Story of Unknown Maker

[Doc Kurt]

Missed those while I was typing.
I'd say in all it's a good platform that is worth better controls, wiring and possibly pickups. Or play the snot out of it the way it is. But I'm 100% certain it came from a Chinese factory and isn't handmade at all.

I play the life out of of it. Even did a gig with a KISS tribute band a couple of years ago.

 

[Trabeen]

Very cool bass, it’s lineage is a mystery to me but your Olde English 800 can gives me a brain ache and brings back memories probably better left buried.

 

[boombloom]

Looks like a Wishbass, but built by some someone with access to tools and decent wood, instead of a pocketknife and garbage.

That bridge is really unusual. I wonder if this thing is Japanese.

Way to go. You're dismissive of Steve's livelihood and work. Many people who put them down have never played one. I know Wishbass isn't for everyone, but mine play well, sound amazing and have been very affordable. It seems you're just going for a cheap laugh. You make a very bad impression. .

 

[whero]

Any pictures of the headstock?

 

[Rib 13]

Anytime I see pickup covers with four silver screws in the corners, the first thing I think is China

 

[punchdrunk]

Seems doubtful that whoever made that (looks home crafted to me) would have left it unbranded...I’d look under the pickups and inside the neck pocket for insight.
Looks very cool, btw.

 

[Doc Kurt]

Any pictures of the headstock?

There are now.

 

[Doc Kurt]

Seems doubtful that whoever made that (looks home crafted to me) would have left it unbranded...I’d look under the pickups and inside the neck pocket for insight.
Looks very cool, btw.

Thanks. Not bad for a freebie. This is a pic of the pocket. It came open with no badge.

 

[Doc Kurt]

Seems doubtful that whoever made that (looks home crafted to me) would have left it unbranded...I’d look under the pickups and inside the neck pocket for insight.
Looks very cool, btw.

Neck pocket. Wrong location. My bad.

 

[B-Mac]

I have had this particular bass for a few years. It was gifted to me because the original owner dug it except for one thing... it's a lefty.

I asked him the brand and he had no idea because he bought it at a pawn shop for $100. So my quest to find a manufacturer leads me here. There are no numbers, badges, it other identifying markers. It screams Ibanez except for pickups and body.

Would anyone be able to point me in a direction to find the maker? I have been calling her Jane Doe for years. I appreciate the help.

That body looks like it’s one piece of wood?
That would steer me away from thinking Chinese factory.
[edit] 2 pieces of wood? Looks like a seam below the bridge.
The wood grain looks great.
Chinese factories have been big on paulownia wood and that doesn’t look like paulownia

 

[punchdrunk]

Neck pocket. Wrong location. My bad.

No worries. Next step would be removing the pickups, and the neck.

 

[Doc Kurt]

No worries. Next step would be removing the pickups, and the neck.

I will most likely start at pickups. I had my guy here at and restrung it. There are some pics at the beginning of this string showing the neck it is screwed on.

 

[Doc Kurt]

I will most likely start at pickups. I had my guy here at and restrung it. There are some pics at the beginning of this string showing the neck it is screwed on.

Set and restrung

 

[Killing Floor]

Anything in the control cavity or neck pocket?

also, anyone want an unopened Billy beer?

 

[Doc Kurt]

Anything in the control cavity or neck pocket?

also, anyone want an unopened Billy beer?

I posted pics of the cavity earlier in this thread yesterday.

 

[Lava]

Looks like a homemade body with repurposed neck. I don't recognize the headstock shape but hard to tell by the pics. Nice body!

 

[Doc Kurt]

Looks like a homemade body with repurposed neck. I don't recognize the headstock shape but hard to tell by the pics. Nice body!

This is easily the biggest, heaviest bass I have toted around. It is a solid piece of wood.

 

[Doc Kurt]

Looks like a homemade body with repurposed neck. I don't recognize the headstock shape but hard to tell by the pics. Nice body!

Need a different angle or lighting?

 

[Jazz Ad]

My back hurts just looking at it.

 

[BobKos]

The headstock reminds me of a Jon Hill bass. He is working Bootleg Guitars. Don't know if he could help, but it might be worth asking. He used to be Ohio based in his early days.