Bass ID - Anyone?

HarrySeven

Anyone recognise this bass?

The Regents “7Teen”, TOTP, 1979.

https://i.imgur.com/d1Cb2ik.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fkQgSFA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PbfPK73.jpg

EricTheWeary

There is a logo and it’s a 2 per side headstock. I think Framus although a quick look at the archive photos on the Framus website doesn’t show anything remotely like it body wise. 

I have learned that there are two versions of this song, the radio friendly version uses ‘reaction’ rather than ‘erection.’  

This video has a clearer shot: 

https://youtu.be/WJQ0gjtFzbs

HarrySeven

https://i.imgur.com/uJsK6yR.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WD7mAku.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EbQ5JTB.jpg

Pabcrane

They are certainly some distinctive pick-ups - I've not seen them before before though.

JezWynd

EricTheWeary said:

There is a logo and it’s a 2 per side headstock. I think Framus although a quick look at the archive photos on the Framus website doesn’t show anything remotely like it body wise. 

I have learned that there are two versions of this song, the radio friendly version uses ‘reaction’ rather than ‘erection.’  

This video has a clearer shot: 

https://youtu.be/WJQ0gjtFzbs

Hard to drag your eyes away from those gaffa tape shoulder pads but I’m thinking a luthier made one off, the fittings look modern(ish) and well made.

ICBM

It looks vaguely familiar but I can't quite place it. It reminds me of some of the things John Entwistle used to play... but a search doesn't bring up anything identical.

Whistler

The bassist was Damian Pew who also played drums and keyboard. Following the 1979 hit, as mentioned in the OP, the band followed it up in 1980 with See You Later, by which time Damian had a Rickenbacker. My guess is the bass in question was a cheap little known brand.

1979, 7teen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQv23z8QcqA

1980, See You Later
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi_WptdhiW8

guitars4you

ICBM said:

It looks vaguely familiar but I can't quite place it. It reminds me of some of the things John Entwistle used to play... but a search doesn't bring up anything identical.

I see where you are coming from and Yamaha had a kind of pick up surround on some models around this time - I suspect a hot rod customised mod

prowla

Well - that's a puzzle.

Framus (pre Warwick) seems plausible.

Funkfingers

Framus and Warwick are joined at the hip. Entwistle's Buzzard bass came from them.

The bridge and tailpiece combination resembles Warwick. The pickups resemble Bartolini 8S Precision Bass types with "goof hider" surrounds to disguise cavities for larger, rectangular ones.

Offset

Long shot but Alembic?

EricTheWeary

Funkfingers said:

Framus and Warwick are joined at the hip. Entwistle's Buzzard bass came from them.

The bridge and tailpiece combination resembles Warwick. The pickups resemble Precision or Mustang Bass types with "goof hider" surrounds to disguise cavities for larger, rectangular ones.

Warwick basses didn't exist when that video was made. Conceivably some kind of Framus/Warwick prototype although it feels a bit unlikely that a one hit wonder band from the UK would be in possession of that. 

CavemanGrogg

@HarrySeven weekly can you name this instrument contest.  He should really get his own pinned thread for these, and make a proper event out of it.

Funkfingers

EricTheWeary said:

it feels a bit unlikely that a one hit wonder band from the UK would be in possession of that. 

The instruments that were worn for TOTP appearances did not necessarily belong to the wearers. 

CavemanGrogg said:

HarrySeven weekly, can you name this instrument contest.  He should really get his own pinned thread for these and make a proper event out of it.

I suspect that H7 would soon get bored of that UNLESS it were financially rewarding. So, probably, a Patreon podcast. 

Back on topic, it is a fairly safe bet that the bass is either bespoke or a one-off working prototype.

Kittyfrisk

I'd say it has a hint of 1960's 'Goya' vibe about it... apart from it being a bass obviously

HarrySeven

Kittyfrisk said:

I'd say it has a hint of 1960's 'Goya' vibe about it... apart from it being a bass obviously

Indeed. That was my first thought too, but the pickup surrounds are a different shape.

HarrySeven

Whistler said:

The bassist was Damian Pew who also played drums and keyboard. Following the 1979 hit, as mentioned in the OP, the band followed it up in 1980 with See You Later, by which time Damian had a Rickenbacker. My guess is the bass in question was a cheap little known brand.

I did think of going to the source and asking him directly, but sadly he died in 2020.

Offset

Offset said:

Long shot but Alembic?

Ignore me - I was thinking of something entirely different and was talking out of my firmament.

Funkfingers

Did you mean fundament?

Firmament means sky or, by inference, The Heavens.

BillDL

I think he meant fontanelle  (i.e. hole in his head)

prowla

Funkfingers said:

Did you mean fundament?

Firmament means sky or, by inference, The Heavens.

...my heart burns..