(SOLD) Guyatone SB-1 Hollow Body Bass Sunburst 1967
Guyatone SB-1, sunburst, made in Japan circa 1967. This is pretty quirky and very fun. Guyatone blew up in Japan in the mid 60s, offering locally made oddities referencing the surf-rock instruments from California made popular by acts like The Ventures. This one is a short scale, fully hollow bass, so it's super lightweight and comfy to play. The pickup is great, and our tech has replaced the other electrical components so as to get the best out of it and make it gig-proof. The sound is warm and expansive, with a short sustain and plump roundness akin to an upright bass. The burst finish has mellowed with age and glows perfectly over the detail of the spruce top, it's a cool look. There's a lot to like here, it's weird and wonderful, just like your Mum.
Model: Guyatone SB-1
Made: Japan, 1967 approx, no serial
Finish: sunburst, gloss poly
Body: fully hollow, laminate spruce top, laminate nato back and sides, 410mm across, 55mm deep
Neck: nato, rosewood board, 30" scale, 12" radius, 43mm nut, vintage C, bolt-on join
Weight: 2.475kg
Mods: rewired with new pots, capacitor, output jack and wire, tuners replaced
Pickups: Guyatone goldfoil style
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end and sides and on the back near the volute, as well as light scuffs on the front up the top. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread minor scuffs and surface scratches around the whole body, as well as some minor chips and dimples along the back edge. The sides have minor scuffs around the whole body, plus a bald patch near the jack. The front has a scratch on the top horn, dimples and scuffs in the elbow area, dimples along the back edge and bottom corner and some play wear on the horns. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets have some minor wear only, 7/10 for life left. Wearing fresh Ernie Ball short scale strings.