Mystery Bass!

[ash]

I have this Idol PB-26 bass in for repair and wondered about its origins. Someone found its identity here:
http://www.hollowbodybass.com/random/idol-guitars.htm

But I'd still like to know about which factory or parent brand produced it and about which year they were made.

Any clues?

[VintAxe]

Hi Ash,

Judging from the logo and pickups, I'd say your bass was made in 1968.

I don't know much about Idol either. They appear in Bizarre Guitars of the 60's but only models from 1967-68 are pictured. There is a short blurb about the company in Japanese but I haven't had it translated yet. The woman I had commissioned to translate Bizarre Guitars for me has found the task a bit more difficult than she expected and has lost momentum lately. Maybe I can inspire her to get back on it this summer. sb

[ash]

Thanks, 1968 sounds about right to me. They seem to be not so uncommon here in New Zealand. A friend has a PA-18, a local guitar shop has another PB-26 and other guys I know have seen them before. One was made into an electric cello. Here's a video clip from a NZ band called Breathe from a few years ago featuring a PB-26:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plFCjz_Tqcg

Thanks for the help!!

[jedistar]

http://www.hollowbodybass.com/random/idol-guitars.htm