OK, so the Kavkaz bass went down like a lead balloon. Don't like Russian, eh?How about a very nice vintage Japanese bass from 1972? I've not seen a bass like this Yamaha SB-50 before and I must say that I like it.
It has a National/Valco/Supro look to it, and if it weren't for the grain of the wood clearly visible on the top, you could believe that that body with its german carve could be made from fibreglass.
This particular bass looks to be in beautiful condition, which isn't bad for a 37-year old instrument. I'm not sure, but I'd guess it's a short-scale bass - I've always had a bit of a soft-spot for the much maligned short-scale bass. If I were in the market for a bass at the moment I'd certainly consider this.
G L Wilson
Yes, it is a 32" and it weights 8pnds flat. It has a one piece 4-bolt on laquered neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearl inlays. It has what according to other instruments of the same year and similar series a Katsura Wood body. The bridge has a resonator plate covering it, and the wholes in it suggests that it also had one over the neck pup. It has two volume and one tone controls. Made between 1972-1974 in Japan. I have a red one and let me tell you this baby has some sweet sounds and still thumps hard.
ReplyDeleteThis was my original bass. I still own it in it's original case and with the original strap. Mine is red (mahogany), and plays really well. I learned to play bass on this guitar and played it for a living in England while younger.
DeleteIt has the resonator plate over the bridge and the two larger holes near the bridge pickup are for an adjustable damper - I removed mine but have kept it in the case.
32" would make it a medium-scale length bass. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeletehow many is the neck radius? i've need to sand the fretboard of mine as it was converted to fretless and the fretboard isn't leveled and buzzes in many places, mine its in bad condition but i've saved it from being crushed to the floor as jimi hendrix guitars, (it maked me feel good) the person that had it doesn't play any instrument and found it in the trash. The original tuners are missing as the bridge, i've put them from another brand and now at least plays. Excuse me if i did any misspell. Greetings from Venezuela.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a long post but this useless software lost it when I logged in so I am not going to bother retyping it.
ReplyDeleteI have owned one of these basses since new, purchasing it for R180 in October of 1972. I have the original case and strap and the guitar is like new except for 1 scratch from falling out of the case when the lid wasn't snapped shut.
It still plays and sounds great. Used it to earn a living in the UK while younger but now it is retired and I play a fretless P-Bass and an Ibanez 5 string.
I wrote a long post but this useless software lost it when I logged in so I am not going to bother retyping it.
ReplyDeleteI have owned one of these basses since new, purchasing it for R180 in October of 1972. I have the original case and strap and the guitar is like new except for 1 scratch from falling out of the case when the lid wasn't snapped shut.
It still plays and sounds great. Used it to earn a living in the UK while younger but now it is retired and I play a fretless P-Bass and an Ibanez 5 string.
I wrote a long post but this useless software lost it when I logged in so I am not going to bother retyping it.
ReplyDeleteI have owned one of these basses since new, purchasing it for R180 in October of 1972. I have the original case and strap and the guitar is like new except for 1 scratch from falling out of the case when the lid wasn't snapped shut.
It still plays and sounds great. Used it to earn a living in the UK while younger but now it is retired and I play a fretless P-Bass and an Ibanez 5 string.