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The Official Conrad Bass Club!

Z

Zoidberg523

May 26, 2008
339
4
Grand Rapids, Michigan
#1
Since there isn't one already, I hereby christen the Conrad Bass Club. Post pics of your vintage Conrad bass here! I'll be member #1, PM me for a member number! :)

Here's a couple pics of mine!
Classic sunburst, and the bass is in EXCELLENT shape, most Conrads tend to hold up really well to time. In the second pic you can see the rare style tailpiece(they usually didn't have the Conrad name on them), and you can see the bridge that I made for it when I lost the original one with the mute.
 
#2
Here's a couple more pics of mine!

You might not be able to make it out(sorry for the crappy pics), but the pup covers have a design on them that I did and the pup control switch has an aged yellow die on it.

You can also see the Gibson lawsuit style headstock. :D

BTW, this is a 40080 model. Which either means that they made a VERY brief run of it(40080 was a Conrad guitar model designation) or someone took a guitar and a Conrad Viola and mixed them. Either way, she sounds great!
 
#3
Nice bass, and I like the color!

Was the Conrad a Matsumoku proejct? The mention of 'bridge with mute" makes me wonder. The Univox and other Matsu products had a flip-up mute like this (the picture is my 70's Univox):
Desktop3-07.gif
 
#5
Anyone remember the Conrad Dan Armstrong see-thru copies? They were pretty close to the actual Armstrongs as I recall. When I was 13 I played guitar in a band with a guy who had one, and in the 70's there was a bassist at Disney World who had one as well. I thought they were really cool but they weighed a ton.
 
#9
Jimmy and Zoid check these out...
The rear pickup wasn't working all that hot, so {don't shoot me} I added a Carvin dual-coil HB4 to the bridge as well as new pots and Strat-like knobs to him.Also in the works a cooler switch and ashtray bridge cover if anyone has one. It punches through walls now.I may in the future have another HB4 added to the neck..great stuff!
DSC01542_resize.gif

DSC01545_resize.gif

:bassist:
 
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#12
Pilgrim said:
Nice bass, and I like the color!

Was the Conrad a Matsumoku proejct? The mention of 'bridge with mute" makes me wonder. The Univox and other Matsu products had a flip-up mute like this (the picture is my 70's Univox):
Desktop3-07.gif
Click to expand...

Hmmm...looking at the pickups on Pilgrim's bass brought back memories. Thats the EXACT pickup I remember on my first bass which was a P-Bass copy except for the pickup.

I always thought my first bass was a Memphis-can anyone tell me if Memphis was a Matsumoku brand?
 
#18
Hello, I was directed here to seek assistance identifying my Conrad I inherited from my Father. I originally posted to guitarforum.net and they've helped me somewhat.

Mine is an electric guitar with original case NOT a bass. Its a 6 string with one popped string.

Here is a pic of my guitar then I'll put a link to my picturetrail album, then finally a link to my original post to guitarforums (I hate repeating myself lol is all)...

I am in love with this guitar and don't want to sell it but wouldn't mind knowing about its worth. It has the earmarks of being high quality (three fused wood pieces on the neck), wonderful tone, etc).

I certainly appreciate any responses I may get and want to thank you in advance for your help:

349545338.jpg


349545624.jpg


Picturetrail with all pics:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Original link to other forum:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I always check back every evening and look forward to any of your comments...
 
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#19
That sure is a beauty. I've never seen a Conrad Violin guitar. Looks nice. If it's in really good condition, with original case, I'd say your look at being between $250 and $500 in worth. Though, I am no expert.

EDIT: A little info: Conrad was a marketing name (one of many) used by the Matsumoku company in the 1970's and 80's. Other names used by this company include (but certainly are not limited to) Ibanez, Vox, Univox, and Aria. They are, for the most part, well built, and hold up well to years of playing. Due to their distributing policies, not much is known about many of these instruments. Sometimes you'll see a guitar or bass that looks just like yours, but with a different name, or a different tailpiece (VERY common). Generally though, most seem to have the same pickups (or at least the same styles: basses are chromed plastic humbuckers with chrome poles, with a black ring around the pickup; guitars are raised white plastic soapbars with black poles and black rings around the pickups), tuning gears, and three piece neck. Sunburst is their most common color, and the violin bass is most common, whereas with guitars, the most common body style seems to be the Gibson ES-335 type.

Hope this helps.
 
#20
Medicsman,

I have a guitar exactly like the one you show here and I have been trying to find more information about it. If you have any more info that you can share, like how much it is worth, please let me know. Thanks!
 

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