After a lot of planning, I've recently started building a bass. I don't have any woodworking experience but I have the help of a few people who do. The bass will be a mixture of Fender and Danelectro, my two favorite basses. It'll basically be a Danelectro in the shape of a P-bass. I'm using same construction as the newer Danos: plywood with masonite hardboard covering the top and bottom. The top and bottom will be cover with a retro boomerang pattern formica. The side will be covered with white vinyl. I'm tracing my dad's '53 P-bass for the body and pickguard. It'll feel more like a '51 P-bass though since it won't have contours. I'm using two Kent Armstrong lipstick pickups in the standard J-bass positions but with the lower ends of the pickups slanted a little torwards the neck (similar to Danelectro does it). I'm using a no name J-bass neck I had lying around which my dad cut a tele headstock out of. The pickguard will be made of masonite with white formica on top, like a Dano. I'm not completely sure what I'm going to do for the electronics. Even though I have two pickups, I don't want to use more than the two holes that are on the 50's control plate. I'm thinking I might use a 4-position rotary switch (rather than a tele-style switch to retain the look of the metal knob) and stacked knobs for the tone and volume. I think will work fine for me since I always use both volumes all the up whenever I use two pickups together anyways. Here's a photoshop mockup I put together. It's pretty close except the headstock should be tele shape, the bridge should have 4 saddles and one of the knobs should be stacked knobs.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/mybass2.jpg

So far I've done a rough cut of the body with the plywood. I'll upload more pictures as I progress. Feel free to leave me any comments or suggestions.

Very cool, I want one.

I love this. More please!!! I need updates, progress pics, the whole nine.

Mixing two classic styles would normaly look terrible. But I actually love that.

I've been thinking of doing the same thing, but doing it the way Reverend does. You're giving me inspiration, though! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

That sounds like it might be an interesting experiment. Myself, I'd be concerned that with the much lighter body the heavy Fender headstock will make it neck dive. Lightweight tuners will help some. It might be worthwhile to try a different bolt on neck. I'm partial to the Carvin's myself. The neck pocket is a different dimension than Fender however.

I have a Danelectro DC which is a 34" scale with the typical Danelectro construction and their lipstick tube pickups. The pickups are my only complaint with the sound. It's a very light bass and a blast to play.

I'd be concerned that with the much lighter body the heavy Fender headstock will make it neck dive. Lightweight tuners will help some.

I've definitely taken the weight into consideration. I'm making the body a bit more solid than Dano would. Rather than only making it as solid as unnecessary, I'm going to keep it solid from the neck to the bridge and make the frame a bit thicker. This should add a bit more weight and give the bass some more sustain. The wood is also 1/8" thicker than what Dano uses, which should help a little. Here's an idea of what the hollowed body should look like.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/plywood.jpg

I'm using mostly cheap parts that I have lying around until I see how the bass turns out. If it looks and feels good then I'll most likely replace the parts with good stuff, including Ultralite tuners.

The pickups are my only complaint with the sound.

The Kent Armstrong lipstick pickups I'm using I've had installed in my DC bass for a few years now and they are like night and day to the stock pickups. I got the hot wound pickups (7.9k vs. the standard 4.9k) and they really added a lot more low end and strength to the sound. I also got one reverse wound/polarity to cancel hum. Since I don't use the DC bass much anymore (bad neck) I'm using the Kents in this project.

That sounds like it might be an interesting experiment. Myself, I'd be concerned that with the much lighter body the heavy Fender headstock will make it neck dive. Lightweight tuners will help some. It might be worthwhile to try a different bolt on neck. I'm partial to the Carvin's myself. The neck pocket is a different dimension than Fender however.

I have a Danelectro DC which is a 34" scale with the typical Danelectro construction and their lipstick tube pickups. The pickups are my only complaint with the sound. It's a very light bass and a blast to play.

Reverends have weights in the body near the bridge

I've taken a few pictures for those interested. They're kind of big so I'll just post the links.

