The Guyatone EB-9 Sharp 5 Bass (sometimes just called Guyatone Sharp 5 Bass or EB9 Sharp Five) is a signature bass from the late 1960s, created specifically for the iconic Japanese instrumental band The Sharp 5 – Japan's answer to The Ventures. The band played eleki/surf rock in true '60s style, and Guyatone (one of Japan's oldest brands, active since 1933) built an entire Sharp 5 series for them: the LG-350T guitar and the perfectly matching EB-9 bass.

The model debuted around 1967–1968 and quickly became an icon of Japanese luthiery. Its distinctive offset shape (clear influences from Mosrite and Fender Jaguar), high build quality for the era, and stunning colors made these basses highly sought-after by collectors and players chasing that unique vintage vibe. This isn't just another "Japanese copy" – it's an original, high-class instrument that actually rocked stages in Japan during the golden age of surf and spy-movie soundtracks.

Current specs after full restoration:

Body: alder/mahogany laminate

Neck: maple – super slim and fast "racecar" profile

Fingerboard: rosewood with decorative binding, new medium-jumbo frets

Scale length: 33.5” (850 mm)

Nut width: 40 mm

Pickups: 2 × single-coil, vintage output (low, classic)

Electronics: 3-way toggle switch, master volume + master tone

Tone & Feel

With those two single-coils, this bass delivers punchy, clear tone with that signature "twang" and surfy attack – perfect for instrumental rock, psychedelia, garage rock, or even modern pedal setups. The original-style pickups have lower output (around 6–7 kΩ), giving beautiful vintage dynamics while responding amazingly to overdrive, fuzz, or distortion. Playability is outstanding – slim neck, low action, and surprisingly good sustain for a '60s instrument.

What we did to this example:

The bass underwent a complete professional restoration:

Old finish stripped from neck and body, new nitrocellulose lacquer applied in a gorgeous pastel purple

Fingerboard leveled, new medium-jumbo frets installed

Hardware cleaned and polished, but we kept the original patina – the new nitro was lightly aged for character

Brand-new pickguard made + new headstock logo

Fresh electronics, new strings, and a super-soft, player-friendly setup

These basses are hugely desirable – overseas (e.g., on Reverb) they fetch serious money, and most surviving examples are in rough shape. Here you get an instrument that not only looks phenomenal but is fully functional and ready to play right out of the box!

Highly recommended!

Hard case not included in the sale.