Late 1960s Matsumoku Violin Bass (Höfner-Style) – Pelham Blue / Faded Green
Here’s a cool little slice of late-1960s import history.
Built in Japan by Matsumoku, this bass is clearly inspired by the famous German violin bass made popular by a certain Liverpool band. During this era, Japanese builders were rapidly improving their craftsmanship while producing affordable versions of the guitars American teenagers were seeing on TV and album covers. Matsumoku was one of the best of the bunch, and instruments like this are a big part of why their reputation has grown so much among collectors.
This example is 100% original and unmodified, and it shows very low mileage for its age. There are no signs of abuse. The neck is straight, the truss rod works properly in both directions, and the original frets show only minimal wear that does not affect playability. Freshly setup and restrung with flatwounds.
The finish appears to have started life as a Pelham Blue-style color, which over time has shifted into a really attractive green tone. The lacquer shows a few typical age lines here and there, but there are no cracks in the wood anywhere on the instrument.
It plays great with comfortable low action and delivers exactly the kind of tone you’d hope for from a violin bass—round, thumpy, and surprisingly articulate. If you’re chasing that Beatles or Beach Boys studio bass vibe, this one absolutely gets you in the neighborhood.
The bass comes with its original chipboard case, complete with some excellent period stickers that really help sell the time-capsule vibe. An old strap marked “Kent” is also included. We haven’t been able to find any solid documentation showing Kent offered this exact model, but it’s certainly possible they were sold through that brand.
The headstock badge is missing, which adds a little mystery to the story. Between the construction details, hardware, and overall design, we’re confident in the late-1960s Matsumoku origin.
It’s a quirky, fun bass that plays far better than most people expect when they pick it up.
This bass is available for a test drive in our Jamestown, Kentucky showroom, and we ship worldwide. Let us know if you have any questions.