What is this "Vintage" Violin Bass?

[wintremute]

Local Craigslist ad:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What make/year do you think this is?


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[FA108208usat2]

Probably 60s, looks like it was made by a company named Crown.

Looks like he is missing one of the knobs.

 

[wintremute]

You may be right. Here's a Crown on Reverb:

Crown Hollow Body / Violin 1960s Sunburst | Reverb

 

[FA108208usat2]

You may be right. Here's a Crown on Reverb:

Crown Hollow Body / Violin 1960s Sunburst | Reverb

Yeah, they do look very similar, It's a great deal I guess, because its $285 on reverb.

 

[wintremute]

If I have time, I'll go check it out. It's missing a knob, has some scuffs/chips on there, and the finish looks like its cracking by the bridge and tuners.

 

[jamro217]

Possibly an Echo. Need pics of the headstock.

 

[GretschWretch]

Not an Eko. And finish checking is to be expected on basses this old.

 

[wintremute]

Not an Eko. And finish checking is to be expected on basses this old.

I learned a new term today! Thanks!

What is "Finish Checking"?

Finish Checking

A crack in a guitar or bass's finish. Checking can result when the temperature changes. As the temperature increases or decreases, the instrument's wooden body and neck expand or contract at a different rate than its finish, causing the finish to crack.

 

[bholder]

Does it have the "forward scroll top" headstock?

 

[bholder]

Not an Eko. And finish checking is to be expected on basses this old.

Tell me about it!

 

[cdef]

The CL post is gone... But that model was built in Japan by various manufacturers, and was imported separately by several US businesses. Besides Crown, it was also branded as [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], maybe some more as well.

You can review most of the violin basses ever made at Uli's "501" [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[GretschWretch]

Tell me about it!
View attachment 595750

This is not finish checking. This is the finish abandoning ship.

 

[bholder]

This is not finish checking. This is the finish abandoning ship.

Ah, but it is all "artsy" and stuff! Can't wait to hear what it sounds like with these new darkstars in it.

 

[GretschWretch]

Ah, but it is all "artsy" and stuff! Can't wait to hear what it sounds like with these new darkstars in it.

Looks to me more like Sasquatch's bass.

 

[RED J]

Tell me about it!
View attachment 595750

That ain't an echo its a wreck-o !

 

[bholder]

It's all like 17th century 'n stuff!

 

[hsech]

Perhaps a Greco or Teisco.

 

[Billy C.]

Tell me about it!
View attachment 595750

This was a "GRECO" Violin Bass which was first produced in 1966. I bought a brand new one in Dec. 1966. Eighth Street Music in Phila., received a shipment of 50 of them and sold them as CHRISTMAS Specials for $119.99 EACH + $25.00 for the matching soft shell case. These were EXCELLANT Basses and I wish I had still held onto mine!! AMAZING craftsmanship and the sound quality was exceptional! One of the finest Japanese imports at that time! Closest looking to the REAL THING!! The BINDING on the neck and around the body was gorgeous!! Unlike anything else out there at the time!!

 

[bumperbass]

This site has just about every violin bass pic there is. Check it out:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[1stnamebassist]

Looks a lot like my first bass I got in the early 70's, a Blackjack. Nice little bass!