The pickup scheme is eccentric as well - there is a standard Valco magnetic unit by the neck supplemented by the National 'Bridge-Tone' unit built into the rosewood bridge, which amplifies the string vibration.

The result is a guitar-sized 4-string with low string tension, super handy and certainly easy for beginners and guitarists to handle, but physically a bit sonically challenged compared to more conventional period basses. While most short-scale basses use something around a 30' scale, Valco elected to use a standard 24 1/2' scale guitar neck for their first electric bass. This Airline-branded Pocket Bass is a neat (and fairly late) example of this somewhat quizzical and relatively rare bass design. I can send you photos and even a video I recorded using it 17 years ago.Airline Pocket Bass C-7224 Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar, made by Valco (1965), made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer finish, maple body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black chipboard case. It is in great condition except for dirty rocker switches.

The back of the headstock had a small metal Made in Japan tag held on with tiny nails. It has the Guyatone G logo on the headstock and the truss rod cover says Tokoyo Sound Co. Where it is different from all the others I have seen is the two 3 position rocker switches on the upper horn. It has 2 single coil pickups with massive slugs, trem arm, 1 vol and 1 tone knob in the usual spot. I am wondering if I have one that was not mafe for export. I have been searching the web for a couple weeks, and can’t find a single photo, drawing or ad for this one. I am trying to identify a Guyatone that I got at a swap meet in the S.F. I have had many guitars over the last 47 years. Even in its original state its value is only about 1,500 at best. Now before someone has a hissyfit that i’ve ruined a “vintage” guitar, and diminished it’s value, remember it had already been painted five times before. An outstanding job! Shoot, ol Wilson Picket hisself played this guitar back in 66 or67. I just wish he could have seen the finished guitar. passed and he did get to see the oak veneer and he really liked it. I had started the refinish project before Charles. Never stripped! Just sanded and a new color applied. This guitar had been re-painted five times previously. I replicated the pickguard in carbon fiber. I refinished the guitar by veneering the top in oak and a sunburst finish was added. I’m a short fella, as are my extremities. I’ve been aquainted with this guitat since 1965. I have (and cherish) a1957 Fender Duo-Sonic, that was “willed” to me by a very dear friend who passed on a few years ago.

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