{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1796047"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1796047/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2026PM4705/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2026PM4705/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2026PM4705","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2026PM4704","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1796047","accessionNumber":"S.499-2026","objectType":"stringed instruments","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This box of bass guitar strings belonged to Mick Karn (1958 – 2011), an influential British bass guitar player, known primarily for his work in British New Wave band Japan (1974-1982). \n\r\nJapan formed in1974 as a glam rock-influenced act, adopting a definite New Wave sound and look by 1979 and the release of their third single, ‘Life in Tokyo’, which was produced by German electronic music pioneer Giorgio Moroder. The band achieved great acclaim, releasing five albums before breaking up in 1982.\r\n\r\nA self-taught musician, Karn’s work as a bassist is celebrated  for its distinctive style, particularly his pioneering use of the fretless bass. He began his musical education with the mouth organ before moving on to the violin and the bassoon while still at school. When his bassoon was stolen and the school was unable to replace it, he switched to the bass guitar. \r\n\r\nIncorporating syncopated rhythms and a melodic fluidity, Karn’s playing relied more on feeling and instinct than on conventional technique. His style became instantly recognisable and, following Japan’s split, he was a much sought-after session musician working with Gary Numan, Diana Ross, Angie Bowie, and Kate Bush, among others. In 1984, he founded the band Dalis Car with Bauhaus lead singer Peter Murphy, releasing a single album, ‘The Waking Hour’.\r\n\r\nKarn’s playing style has been hugely significant, with artists such as Duran Duran, Talk Talk and Simple Minds citing him as an influence. ","physicalDescription":"Unopened box of custom lo-rider bass guitar strings.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"DR Strings","id":"AUTH412531"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Card","id":"x30344"},{"text":"stainless steel","id":"AAT10920"},{"text":"","id":""}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2026PM4705","2026PM4704"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"008","id":"THES385865"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"stringed instruments","id":"AAT203062"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"New Jersey","id":"x29028"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1980s","earliest":"1980-01-01","latest":"1989-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Emma Brining","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"160","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Box","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"160","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Box","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"15","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Box","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Packet of custom bass guitar strings, formerly owned by Mick Karn of Japan, 1980s. ","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Bespoke","id":"THES409218"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.499-2026"],"accessionNumberNum":"499","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2026,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-01","recordCreationDate":"2025-02-07","availableToBook":false}}