1960s Japanese Weltron-branded short-scale bass guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I don't have any info on Weltron guitars, other than what this eBay seller has to say about this Weltron bass:

Very rare 1960s Weltron bass made in Japan. No images on the net; very little info or references to Weltron guitars, period. No references I've found to Weltron basses. What little info there is available states "Weltron" branded guitars were imported by either the Weltron Co. of Danville, VA, or Womack Electronics of Goldsboro, NC, so these are privately branded Japanese imports - probably made by Matsumoku and definitely a cut above many imports from the same time period. (Note: I did hear from another eBayer who has an identical bass branded "Vargas").

There's no evidence for the Matsumoku connection. It's possible but I wouldn't say probable. This, I fear, is a case of an eBay seller's "spin" and shouldn't be taken as 100% accurate fact. You really do need to be able to read between the lines when checking out items for sale on eBay, as there is so much BS written by sellers.

Anyway, the bass itself is interesting. It would appear from the photos to be ultra-short scale, i.e. similar to a guitar's scale length, and design-wise owes a thing or two to Burns. It appears to be in very good condition, but the Buy It Now price of $289 is right at the top end of what I personally would be prepared to pay were I in the market for such an instrument.

G L Wilson

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