A few days ago, I purchased a Firstman violin bass guitar. All I know about it is that it needs a lot of love before it will be able to play again.
A few issues with it:
1: The pots need replacing
2: The scratch plate was replaced and whoever did it does not like to do a good job.
3: Its intonation is horrible. It looks like it needs a new bridge because the one that is now on it is fixed.
4: It needs a decent clean and a new set of strings.
What does it have going for it:
1: The body is in great shape
2: The pubs works good
3: The machine heads just need some cleaning
4: The frets looks in a good state.
Does anyone have any info on the instrument? What could it be worth, how old is it (no serial number). It has been made in Japan. Any manual by any chance?
I appreciate any information as I am m
ore into the 6 strings than into a bass. This has turned out to be a project instrument.

Awesome. I think these were made by Mosrite in Japan. Prob early to mid 70s

Here is what I learned so far.
1: It has a floating bridge. SO setting the intonation will be a challenge, but fun ?
2: I need to replace the pot's, I know what the values are, so just need to buy them and then replace.
3: The pups are okay. But all the wiring needs to be redone. Quite a few dry joints.

What I need:
Can any one tell me where I can find a blank scratch plate for it. Preferably the same color scheme as it is now.

Thanks

Tuckstir Thank you for the link. I will get it from them.

RobbieZ

Pleasure.. just remember it is a long lead time, as they source it from oversees, so expect it in a months time.

Something I've been wondering..
what is that on your headstock?

Tuckstir I think that is where the name "Violin bass" comes from. It has the same twirl carving on the headstock as my daughters violin.

RobbieZ I think that is where the name "Violin bass" comes from. It has the same twirl carving on the headstock as my daughters violin.

That scroll on your headstock is fairly unique - I've seen quite a few hofner (vintage, re-issue and copies) and that's the first time I've seen a headstock like that - should make it easier to track down the factory (prob MIJ as previously mentioned).

V8 It is a MIJ. The info I have is that it is pre 1975 instrument. Unfortunately, apart from a picture I found on the internet, I could not get a lot of info. I am now trying to restore it to what I could find.

RobbieZ

Violin Bass Refers to the body shape. Hofner Violin Bass History
The scroll As @V8 mentioned is fairly unique and bassed on a hofner it should be fairly easy to find prewired hofner bass controls and just fit them .

looks like it was mostly kept in fairly good condition..

really interesting to hear about your find/acquisition @RobbieZ ? . will also be interesting tracking ur progress thru the project ? i also find the touch of the Violin carve on the headstock quite nice.

nick_D01 I will keep you informed as I go along.