Rare 1961 Valpro National 85 4-string Bass Res-O-Glas w/OHSC White

Rare as hens' teeth...

A sweet 1961 Valpro National 85 4-string bass... all original from tailpiece to tuning machines, including the original hard shell case! You never see the original case! Never...

In 1961, an old, sort of odd company called Valco/National introduced a crazy new line of guitars that were made of synthetic “Reso-O-Glas,” which was a blend of Fiberglass and polyester resin, filled with high-density foam. This enabled unusually artsy molded shapes to be mass-produced easily and inexpensively. This one is as artsy as it gets... vaguely shaped like a map of the good ole USA.

All in all, this rare vintage bass has no business sounding as good as it looks, but it does! Probably the coolest short-scale bass to ever come through the shop, and incredibly rare. Super short 25 inch scale length, it hardly feels like a bass! One Res-O-Glas single coil in the neck position and one contact pickup built into the bridge, an early version of a piezo, that was way ahead of its time! The electronics fuction perfectly with zero scratchiness in the pots.

Interestingly enough, the pickups can’t be isolated from one another. The simple controls, volume and tone, are placed backwards from the norm, but the end result is that turning the tone knob down slightly emphasizes the magnetic pickup, and when you turn it up, the high end of the bridge pickup comes through.

This fine example is all original in white that has aged to an almost banana creme color... with the double thumb / finger rests and rosewood bridge. It sports 1/4 circle pearloid fretboard markers, funky stylish tuning keys and light weight body made of Res-O-Glas that gives it distinctive tone and sound that's perfect for recording. Excellent overall condition with no explaining to do whatsoever! You would be hard pressed to find a nick  or a ding. I have never seen one this good!

Particulars:
• USA-map shaped Res-O-Glas body,
• 1-piece maple neck,
• Bound rosewood fretboard,
• Big neckprofile, 20 frets, Pearloid triangle inlays,
• 2x2 open back tuning machines,
• 1x Reso-glass singlecoil pickup,
• 1x contact pickup (built in bridge),
• Adjustable rosewood bridge,
• Includes original custom case!

Good things sometimes come in small packages, and this is definitely one of them. Check out the pics because I took them myself and they tell the rest of the story... and they don't lie.

Comes with the ultra rare original hard shell case!

Shipping quoted is to you in the CONUS, as always. Hey, make an offer... I just might take it!

Due to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) restrictions, most stringed instruments will only be shipped within the U.S. No exceptions