The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Chris P. on September 03, 2021, 03:33:40 AM

Title: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: Chris P. on September 03, 2021, 03:33:40 AM
Hi guys,

This late seventies Diamant Bass is staring at me from a local shop wall for 20 years now. 20 years with a broken tuner and badly mounted strings. It's tuned DADG, so I could try it and this short scale sounds nice and sweet. The search for a tuner begins now, or Plan B: replace 'm all.

(https://myalbum.com/photo/5p2mVgSPQ4pg/360.jpg)

(https://myalbum.com/photo/aEYwSZWKJdV6/360.jpg)

(https://myalbum.com/photo/dAnv9Py9apSQ/360.jpg)



Title: Re: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: gearHed289 on September 03, 2021, 07:48:37 AM
Japanese? Italian? Looks like a fun little bass. I was going to say replace them all, but those tuners look cool.
Title: Re: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: Dave W on September 03, 2021, 09:51:26 AM
Japanese? Italian? Looks like a fun little bass. I was going to say replace them all, but those tuners look cool.

Warsaw Pact era basses from Czechoslovakia.
Title: Re: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: amptech on September 03, 2021, 11:10:56 PM
Hi guys,

This late seventies Diamant Bass is staring at me from a local shop wall for 20 years now. 20 years with a broken tuner and badly mounted strings. It's tuned DADG, so I could try it and this short scale sounds nice and sweet. The search for a tuner begins now, or Plan B: replace 'm all.



I have 3 tuners for this one, you can have them for free!
But seriously, there is a great bass within the Jolana Diamant if you replace pickups, bridge and tuners. I was thinking of posting a thread on my restomod, but I'm lazy in that department.

I like making bass pickups based on classic Gibson guitar pickups, so this project kicked in when I accidentaly saw a cheap Diamant on ebay after winding a bass alnico style pup. My brain just thought '54 -' 56 LP black beauty project. Perfect LP body, and even 'fretless wonder' frets and block markers...
Title: Re: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: Chris P. on September 06, 2021, 01:13:38 AM
Cool! I think it sounds okay as it is, but you never know. Do you really have some tuners?
Title: Re: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: amptech on September 06, 2021, 01:39:29 AM
Cool! I think it sounds okay as it is, but you never know. Do you really have some tuners?

Yes, I have tuners. Funny, one of mine were broken too. You can have the three leftovers, just PM me. You can have the bridge as well,
you might need spare parts if you plan on using the stock parts!

Out of curiosity, how is the binding on yours? I had to replace all the binding, looked like plaster! It literally turned to powder if you touched it..

EDIT:
Found a nice pic of the 99% finished Jolana-turned-Gibson, here in the hands of Superlynx' bassist/singer Pia.
The remaining 1% is the pickguard, probably never to be installed..
(https://i.imgur.com/UVdzKMf.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Late 70s Jolana Diamant Bass
Post by: Chris P. on September 10, 2021, 01:00:23 AM
Cool pic! And I definitely PM you asap. Mine was hanging in a semi-closed shop for over 20 years and that might have saved the bindings? I will check, but I think they're good! I guess keeping basses in cases is bad for it.