Got this years ago, but don’t know what it is - I don’t even know how to search for an answer. Can anyone identify? No markings except the word “Japan” on the back. Holds tune, but I’m afraid to plug it into an amp.
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What is this?
- Thread starter scubamoon
- Start date
Looks like a Teisco (or similar department store-grade) bass with some homemade improvements: Paint stripped, wood stained, fret markers painted in, etc. But if it's a cold-war era import from eastern Europe that wouldn't surprise me either.
The hardware is probably all original though, the only things you might want to replace are the tuners, although if they hold up under string tension maybe all they'd need is a cleaning and lube.
The hardware is probably all original though, the only things you might want to replace are the tuners, although if they hold up under string tension maybe all they'd need is a cleaning and lube.
You’re right!!! I just found something like it on Reverb. It’s been sitting as a corner piece for years, but for some reason I feel compelled to make it playable again. Thank you!!
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You were right, too! Man, this site is awesome. I’m glad I found this place.
Whatever you do don't toss the pickups. A lot of those old cheap pickups have a pretty great grindy tone to them.
Yes, agree. Tiesco, and probably four or five other brand names. They did that a lot back then. Looks similar to the Knox I had in '69 - '70. Slightly different body shape and pickguard, but same rocker switches, tug bar, pickups, output jack, bridge cover and fret markers.
Those pickups are surprisingly nice. I have them in my Sears Silvertone 1490 that I got for Christmas in 1970 when I was 12. Get a set of stainless rounds and grind away.
That is a very cool bass you have there @scubamoon.
Smooth_bass88
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The pups,bridge cover, control plate, pick guard shape, neck, body shape are all identical my Decca's of the distant past. However, the headstock is not.
Your going to have to if you want to play it. (Sorry couldn't help it) Change the strings, set it up and "plug it in" and play it. I like old basses.
Plug it in and try it, then give it some TLC with a polishing rag.
The most expensive shiny bass in the world might sound like sh!t and a tip find can sound glorious, judge it with your ears and not with your eyes.
Edit: what sort of forum changes S-H-I-T to poopie, I hate it when a forum changes what I write. Take 2 with an ! instead of an i
The most expensive shiny bass in the world might sound like sh!t and a tip find can sound glorious, judge it with your ears and not with your eyes.
Edit: what sort of forum changes S-H-I-T to poopie, I hate it when a forum changes what I write. Take 2 with an ! instead of an i
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Looks like a Teisco related bass. I’ve seen so many of these with no finish or shellac “spitcoats “ (which looks like what you have) that I’m pretty sure they must have imported some this way. I also think that someone reshaped the headstock before coating it in shellac, but I might be wrong.
There’s no reason to be afraid to plug it in, just start with the bass volume and the master volume all the way down, and bring them both up a little bit at a time. Only one of three things can happen:
1) you will get noises related to the vibration of the strings
2) you will get noises unrelated to the vibration of the strings
3) you will get no sound
If the master volume is low on the amp, none of the noises will “hurt” anything.
Edit: you will also have to play around with the white switches, which are the pickup selectors. I think in the current position, both pickups are “off”, resulting in no sound. Probably the worst placement ever, I remember joking around as a teenager about hitting those by mistake.
There’s no reason to be afraid to plug it in, just start with the bass volume and the master volume all the way down, and bring them both up a little bit at a time. Only one of three things can happen:
1) you will get noises related to the vibration of the strings
2) you will get noises unrelated to the vibration of the strings
3) you will get no sound
If the master volume is low on the amp, none of the noises will “hurt” anything.
Edit: you will also have to play around with the white switches, which are the pickup selectors. I think in the current position, both pickups are “off”, resulting in no sound. Probably the worst placement ever, I remember joking around as a teenager about hitting those by mistake.
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I have one that resembles that one. Same headstock, tuners, pickups, tug bar, neck plate, jack plate, etc. It's labeled as a Lafayette, which has me wondering how that company was associated (if they even were) with Tiesco.
I have one of these department store basses and it looks like yours has the same pickups as the one I have.
Two things:
#1 - the pickups are hot
#2 - You'll be surporsed at how GOOD the pickups sound.
For the rest of it, nothing to write home about.
I kept it because the pickups really do sound that good and I'm sure I'll rip em out and put them in something else one day.
Two things:
#1 - the pickups are hot
#2 - You'll be surporsed at how GOOD the pickups sound.
For the rest of it, nothing to write home about.
I kept it because the pickups really do sound that good and I'm sure I'll rip em out and put them in something else one day.
