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Odd Ball bass roundup

#201
JIO said:
Funny because I started out wanting one but after creating my Supersonic I have lost interest in seeking one to buy. Never even played one - I've heard the sound was a bit anemic and then there's that very thin neck… would love to rock one in a jam session to check it out.

I saw a pearl white Performer guitar in a loan shop recently for about $650 or something. You really don't see either the bass or guitar being used by anyone (now), at least that I'm aware of.
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I liked them--but they weren't for everybody.
The guitar were probably better.
 
#202
Only odd in the sense that it's from a defunct maker.
A Kapa Continental. Made in USA, with Hofner hardware in 1967.
Short scale. Slightly transparent finish. Tiny frets. Very nice "tiger" grain on the back of the neck. Very hot signal from the fixed height pickup.
Plays great, and sounds very cool. $140 from Craig's List. I really like it.
image.jpg
 
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#207
Sorry for the blurry pic... based on my research, this bass was from the late 60's to early 70's. All original, except for a missing pick guard. I received it as a gift, along with a Traynor YBA1 and matching 2x15 cab. Both the bass and amp had been sitting, un-used in a warehouse since 1974.
Acoustically, it works well for those times when an amp isn't handy and noodling must be done. Plug it in and well, it leaves a lot to be desired in the tone department! LOL Darn thing "honks!"
It's an "Aria" btw...
PicturesNov06toSept07664_zps46a1109e.jpg

PicturesNov06toSept07665_zpsc833f0fd.jpg

Fishheadjoe
 
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#209
zontar said:
I liked them--but they weren't for everybody.
The guitar were probably better.
Click to expand...

The long thin neck seems to be it's most unique feature and also the reason it's either embraced or shunned. It's 'look' was also different, but there are other 'different' looking instruments that became attractive over time. I've always liked it, but I know many still don't. In retrospect, you gotta give it's creators credit for attempting something new and different at Fender during that critical period. It's short life probably had more to do w/the transition at Fender than anything else.
 
#210
Fishheadjoe said:
Sorry for the blurry pic... based on my research, this bass was from the late 60's to early 70's. All original, except for a missing pick guard. I received it as a gift, along with a Traynor YBA1 and matching 2x15 cab. Both the bass and amp had been sitting, un-used in a warehouse since 1974.
Acoustically, it works well for those times when an amp isn't handy and noodling must be done. Plug it in and well, it leaves a lot to be desired in the tone department! LOL Darn thing "honks!"
It's an "Aria" btw...
PicturesNov06toSept07664_zps46a1109e.jpg

PicturesNov06toSept07665_zpsc833f0fd.jpg

Fishheadjoe
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The wood looks good - I betcha that could sound great if you put some better pickups in it. But if you like speaking with the geese, by all means, leave it stock! :)
 
#214
JIO said:
The long thin neck seems to be it's most unique feature and also the reason it's either embraced or shunned. It's 'look' was also different, but there are other 'different' looking instruments that became attractive over time. I've always liked it, but I know many still don't. In retrospect, you gotta give it's creators credit for attempting something new and different at Fender during that critical period. It's short life probably had more to do w/the transition at Fender than anything else.
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That's what I've heard--the Performer was a victim of the transition of CBS selling Fender.
As the sale did not include the factories, so they had to cut down on the number of instruments & models they made and most were made in Japan over that time.
 
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#217
bholder said:
Oh yeah! What was the model that you could plug different effects into? Same body shape, but with a modular cutout for the effects. Not a bad idea, though perhaps attempted too soon...
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I missed your question before. I think you mean the Elektra (Evolution, maybe?)[EDIT]- Elektra Outlaw - thanks TB member cdef., used by Chris Squire on the Drama album, I believe;

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[EDIT]- I think Chris said he had a distortion and a flanger in the back of his Elektra (Evolution?)[EDIT]- Elektra Outlaw - thanks TB member cdef, for the Drama album. He also said the 'effect' was more potent, as there was nothing to get in the way of the signal path (no patch cables/connectors). I'm not sure how true that is but, hey...it's odd!
 
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#218
Deleted member 264575 said:
I missed your question before. I think you mean the Elektra (Evolution, maybe?), used by Chris Squire on the Drama album, I believe;

View attachment 527113

View attachment 527114

[EDIT]- I think Chris said he had a distortion and a flanger in the back of his Elektra (Evolution?), for the Drama album. He also said the 'effect' was more potent, as there was nothing to get in the way of the signal path (no patch cables/connectors). I'm not sure how true that is but, hey...it's odd!
Click to expand...
:thumbsup: That's the ticket!
 
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