Profile and Japanese Basses

[Soz]

Recently posted to some older threads.., however;

Any information on the Profile Black Magic series of basses ( circa 1982 ) or Strats would be welcome. I continue to search for these basses as I have two and one of them, my baby of 25 years outdoes my Fender P-Basses across the board, especially for an urgent hot signal and ease of playing. Straight through the desk for recording and live without the need for compression or gating.

I'd love to aquire another. The Strats of the era have a reputation and I'd like to explore that too!

Anyway.., thoughts?
I'll expand on these and other 'Fender' types. I recently did up a lefty Hondo 2 for a lefty mate. Our Japanese friends were doing amazing things back in the day.

Urgent signals like early Geddy Lee and Jacques from Stranglers continue to impress me, I wont mention Entwhistle, except his technician said it was all in the outboard??!!

Oh well. A guitar wanker is one thing, but a bass wanker is four strings.

Hope to continue the discussion.

Soz
(Byron Bay NSW, Australia).

 

[wizard65]

I bought a new Profile P bass in 1984, I think it’s the ‘Vintage’ 59 copy.
I still have it, I’ll post a pic later.

 

[wizard65]

Here it is, bought at Arties music Townsville Qld in 1984.

 

[Soz]

Very spunky, Wizard. I'll get back to the thread in a couple of days regarding these great basses and will post some shots of the two I have. They're a different lot, being the black ones, but I see yours has the thumb rest and ashtray bridge cover like the '50's Fenders, I have a similiar Tele bass in sunburst and for some reason the thumbrest, which is metal, maybe they were mainly wood??? is on the underside of the strings. Don't know why. I could move it but haven't bothered.
I'm trying to find out more about the history of Profile but it's elusive. Some say they were made in Japan and branded for Australian distribution. Anyway, by reputation they are true solid wood and I know they conform to Fender specs as
I ve put chunky bridges and tuners on them. What's the nut on yours? Mine remain factory but on my other basses I've had brass and/or bone made for them, which in the end is really neither here nor there but is bass wankerism (a religion like TISM!!).
Hope to communicate soon.
Soz

 

[Soz]

Very spunky, Wizard. I'll get back to the thread in a couple of days regarding these great basses and will post some shots of the two I have. They're a different lot, being the black ones, but I see yours has the thumb rest and ashtray bridge cover like the '50's Fenders, I have a similiar Tele bass in sunburst and for some reason the thumbrest, which is metal, maybe they were mainly wood??? is on the underside of the strings. Don't know why. I could move it but haven't bothered.
I'm trying to find out more about the history of Profile but it's elusive. Some say they were made in Japan and branded for Australian distribution. Anyway, by reputation they are true solid wood and I know they conform to Fender specs as
I ve put chunky bridges and tuners on them. What's the nut on yours? Mine remain factory but on my other basses I've had brass and/or bone made for them, which in the end is really neither here nor there but is bass wankerism (a religion like TISM!!).
Hope to communicate soon.
Soz

Oh.., fantastic to see the shot of the Great Phil Lynott.., one of the Profiles has been modified to mirror scratch plate and Fender logo in his honour. I am just a cowboy.....Soz

 

[Thornton Davis]

I know where there's a Profile Black Magic Series P-Bass if anyone's interested PM me and I'll send you the link. I was talking to the seller about another bass he has for sale when he mentioned that he was about to list the Profile for sale.

TD

 

[lat]

This Profile Black Magic is for sale near me. Asking $475 CDN which seems a bit much. Maple fretboard and head seem odd too. Have only seen them with a black headstock. Anyone know if this is legit? Thinking of offering something like $350 and meet him at around $400, which even then might be too much.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[lat]

Took a bit of a risk and got it for $350. Needs some work, but it sounds good to my ear and the neck feels good... will see.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I recalled this thread from awhile back. I've seen/played those guitars & basses before. Pretty much a beginners' instruments, from the instruments I recall playing.

 

[lat]

I recalled this thread from awhile back. I've seen/played those guitars & basses before. Pretty much a beginners' instruments, from the instruments I recall playing.

