Tuesday 8 October 2013

Atilla Balogh Odyssey Bass - Two more found.

Back in the 70's, in Vancouver, Canada, a man called Atilla Balogh,
along with his colleagues, started making Odyssey Basses and Guitars.

I am really glad he did!!
This is one of mine.



































I think it's time to come clean and confess, that these basses are perhaps one
of my favourite instruments - certainly the most gigged - last Saturday, in fact!!
The other basses have their character, feel, sound and a handful come close
to the Odyssey's but nothing is quite like it - for me, anyway.
If you go back to the beginnings of this blog, you will see that this was one of 
the first of the collection that was featured.

I was starting to think that I had the only ones of this model, which I believe
was made in 1977 but can't be entirely sure.
I have now seen images of another one, the same as mine and one that would
have been like mine but has been modified.

Look at this little beauty!!





















It looks like there has been one new switch fitted and coloured caps have
been added to the others but apart from that, like mine - it looks the same
as it did when it left Granville Island in the 1970's.
From what I understand, the current owner has had it over 17 years.
I am currently trying to get in touch with him and will report back, if I do.

Now to the other one.


























At a guess, I would say the original finish was the same as mine.
The head face has been blacked out and the Double A Logo is not there.
The truss rod cover is also different and the tuners are not Grover.
The most obvious addition is what is described as Reynolds Active Electronics.
The bass is fretless, with teak inlays, in place of frets.
Certainly a bit different from the two basses I have and the other one I have 
now found.
The owner says it is from 1984 but I am not sure, I think the company may have
folded by them.

Anyway, my opinion of an Odyssey Bass - Made in Vancouver - I can now 
bring myself to declare that they are. . . . . . Stunning!

I would love to find some more of this model, so if there is anyone else out
there, with one of these incredible basses. . . . . Step Forward Now!

Cheers. :)

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7 comments:

Unknown said...

i have an Attila Bass that looks just like the Second bass above. Fretless with active Electronics. Even the same case. Story is it was custom made for one of the partners. Still in Great shape. Any idea of
the Value? I also have a Hawk bass that has been my go to bass since i bought it sometime in early 80s

Flat Eric said...

David, Hi. Would really like to hear more. If you scroll down my blog, you will find an email address. Drop me a line. Hope to hear from you soon. Cheers. :)

sundog said...

Thats like the base brother to my 80' odyssey guitar!
http://gyazo.com/9ba37c0653f9cb1500bd2f8c02bf7891

Cool to see anything Attila or Odyssey

Anonymous said...

I have two Odyssey's Attila made fore me. A double neck, 5 strg Bass and 6strg guitar, a semi - acoustic electric guitar. I gave my son a 3rd Odyssey 5 strg Bass as well. If you want pics, let me know

CFT

Flat Eric said...

Hi. Late to the party again! YES PLEASE!!
contact flat eric at gmail dot com.

Cheers. : )

Unknown said...

Hi Eric! I have one that looks almost identical to the first one above, except that it's a 4-string fretless, that I've had since about 1989 (I was in high school when I bought it). I haven't played much since then, but am starting to get back into it now, and have always loved the sound of this bass with groundwound strings. It's got the same Badass bridge, solid brass nut, Grover machine heads, truss rod cap, same switch layout and brass knobs etc. Most of the brass parts are a bit weathered now so I may take some time to learn how to clean them up; the pickup covers are also cracked so I'd like to find out if I can replace those. Overall I'm enjoying getting back into playing though, and am happy to have found this site and learned a little more about the history of my bass. Thanks!

Flat Eric said...

Hiya. Glad to hear from an Odyssey owner - a wondowful instrument. Enjoy. : )