Something seems off with this bass

[Echo2112]

My wife found this bass at a local resale shop near where she works. She was going to bring it home for me, but before that happens I want to know what the hell this thing is. The serial number on the headstock says it's a 84-87 MIJ. But things just don't look right. The lack of a pickguard. The input jack not being on the front of the bass is a concern. The color. And I am not sure about the body shape itself. So, can some of the experts weigh in on this and tell me what the hell I am looking at?

Frankenbass?

• Echo2112
• Feb 22, 2015

Frankenbass?

• Echo2112
• Feb 22, 2015
• 1

 

[Nobody]

Looks legit to me. They made them like that in the 80s.

 

[wvbass]

Looks fine to me as well.

 

[Pilgrim]

Nothing unusual, just one of many models. Great find, enjoy it!

 

[Nobody]

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Here's another just like it.

 

[devnulljp]

Wait ... your wife saw a bass and wanted to get it for you and you're arguing?

 

[Tad]

Hug that woman.

 

[wvbass]

I believe it is a PB-551 from the MIJ "Boxer" series.

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[Echo2112]

Thanks for the investigative work! I am going to have her keep an eye on this. This resale shop is run by a church group. There is all kinds of weird odds and ends in there, and it is mostly perused by old biddies. And my wife apparently. So as things sit in the shop, the longer it sits, the lower the price gets. I may give it a week and see if it still there. Unless you guys think that $199 is a good price for the bass and hard case.

 

[AnalogKid4003]

$199 is a great price if it's in VG condition and plays well.
Offer $150 and see what the hens say

 

[superdick2112]

I have a question...

Where are the frets?

Someone yanked 'em out & didn't even fill the slots.

 

[superdick2112]

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Here's another just like it.

Except this one has its frets intact, it's in much better shape, and it doesn't have a set of silly skull knobs on it.

 

[superdick2112]

Echo2112 - only 8 posts since you joined TB in 2013?

You need to check in more often!

 

[Echo2112]

Echo2112 - only 8 posts since you joined TB in 2013?

You need to check in more often!

Yeah, there was just a great deal of lurking happening for a while.

 

[bholder]

Except this one has its frets intact, it's in much better shape, and it doesn't have a set of silly skull knobs on it.

Silly Skull Knobs might be a great band name! Hmmm. (Thinking the album cover would show a fake Darth Maul.)

 

[Echo2112]

I figure that if it is acquired, some replacement knobs will be the first step.

 

[superdick2112]

I figure that if it is acquired, some replacement knobs will be the first step.

Look close at that fingerboard - unless you want a fretless, I'd pass.

 

[Echo2112]

I don't have a fretless currently. I wouldn't mind noodling around on one, but my concern is how was the fret removal done. If it was a pro job, that is one thing. If it was done at home, and poorly that makes it much less attractive.

 

[bholder]

I don't have a fretless currently. I wouldn't mind noodling around on one, but my concern is how was the fret removal done. If it was a pro job, that is one thing. If it was done at home, and poorly that makes it much less attractive.

The pictures don't show it all that well, but looks like a fairly careful amateur job to me, there are some marks and chipping, doesn't look too bad.
But it really doesn't affect playability as a fretless much at all, imho. Fill the slots with contrasting putty, the chips with superglue and dark sawdust, sand smooth, a coat of epoxy, done.
The amateur defret is great ammo to talk the price further down, though. Not that they're asking much to begin with.

 

[bholder]

The body shape seems right, it's just the angle and lack of pickguard that make the proportions look off.