My good friend Ed dropped this off the other night, in a mouldy and ancient looking softcase. It was his father's bass, owned from way back when and owned from new. It had just spent the last decade (and I could believe that) in a garage.
The strings had corroded at the nut, causing some real damage around the E-string where a piece had broken away. Remainder was filth, which was soon sorted.
Electrics are functional for the most, though the kill switch appears to serve little practical purpose. Lovely vintage bluesy tone, in a way I've never quite managed to replicate in a more modern instrument (despite best efforts!) aided by flats and the presence of muting material under the bridge cover.
Scale is 3/4 or thereabouts.
Enough talk, time for some pics:
The routing around for the electronics cavity raised eyebrows - it's a very rough bit of work! No sign of a manufacturer's mark, beyond the Suzuki capacitor.
I need to check if there were screwholes on the front of the headstock. I didn't spy any last night, from memory.
Bassassin had wondered if it might be an Ibanez 1250 from 1960, or a copy thereof. Backer60 from ICW thought it might be the same, or possibly a Guyatone. I guess, without the metal badge, it will some other brand but the same model:
Would be interested in your opinions and advice. Keen to understand value, availability of parts, and restoration tips - particularly the latter, as I'd love to see this thing back playing again. Thanks!
