Need help to identify this P Bass

[giebass]

Hello, need help identify the make of this bass. Previous owner removed the decal. It's quite heavy (almost 13 lbs). It looks like one of those 70's or 80's Japanese made lawsuit basses.

Thank you

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Reminds me of a Crate starter pack bass. A buddy had one & other than heavy , a pretty decent p bass . Those knobs look like Epiphone Les Paul knobs, Korean vintage.

 

[jamro217]

Certainly does look like a nice bass, regardless of who made it. Can't tell with the decal scrubbed off. Maybe there is some marking on the inside of the neck pocket or control cavity that will render a clue.

 

[tim gueguen]

Another place to look for clues is the bottom of the pickup.

 

[BassAgent]

Looking at those tuners, that maple and the bass as a whole I'd also guess it's a Japanese bass from the late 70's, possibly from the Ibanez factory (Custom, Pearl, Vorg, those names). Probably a pretty decent bass.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

My vote is for Ibanez, as well and I'm going to say later half of the 70s

 

[tim gueguen]

If it is Japanese it definitely is mid '76 or later, as that seems to be the point where the Japanese makers dropped truss rod covers from Fender copy instruments.

 

[GregT]

Here's the first thing that came to mind for me. Memphis made some pretty nice instruments back then.

 

[Stewie]

Fender moved the tug bar above the strings in late 73, or early 74. I assume the copys would follow. So mid 70s at the earliest

 

[S.F.Sorrow]

Looking at those tuners, that maple and the bass as a whole I'd also guess it's a Japanese bass from the late 70's, possibly from the Ibanez factory (Custom, Pearl, Vorg, those names). Probably a pretty decent bass.

I don't think there was ever an "Ibanez factory" back then. 70s Ibanez is most likely made by FujiGen but I think other manufacturers may have been involved too. The current Ibanez "Premium" series are supposedly made in Ibanez' own factory in Indonesia but if this is even correct I think this must be the first time in the existence of the Ibanez brand that there has been an actual Ibanez factory. I'm no expert on vintage Japanese guitars though so please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[yodedude2]

any text on the neckplate?

 

[Thumpin6string]

Looking at where the decal had been, I'm guessing maybe an Aria from the 70s. They made some nice copies.

 

[BassAgent]

I don't think there was ever an "Ibanez factory" back then. 70s Ibanez is most likely made by FujiGen but I think other manufacturers may have been involved too. The current Ibanez "Premium" series are supposedly made in Ibanez' own factory in Indonesia but if this is even correct I think this must be the first time in the existence of the Ibanez brand that there has been an actual Ibanez factory. I'm no expert on vintage Japanese guitars though so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ah yes you're right. I meant the FujiGen factory.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Looking at the Memphis compared to the shot of the headstock where the decal used to be, I see the same outline.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Greco comes to mind,that shape,tuners,bridge...
But it could be anything from that era.

 

[ZedLepp]

The outline of the label looks like a Memphis to me.

 

[devnulljp]

What's the route look like under the pickguard? is it stock or does it look like it's been modified from a single rectangle?
The logo looks like it could be Aims to me.

Aims P Bass 1970s Vintage Sunburst | Reverb

 

[808P123]

Looks like a sweet bass, I wouldnt worry too much and play the heck out of it

 

[MynameisMe]

It's cool. I love old basses. I would play it!

 

[giebass]

any text on the neckplate?

no marking on the neckplate, just blank