JooDee JRB-55B Bass | Late 1970s Made in Japan
Late 1970s JooDee JRB-55B Rickenbacker 4001-style copy. Made in Japan. Neck-through construction. Solid maple body and neck. Karin fretboard with shark-tooth inlays. Checkerboard binding. 33.25" scale. Two single-coil pickups. Dual mono/stereo outputs. 3.8kg. Gig bag included.
JooDee was a brand owned by Daion, with instruments manufactured by Yamaki and Dyna Gakki. This JRB-55B is one of the most structurally accurate premium-tier Rickenbacker replicas ever built. Period-correct features include the checkerboard binding, stereo output, and aggressive Jetglo aesthetic. The brand focused on the Japanese domestic market and is sparsely documented.
Test it for yourself at our Sydney shop, or we can ship it safely to your door anywhere in Australia. Contact us for a shipping quote.
In stock at Guitar Garage Sydney. $1,700
Key Features
Era: Late 1970s (circa 1977–1979)
Made in: Japan (Yamaki/Dyna Gakki)
Model: JRB-55B
Finish: Jetglo Black
Construction: Neck-through-body
Body: Solid maple
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Karin with pearloid shark-tooth inlays
Binding: Checkerboard
Scale: 33.25" (Rickenbacker-accurate scale)
Pickups: Two original JooDee single-coils (chrome bridge cover)
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way switch
Outputs: Dual mono/stereo (Rick-O-Sound style)
Hardware: Chrome open-gear tuners, heavy-duty Rickenbacker-style tailpiece
Pickguard: White single-ply
Weight: 3.8kg
Case: Gig bag
Condition: Excellent
Sound and Tone
Original JooDee single-coil pickups deliver authentic Rickenbacker-style growl and punch. The neck-through maple construction provides sustain and resonance. The stereo output allows routing each pickup to separate amplifiers for expanded tonal options.
Feel and Playability
Neck-through construction offers smooth upper-fret access. The 33.25" scale provides familiar Rickenbacker feel. Fretwork remains great with no heavy pitting. Lightweight 3.8kg body is comfortable for this style of bass.
Condition
Excellent cosmetic and structural condition. Gloss Jetglo finish is exceptionally clean with no notable scuffs, dings, or marks. Chrome hardware is great and fully functional. Missing original pickup cover and thumb/finger rest. Fretwork excellent with no heavy pitting.
Background
JooDee was a Japanese brand from the late 1970s, owned by Daion and manufactured by Yamaki/Dyna Gakki. These premium Rickenbacker copies were built to a high standard using neck-through construction and accurate period details. The JRB-55B is a rare and collectable example of Japanese craftsmanship from the golden era of "lawsuit" copies.
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