80's El Degas Bass

[SoulSurgeon]

Hi guys,

I don't know if any of you saw the $100.00 El Degas 80's bass on Kijiji the past few weeks? (link is dead)?
Well, I did. Had a hell of a time tracking down the owner. Finally sent one of my El Degas buddies who lives around the corner from the seller to go pick it up for me.
He's dropping it off to me soon..as soon as tonight?

Here are the details according to him:

-Black Bass, with gig bag.
-pick-ups work well, nicely balanced
-action bit high
-intonation not bad
-tuners are marginal
-back pick-up is Duran Duran, front/back blend is fat, front sound is the BOSS
-input is a bit sketchy, prob a frayed wire somewhere (he was going to work on it for me)
-chunky neck
-seems like a knock-off of the old Ibanez EX series
-needs a bit of a setup but a helluva good score!

Pics to come when I get it....

[charles]

Excited to see pics!

[SoulSurgeon]

Here is my new Black El Degas beside the El Degas Hofner that I didn't post pics of yet.

[charles]

I'm a fan of the P/J pickup config. Nice score.

The black one is def. MIK - the Hofner may be MIK as well, but I could be wrong. A nice clean photo of the headstock logo might clear up that assumption (seeing the style of the logo might make the country of manufacture apparent) .

[SoulSurgeon]

Oh ya, the Black one is Korean. I'm trying to figure out who El Degas was copying there...

Other than the flowery design and EMG pickups, looks very similar here to John Taylors bass:

http://www.duranography.dk/articles/?newsid=2092

[SoulSurgeon]

Here is the 80's Black Headstock:

[SoulSurgeon]

Here is the Hofer headstock:

[charles]

Thanks - the Hofner copy's MIK.

[SoulSurgeon]

Kool. Please explain how you know that.

thanks

[charles]

The logo style. That thick chunky logo style is only present on the MIKs.

[SoulSurgeon]

So, an update on these Basses.

I tried to repair the Black one myself. I did a thorough disassemble and cleaning. Wiring issues...lots of buzz still etc. Had another friend look at it. He wasn't able to fix that.
It's actually got nice tone when its not buzzing. I find it difficult and uninspiring to play. I hate the strings on it. I think this was a bad investment...even for $100.

The Hofner: I have gigged with this a few times. I love how light it is. The neck is short and frets are smaller so it plays more like a guitar. Definitely a pickers bass because the strings are so close together. This one my be salvageable. Some of the switches decide not to function once in a while. If it was more reliable I would play it all the time.

[Barry]

...Some of the switches decide not to function once in a while. If it was more reliable I would play it all the time.

Slider switches are particularly susceptible to oxidation, potentiometers too. Most of your problems should be easily remedied with some contact switch cleaner (Not WD40!!)

[charles]

Too bad you could not get rid of the buzz. I wonder if it is a pickup issue?

[Barry]

If you've cleaned the electrical contacts and are still getting a "buzz" it could be a grounding issue. These can vary in sound from buzzing to humming.

Double check all grounding points, especially solder joints. And don't forget the input jack. You can suffer from corrosion on the ground prong on these too. The point of contact is small and often gets coated. I've seen them get so bad it cuts out the signal completely! Same remedy, use the contact spray. If really bad gently wipe with emery cloth or fine steel wool. Be sure and remove any loose steel fibres afterwards to avoid causing shorts.

[SoulSurgeon]

FYI Barry, I tried all your advice on self-repair. Neck is a but warped I think, ground issues for sure. I got it somewhere better.

I'm getting it professionally repaired....will probably cost more than one of these was new. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess. Hopefully will be a cool 80's bass when fixed.