This bass was a custom build with Rod at Regenerate Guitar Works that then became his Heritage Series. (
http://regenerateguitarworks.com/?page_id=341 ) It is based around the visual vibe of a 5-string 1951 Tele Single Coil Precision type bass and can operate completely passive as you'd expect, but also has all of the appointments of a modern active bass and can also operate as you'd expect an active bass to.
(The bass now has a custom Nordstrand Dual Coil in the bridge slot rather than the FatStack the first photo's show)
Rod's signature and notation of #1 Heritage model build, date, etc is both in the neck pocket and on the butt of the neck where it bolts to the body.
Pictures first, then description of the build.
And here's a few in-progress shots from when it was being built.
Build Spec's:
BODY
- '51P style/size body with 5-string neck pocket
- Alder 2-piece construction, rear routed
- No forearm contour ( homage to original '51 P-basses)
- Truss Rod adjustment is at base of neck under pickguard. This was an aesthetic visual choice to avoid the big pickguard hole for easier truss rod adjustment. Neck has neck inserts, so removing neck to adjust truss rod has no threat of stripping screw holes, etc)
- Rear tummy contour
- Drilled for Hipshot Type B 5-string 18mm bridge
- Dual battery box cavity
- Finished in gloss white metal flake (finish can appear stark bright white, or more creamish depending on lighting environment)
NECK
- 5-string 34" scale, 21 frets plus zero-fret
- neck bolt inserts
- 1-3/4" nut width
- .800" C contour
- Birdseye Maple w/ Birdseye Maple Fretboard
- 16" fretboard radius
- 1/8" flat bottom nut slot
- Custom Regenerate headstock retaining vintage Tele vibe
- White pearloid blocked neck
- 6125 frets
- 5 in-line Hipshot BG7 styled tuners
- Rolled fretboard edges
- Clear satin finish with Regenerate Guitar Works logo - Oil/Wax finish on back of neck (shown in photos... no real visual difference)
ELECTRONICS / HARDWARE
- Nordstrand 5-string SCPB + Dual Coil combo (with Series/SingleCoil/Parallel switch)
- Nordstrand 3-band with V/V + Tone (pull passive) + Mid (pull freq) + Treble/Bass (active)
- Custom Pearloid White/Black/White pickguard
- Hipshot Ultralight Tuners
- Hipshot Type B 18mm bridge
- Chrome Hardware
- Dunlop strap-locks
- Active/Passive with 250k passive tone pot w/Sprague Orange Drop .047uf cap
- Copper foil shielding, all seams soldered
- Currently strung with brand new D'Addario Nickel Wound EXL-170's
This bass has been gigged steady since I receive it last June. Any dings or scratches I can find are shown in the photo's... dimple in finish at top edge where right arm comes over bass, small scratch on lower back side by cavity cover, and tiny finish crack by one neck bolt.
With the electronics and setup on the bass it can go either fully passive and old single coil precision sounding, or with the active engaged it can go more modern with full tonal control while retaining passive tone roll off control while in active mode.
With all the custom details on this bass beyond the normal Heritage series this bass would run around $3400 to have built new.
I keep streamlining my rig and stable of instruments further and further, and I just never use the vintage vibe that the '51P neck pickup provides. When I had it built I thought I needed that potential vintage vibe at my fingertips, but have came to terms that I'm a humbucker, jazz, punchy tone guy.
I have the Wolf Pak padded polyfoam case that Rod delivered the bass in, or am willing to work with buyer to ship the bass in the case of their choosing and we'll work out the money aspect depending.
FS: $1400 shipped inside U.S. Payment via USPS Money Order. Ask for arrangements if you'd like to pay another way.
FT: No 6-strings. Willing to trade down and get money. Presonus StudioLive16, Allen & Heath MixWizard3 16:2, Peavey Cirrus, Musicman Bongo or Sterling or Musicman, Yamaha TRB's, Steinberger, Lakland 55-01 or 55-02
A college student can't go any farther down than ramen every day!
