Custom built Cooper P-bass

[GregoryC]

I have always loved the sound and feel of a Fender Precision bass, especially when played fingerstyle, with flatwound strings. In setting out to create an instrument that would do this extremely well, I collected my favorite parts and pieces over the past couple years. I finished constructing/assembling this bass this past spring. My goal was create a bass with both warmth and clarity, for it to be supple in feel, quick to play and have a strong, deep sound. I believe I achieved that. Here are the specs:

* The body is one piece of solid alder, finished in gloss natural (4 pounds and 13 ounces)
* The neck is Flamed Maple, with an Indian Rosewood fingerboard, 1 1/2" neck width at the nut, Corian nut, smaller vintage-style frets and Mother-of-Pearl dots
* Hipshot American Classic tuners with Oval (Lollipop) keys
* Lindy Fralin standard P-Bass pickup set (not over-wound or under-wound)
* Gotoh 201 bridge
* Multi-laminate Tortoiseshell pickguard (Tortoise/White/Black/White)
* CTS 250K potentiometers
* Switchcraft jack
* Vintage Russian military paper in oil capacitor .047
* Cloth-insulated wire
* Fully shielded with copper tape
* Thomastik JF344 Nickel Flatwound strings
* Total weight (with strings): 9 lbs. 8 oz.

Here is a link to a large number of pictures (with more available if interested):

MobileMe Gallery

This bass is in, well, essentially, new condition. It has not been taken out of my home since it was constructed and set-up. The back of the neck has been de-glossed (as seen in the last few pictures) and is very comfortable. I can ship this bass in either a hard shell rectangular case (seen in the pictures) or in a Levy's gig bag (CM8). I was asking $1350.00, now $1000.00.

Thanks for taking a look and please let me know if you have any questions.

[coronado3]

Beautiful Bass!!!! One question though... Are you sure it is alder? Looks like swamp ash... Either way, it has great grain pattern!

[GregoryC]

Thanks for taking a look at it.

I am absolutely, completely and totally positive this is alder. I am a big fan of alder bodies and selected this one specifically for it's reasonably light weight, interesting grain pattern, color and the fact that it is a single piece of wood. Alder does such nice things to the mid range of a bass.

[coronado3]

Yeah, I like alder better than swamp ash but I havent seen an alder body that looks this good! Probably because most alder bodies are headed for paint.
Wish I had the extra dough laying around....

[raal]

Congrats, this looks extremely well put together with a tasteful selection of parts.

[GregoryC]

Thanks for the positive comments, I really appreciate it.

I have been repairing and restoring instruments for many years but rarely have I put something together just for the fun of it. This was an interesting process and it would be nice for it to end up with someone that really enjoys playing it as much as I enjoyed seeing it come together.

[Coop Soup]

Great looking bass. I darn near feel obligated to buy this just because of the name on the headstock.

[GregoryC]

Thanks for checking it out.

... and a fine name it is!

[GregoryC]

Bump

[TFM53]

Nice bass,my compliments on a job well done!
T

[MacBass57]

One beautiful bass.

[GregoryC]

Thank you both. I wish it could heard and played as well as seen.

[GregoryC]

bump