The Electra Forums

Hi. I just bought my first Electra. It's a really neat violin bass. No visible markings other than "Japan" on the plate over the neck bolts. Any clues on how to date it and which factory it might be from?
many thanks!

Welcome to the forum - We have a number of Electra Bass "experts" and I'll head them off by asking for a few pictures - headstock front and back, pickups, neck/heel joint etc. Offhand I'd think it's probably ca. '74 or '75, but some of our more knowledgeable members should be able to help more than I can. How do you like it?

Welcome!

So far on the forums here, we've seen 3 different versions of the Violin bass

SLM (Saint Louis Music) - 1968-72 maybe. no known catalogs have it...



viewtopic.php?f=19&t=3306

PCM (Pacific Coast Music) - maybe same time frame... also, no know catalogs



and this one...

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Wow...thanks for the amazingly swift responses and photos...I will figure out how to post some later. For now- mine has the exact body and fittings of the second photo but with the headstock of the third.
I have always wanted a viola/violin bass...never felt happy with any of the Epis I played...tho I love epis in general...and could not justify a vintage hofner. This plays brilliantly..setup is perfect. Still trying to figure out the three switches..I think one of them may be u/s.
nick

McB - How do we know that 1st one is SLM? Was there a thread on that?

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

Nick - Can you give us any backstory on the Bass? Where did you pick it up, past owners if known, etc. We love stories and details. Thanks

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

I found it in my favorite pawnshop/music tradingpost in the pacnw. Saw it Friday...bought it Saturday. That's all she wrote so far.....

Theres a link below the pic for the guy that bought it new. I thought there had been sine discussion on that it was in fact an slm rep...

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Is this the violin bass that was on Seattle CL?

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

No...it was on the wall in Briz loan and guitar in Vancouver (the first one...in Washington...). I don't think they post.

I used a (new) hofner to test an amp today. The switches and vol knobs are identical to those on the Electra but with labels...rhythm/solo.....neck pu on/off.....budge pu on/off. Is it reasonable to assume the Electra mimics that?

Hello Ever body! Not to talented at the computer stuff so I hope this is the correct way to participate. If so... Very interesting info on the site. I recently bought an Electra Viola Bass that appears to be the spittin image of the second Viola bass picture including the headstock. Not sure about the vintage but I got it from a guy who got it from his brother who subsequently played in the earily POCO Band. Im not sure I should mention any names of the previous owner(s) but when I picked it up I looked at lots of pictures (family photo style) that made a believer out of me. Admittedly,..I was more Rolling Stones than Poco, but the pics I looked at were from different club dates and so on as well as afterward parties and such. It was all very interesting and a friend that was with me suggested that I get the Bass autographed. I declined to do so because the value of this instrument to me is all in the Mojo. And it has not let me down that way. Im not a Bass player (12 string Jazz & Blues is my thing)...but always wanted to learn Bass. The first time I played it was thru an old vintage Randall Amp. Nothing Fancy...but again...lotsa Mojo on the older equipment. I was pleased that the Bass almost played itself once I got started. Jam'd for about an hour with a drummer and a six string player and wasnt embarrased regarding my contribution. The instrument is very comfortable and very light weight. One of the pickups has been changed but not sure why. As mentioned,...Im not the best at computer tech but I will attempt pictures and more info soon. Im very glad I found this site Thankx all' Z

Welcome aboard and congrats on a rarer model Zim. Have any other Electra or Japanese instruments?

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Poco - a great band - Rusty Young, Richie Furay, and Jim Messina all in the same group -

What a sound - and the Legacy album speaks for itself.

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