The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Psycho Bass Guy on August 28, 2011, 01:02:38 PM
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This (http://nashvilleusedandnewmusic.com/conrad_4string.jpg) actually ISN'T from Craigslist. I saw this bass while I was checking out the website Nashville Used Music (http://nashvilleusedandnewmusic.com/nashvilleusedmusic_2011_007.htm). I always try to stop in there every time I'm in Nashvegas. I've bought tons of gear there over the years and they have a really neat oddball inventory and killer prices. I have an Ampeg V4, SVT cabinet, AMP preamp and other stuff I can't even remember that came from there. I have no affiliation other than as a customer.
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It could be okay. I've only played a couple of Conrad basses, one a Beatle bass and one a Tele-style short scale. They were reasonably well made for 70s Japanese basses but both had high action. If you do check it out in person, it might be a good deal at that price. I wouldn't buy it sight unseen though.
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Didn't Dr. Bassman do an extensive rehab of a Conrad a couple of years ago??
But from one look at it, I can tell you:
It's a Matsumoku product, the bridge, tuners and tailpiece are the same as used on Univox and Lyle, and the pickup is ditto - I've seen that pickup in Univox, Lyle and Epiphone guitars. The pickguard is as much a dead giveaway as are the bridge, tuners, pickup and tailpiece. There is no doubt this is a Matsumoku product. That's good, because that factory was the best in Japan.
Based on my Univox - which is its brother - you can expect good woodwork, a fairly thick poly finish, a decent but not Gibson-like period sound, pots that need cleaning, and possibly one or more frets that need a slight leveling. Check the neck for twist, but most are OK. Given that it is considered vintage if not very collectible, mine is a pleasure to own. The finish and wood on mine are gorgeous.
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Now that you mention the Univox connection, I see that the pickup looks like the ones they put on their Hofner copies. The best sounding and playing "Beatle-bass" I ever played, including real Hofners, was a greenburst Univox with a pickup like that.
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i learned to play with a univox beatle bass. i really loved it but it was a loaner and the owner wouldn't sell it to me. back then the short scale neck was a non issue. how times have changed.
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It could be okay. I've only played a couple of Conrad basses, one a Beatle bass and one a Tele-style short scale. They were reasonably well made for 70s Japanese basses but both had high action. If you do check it out in person, it might be a good deal at that price. I wouldn't buy it sight unseen though.
many japanese bassies from that era had action issues. almost always a bridge issue that can be fixed with some woodworking...
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Love my Douglas "EB-2", I leave my Gibson at home.
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many japanese bassies from that era had action issues. almost always a bridge issue that can be fixed with some woodworking...
A small shim and some bridge adjustment really brought my Univox around....
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Univox335copy.jpg)
The wood is beautiful...
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Univoxback.jpg)
Incidentally, the neck plate is another Matsumoku giveaway - the stamped "Steel Reinforced Neck" and the font are in common with every other bass I have seen from that factory.
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did somebody say "cheap Jap. EB?"
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/3k23m43o25T35X45S1b6ff8d3bbe9b35710d6.jpg)
The ad the OP posted is gone, but I'm assuming it's like my "Conqueror".
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/7-24-11029.jpg)
Mine is pretty warped, the action is high and the binding is coming off where the neck joint is (I think the top is coming off) and of course it doesn't SOUND like an EB. It does sound pretty cool though, the (mahogany) neck is straight and it feels like it weighs about 2 pounds. I like it, despite it's flaws.
And my Hofner looks JUST like the Univox above.