Hi five, (no pun intended)
I actually have a 4 string Tune Bass Maniac that I bought used in Japan back in 1989/90. Black, with an ebonol synthetic board & I guess a maple or basswood body or whatever was period correct with Alembic Jazz pups. It was a great bass to play, light with a good neck, 40mm brass nut, nice active preamp but sounded a bit thin so I later had it defretted as the pups were thin sounding so I thought a fretless would serve its sound better. Around 2003 I couldn't part with it so I decided to have it made into a 5 so had a new neck made & fitted in the exact style of the BassManiac headstock, black painted maple with ebony board, 46mm nut & changed the bridge to a schaller roller type & pups to barts which made it a KILLER 5er, basically sex on a bridge! It's back home in Oz waiting for my return & will be staying in the family for some time I'm afraid but I would highly recommend one if you can ever find one. I don't recall ever playing another 4 in my time in Japan although I have seen a few in magazines & even an original 5 so they do exist but rare as hen's teeth I guess. If i spot one while I'm still here in Japan I'll let you know. Cheers, Glen
I joined the Tune Maniac page on Facebook -