GRUUVIK CHAMBERSoul-approved and curated basses
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — photograph in the Gruuvik Chamber Gone collection
ELK · BS-400 Vintage Bass

Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass

Late 1960s / Early 1970s · Japan

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Source listing
← Gone
The one-liner

A Maxon pickup stamp reads 28616; it may date the pickup to June 1968, not the bass.

Gallery I
Documentary photograph 1
Documentary photograph 2
Documentary photograph 3
Documentary photograph 4
Documentary photograph 5
The story

The instrument is a Japanese ELK BS-400, most likely from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Serial 78210017 does not provide a confirmed date. A Maxon pickup stamp reads 28616 and may indicate 16 June 1968 for the pickup, but it does not by itself date the bass.

It has a three-tone sunburst finish, rosewood dot board, zero fret and an enclosed pickup. The passive circuit uses two 250k pots. It weighs about 4.3 kg and has a nut close to 40 mm. Replacement knobs and one bridge-adjustment screw are fitted; the original knobs and fingerrest are included. Pickup and bridge covers are missing. The bass remains playable and functional, with wear, scratches and finish marks, and went to Thourie, France.

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Gallery II · details
Documentary photograph 1
Documentary photograph 2
Documentary photograph 3
Documentary photograph 4
Documentary photograph 5
Documentary photograph 6
Documentary photograph 7
Documentary photograph 8
Documentary photograph 9
Documentary photograph 10
Documentary photograph 11
Specs
Model
BS-400
Era
Late 1960s / early 1970s · estimated
Country
Japan
Serial
78210017 · not independently datable
Finish
3-tone sunburst
Fingerboard
Rosewood · dot markers
Fret detail
Zero fret
Pickup
Enclosed single pickup · Maxon stamp 28616
Electronics
Passive · 2 × 250k pots
Nut width
Approx. 40 mm
Weight
Approx. 4.3 kg
Replacements
Control knobs · one bridge adjustment screw
Included originals
Original knobs · fingerrest
Missing
Pickup cover · bridge cover
Condition
Playable and functional · visible finish wear
Signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
Late 1960s / Early 1970s ELK BS-400 Vintage Bass — signs of life
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Each instrument is examined, its known history and changes are described plainly, and setup or service is considered where needed. The aim is a bass that can go straight into music.

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