Univox short scale

[iSayBoourns]

Hello, I wanted to ask for any knowledgeable Univox people out there if they had any more info on this Univox hi-flier short scale I found. Like what looks original and what isn’t and if there is a way to get what phase/year from the serial number.

Seems to be missing the bridge cover (can see is has the screw hole where one would have been) but also the bridge doesn’t seem correct to any examples I can find.

I apologize I don’t have any better photos yet, but will be able to in the next couple weeks when I can bring it home.

Below are the two photos I have. (First image obviously the one of the right and second is the neck plate)

Any help and further info greatly welcomed.

 

[ardgedee]

Original bridge would have been a Fender-style bent plate.

Everything else looks legit.

 

[iSayBoourns]

Yeah a fender style bent plate and bar saddles is pretty much what I have found sifting through many images for examples. (At least ones that didn’t have a cover on)

If my little bit of research is correct it places it (minus the likely bridge replacement) to be a phase 2 1973. Based off the pickups and headstock logo. I’ll be able to investigate and provide more detailed photos (pot date stamps any markings on the under side of the pickups and in the neck pocket) once I can bring it home in a couple weeks.

Pretty excited to clean it up, string it up once I get it. Never played around with a short scale or what looks to be a vintage MIJ bass.

Original bridge would have been a Fender-style bent plate.

Everything else looks legit.

 

[Slevage]

As other have said-bridge has been replaced.
Also, toggle switch might have been replaced (looks longer than my 1st base in 1972).
Look inside for newer solder joints.

 

[brianrost]

What’s with the pickups. I’ve seen the black ones and the humbucker style. Photos I googled claim dates from 1970 to 1974 for both styles. What’s up with that? The ones I saw in stores in 73 and 74 all had the humbuckers, both basses and guitars.

 

[ardgedee]

What’s with the pickups. I’ve seen the black ones and the humbucker style. Photos I googled claim dates from 1970 to 1974 for both styles. What’s up with that? The ones I saw in stores in 73 and 74 all had the humbuckers, both basses and guitars.

View attachment 7090782

I don't recall them being made with two-saddle bridges like in your photo (mine had a 4-saddle bridge), but that could have easily been something Univox changed between series that I wasn't aware of. There were a few differences like that. The neckplate is another thing that evolved. Mine had a sandblasted U which like the humbuckers dates it as a later model, while the OP's single-coil pickups and "Steel Adjustable Neck" date it as earlier.

 

[msb]

You have a Phase II , the bridge does not look original. They were in production from 69-74.
Light , great sounding , very enjoyable to play. Phase I had rocker switches instead of the toggle switch. Phase III & IV had the different pickups. They changed in 74.

 

[flatwound62p]

Never played one but just wanted to add that whenever I've seen someone on stage with one of these they've been a fantastic sounding bass.

 

[iSayBoourns]

Thank you everyone who has so far commented and provided more info. Does seem what I’ll be picking up is a phase II. Based on comments and research I have since looked into. Phase I had the different switch for the pickups and the nailed on plastic/metal badge. It swapped to the block letter decal midway in phase II and phase III changed to humbuckers, making it mostly likely phase II. So I’m guessing something around 1973?

Bit of a bummer the bridge has been replaced, until can get it home and open it up everything else appears to be original. Another poster mentioned the toggle switch but I have seen other examples with identical looking (shape and length) but will check the solder as advised.

I wonder if it would be worth tracking down a genuine bridge. I am literally paying $0 for this bass (and the danelectro guitar next to it) as it’s just sitting in my parents basement and I said I would take em as they are trying to declutter some stuff.

No matter its value (which kinda curious on) I am never gonna sell it. I’m excited to clean it and string it up in the coming weeks. Never played on a short scale before and interested to hear its sound and add it to my kit.

 

[grrg63]

I had one of these a long time ago, wish I would have kept it. I think mine had a medium scale neck.

 

[msb]

The UniVox Mosrite copies were short scales. The bridge is not a big deal , iSay , as long as it’s been placed where the strings will intonate. After I picked up mine I received some messages from collector friends that told me the UniVox copies were in some ways a better playing instrument than the original Mosrites. Mine is simply a lovely bass , great tone , very comfortable to play , very lightweight. I was happily surprised when it arrived. The P90 style single coil pickups have a very slight 60 cycle humm , but minimal , I have had no interest in changing them because I love the tone. Enjoy.

