Eros Bass Guitar 60s/70s

[murrayscot]

[VintAxe]

Hi murrayscot.

Eros was a brand name applied to both acoustic and electric Japanese imports distributed by Rosetti UK in the 1970's. Interestingly, there is a bass that fits your description in the 1977 Rosetti catalog I have uploaded in the catalog library. If you bought your bass in the early 70's, the model must not have changed much over time. They call the bass the "Artist" and give it model number 9586.

I don't know which Japanese company actually built these instruments. Does anyone else know?

[murrayscot]

Hi and thanks for the help. I've had a look at the catalogue and the Artist bass is EXACTLY what I have! Absolutely no doubt about it. It was obviously a fairly cheap guitar at the time. Any idea what it might be worth now? Not that I would ever sell it - too many memories!

[VintAxe]

Thanks for subscribing murrayscot.

Given that EROS seems to be a uniquely UK brand name, I've never actually held one in my hands. A Harmony Central review compares an EROS LP copy to a Tokai or Greco. Given their selling price back in the day, I honestly doubt this but I have no other basis for being skeptical.

When I think EB-3, I think Jack Bruce. That is definitely a positive for your instrument. I think you also have the short scale model which is also desirable. I think the natural finish also adds value to your bass.

My best guess is that your bass would probably be valued in the States between $350-$450. Like you say, it is an instrument you'll keep regardless of market value. I still own an old Electra LP copy that's not worth much more than the price I paid given inflation, but I like it

[Bassassin]

Hi Murrayscot - The Steel Adjustable Neck plate and the offset dots suggest your bass is a Matsumoku - have a look at the basses at the bottom of this page:

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/aria/solid/sg/19xx.html

The "Steel Adjustable" plates seem to be exclusive to Matsumoku-built instruments (although this is not confirmed) as do the offset dots on certain Gibson copies. Again it's not confirmed but it appears the serial numbers on early instruments (ie pre 1975) are random, so it doesn't seem to be possible to use these for date info.

Rosetti didn't exclusively source their Eros & Eros Mark II brands from Matsumoku though - I've owned two, an LP copy which I think was Matsumoku, & an early 70s Tele which I think was Fujigen. I think some of the later Eros guitars are Korean in origin, but I've yet to have the opportunity to examine one.

Anyway, from your description I think your bass is probably Matsumoku, and if not identical to any of the Aria versions, probably quite similar.

Would you be able to post any photos?

Jon.

[murrayscot]

Hi bassassin. Thanks for the very useful info. I've tried to post a link to pictures of the guitar on Myspace - I hope it works as I'm not too good as this sort of thing.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... Id=1083816

If that one doesn't work, try accessing it through my profile page.
My name is Murray Carr.

Cheers

[Bassassin]

Hi Murray - the link works just fine - what a lovely bass, it looks to be in superb condition. And yes, it's definitely a Matsumoku, it's identical (apart from the badge) to the Aria 1931 you can see in the link I posted.

It's an early one, too - metal pin-badges had pretty much disappeared by the early 70s, in fact I don't remember ever seeing one on an Eros before.

Jon.

[Wingsurfer]

I have exactly the same bass. I bought mine in '77 when I was at college.

It has been knocked about a bit and has a different bridge pickup, and a fair number of knocks and dinks. Also the metal cover thingy near the bridge pickup, got taken off as it was in the way!

Any idea what these are worth?

Cheers
Wingsurfer

[Steve Wright]

Hi ... I also have an EROS (Mark II) bass. I have been wondering for years where they came from, so thx for the info. I bought it in the UK in 1973 for I think 50 pounds (a huge amount for me then (I was 14)). Only, my bass looks nothing like the ones you are showing. Mine is very much a copy of the flashy red guitars Chuck Berry use to use the 50s. My bass also has a protection plate that you normally only see on normal guitars, so I think the manufacturer probably just reused the model and made a bass out of it. Mine does have the steel plate on the back that Murray speaks of.

As the quality of the bass has deteriorated over the years (curved neck, doesn't keep in tune very well, pickups damaged), I was thinking of having some restoration work done to it, but I am not sure if it is worth the effort, in the sense that it may not be possible to get a decent sound out of it. Anybody any opinions on that ??

Steve Wright, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

[VintAxe]

So are we talking about a bass that looks something like this?



If so, it was built by Matsumoku as well.

If you are primarily keeping the bass for sentimental value I wouldn't put a lot of money into a restoration. You can quickly spend more than the bass is actually worth. It is possible that your pickup issue is a problem with the switch or pots which can be an inexpensive fix. In the US it would cost around $50 to have the neck straightened. The tuners are what they are although you may be able to tighten them up a bit.

[cheepaxes]

To add to what Vintaxe said, depending on your knowledge and experience and/or comfort level working on guitars, you may be able to make the bass playable on your own. If the reason it doesn't keep in tune is that the tuners are bad and letting the strings go slack, there may be little you can do about that. Another potential cause of playing out of tune could be the bowed neck. Adjusting the truss rod might solve the problem. Looking at the picture I can't tell whether the bridge saddles can be moved independently top adjust the intonation. If you can adjust them, this may solve some of your tuning issues.

Do you know how to adjust the truss rod?

-Scott

[Steve Wright]

Hi Scott and admin ...

I did not expect to get an answer ... so this is great !!! ... regarding my question on restoration ... money is not the/a problem ... I'm quiet willing to pay 20* the cost price to get it working. But if I take it to a restorer
, say new tuning mechanisms, new pickups, straighten the neck, will it ever be a decent (usable in a band) bass ????

PS how did you know that was my bass ??? Mine has of course not the Aria log but "EROS Mark II"

thx ... Steve

[triodeamplification]

It has taken me what seems forever to find any info on my Mark II LP copy. The body and neck are both Mahogany. Body has a maple cap front and rear. Is there a way to date this? I have some numbers or could be Japanese letters on the toggle switch. I think they are numbers and i think i am seeing 67 8 16. Not sure. There is nothing stamped on the neck plate. I have not removed the neck to look for any other possible marks.

[wietse]

sorry to dissapoint you but that body is not made of mahogany, it's clearly visuable on the sides this guitar is made of plywood.
a proofed asian building technique, thick slab of plywood for body and a thin arched plywood top covering the body.
this guitar screams hondo to me, made in korea with fake humbuckers, yes fak,e only one coil under that cover.
these fake humbuckers are always a little bit bigger than real humbuckers, sound good though more like a p90.

[triodeamplification]

Well i took one of the pickups off the guitar and here is what is inside:
The body may be layered but it is part mahogany. I know what mahogany looks like and smells like. It's an odd mix. Are these pickups any better? They sound fabulous. Sorry if i posted this in the wrong section. Did not mean to hijack the thread.