Here's the plywood body with a rough cut of the P-bass shape. Pretty soon I'll cut and sand it into shape.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0813.jpg)

Here's an angled view to show the thickness of the body.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0814.jpg)

Here's the bass with a few parts laid out.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0816.jpg)

Here's a front shot of neck of questionable origins which my dad cut into a Tele headstock.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0819.jpg)

Here's the back of the headstock showing off the cheap "Licensed by Schaller" tuners that came on the neck.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0818.jpg)

Here's a shot of the pickguard traced on a sheet of masonite, ready to be cut out.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0821.jpg)

I'll post this last picture on the board since I'm sure a lot of people will appreciate it. This is the bass I've been using as a reference for the Fender aspects of my project. It's a 1953 Fender P-bass which my grandpa bought brand new back in the day. He doesn't remember the original color since he repainted it as soon as he got it. It was passed on to my dad, who doesn't use it because the neck is too big for him. The first thing I'm going to do when it's eventually passed on to me is turn the bridge cover around. My dad likes it the way it is, but I think it's stupid looking.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/102_0824.jpg

It's coming along great and keep the photos coming. I'm starting my own retro style bass in a couple weeks (waiting on some materials) and this thread isn't helping my patience.

This is just rad. I've been wanting to try something similar but maybe countersinking the masonite into the body and painting the frame a different color from the masonite. I don't know if I have the skills for that level of precision yet.

One question for you. Why not just use the formica alone for the pickguard? I'm just thinking that mounting it on the masonite would make it end up being fairly thick. Since the pickguard isn't supporting any pickups or controls, you could just mount the cut formica right onto the body. Just a thought.

One question for you. Why not just use the formica alone for the pickguard? I'm just thinking that mounting it on the masonite would make it end up being fairly thick. Since the pickguard isn't supporting any pickups or controls, you could just mount the cut formica right onto the body. Just a thought.

Making the pickguard out of masonite and formica is exactly what Danelectro does. Since I'm trying to mix Fender and Dano, I'm making the Fender-shaped pickguard Dano style. The masonite is only 1/8" thick so it's only a little bit thicker than a standard 3-ply pickguard.

Makes sense, just thought I'd throw that out there. I can't wait to see the finished product. The 50's boomerang formica is going to be awesome. I've always wanted a kitchen table with that design but my wife never seems to agree with my home decor choices.

The Kent Armstrong lipstick pickups I'm using I've had installed in my DC bass for a few years now and they are like night and day to the stock pickups. I got the hot wound pickups (7.9k vs. the standard 4.9k) and they really added a lot more low end and strength to the sound. I also got one reverse wound/polarity to cancel hum. Since I don't use the DC bass much anymore (bad neck) I'm using the Kents in this project.

Hey, that's good to know. Are they a drop in replacement for the DC? That may be the answer for me. Luckily I've had no problems with the neck.

The stock DC tends to get lost in a full band setting.

This is going to be great. That's a really cool design and I can't wait to see it finished.

Hey, that's good to know. Are they a drop in replacement for the DC? That may be the answer for me. Luckily I've had no problems with the neck.

The stock DC tends to get lost in a full band setting.

They a direct replacement, but you may have to remove two copper pieces from the bottom of the pickup if you have a newer Dano (from '90s to now). You just unscrew two nuts and pull them off. They only thing is they're not cheap pickups. I paid about $80 each for them though you could probably do better on eBay. I admit it can be hard putting a lot of money into a cheap bass. I had to retire my DC because the neck needs to be completely redone or replaced, which I don't think is worth the money since I can get another DC bass off of eBay for around $300.

