H.S. Anderson was Moridaira’s own instrument brand during the 1970s. The company is now best known for the Mad Cat guitar, but it also made a small range of basses that are encountered less often. This Bask Bass II was made in Japan in 1977 and follows a straightforward Precision-style layout.
The instrument has a one-piece maple neck, a split-coil P-style pickup and passive Volume and Tone controls. Its body is likely Sen, a Japanese ash-type wood, and the finish is a three-tone sunburst. The serial number is 410 607791. At approximately 4.25 kg, it is a substantial old-school bass, with a nut width of about 42 mm.
The bass is currently fitted with a black pickguard. The included white pickguard appears period-correct, though that appearance is not a confirmed originality claim. The bridge cover is absent. New La Bella ASP-45103 Ian Martin Allison flatwound strings are fitted.
There are visible dings, scratches, finish wear, small chips and normal hardware patina from nearly five decades of use. Beneath that cosmetic wear, the bass remains structurally solid and fully functional: the neck is straight and stable under standard tuning, the truss rod operates normally, and the electronics work correctly. Its remaining truss-rod adjustment range is not extensive, as is common on instruments of this age, so that limitation is worth keeping in mind. This example is in Good condition, with its remaining truss-rod adjustment range worth keeping in mind.
Inspection & research notes
Inspection notes record a straight neck that is stable under standard tuning, a truss rod that operates normally, correctly functioning electronics and solid structure. The remaining truss-rod adjustment range is not extensive. The bass plays well; minor setup adjustments may be useful after shipping and climate adaptation.
