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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Four pickup Weltron recently found. Made by Sakai Mokko Co. according to the book History of Japanese Guitars, Mid 60s, 26 3/4 scale.
ReplyDeleteI have a 4 pickup Weltron that my dad bought for my brother and me in the mid 60s at Womack Electronics in Goldsboro, NC. Could you post pictres of yours? Or email me at bluzglide at aol.com (replace at with @).
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party but I'm writing up Weltron's entry on Wikipedia and have been in touch with Weltron's founder, James Pratt Winston. The company sold guitars and other musical instruments in the mid to late 1960s, but soon switched to producing the spaceball radios and other devices, which of course they are very well known for. I hope this helps.
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