 

[ravelax]

That's actually a nice Schaller bridge, an upgrade over the original. Cool basses these, I wish I had one.

 

[iSayBoourns]

That's actually a nice Schaller bridge, an upgrade over the original. Cool basses these, I wish I had one.

Oh yeah you’re right. Just looked those up and it looks like a perfect match. A little less bummed the bridge has been replaced then. Haha.

 

[ardgedee]

Oh yeah you’re right. Just looked those up and it looks like a perfect match. A little less bummed the bridge has been replaced then. Haha.

tbh I'd recommend keeping it as-is rather than trying to restore it to a collectible state. As long as the bridge fits and the instrument sets up well, what you've got is arguably better than stock anyway.

 

[iSayBoourns]

tbh I'd recommend keeping it as-is rather than trying to restore it to a collectible state. As long as the bridge fits and the instrument sets up well, what you've got is arguably better than stock anyway.

I agree. It and the danelectro guitar will be in my hands this coming Sunday. Should hopefully have some strings for it not too long after and see how well it can set up.

 

[jd56hawk]

Consider yourself lucky there isn't a bridge cover. The original one looks like someone's first metal-shop project, one he got a C on at best.
Just add black screws if you don't like the holes.
I've always wanted a Hi-Flyer.
Definitely regret not buying this a few years ago.

 

[iSayBoourns]

Got it home now. A little more info on it. The bridge was replaced by my brother (which we knew had been replaced) but he also replaced the neck too. I couldn’t find it when I was over to pick it up, but it was found in the basement today. It has the original headstock badge on it. He said he replaced it cause it had a little twist. I’ll be picking up the original neck next time I’m over and see if/how badly it may be twisted. Might be salvageable to put back on. With it being pre block letter decal on it’s original neck I think puts it early phase 2 as they changed the badge mid phase 2 from the info I have seen.

No strings yet but electronics seem to work. Tapped a screw driver to the pickup poles and in all positions on the toggle works as it should. A little scratchy on the volume and tone but that can be remedied.

 

[iSayBoourns]

Another update. Found some old strings hidden in an old hard case. Definitely old and grimy and not sure I had kept them in the case lol but was slough to at least string the E and G to check alignment. Discovered there could be an issue with the jack and/or when brother swapped the bridge forgot the ground wire. It hums a lot to the point of no note will ring out unless I touch and press in the cable further into the jack. So something I’ll have to investigate. For sure open to some ideas.

 

[B-Mac]

You have a Phase II , the bridge does not look original. They were in production from 69-74.
Light , great sounding , very enjoyable to play. Phase I had rocker switches instead of the toggle switch. Phase III & IV had the different pickups. They changed in 74.View attachment 7090854

Hello, I wanted to ask for any knowledgeable Univox people out there if they had any more info on this Univox hi-flier short scale I found. Like what looks original and what isn’t and if there is a way to get what phase/year from the serial number.

Seems to be missing the bridge cover (can see is has the screw hole where one would have been) but also the bridge doesn’t seem correct to any examples I can find.

I apologize I don’t have any better photos yet, but will be able to in the next couple weeks when I can bring it home.

Below are the two photos I have. (First image obviously the one of the right and second is the neck plate)

Any help and further info greatly welcomed.

View attachment 7090722View attachment 7090723

@GretschWretch and @JIO might be able to help.

 

[flatwound62p]

Another update. Found some old strings hidden in an old hard case. Definitely old and grimy and not sure I had kept them in the case lol but was slough to at least string the E and G to check alignment. Discovered there could be an issue with the jack and/or when brother swapped the bridge forgot the ground wire. It hums a lot to the point of no note will ring out unless I touch and press in the cable further into the jack. So something I’ll have to investigate. For sure open to some ideas.

Could possibly be the sleeve on the output socket not making proper contact with the sleeve on the cable due to oxidation. You could spray some contact cleaner on the sleeve of the cable jack and then plug it in/out of the socket a few times, spin it around as well. Or use some fine sandpaper wrapped around a pencil and spin that around inside the socket a few times to clean off any oxidation.
And have a look over all the wiring for broken earth connections.
Might also be the tip on the socket has bent out of correct position over time which is pretty common on old gear, preventing the cable from making correct contact. Try gently bending the tip in towards the centre a little bit so the cable jack sits in there snugly.
If you aren't getting any change in the noise when you touch the bridge or adjust the volume and tone controls but it stops when you push the cable jack further in, then that sounds like a socket issue.