Seiwa Jazzman Bass. . . . . .

Seiwa Jazzman - Not many of these about?

I have put out various enquiries about this and still know very little about it.

Names offered for similar instruments are Azumi and Chushin Gakki (Cushin)
and in Canada, Onyx.
Onyx

I have had it for a few years and at every opportunity, I have tried to find out
more information, but with very little success.

I am going to do an overhaul and string change, as the original strings that
came with it are now very dead.
I kept them on as the had a really deep thud, although all odd strings, it
sounded nice.

So, before I tell you all about it, I am going to have one last go and see if
I can get any more details on it. 



These are the Azumi models.

 































This is a guitar that came up a couple of years ago - obviously from
the same stable.

Any info would be great - either on "Comments" or ping me on
contactflateric@gmail.com

Looking forward to a deluge of replies!!! :)

Cheers. :) 

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Jon Lord, gone but not forgotten.

Jon Lord has left us.

This is not guitar related at all but I couldn't really let this pass, without
saying something about a truly great musician.


Every now and then, forces come together to create legends in music.
Paul with John, George and Ringo - Eric with Jack and Ginger - Phil with
Brian, Scott and Brian and so many more.


Jon was very much part of what Deep Purple was all about.
A driving force with Roger and Ian, holding up the foundations for Ritchie
and Ian - rocking that heavy Hammond backwards and forwards, head
swaying in time, just magical.
If you grew up loving Rock Music, you couldn't pretend you had not come
across Deep Purple.


In recent years, Jon dedicated his time to other projects, away from the Rock
arena, to showcase his love for music in general but for me, it will be has time
with Deep Purple that will stick with me.


I was lucky enough to see him live once - something that will stay with me
for the rest of my life.

Do me a favour - if you love Classic Rock, go and stick some Deep Purple
on - plenty on youtube and sing at the top of your voice!!!!


Jon, thanks for everything you did.
A true legend.

Tune Bass Prototype?????

Tune Bass - One of a kind???

 
I have only had this 2 or three years and bought it off somone
I knew of and I also know of the person he bought it from.
With me so far??

It was described as an 80's Tune Bass, Made in Japan and
most likely to be a prototype.

In the last couple of years, I have tried to find another that looked
similar to mine.
It has a bolt neck - active, with bass/treble cut and boost, Powerful
humbuckers, great neck, well balanced, a joy to play - played it last night!
It has a tiny head with "reverse" tuners, an odd looking set of tail studs,
couple of missing screws and the ones that are there look like they were
"found lying around"
So, in the light of some of these oddities and the fact that I can't find another
one, I guess it is unique - a One Off!


I had intended to finish it off, which I will do, in time but as I had these old
pics available and playing it was fresh in my mind, I thought I would do it today.


Anyone out there seen another one??


Please let me know if you have or if you have any other information or you
have one that looks similar.


Cheers. :) 

contactflateric@gmail.com

Westone Quantum Bass X850. . . . . .

Westone Quantum Bass X850

This is not a toy and never was. 

These were serious instruments, with a fairly hefty price.

Back in 1986, these were listed at $529, which in today's money,

is over $1000, at today's $ to £ rate, is just over £640!! 

Medium scale, well balanced, with a great range of tones.

When you go to pick it up, it is quite a surprise - it is almost as heavy

as a standard bass, having a maple neck and body. 

Matsumoku built, so pretty much ticks all of the boxes.

It has a cut-away, so if you wander into a bit of 80's Slappin' and Poppin',

you can easily get your fingers under the G and D string.

This was also a feature on the Super Headless, which is the one that

has escaped me, so far - would love to have a go on one. 

The stringing set up is as per the Westone Rails I had, so there is no

need for double ball strings - any string will do, so if you have a favourite,

stick 'em on and get playing.

This one has it's original silver carry bag and I believe the original strap,

as one of my Rail basses, also came with the same strap.

It is in very good condition, aside from the marks on the pick-ups, which

is common on this type. 

As you can see, got some shots at last - I think it's time for some lemon

oil and a string change - might take it to rehearsal next week!

Quantum Info 

Now I have done this one, I think I will carry on the headless theme and do

my Yamaha BX1, which is lurking somewhere and I may also do my Hohner

B2A, which is also probably lurking in the same area as the Yamaha!!

Cheers. :) 

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Gordy Headless Bass. . . . .

Gordy Headless - another one!

 

This one is mine, which I covered in November, 2010.
A really Great Bass!


Gordy Headless


These things are as rare as hen's teeth, so when someone pointed out one 
on ebay, it was well worth taking a look. 

I now know of a fretless conversion and have had more details on the red one but
they don't come up very often - no idea how many were made!

This is the black one up for sale. Looks lovely in Black.
 

If the person who wins this beauty, sees this blog entry - I would love you to get in touch.
 

contactflateric@gmail.com 


Some more headless action, when I finally get round to the Westone!!


Cheers. :)

Guitars as art. . . . . .

How about this then??

 

The other day I came across an unusual site for guitars - This one:

Tony Cochran Guitars 

Some very interesting ideas and some really weird stories that go with them

but that is what these are all about - Something a bit different

As I still haven't got any shots of the Westone, I checked with Tony that it was 

OK to link it into my blog and he very kindly said yes.

I have no association with Tony but thought it would be something interesting

to have a look at, while I get some much needed shots of the rest of my collection.

So, have a good look.

He also does Cartoons!

Back to my stuff, as soon as I can.

Played my Doug Wilkes last night - Very Nice indeed!

This one:

Doug Wilkes Bass 

Back soon. . . . Honest!

Cheers. :)

Firebird Twin Neck, one of my favouite shots.

The weather is awful again, so no chance of getting on the garden. . . .

So, I have been going through some of the images I have taken 
over the last few years and every time I get to this one, I always
pause for a longer look.

 

For anyone who read the feature on Peter Cook, the guitar builder, you will

have seen this before.

If you are interested in the story, including his work with The Ox, the Gibson

man in the UK, Mighty Mite, The Axis and many more things about Peter,

go here:

Peter Cook Luthier

Because of how images are presented on here, they are shown smaller.

There is a larger shot on The Gibson Forum, here:

Firebird Double Neck

Back next time, hopefully with the Westone I mentioned.

Cheers, :)   

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latest post, go here:
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Guitarz Blog and 61K. . . . . . . .

Hi to you all!

All set for my 60,000th visitor and it passed me by!
There have now been 61,000 visits to my collection blog - amazing.

I have also had a listing on the Guitarz Blogspot, which if you
haven't ever seen is here:Guitarz Blog

This has been running for ten years and has listed some very
unusual instruments in that time.
There always seems to be something new - well worth a visit.

A couple of gigs over the Jubilee weekend - one very hot and 
sticky night, followed by an outdoor event, were I struggled to
feel my fingers.
On both occasions, the Canadian Odyssey had a trip out. Nice!

I am trying to get back to regular posts and with most likely do
another Westone, as one of my readers has mentioned one to me.

Westone Quantum, complete with it's original silver shiny case.
As I have now sold both my Westone Rail's, this is the only Westone
headless I now have.


Until next time - more pics, more scribbling.

Cheers. :)