Kimbara, from under the bed. . . . .

This is a Kimbara Ripper Copy - the only one I have ever seen

in the flesh, so to speak

I remember having a go on a Gibson Grabber, years ago, when I
was playing mostly guitar and thinking what an ungainly beast it was.

The Grabber had a sliding pick-up, the same sort of idea that
The Rail uses. Move the pick-up and change the tone.
http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2010/08/on-rails.html

The Ripper was different - it had two fixed pick-ups and a rotary switch.

I've had this for some time and gigged it last year, in drop D for a couple

of numbers we were doing at the time.

It has a good range of sounds and it surprisingly comfortable to play.

Balances nicely, just the right weight, nice neck.

The back pick-up is very slightly microphonic but not noticeable when
playing live and with the rotary in the "both pick-up" selection gives a
big, full sound, ideal for the songs we were doing.

This was described to me as "lived under the bed for years" and as

such was "almost as new"

Deal was done and I was going to be in the area, so I went to collect.

I was a bit surprised when I was shown towards a brick built
toilet/shed, at the bottom of the garden but was soon assured that it
was only in there as they were moving house.

It was summer, so no huge worries.

As the door opened into this 8 x 6 room, there was a full Trace rig,
all plugged in and ready to go, with the bass leaning against it.

WOW, it really is in good nick! Quick play and I was on my way.

Apart from seeing loads of "Kimbara" in a local music shop,
"when I were a nipper" they are not as common as some of the
other brands.

From memory, these were imported by FCN and according to the
only information I can find and from some help from a fellow enthusiast
from the fine City of Edinburgh, were probably made by Matsumoku.

The Kimbara shares a lot of features with some of the Aria range,
so it may have been made by them, in the earlier days.

This one is a neck through and is very similar in quality, to early Aria.


Would love to hear from anyone who has one of these.

Back next time with something a bit rare and a bit unusual,
which is what I really like.

Cheers. :)

contactflateric@gmail.com