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Official TUNE Club

as far as I know... yes, that is correct.
So full disclosure, I'm not a customer of or connected to anyone involved, Sam Ash, Tune, or otherwise. However, as a competitor to Sam Ash and a commercial user it would probably have been best to stop short of dicussing their potential motive behind the liquidation of their Tune inventory, regardless of whether or not it was true.

I like Tune basses from a nostalgia standpoint. If I ever decide to buy one my preference is always to work with folks who take the high road.
 
So gebass6 suggested I post this here in the club:

Anyone? I know it sounds crazy but I truly think that this is either very rare or just unique/custom. It's my Tune Bass Maniac from the 80s in Japan. I ask because I found it online after YEARS of searching for it last year, mainly because Jorge Casas is one of my influences and used the same exact bass back in the Miami sound machine days. I have always kept my eye out within the last 5 years and this one I bought is the only one I have seen for sale in this configuration- twin emg Jazz pickups. Most of the 80s models I have seen for sale have been P/J. Please post pics if you do because I would love to see them!
 

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I had personal contact with the owner of VSN Guitars in Canada and I can assure all of you, the owner is the man with integrity, knowledge and passion for bass "stuff".
From that point of contact, I can tell you - a new instruments from TUNE are coming out.
And, I am not related to VSN by any means or that I have anything to do with commercial part of TUNE or VSN business.
 
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Now the Big question..

Does a Bass Maniac 6 Strings has ever existed?

I remember when I was a kid playing with my red Maniac 4 string looking at video on MTV feauturing a big funky bassist playing what could have been a red Maniac 6 strings..

is getting me crazy guys..remembering that player and that bass and still never having seen that kidn of instrument on the bay..(maybe it was a Zi Somnus?)

cheers
 
Tunes shouldn't be changing hands for $50. His win though,in a big way:)

I scooped my Japanese Maniac, in very good shape given the vintage, with emgs and the original preamp, for $132 from a seller in Japan, thank you ebay. I would have paid that just for the cool all stainless steel bridge :) It's actually become my main player which says a lot given my bass collection.
 
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View attachment 784591 View attachment 784591

Can you help me identify what model is this Tune Bass? I'm not sure if its Japan or Korean made, but he said it's made in Japan. Some one is trying to sell to me for around $300. Thank you
I have a six string with the same bridge routing...it's a Ziii Somnus --made in Japan, likely late 80's/very early 90's. I love mine. $300 is a steal.
 
I finally decided to take the plunge and get a 5 string bass. I walked into The Bass Shop in West Seattle today to see what Chad had in stock and play a few basses - not looking at the brand, but just going by feel. My only specifications were a 34" scale, 1 3/4 " nut width and a taught B string. After playing more than a few 34's, and also some 35" scale beauties that just weren't comfortable for me, Chad says to me, "Hey, there's this one. It's a 34" scale - and a double octave". Long story short, I started playing it and it's now mine and I am never selling it. Chad said it's a late '90's Japanese Tune TWB-53. I'll post photos later, but here are the specs. Mahogany body with a figured walnut top, 3 piece maple neck with a darker shade in the center w/ black pinstripes, ebony, brass bridge/hardware/nut. Pickups say Tune Guitar Technology, standard 5 black knob pre/blend but with two 3 way toggles for the pickups? On the headstock (where a Les Paul badge would be) it says Tone Guitar Maniac. Bottom line is this. The B string is rock solid, the 2 octave 34" scale neck is amazingly comfortable and I'm taking to a 5 string like a fish to water.

Two questions - does anyone know what the badging means and if this is indeed a TWB-53?

The bass feels older than a late 90's. Does the badging mean anything? How do you date one of these?

BTW - I can't find a serial #.

A final note - the bass came with a leather Blues Reunion case and there was a large light gray envelope with a lot of family memorabilia/photos and the like. I would be happy to send them to the previous owner. Or I can take them to Chad and he maybe he can find the previous owner?

I had no idea these were hard to find, but I can see why now. Stunning instrument!

