Request info on Greco Beatle Bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Karenc, Jul 7, 2013.

  1. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    Greetings.
    Does anyone know a link or have info on Greco Beatle Basses (made in Japan), such as identifying the year it was made, etc.
    Also, the one I am interested in knowing more about has the Greco logo on the head in a type of attached metal plate.
    Furthermore, if there are any owners out there, I would appreciate knowing anything you care to share about it.
    Oh, and by the way, today was my first day learning the bass.
    God bless you all.
     
  2. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
  3. Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
  4. garmenteros

    garmenteros Bass Enthusiast

    Aug 24, 2008
    Dominican Republic
    That probably doesn't sound like a beetle bass though, but it looks well made.
     
  5. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Munji just wanted to show of his photog skillz. Well I don't have the photog skillz Minji has, but even with its slightly twisted neck, I'd Realistically have to put this little baby up there with that lovely non-Beatle LeCompte of Munji's:

    B-15NStackPLyteRSBass_zps8e0acb4f.jpg

    RSBassBodyPG_zps0e9134fc.jpg

    RSBassFrontHeadstock_zps5d3e979e.gif
     
  6. Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    Naw. Just showing off the bass - the photog skillz are George's at BSD.
     
  7. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    I so very much appreciate the links, photos, and comments provided here on the Greco...spent some time looking at everything I could. It really helped me to know what was what. Thank you so much!!!!!!!
     
  8. Thornton Davis

    Thornton Davis

    Dec 11, 1999
    Canada
    If you should happen upon or own a Greco VB165 (Beatle Bass) of which there were only 100 made in 1987/88 these were actually made in Germany by Hofner. The VB65 was its Japanese made counterpart from the same era and looked very similar to the VB165.

    TD
     
  9. SirMjac28

    SirMjac28 Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion

    Aug 25, 2010
    The Great Midwest
    I have two both of mine are I believe 68's one is my first bass sounds as good as my Hofner.
     
  10. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    Dear Thornton Davis and mjac28, Thank you also for your words...I really appreciate them. Regarding Greco VB165...where do I look for these numbers on the bass? The Greco (and it does state on the back plate where the neck is bolted on that it was made in Japan) I speak of has an attached logo on the top...it is unique in that it has raised slightly scripted letters yet still looks a bit like the Greco painted logos on other Greco beatle basses. Overall this attached logo is dark, but the top raised letters were painted gold. There are other things on it that make it look here or there slightly different from the ones I have seen on the internet; however, one link given that has a gallery of vintage basses will not come up...it only shows blank boxes where the pictures should be. I tried loading that page at various times but it will not finish loading the page. It is out of the country website though. But the information there suggests that mine might be a late 1960's or 1970's model, but again no pictures...so I can't say for sure. Where do I look for any numbers or letters or dates if it contains the information? Thanks. And thanks for the intriguing information.
     
  11. SirMjac28

    SirMjac28 Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion

    Aug 25, 2010
    The Great Midwest
    Do you have any pictures of yours?
     
  12. SirMjac28

    SirMjac28 Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion

    Aug 25, 2010
    The Great Midwest
    Here are my babies


    First up is my very first bass it has been regulated too closet duty the neck has become to fragile to play I wanted to be Sir Paul and this bass got me there she is a part of my childhood always going to love her and yes that is a piece of toothpick I used for the G string saddle :) .


    2013-07-08152438_zpsa9c785f2.jpg


    Second is another bass I got because I love them so much I purchased it from the original owner who rarely played it I need to polish her up because she's been in the closet for years poor girl. I will polish her tonight I don't play her because she is in such great condition even the strings are original the owner told me she was a 68 and she is identical to my first bass.


    2013-07-08152451_zps0a1f3349.jpg
     
  13. emblymouse

    emblymouse exempt Supporting Member

    Jan 22, 2006
    I bought this one from a Japanese seller. It was very high quality and had a pearl Greco inlay on the headstock. This is the only photo I can find:

    IMG_3179.jpg
     
  14. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    IMG_5328.jpg
     
  15. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    IMG_5327.jpg
     
  16. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    IMG_5324.jpg
     
  17. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    IMG_5321.jpg
     
  18. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    1. Unusual logo on the head
    2. Pieces of tape on sides of bridge were by me...temporary
    3. I believe that the top humbucker was changed out or possibly modified. It does not fit perfectly and so forth.
    4. The pickguard is missing.
    5. The nut is broken to the left of the low string.

    Thereby, you can see why I am ever curious about this bass. I just have not seen one like it, particularly because of the logo. Yet, in other ways, it seems like it fits right in.
    Any information on it would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks so kindly.
     
  19. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    I should also say that these photos are less than desirable; sorry about that. The colors do not look true. Actual colors are brighter and have higher contrast, even yellowish in the center and sides all the way to almost black on the edges, before the bindings. Not sure how the body binding was made, but it looks like four rows of white, which includes the outer edge white binding.

    Also, the tuning pegs seem to be a more butterfly wings than a lot of the ones I have seen for the beatle basses??
     
  20. Karenc

    Karenc

    Jul 7, 2013
    The photo of the back plate says, Steel Reinforced Neck Made in Japan