Want a bass that sounds great, has loads of character and stage presence, is a '60s vintage, and has a full scale? In fact its 35" scale length is a full inch longer than the mere 34 inches of a Fender Precision/Jazz bass!

This 1963/4 vintage Maton Ibis bass has all those qualities in bucketloads, and is a very rare instrument. The chrome-plated pickup cover is missing, the 3-position 'tone' control knob has been changed, and the two-piece body has been re-glued a bit clumsily in the past, but otherwise this beautiful (in a quirky way!) bass is all original, including the finish. There are plenty of playing marks on the bass (look at the detailed photos in the 'more pictures' link below), but overall it's in great shape, with very little wear to the original frets and fingerboard, and having a great action.

The best visual feature of this vintage Maton has to be the amazing 'swirl' thick plastic pearloid scratchplate and bridge cover. Photographs will never do these items justice, with the almost 3D effect they display in the flesh. Very cool!

I have not been able to determine the range of serial numbers over the life of the Ibis bass (the Maton website incorrectly says they were only made in 1964, and offers no serial range), but this is the first I have ever come across. Serial number is 246. I know that the 1963 catalogue showed the Ibis bass (a client paid 63 pounds 6 shillings for a Flamingo in 1964, and the Ibis Bass complete with plush lined case was £115 pound 10s).

The Maton website describes the pickup as multiple-poled and divided "Magnametle", and it sounds great despite the tag! I describe the pickups as having very strong output, very even string-to-string balance, and beautiful vintage warmth. It also identifies the body wood as Putts Pine (Silver Silkwood), the set neck as Queensland Maple, and the fretboard as Rosewood. Original list price in 1964 was £94.10s. The average weekly wage in Australia was about £15 pounds per week in 1964.

There is no case with this bass.

July 31 2017 - I just received an email from Rohan Moran which sheds a lot of light on the history of this bass!

Hi there. Regarding the red 1964 Maton Ibis Bass.This bass was bought new in 1964 by my father, Jim Moran. It was gigged about 6/7 nights a week in a well-known band called Peter and the Panthers, and was played through a Goldentone amp during this period. Around 1971 after a gig it was left behind the rear wheels of his car, and he accidentally backed over it, destroying the original case and leaving a huge crack in the body that was glued back together. Around the same time he built a new case for it, and that explains why the original case is gone. He sold it around 1971/72 and bought a new Fender Musicmaster, which is now an old Fender Musicmaster! Sure would love to have a play of that old bass. I have a few black and white pics of it from around 1964. Cheers."

Naturally I have replied to Rohan, and he has indicated he will try to dig out the photos, which will be very cool! He also said, "I spoke to my father about the bass and he said he removed the pickup cover because it was a pain", so there you have it!

went to David Price in Poland