Tornado Bass (Not a Fury)

[1954bratt]

Part of my description is borrowed from a member posted 11/2004. I just purchased this bad boy at a pawn shop here in Austin. It's a very well made instrument.
Says Tornado on the headstock with a tornado graphic below both in mother of pearl. Tuning keys are 2 & 2 stamped with 'Tnd'. All gold hardware, the body is laminated with the front being rosewood (maybe) then a center layer of maple. The back is mahagony (maybe). Hard to say...really nice laminate job. The neck is maple bolt on, rosewood finger board. Active electronics - 5 knobs. I'm told the original knobs were gold colored with mother-of-pearl inlays. The front of the head piece is black and slightly hour-glass shaped. The back of each tuner has 'Tnd' written in script. The truss rod cover is stamped 'Tnd', bridge is stamped 'Tnd' in 2 places.
I contacted Fury Guitars and it's not one of theirs. I can't find squat on the net about this bass. If anyone has information, please share...

 

[EagleMoon]

Got any pics? That might make a bit easier to tell what it is.

 

[1954bratt]

Here's a pic of the Tornado...
I heard back from the guy who posted the original thread in 11/04.
No luck.
Any help is appreciated.
Steve B.

 

[1954bratt]

The mystery Tornado

 

[EagleMoon]

Wow, that's a nice looking bass! Looks a lot like a Clover Xpression bass. The headstock is different though.

 

[1954bratt]

Thank you!
These 2 look like cousins...
I was convinced it was a customed ordered job until I found the posting from rered dated 11/2004.
Obviously not as he described it perfectly.
Thanks for the info!

 

[EagleMoon]

Maybe you should contact them and see if they know anything about it?

 

[cb56]

Other than the headstock it looks like a peavey Cirrus!!
although the neck pocket reminds me of an Ibanez SR series bass.

 

[1954bratt]

I'm going to keep trying to identify the origin of this thing!
I have 14 guitars (not including the Tornado bass). I can tell you the complete history of every one of them.
This enigma bass hopefully won't break my streak (or compulsive behaviour?)
Regardless thanks for any and all help.
Steve B.

 

[myjazzy1]

I purchased one of these when I was in Seoul Korea in 2002. Have yet to find any info on it since then.

 

[burbach51]

I Puchases on of these in South Korea in 2003. I am looking to sell it, but I don't have any information about it. If you guys could help me out it would be great. I have included a link to the web page that where i have pics of it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Mikio]

reminds me of the legendary Hurricane Guitars! [just the name, lol]

 

[RickenBoogie]

I don't have any info, but it's a pretty cool looking bass. Nice, congrats, and good luck.

 

[1954bratt]

Burbach51
I paid $175. for my Tornado at a pawn shop here in Austin.
As far as I can tell, all the known info in the immediate universe is on this thread.
Thanks to all who have responded so far.

 

[Patch21147]

Hey,
I actually have that bass, too. I bought it in silver spring at atomic music. I have no idea what it is, but at least you know that other ones are around.

 

[1954bratt]

Thanks for the heads up. The only clue so far is that one was bought new in Seoul, Korea. Oher than that, it remains an enigma...a mystery that I love to play. Best $175 I've spent on an instrument.
Thanks again!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I LIKE it!!!

Looks Ken-Smith-ish to me.... I'd have bought that in a heartbeat for $175!!!

 

[Stee Flo]

yeah definitely has a cirrus shape to the body. Also the headstock is similar to a ken smith.

 

[warwick.hoy]

I find the headstock reminiscent of fassa's barf bass (a Shergold or whatever).

 

[Twhitt1978]

It was made in Korea by the Master Luthier that works for Epiphone. It's not a major brand but it's still a great instrument.