Interesting, what was it about them that made you think that?

I went to an L&M and played two Fender Pro series basses and one Player series bass before going over to try the Profile. While the pro series were obviously better, they certainly weren't $1,650 better. The Player series bass was better, but again, not $500 better. I think I would rate the Profile I played above a Squire Vintage Modified. So, I personally wouldn't call it a beginner's bass.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Interesting, what was it about them that made you think that?

I went to an L&M and played two Fender Pro series basses and one Player series bass before going over to try the Profile. While the pro series were obviously better, they certainly weren't $1,650 better. The Player series bass was better, but again, not $500 better. I think I would rate the Profile I played above a Squire Vintage Modified. So, I personally wouldn't call it a beginner's bass.

I’m glad you had a better experience. Perhaps the Profiles I played weren’t set up very well.

 

[AlexisL]

I acquired a Profile TB-500 5 strings bass yesterday from someone on Kijiji and figured I'd join the discussion. There doesn't seem to be much information out there about this brand, and Googling this specific model yields no result.

It's, as I said, a 5 strings bass with a 34" scale length and Jazz Bass style pickups. The body reminds me of a typical Ibanez 5 strings bass shape. I'm unsure how old this bass is; the seller claimed it was from the late 80's but I have no way of confirming that. The seller's bassist apparently bought it in a yard sale for peanuts, but decided 5 strings was too much.

For $175 CAD (roughly $130 USD as of now), I consider this a damn good deal, especially on a 5 strings. The bass itself has some obvious aesthetics wear on it, especially on the sides of the fretboard, but I didn't find any structural damage and the neck is straight and still plays great. This is the first bass I acquire, but I think it plays great. It's probably comparable to a mid-range instrument you can buy in store nowadays, around $600 USD.

I don't know how I feel about the pickups, but I will probably replace them with some DiMarzio Ultra Jazz 5 while giving the electronics a little refresh .

I will post pictures once I get home tonight!

 

[AlexisL]

Here's a short album with a few pics of the previously mentioned Profile TB-500: Profile TB-500

 

[cdef]

According to my notes, Profile was a mid-1980s Australian import brand owned by Dynamic Music, and their Japanese- or Korean-made P copy was called Black Magic. But these other examples seem to indicate a Canadian import. Of course, Profile is a bland enough moniker to have been unwittingly adopted antipodally.

 

[franksters]

Here’s mine ! I do love it , I bought it because I used to own a black magic and I screw up selling it!

 

[B-Mac]

Here’s mine ! I do love it , I bought it because I used to own a black magic and I screw up selling it! View attachment 3512407View attachment 3512404

TORT!

 

[Phat-E]

Had my black magic since 1989. I just thought it felt so good to play because it was what i learnt on and have played it for so long but. I found this thread because i did a search on what i might get for it but now im starting to think twice. I havnt even put it through an amp in about 20 years but im thinking i might have to at least have a jam with it before i decide.
Thanks for all the info.

 

[Wherestheone]

Anyone have any notions about how old or where that white one of Franksters might have been made? Wondering if it's an older MIJ unit, or one of the newer made elsewhere examples.
Thanks!

 

[cdef]

Anyone have any notions about how old or where that white one of Franksters might have been made? Wondering if it's an older MIJ unit, or one of the newer made elsewhere examples. ...

I suppose it might be a mid-'80s MIJ one by Chushin Gakki. They used that "hook" headstock as well as the fiery tort pg pattern on other Fender copies, too. On the other hand, the bridge is different. A pic of the neck plate would be revealing, as the MIK ones had an embossed logo and a serial, whereas Chushin just had "Made In Japan". - These are seldom very clear-cut matters.

 

[Wherestheone]

Thanks for the info cdef. I'm looking at a similar bass locally later today---and pics of it look very similar to Franksters' (colour, fiery tort, bridge, headstock shape and font). The seller sent me a pic of the neck plate....and it's totally blank (on the visible side anyway...), and there's nothing on the backside of the headstock either, thus the initial "pre visit snooping".