The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: ack1961 on July 05, 2011, 10:21:31 AM

Title: 70's Epiphone bass - possibly an Embassy?
Post by: ack1961 on July 05, 2011, 10:21:31 AM
I was at a local Sam Ash last night about 15 minutes before they closed.
They had a 70's Epiphone bass that was kind of interesting.

Tag read "70's Epiphone El" -  I think they wanted less than $250 for it.

2 HB-style pickups, selector switch.
Sunburst finish (in fairly rough shape).
Neck plate had some about "micro-adjustment" or something like that stamped on it.

Anyone here have any experience or can figure out which model this could be?  It looks similar to pictures I've seen of an Embassy.
Title: Re: 70's Epiphone bass - possibly an Embassy?
Post by: Dave W on July 05, 2011, 10:51:57 AM
I can't be an Embassy, they were US made in the 60s and were set neck. But there was at least one 70s Japanese model that looked like an Embassy. Gweimer and a few other members may know which model it is.
Title: Re: 70's Epiphone bass - possibly an Embassy?
Post by: ack1961 on July 05, 2011, 11:20:01 AM
Thanks, Dave.
Looks like it's an old ET-285.
Title: Re: 70's Epiphone bass - possibly an Embassy?
Post by: gweimer on July 05, 2011, 01:01:36 PM
Thanks, Dave.
Looks like it's an old ET-285.


Could be.   They were also called Newports.  The bolt-on neck and sunburst are a pretty sure bet that you're right. The all maple neck-through version was the ET-288M.  $250 for the bass you saw is about as high as I'd go.
Title: Re: 70's Epiphone bass - possibly an Embassy?
Post by: ack1961 on July 06, 2011, 04:43:18 AM
Could be.   They were also called Newports.  The bolt-on neck and sunburst are a pretty sure bet that you're right. The all maple neck-through version was the ET-288M.  $250 for the bass you saw is about as high as I'd go.


Thanks for the information.  I just found it odd to have an 70's Epi sitting in the middle of the sales floor.  That's prettty rare for this Sam Ash.