The 50's boomerang formica is going to be awesome.
I was originally going to paint the bass some vintage Fender color, like Sonic Blue, but when I found the boomerang pattern on Formica's website I couldn't resist. There was actually a time when Danelectro covered the bodies with Formica rather than painting them so it still fits into my Dano/Fender theme. I also think it has such an awesome retro vibe to it. Here's a nice close-up shot of it:
http://www.newretrodining.com/images/Aqua_Boomerang.jpg
I'm debating whether to get it in matte or glossy finish. Most, if not all, vintage Danos didn't have clear coat, just paint so the matte might be better. I'll be able to make up my mind once I get the samples from Formica.

I'm really interested to see how this turns out. I just missed a DC on Craigslist last week. I love the boomerang/lipstick look.

How thick is the body and how will you attach the vinyl on the sides?

Oh my, this is a NICE build. I can't wait to see it finished. Great ideas, I LOVE the Formica!

:bassist:

The "Fendelectro".

May I suggest this amendment to the pick guard for aesthetic purposes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/grommit/newguard.jpg
(I love the Formica.)

Cool!!
I just built a countertop a while ago with that exact formica.
I even had the notion to do a pickguard with it, but a whole top is even cooler! Very kitschy!
I wish I had a big enough piece of it left over to do something with.
I do have some smaller pieces though, so I could send you one if you want a bigger sample than the ones formica offers.

How thick is the body and how will you attach the vinyl on the sides?

The body is 1-7/16" and the masonite is 1/8" each so it'll total 1-11/16" thick. The vinyl will be glued on to cover the unfinished plywood, just like the vintage Danos.

The "Fendelectro".
I made the logo:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/fendelectro.jpg
I may actually use it.

May I suggest this amendment to the pick guard for aesthetic purposes.
I like where you're going, but that particular design doesn't quite look right to me. To be honest though, I thought I wouldn't but I actually like how the original pickguard looks on it.

Where did you find that font? I've been looking for one like that for the headstock of my Frankenbass.

And thanks for the info

They a direct replacement, but you may have to remove two copper pieces from the bottom of the pickup if you have a newer Dano (from '90s to now). You just unscrew two nuts and pull them off. They only thing is they're not cheap pickups. I paid about $80 each for them though you could probably do better on eBay. I admit it can be hard putting a lot of money into a cheap bass. I had to retire my DC because the neck needs to be completely redone or replaced, which I don't think is worth the money since I can get another DC bass off of eBay for around $300.

Thanks very much. Now I just have to decide if I like that DC that much.

Good luck with your creation. I'm very interested in how it all works out.

Where did you find that font? I've been looking for one like that for the headstock of my Frankenbass.

I wish it was a font. I actually made it in photoshop by using parts of the logo to make new letters. I can attempt to make the logo for you if you'd like.

I wish it was a font. I actually made it in photoshop by using parts of the logo to make new letters. I can attempt to make the logo for you if you'd like.

Only if you have the free time. Otherwise I'll open that up in photoshop and have a go at it myself. Thanks!

I made the logo:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/fendelectro.jpg
I may actually use it.



Nice work yet again. I feel honored to have christened it.

I would just make one tiny suggestion: Open up the top of first "E", or close the top of the second and third ones to better match. Other than that, I think the logo will look positively awesome, and trigger a considerable number of double takes.

Only if you have the free time. Otherwise I'll open that up in photoshop and have a go at it myself. Thanks!
Sure, I've got time. What do you want it to say, "Frankenbass" ?

EDIT: I went with my assumption of "Frankenbass". If that's what you wanted and you like it, I'll send you the hi-res version.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/frankenbass1.jpg

I would just make one tiny suggestion: Open up the top of first "E", or close the top of the second and third ones to better match.
This was actually intentional. Both of the different shaped E's came straight from the real logo (pictured below), since that's what I was working with. That particular Fender logo was handwritten so it's not suppose to look even.
http://brainfuel.tv/postimages/fender_logo.gif

Thanks again. Any new progress?

Thanks again. Any new progress?

My 20th birthday just passed yesturday and I'm using the money I got to buy an oscillating spindle sander from Harbor Freight. It'll be a huge help to finishing the shaping of the body as all I have right now is a horizontal spindle sander with nothing to rest the body against.

