Vintage Carlo Robelli

[javlinsharp]

Hey Guys,
For years, Ive played an old Bass I got from a friend. Classic story, hard up for cash and gave me a steal at $200.

Can anybody tell what I have here? Seems like this is something special.

I was told its from the 60's. Its a Fender Jazz Clone(size, shape, pickup layout) Blonde - no color, just polyurethane. The neck is pretty nice, Rosewood board, mother of pearl inlays, and a trussrod cover that says "made in Japan" Mother of Pearl inlay on the headstock reads Carlo Robelli.

Most notably, it weighs a TON; more than any other bass I have ever held. Ive put it through "scheduled maintenance' and it sounds pretty sweet to my hobbist ears.

I really love the guitar, and want to know more about it. Google is little help, the modern Carlo Robelli crap brand dilutes the results.

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Can you post a photo? A natural finish says more '70s to me than '60s.

Carlo Robelli is a Sam Ash house brand (if I'm not mistaken). I don't know if it's always been that way though. Maybe there's someone at the original Sam Ash store in New York that could tell you something...

 

[moonshinegtrs]

"Vintage Carlo Robelli"? Isn't that an oxymoron? Like "Jumbo Shrimp" or "Military Intelligence"?

Moonshine

 

[Steveaux]

"Vintage Carlo Robelli"? Isn't that an oxymoron? Like "Jumbo Shrimp" or "Military Intelligence"

More like "Vintage Box o' Wine"

Wait ... my SX's say "Vintage", too.

 

[Dark Horse]

"Vintage Carlo Robelli"? Isn't that an oxymoron? Like "Jumbo Shrimp" or "Military Intelligence"?

Moonshine

Actually, Carlo Robelli was a house brand in the 70's (violins in the 60's, IIRC, and started guitars/basses a few years after). Later, in the 2000's, Sam Ash bought the name and revived the brand. Some of the 70's & early 80's CR instruments were pretty nice, probably made by the usual Japanese companies like Matsumoko.

Of course I may just be remembering my history wrong....

 

[javlinsharp]

I took some quick cellphone pics. You will see this is not like any Carlo Robelli you have seen on the racks at Smash. Any Ideas anyone?

 

[javlinsharp]

here they are...stupidi upload button

 

[Dark Horse]

here they are...stupidi upload button

Yep, that's a 70's model. Should be a pretty nice bass... probably worth anywhere from $150-$250, plus or minus a bit. $200 is a very fair deal....

 

[plangentmusic]

Carlo Robelli is still around and they make surprisingly nice instruments for a VERY low price. They cut corners on wood (compressed sawdust and resin) finish, (plastic with a "picture" of wood), and the wiring is suspect -- some are okay, others shoddy. But the necks and pu's are pretty good and they don't sound bad at all!

They're a great deal. But as far as any "vintage" value, forget it.

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

I have a Carlo Robelli acoustic guitar that I got as a freebie at Sam Ash a few years ago with a purchase. I worked on the nut and the bridge a bit and it's a great playing, great sounding guitar.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Actually, Carlo Robelli was a house brand in the 70's (violins in the 60's, IIRC, and started guitars/basses a few years after). Later, in the 2000's, Sam Ash bought the name and revived the brand. Some of the 70's & early 80's CR instruments were pretty nice, probably made by the usual Japanese companies like Matsumoko.

Of course I may just be remembering my history wrong....

I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong (okay...it took awhile to admit it...). Way to go Andy.

My other excuse is I don't remember much of the seventies...

Wow, a vintage Carlo Robelli bass...Who'd of thunk?

Moonshine

 

[RonChase]

I think Carlo Robelli started in 1932,and yeh that bass is old enough to be interesting I would've bought it.I owned an acoustic electric carlo robelli bass and it was junk but if you go to the upper end the stuff fairs well enough,only problem is the name is a detriment if you go to sell.If you like it keep it

 

[JohnSS]

I interviewed Sammy Ash for www.guitargearheads.com. The MIJ Carlo Robellis were usually Fujigen-gakki (Ibanez) OEM models and are comparable to the Ibanez and Greco lawsuit models of the70's. Current Carlo Robellis are made in Indonesia, and are not of the same level of quality.

 

[Marc61]

My very first electric bass was a Carlo Robelli Jazz just like that. I got it in 1976. Wish I still had it