Maya Bass Guitar

[itchigo]

Hello,

I am seeking information on my Maya semi acoustic, f holed bass guitar by sending emails to music shops/establishments worldwide hoping someone will be able to help me find out something about my bass.

I have been unable to find out any information regarding it's origins apart from the fact it was "Made in Japan" (the back plate states this). As the Maya company had a limited life span and so few guitars were made, plus it was around the "lawsuit era" of guitars there is a lot of speculation, rumours and confusion around it all.

I bought the bass in the UK in 1977.

So far, after over 20 years of searching for information on this specific bass guitar and the Maya company I haven't been able to find anything more than what's on the internet, which isn't much! Any information or a lead would bring a huge peace of mind (or something else to follow up on.)

This guitar originally came with a gold and yellow lined black hard case (unfortunately lost), a raised scratch board and a chrome arched hand rest plate.

Please see the pictures attached.
Please note I've adapted this guitar over time to suit myself as a left handed player, ie. two added pickups, three way switch.

Your time is much appreciated,

Itchigo

[rtslinger]

Hope this helps.... Rtslinger

1970s-1995

"Maya" was a brand named used by a Japanese Trading Company from Kobe called Rokkoman. [Source: EZ Folk ]

Maya guitars were marketed in the UK by Stentor [Source: Guitar site]

They were made in Kobe Japan by the Maya Guitar Co... Theplant where they were manufactured was destroyed in the 1990s by an earthquake. They made high quality knock offs of Gibson and Fender Guitars. [Source: Derkeiler]

They built medium quality guitars . There was an affiliate company El Maya whose Fender copies were better made than Maya and equal to what Fender was producing. [Source: Derkeiler]

Acoustic guitars with the brand are also around.

[Phizix]

We have a 1980 Maya catalog in the subscription section of our site that shows a semi-acoustic bass very similar to yours.

They call it the GB-14 (1 pickup) and GB-24 (2 pickup), the guitar version is the ES-26.

The only description is that the color is Wine Red and it has a Mahogany neck and Rosewood fingerboard.

Here is a link to the catalog page but you will have to subscribe to view it.

http://www.vintaxe.com/cgi-bin/vintaxe_ ... aya_page12

Here is the full catalog -> http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_maya_1980.htm

How to subscribe -> http://www.vintaxe.com/subscribe.htm

Good luck with your search!

[itchigo]

Thanks bro, your information is totally appreciated, if any further information comes to light please keep me informed!

Respects,

Itchigo