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Where does my "Bird Electric Bass" come from?

BikerMouse

BikerMouse

Jun 12, 2019
7
1
38
#1
My dear fellow musicians,

I have a burning question. Since 16 years I own a p-bass, never played her since I am a guitar player. Last week I decided to sell her to a dedicated bass player, it's a shame to leave her untouched and let her gather dust.

After doing some research, I suspect my bass to to be built in Matsumoku factory late 60s - early 70s (probably law suit era??) but I am not an expert.

Does anyone have some information or know where to get some information about my precision bass?

Some info I have:
Fender copy/imitation made in Japan
Brand: BIRD Electric bass
Model: Precision bass
Pickup: Lipstick???

Thanks a lot in advance for every little bit of info.
IMG_20190611_062804.jpg
IMG_20190611_062804.jpg IMG_20190611_062811.jpg IMG_20190611_062822.jpg IMG_20190611_062859.jpg IMG_20190611_062912.jpg
 
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#4
The "lipstick" pickup isn't. It looks more like a Telecaster guitar style neck pickup but with the three mounting screw arrangement of the Telecaster bridge pickup...Like this Matsumoku I found on Reverb...

Link Removed
 
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#5
mongo2 said:
The "lipstick" pickup isn't. It looks more like a Telecaster guitar style neck pickup but with the three mounting screw arrangement of the Telecaster bridge pickup.
Click to expand...

I doubted it was a lipstick pickup, someone told me it was. It isn't a cylinder and does not have a "split". I am not familiar with all kinds of pickups, so I appreciate your help!
 
#8
I have seen that style of pickup in old Ibanez basses that were purported to be original. I don’t remember who made Ibanez back then, maybe Matsumoku. That’s the thing, it’s all a little murky from back then with Japanese manufacturers. The same instrument was sold under a variety of names. Heck, if you ordered enough they would put “BikerMouse” on the headstock.
 
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#11
I found a similar P bass, finally. It's an (El) Maya, same pickup, same bridge, same logo style, even the thumb rest.
Maya Precision Bass 4 String 1970's 3 Color Sunburst

Found some more:
Maya Precision Bass 1970s 3 Color Sunburst
Invalid Link Removed

I am pretty close to her origin, I think. It might be Matsumoku or Maya Guitar Company (copy).
Going to brush and polish her up and decide whether I will sell this beauty or keep her myself.

One more question for the real bass players. I am a guitar player and barely know anything about bass guitars. Can I connect a bass guitar to a guitar amp (Fender Mustang GT 40)?
 
#14
BikerMouse said:
I found a similar P bass, finally. It's an (El) Maya, same pickup, same bridge, same logo style, even the thumb rest.
Maya Precision Bass 4 String 1970's 3 Color Sunburst

Found some more:
Maya Precision Bass 1970s 3 Color Sunburst
Invalid Link Removed

I am pretty close to her origin, I think. It might be Matsumoku or Maya Guitar Company (copy).
Going to brush and polish her up and decide whether I will sell this beauty or keep her myself.

One more question for the real bass players. I am a guitar player and barely know anything about bass guitars. Can I connect a bass guitar to a guitar amp (Fender Mustang GT 40)?
Click to expand...


My bench amp is one of those little tuck and roll Kustom Darts. Everything gets checked with it. Keep the volume low and it should be fine. May not sound great but shouldn’t hurt the amp.
 
#15
BikerMouse said:
My dear fellow musicians,

I have a burning question. Since 16 years I own a p-bass, never played her since I am a guitar player. Last week I decided to sell her to a dedicated bass player, it's a shame to leave her untouched (like most women).

After doing some research, I suspect my bass to to be built in Matsumoku factory late 60s - early 70s (probably law suit era??) but I am not an expert.

Does anyone have some information or know where to get some information about my precision bass?

Some info I have:
Fender copy/imitation made in Japan
Brand: BIRD Electric bass
Model: Precision bass
Pickup: Lipstick???

Thanks a lot in advance for every little bit of info.View attachment 3443516 View attachment 3443516 View attachment 3443517 View attachment 3443518 View attachment 3443519 View attachment 3443520
Click to expand...

I only saw this name of a Six String Acoustic once

this is what I found out for you.

It appears to be one of the many hundreds of brands japan made for export in the late 60's and early seventies . seems like a lot of the bigger music stores and Merchandise stores had their own brand ( very common at that time ). The name Bird on the top may of been from a Japanese store or quite possibly the original manufacturer in Japan
 
#20
BikerMouse said:
My dear fellow musicians,

I have a burning question. Since 16 years I own a p-bass, never played her since I am a guitar player.

After doing some research, I suspect my bass to to be built in Matsumoku factory late 60s - early 70s (probably law suit era??) but I am not an expert.

Does anyone have some information or know where to get some information about my precision bass?

Some info I have:
Fender copy/imitation made in Japan
Brand: BIRD Electric bass
Model: Precision bass
Pickup: Lipstick???

Thanks a lot in advance for every little bit of info.View attachment 3443516 View attachment 3443516 View attachment 3443517 View attachment 3443518 View attachment 3443519 View attachment 3443520
Click to expand...
Let’s get @GretschWretch involved
 

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