In keeping with the Domino theme this month, let’s take a look at the Domino Beatle Bass. Imported to New York by Maurice Lipsky Music Co., these Japanese guitars were part of a series of models branded “Domino” throughout the 1960’s.
Vintage Domino Beatle Bass Guitar
This model was an obvious take on the Hofner Beatle Bass from the same era. The Hofner brand were German made guitars and basses and had been making top quality instruments for many years without much popularity in North America. However, once Paul McCartney surfaced with his lefty Hofner bass, everybody on the planet wanted one. Hence, once again Lipsky was quick to jump on the opportunity with the Domino brand.
The California was available in 2 pickup configuration, 3-way switch, volume and tone. Main color was Sunburst, but I’ve seen them in White, Redburst and Greenburst. They all sported a wooden floating bridge and single f-hole.
This Domino Bass was the second bass I owned back around 1965, it was a good sounding and playing bass as I remember and the first full scale bass for me. the first bass I owned was a ZIMGAR short scale but I can’t remember if it had 1 or 2 pickups?; I tend to lean towards it being a single pickup! and have never seen a picture of it in all these years. It was a med blue colored double cutaway small bodyed bass with a very ugly tortus pick gard …! not very good at all but! it was the start of a very interesting adventure which I’m still on today!
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I own a 1967 Domino “beatle,” it is all original except for the tuning pegs. It’s all black with a white pickguard. I use it in rehearsals and in the studio, but I never use it in gigs because of the feedback