Lesson learned about shopping with an open mind and an open heart. I love my Tune !

Photos shortly - Cheers !
 
You know the rule......pics or it didn't happen!


Here she is - absolutely amazing instrument.

It was sold to me as a Japanese Tune TWB-53, late 90's, mahogany/walnut/ebony/3 pice maple. Black pinstripes in the center?

Not sure if the toggles were installed post production?

It doesn't matter, I'm falling hard.

I'd love some feedback from any Tune experts.

Like I said, I've tried many name brand/boutique 34" scale 5 string basses and yesterday became the owner of a Tune - who knew!

And I still can't find a serial #....custom?

Love me some Tune.

Oh, and do I get a number? : )

Cheers fellow Tune owners !


BTW - that photo of the red Maniac bass keeps showing up - don't know why.
 

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Thanks for the info.

Tell me, is it possible to buy a used Tune from a place such as TCGakki, Ikebe, etc or do I need some kind of middleman to carry out the transaction? Since you are affiliated with Tune I thought you would know.

Also, here is the revised number list. Some people were skipped over before and/or never got a number. Please PM me if I skipped over you.

Tvrtko: 1
warnan: 2
theatrebass29: 3
lostrings: 4
Bishi: 5
ufna: 6
Kemet09: 7
Benjamin1: 8
conebeckham: 9
goyin108: 10
baszm: 11
WhisperAPrayer: 12
73jbass: 13
Moondoggy: 14
Phaedrus: 15
Kdiddy: 16
bassandbeyond: 17
WRXbase: 18
J.Mac: 19
Sabb0: 20
Vee Dubb: 21
gebass6: 22
alsendlc: 23
FreeWilly: 24
Evanseveneleven: 25
washjayb: 26
deepend: 27
bass_guy4god: 28
bass81976: 29
cracker75: 30
JDJen: 31
ScottBass16: 32
Dan B: 33
SX Lover: 34

Again, if I skipped over you, PM me. Also, some numbers might have changed.
Thanks for the info.

Tell me, is it possible to buy a used Tune from a place such as TCGakki, Ikebe, etc or do I need some kind of middleman to carry out the transaction? Since you are affiliated with Tune I thought you would know.

Also, here is the revised number list. Some people were skipped over before and/or never got a number. Please PM me if I skipped over you.

Tvrtko: 1
warnan: 2
theatrebass29: 3
lostrings: 4
Bishi: 5
ufna: 6
Kemet09: 7
Benjamin1: 8
conebeckham: 9
goyin108: 10
baszm: 11
WhisperAPrayer: 12
73jbass: 13
Moondoggy: 14
Phaedrus: 15
Kdiddy: 16
bassandbeyond: 17
WRXbase: 18
J.Mac: 19
Sabb0: 20
Vee Dubb: 21
gebass6: 22
alsendlc: 23
FreeWilly: 24
Evanseveneleven: 25
washjayb: 26
deepend: 27
bass_guy4god: 28
bass81976: 29
cracker75: 30
JDJen: 31
ScottBass16: 32
Dan B: 33
SX Lover: 34

Again, if I skipped over you, PM me. Also, some numbers might have changed.


Just bought her the other day - I think it's a custom? No serial #. It was sold to me as this -

Tune TWB53 Mahogany body with a figured walnut top, 3 piece maple neck with a darker shade in the center w/ black pinstripes, ebony, brass bridge/hardware/nut. Pickups say Tune Guitar Technology, standard 5 black knob pre/blend but with two 3 way toggles for the pickups? On the headstock (where a Les Paul badge would be) it says Tone Guitar Maniac.

Love this bass - Thanks !
 

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That's one great looking bass and I know it plays and sounds just as nice. Also you may not know there are trim pots for the EQ in the back cavity. Are you saying that this is a 34" scale neck?

That's what Chad Beeler from The Bass Shop in Seattle told me. It feels like a 34 because the 35's I played felt really long in my shoulder.

As far as the trim pots go, I'm not sure what they do? And where they are?

I can't find a serial # anywhere.