[Frenchy]

Well an ad showed up last Sunday for a rare and unique 1976 Univox Bicentennial Carved Eagle Bass for what is categorized a decent price. The seller was an antique store ( weird ! )

Since I was driving by that direction during the week, decided to stop and have a look at it.


The bass was in dire condition, no case, replaced pickguard lots of scratches, the neck had a major back bow ... Ouff lots to mention.

After talking with the owner that was aware a bit of all these things, and knew about putting value to an used and damaged item, came to an agreed price that I was confortable putting on a possible wall hanger !

Here is the eagle as I got it:

So the bass came with an ugly replaced pickguard, the bass was filthy by the way.

Headstock has little nicks.

Back is not that much better.

 

[Frenchy]

The bass had 4 different types of strings on it and had been left de-tuned with the truss rod adjusted to the max for God knows how many years ! So I obviously spent a couple of hrs every night this week to clean, adjust the neck slowly every 12 hrs and try to make her pretty by fixing scratches.

Here she is so far :

Had to fix all the electronics also, bass was not working.

 

[Frenchy]

I crowned and polished all the frets and can say that I almost got the neck to where its supposed to be. Still need a little more but almost there.

Missing one Univox bass tuner so if anyone has, I'm buying...

Love this bass so far... had her in my hands non stop all week.

 

[Mark Brown]

You're an animal Frenchy

 

[Frenchy]

You're an animal Frenchy

My wife agrees with you !

 

[laristotle]

I remember those in my local music store in the 70's. They had a matching strat too.

 

[Morrow]

You have a knack for finding some classic treasures.

 

[Frenchy]

I remember those in my local music store in the 70's. They had a matching strat too.

Yep !

 

[Frenchy]

You have a knack for finding some classic treasures.

Thanks,
I do my best !

These are all the models that I wanted when I was younger. Never too late to live your dreams.

 

[Pedro-x]

Ok so anyone know how they did those carvings back in 1976 ? I dont think cnc was being used on guitars yet. Some kind of duplicate carver?

 

[Frenchy]

Ok so anyone know how they did those carvings back in 1976 ? I dont think cnc was being used on guitars yet. Some kind of duplicate carver?

The Matsumoku plant was the first to use CNCs for guitar production, might be just that. 1976 was the year they launched Aria Pro II line.

 

[desolation_angel]

That's a lot of fun

 

[tomee2]

Yep !
View attachment 471750

1976, of course the US bicentennial! Cool bass and nice rescue from an antique shop.

 

[Granny Gremlin]

I thought this was gonna be about a BC Rich Eagle.

 

[Frenchy]

I thought this was gonna be about a BC Rich Eagle.

This is BC of the BC Eagle ...

 

[Frenchy]

1976, of course the US bicentennial! Cool bass and nice rescue from an antique shop.

Its incredible to see such a back bow after 20 odd years with no string tension on a bass neck ! very happy to say that I got her right again.

 

[Frenchy]

If it was nicer outside, id make a new family picture.

Univox 1976 Bass family.

 

[Morrow]

I just have one , recently bought HiFlier.
And have to say it’s a much better bass than what I was expecting. Light, comfortable, and sounds great.

 

[Frenchy]

I just have one , recently bought HiFlier.
And have to say it’s a much better bass than what I was expecting. Light, comfortable, and sounds great. View attachment 471993

A Mosrite bass is on my want list...

 

[Morrow]

We‘ve been rehearsing a little instrumental project. It’s perfect. This and the yellow Samurai are what I plan to bring. We’re not doing Japanese surf music , but I’m well geared if we do.