Very cool.

Pics?

After a while of waiting, I finally received my spindle sander from Harbor Freight last week. Things move a lot quicker when you have the right tools. I've sanded the body to shape and cut out the chambers. I also cut out the front and back masonites, the pickguard, and a template for the pickups. Here are some pictures.

Here's the sander I've been using:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0843.jpg

Here's the body as it is so far:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0846.jpg
A local wood worker (mostly cabinets and tables) was so impressed with my work, since it's my first time working with wood, that he offered me free use of his shop.

Here are the top and bottom pieces which will soon be glued to the body and routed to shape:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0852.jpg

Here's the pickguard:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0850.jpg
It still needs some fine tuning in the spots the spindle sander couldn't get to.

Here's the pickup template:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0849.jpg
There's a gap because the pickup's not sitting in it straight. It's actually a nice tight fit.

So that everything I've done so far. I'm getting ready to order about $100 worth of parts (electronics, knobs, control plate, etc.). I'll still be within the $300 limit I set for myself before I started the project.

Very cool! Can't wait to see more progress.

See now THIS is quite an interesting build.

Thanks for putting us through it!

any updates?

still working on it?

Sorry for the very long delay. I've just graduated from community college and now I'm in the awkward process of moving from my hometown of 18 years to the opposite side of the state, where I'll be continuing at Florida State University. Needless to say, I've been extremely busy making sure to pass all my classes and searching for an apartment. Anyways, even though I haven't done much, I have put the top and bottom on so now the wood portion of the body is complete. Here are pictures of the front, back, and side:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0982.jpg http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0983.jpg http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/starwa314/100_0988.jpg

I still need to do a little bit more sanding to get the outline closer to perfection, but it's otherwise complete. This may come to a bit of a disappointment to some of you, but because of money issues I've decided to paint the body rather than use formica. (Don't worry, though, as I'll eventually get around to doing a project with the formica, but probably a different body shape.) I'm thinking I might go back to my original idea of using a vintage Fender color, such as Sonic Bluehttp://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/reranchstore_1986_2281186 or Seafoam Green http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/reranchstore_1986_1849601. Maybe Dano's copper color would look cool.
http://guitarslam.com/media/catalog/gg05-thumb.jpg

I'm shooting to have this project completed by the end of June at the latest.

Seafoam Green!

-snip- This may come to a bit of a disappointment to some of you, but because of money issues I've decided to paint the body rather than use formica. -snip-

I say price the Formica and WE take up a collection via Paypal!

Anybody willing?

:hyper:

I might be up for a donation seeing as Dominic helped me out with a logo. I'm working on trying to buy some laminate from Reverend right now myself.

+1 on the donation idea, even though I won't be able to donate as I too am broke as a joke. I'd really like to see this bad boy done in formica, but if you can't, my vote is for the Dano Copper.

How much can a hunk of Formica cost?
Give us a ball-park idea.

They a direct replacement, but you may have to remove two copper pieces from the bottom of the pickup if you have a newer Dano (from '90s to now). You just unscrew two nuts and pull them off. They only thing is they're not cheap pickups. I paid about $80 each for them though you could probably do better on eBay. I admit it can be hard putting a lot of money into a cheap bass. I had to retire my DC because the neck needs to be completely redone or replaced, which I don't think is worth the money since I can get another DC bass off of eBay for around $300.


I was originally going to paint the bass some vintage Fender color, like Sonic Blue, but when I found the boomerang pattern on Formica's website I couldn't resist. There was actually a time when Danelectro covered the bodies with Formica rather than painting them so it still fits into my Dano/Fender theme. I also think it has such an awesome retro vibe to it. Here's a nice close-up shot of it:
http://www.newretrodining.com/images/Aqua_Boomerang.jpg
I'm debating whether to get it in matte or glossy finish. Most, if not all, vintage Danos didn't have clear coat, just paint so the matte might be better. I'll be able to make up my mind once I get the samples from Formica.

