70's Epiphone bass - possibly an Embassy?

[ack1961]

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.

[Dave W]

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.

[ack1961]

Thanks, Dave.
Looks like it's an old ET-285.

[gweimer]

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.

[ack1961]

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.