards, but Teisco and the purchase date do suggest Sears. By 1970 I had moved on to more pedigreed basses and no longer checked Sears' music department. We need to keep in mind that Teisco was more a distributor than a manufacturer of these badged basses; but we always identify them by the badges instead of saying Matsumoku or Fujigen or Kawai.

Also, I think if more of us back in the day knew about adjustable truss rods and neck shims these basses would have a higher reputation now than they do. A headstock veneer and zero fret do not suggest a cost-cut cheaperoo instrument. I also appreciate how the person who last changed the strings on this bass "got it." A strong witness point through the string nut is desirable, and on most basses this is achieved by winding the strings downward on the tuner drum: each wrap goes beneath the one that preceded it. But with a hold-down string tree it's the opposite. You get the strongest witness point by winding the strings upward on the drum. Somebody was paying attention.