Norton Merlin Vinatge Fretless Bass, Aluminum tube frame with sliding pickups!

love it or hate it

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    55
#23
Handyman said:
That thing looks totally awesome. Just be sure to never play it naked - some serious injuries may result with all the exposed machinery on the back side.

Where did you find this crazy thing? I'm jealous.
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I have found this axe from an local classified Ads, called Kijiji.ca. I was browsing those ads with no intention to buying anything, but suddenly I saw the photos of this bass. And i said to myself, damn! this is something that I am looking for years, I will take it....... then finally I have got it
 
#25
stacker said:
Never heard of them. My first impression was that it came from Soviet Russia! I do know that that 'bucker is a DiMarzio Model 1; it's coil-split switch can be seen at the underside of the mounting.

Is it heavy?
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No, This axe is not heavy and very well balance, Those metal tubes and frame are made by Aluminum alloy.
Yes, I believe that Humbucker is a DiMarzio which commonly found on thos 80's Japanese basses
 
#28
When I 1st saw this Norton Bass on the classifieds ads. my feeling was just like I saw a "Back to the future" Delorean in a Bass guitar format, I don't care how fast / handling / gas mileage / comfort the DeLorean can go, I just like the look it is, same thing apply to this Norton bass, I don't care how this bass sound, handling, etc. Just like how it looks and the design. When I was buying this bass off the seller, we was dealing at the parking lot, I don't even test the sound before pay.
However, I should upload a sound file for those curious how it sound, may be later. My impression it sounds like those Matsumoku Vintage Japanese basses, not much wood tone, it does have so many pickups config which yield many tones differences. I didn't slide those pickups, as it is too crowd with 3 pickups bumper to bumper in there. No matter what, for me, It is just like the rare DeLorean from the Back to the future movie, it does catch lots of eye balls and chats
 
#29
sobemtv said:
You are right, didn't notice those gold hardware doesn't match the rest of the color and design. if the knobs and bridge are gold, the tuner pegs should be gold too. I have no idea the screws dimension of the bridge are standard or what? it is mounting on the metal not wood, don't think I can change that bridge as easy as Fender stuff
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I'm pretty sure it's a stock "schaller roller bass bridge" .
Schaller_4-String_Roller_Bass_Bridge.jpg

It's not a super popular bridge, but it's a good solid design that has been around for at least 30 years and is still made today. It's also adjustable for different string spacings and can be had for around $60-$70 online. Installation should just be a matter of unscrewing the old one and putting on the new one. You can use whatever screws or bolts the bass came with since they don't appear to be gold.

Also, since it's a fairly old design, it might be possible to find a used example on ebay with a bit of patina if you want it to look "original". This one might have potential and it's around $50.
Vintage 1980s Schaller No Logo Rolling Bass Bridge Made in Germany Fits Kramer | eBay

The strap hooks should probably get swapped out too, but that's also not hard since they look like standard Dunlop straplock hooks.

Now that I take a closer look, it appears possible that this bass may have originally had all gold hardware, and perhaps just the tuners have been changed. Strikes me as an odd visual choice for a bass with so much brushed aluminum on it. Just my opinion, but I think that various white metals mix much better than aluminum and gold.
 
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#33
The Rail. I've been trying to remember that bass for years. Thanks. I thought the Norton was the one then moved down a few posts and there it was. I remember that Westone had an ad on the back of every Circus magazine in 1984.

Nice Norton though.
 
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