The Electra Forums

Hi Electra fans,

I'm Michael, 47 years old and last year I decided to learn to play the bass (mid-lifecrisis bucketlist thing...). I started to look for a cheap electric bass guitar but soon found out that there were hollowbodys: great for practicing in the evening when the familie sleeps. I searched our own ebay and found an old hollowbody described as Gibson copy in Amsterdam. Seller Jim got it from his parents when he was a kid. He told me it was probably 30 years old. It looked great, sound was okay (I thought) and the price also (€100). I've been practicing a lot and searched the internet for information. at first I thougt it was a Univox of Greco but, thanks to www.indysworld I found out it's a PCM-335-Bass v.1. Can someone tell me more about this bass? Year of production? etc.etc. Thanks in advance.

Michael;

welcome Michael. unfortunately there's not a lot of recorded info on the PCM offerings. most were late 60's to early 70's. there were once again what looks like PCM electras in the later 80's, but no one is sure. got any pics? how's the action? one thing to watch on the older hollowbodies, is the make sure the body doesn't start to deform and bow the neck up...

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Thanks for the info. So the bass is somewhat older than the seller told me. For me just fine, I like the stuff from the '60's and begin '70's (driving an Alfa Romeo berlina '72, a '66 vespa 125 super, a '72 SMV caravan, a '60's Glasspar Lido 14 with 60's Evinrude fastwin and above all a '66 wive ). Because I've no experience I don't have a reference. so I just practicing the basics.

I've put some newe strings on it and addapted the neck and trusrod. The action is low on the lower frets but about 4 mm on the higher frets. I'm planning to try some more adjustments to fix that with a shim. The body itself looks straight (to me)

Here some pic's (I hope; don't know if I'm doing this the right way

Nice example of that model. I love the pick guard shape and the trapeze tail piece as well.

You have a nice list of vintage things. I especially appreciate the Alfa and the Vespa. Photos would be jealously reviewed, maybe in the Off Topic forum. You're welcome to post pictures of the '66 model wife as well!