That pattern is a design by the great industrial designer Raymond Loewy. He did Studebakers, railroad engine streamlining and house hold appliances like toasters.In my kitchen I have a 1956 countertop with the same pattern but in a coral color. it needs to be replaced but I can't bring myself to remove it. Piece of history. Good luck with the project.

That pattern is a design by the great industrial designer Raymond Loewy.

Also responsible for the Coca-Cola bottle, Lucky Strike cigarette logo and so much more.

http://www.raymondloewy.com/index.php

Also responsible for the Coca-Cola bottle, Lucky Strike cigarette logo and so much more.

http://www.raymondloewy.com/index.php

Oh yeah! the man's work is in plain sight everywhere.

How much can a hunk of Formica cost?
Give us a ball-park idea.

No kidding. This is too cool not to support. I'm in for a donation, if you're willing to go through with it!

The OP could send me the bass and I'd be glad to finish off the project for a small fee of course:smug:

That pattern is a design by the great industrial designer Raymond Loewy. He did Studebakers, railroad engine streamlining and house hold appliances like toasters.In my kitchen I have a 1956 countertop with the same pattern but in a coral color. it needs to be replaced but I can't bring myself to remove it. Piece of history. Good luck with the project.

Wow...
Now it's even cooler!

My house was built in '48 and the wet bar in the basement has a similar top with a cream background. hmmmmm

My house was built in '48 and the wet bar in the basement has a similar top with a cream background. hmmmmm

Formica had a whole palette of colors available. I saw the catalog. There was a Loewy exhibit round here last year and it's amazimg what he contributed to everyday life. You've seen his work, but probably don't realize it was him

Wow, I didn't realize there was that much enthusiasm for this project. I'll gladly take donations once I get an exact price on the formica. I'll have to put the names of those who help me on the bass somewhere (probably the headstock).

Quick question: I want to put a bevel around the outline of the body, either rounded or 45 degrees. Would it be easier to put the formica on first and then bevel or bevel first and then put the formica on? Either way the beveled area won't be covered by the formica and will probably be painted black.

Put it on first and use a laminate trim bit for a router to bevel it.

Cool project I am just starting to consider doing a similar project but will probably buy a dano short scale neck.

May I suggest this amendment to the pick guard for aesthetic purposes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/grommit/newguard.jpg
(I love the Formica.)

That looks waaaaaaaaaay better.

That looks waaaaaaaaaay better.

Sorry, can't agree. IMO the upper part of the pg needs that little backwards curve by the pup to give it balance.

If not the formica, dano copper all the way! :D

Is it done yet? I gotta build one, fretless!

Yeah, what's the status on this?

I really like this idea and might attempt one this summer...very very cool looking.

Hey whatever happed to this build?I was searching for some dano specs on google and saw this thread.I just started a bass version of the danelectro pro-1. 32" scale neck pobably very similar to this build semi hollow laminated body with either masonite, a piece of white bommerang formica i have that's big enough for just the top or a piece of formica loke the reverends have i belive that textured fomica is called "sparkle".Pickups will be 2 lipsticktubes most likley from GFS.The one thing i need is a piece of the textured material like on the silvertone amp in case models.When i get a chance i'll post a few pics.

cool.

would also like to know what ever happened with this.

cool.

would also like to know what ever happened with this.

Me too!

Sorry for the lack of updates. I recently moved from my hometown of 18 years to the opposite side of the state to attend Florida State University. I haven't had the time or space to work on the project. The next holiday break I get I'll bust my ass on it and get it done. I won't let this project die.

I ended up with an un-routed Reverend body that will be my project for the near future. I still want to do a dano style from scratch some day.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I recently moved from my hometown of 18 years to the opposite side of the state to attend Florida State University. I haven't had the time or space to work on the project. The next holiday break I get I'll bust my ass on it and get it done. I won't let this project die.

Well keep us updated in this thread! :bassist: