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Vintage Rogue precision bass copy
- Thread starter LukeJancikic
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- copy precision bass rogue vintage
Found this TB thread for you, not much info but clarifies one thing.
It's not the same as the Rogue brand you see nowadays (Musicians' Friend's "house" brand which started business in 1990.)
Probably worth a look and try imo as it's MIJ and if you're lucky, one of those hidden gems.
Rogue Custom Bass MIJ Not MF Brand Question
It's not the same as the Rogue brand you see nowadays (Musicians' Friend's "house" brand which started business in 1990.)
Probably worth a look and try imo as it's MIJ and if you're lucky, one of those hidden gems.
Rogue Custom Bass MIJ Not MF Brand Question
If you can play it in person, I'd definitely give it a shot. It might be great. If it's an online deal, I'd probably pass it buy unless the seller was willing to knock 50-75 off the price. Even in Canada, at $200-250 you can likely score a used ESP/LTD Vintage 214 which is a great, recent-production P-clone that you know will be well-made and consistent.
There are a limited number of MIJ brands that I will buy without either holding them in my hands first (Tokai, anything from matsumoku factory, Fender, etc) or getting a fantastic deal. People rave about MIJ and much of that is true, but there were also alot of dogs too, and of course even well-made older basses often have neck issues.
There are a limited number of MIJ brands that I will buy without either holding them in my hands first (Tokai, anything from matsumoku factory, Fender, etc) or getting a fantastic deal. People rave about MIJ and much of that is true, but there were also alot of dogs too, and of course even well-made older basses often have neck issues.
Very true....there are some God-awful MIJ guitars too. Growing up in Asia, I've tried my share of them- made of plywood and necks that don't seem to want to remain straight. However, as you mentioned, there are some great Japanese made basses. Another MIJ brand that comes to mind are the old Riverhead basses. Once considered one of the boutique basses in Japan so the quality is terrific. The factory burned down in the 90s and the parent company decided to go with a different brand name thereafter, Bacchus. They did revive the Riverhead brand recently, but not sure of the quality of the newer ones.
Also, absolutely right about the necks on older basses - given their age, always good to check these vintage instruments in person.
Awesome, thanks everyone. I just saw it on Craigslist but it's like a 4 hour drive for me so I don't think I'll get a chance to play it. I probably won't even bother with it, I was just hoping someone had some experience with one and maybe it'd be worth checking out. I was gonna offer $150 to buy it unseen because I have a buddy that could grab it for me but I might just hold out for something that I actually know is worth it. Some guy in my town has a pretty mint squier JV precision that I'm probably going to go play but he's asking $1250 so I'll probably just play it just to see what all the hype is about. I've never come across one yet but I've seen a couple Greco's and Aria Pro's around the $700 range that have me interested.
I've been a lurker on Talkbass for a while, but had to join today when I found this thread. I bought one of these Rogue basses at a local vintage store in Halifax, NS (Canada) back in 2008 or so. All my local bass-playing buds were confused by it because t played so well, but no one took the leap of buying it even though they all liked it and wondered whether it might be the real deal. At the time the headstock had been painted over with black paint. I sanded it off eventually and could see the remnants of a decal, but I could barely make it out. I swore it said Rogue in a 60's psychedelic font, but I never came across anything other than the post 90's Musician's Friend stuff mentioned above, and I knew that wasn't it. I am so happy to have finally had confirmation of origin and brand of this beast. It is one of the best basses I've ever played. I've loaded it with Dimarzios from the 70's, and have strung it with flats - it's a thumping machine. All the engineers in town ask me to bring this bass to the sessions - it eclipses my '76 P by a country mile. I really love it. And I got it for $150 Canadian. Probably tied with buying a '66 Hofner for $500 as my best find. Thanks Talkbass!
If anyone sees one of these for less than $500, I would not hesitate to throw down immediately - they are (or at least mine is) a fantastic copy.
If anyone sees one of these for less than $500, I would not hesitate to throw down immediately - they are (or at least mine is) a fantastic copy.
This is why I love internet forums. This type of communication wasn't possible a few decades ago. BTW thanks for adding to the conversation. Looking forward to reading your future posts, this place can be addictive.
Here’s mine. I bought it in the summer for $220 Cdn. It is the best P bass I have ever played, authentically roadworn in the nicest way.
The neck is amazingly solid, nice low action, and with flats everything just seems to come together on this instrument. Thump machine for sure! The tuners were beautifully tarnished but were very heavy and a little glitchy, so off they went, Ultralites and a D tuner in their place. Even better!
I read a blog post somewhere from some guy in Colorado who has the same opinion of these as awesome basses. The information that he had is that these were made around 1975 in the FujiGen Gakki factory in Japan.
I have a Squier JV Jazz that I bought new in 1981 and the Rogue is at least as good as it. At the top end of any 70’s P bass out there, so run, don’t walk, and get it if you ever see one of these for sale.
The neck is amazingly solid, nice low action, and with flats everything just seems to come together on this instrument. Thump machine for sure! The tuners were beautifully tarnished but were very heavy and a little glitchy, so off they went, Ultralites and a D tuner in their place. Even better!
I read a blog post somewhere from some guy in Colorado who has the same opinion of these as awesome basses. The information that he had is that these were made around 1975 in the FujiGen Gakki factory in Japan.
I have a Squier JV Jazz that I bought new in 1981 and the Rogue is at least as good as it. At the top end of any 70’s P bass out there, so run, don’t walk, and get it if you ever see one of these for sale.
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Yes, Rogue is the house brand for Musician's Friend. Today, AFAIK, Rogue's are made by Chinese generic instrument companies, and... well, you get what you pay for. If that bass is as old as my '90/'91 Rogue VB-100? Then it's probably Korean, and they're a whole different kettle of fish. My VB-100 is extremely well made, with beautiful top and back, too. If it's been cared for, it's probably a pretty nice bass...
View attachment 3220103 Yes, Rogue is the house brand for Musician's Friend. Today, AFAIK, Rogue's are made by Chinese generic instrument companies, and... well, you get what you pay for. If that bass is as old as my '90/'91 Rogue VB-100? Then it's probably Korean, and they're a whole different kettle of fish. My VB-100 is extremely well made, with beautiful top and back, too. If it's been cared for, it's probably a pretty nice bass...
These Rogue P basses were made in Japan in the mid 1970’s and have nothing to do with the Musician’s Friend house brand of the same name
. Funny thing is I just bought a Japanese-made Marlin EB-3 copy, also from 1975, which was sold through Canadian Eaton’s catalogs and has nothing to do with the UK Marlin basses from the 1980’s and 1990’s.
I paid $40 bucks for this one at a yard sale. The neck is rock solid and it's got a very nice finish on it. I pulled the electronics and pick guard and put some new round wounds on it and it plays great. Sooner or later I'm going to install EMG Geezer Butlers on it and a new pick guard. I play it all the time - unplugged - and I'm very impressed. One thing, it doesn't seem to be very old (unless it's been in somebody's closet for 10 or 20 years) and I can't find any info on it. It has a plywood body and overall it feels and plays just like my old '76 Precision.
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I know it has been over a year since the last post.... but ... Rogue basses are still being made and sold. I own a VB100 Beatles Bass but they also make several nice solid body basses. Guitar Centers sells then and often has them on sale ... here is a link https://www.guitarcenter.com/Rogue/LX205B-5-String-Series-III-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc
I posted these pics on the Rogue member page, but this is the Rogue precision bass copy that I bought for $50? at a pawnshop. Interesting how there's slight differences in all these. I wonder what the deal is.
It's the same size as my Fender Precision. I should have mentioned that I bought that Rogue in 2000 for $50 (with case). That would be $75 today I guess.
