Hot Rodding

RkdJehova · #1 07-23-2011, 01:09 PM

So a few months ago, a friendof mine was moving out of his place and found a Memphis P-style bass. This thing was dirty, ugly, and somebody had played the everloving hell out of it. He plugged it up and got a lot of static. Then he called me up and asked if I wanted it. I figured it would make a good project for some spare change stuff down the road.

Down the road has come, and I finally got down to it. A few quick purchases here on TB (another thanks to all sellers), and I was on my way. First, an overview.

The bass had three no-name tuning pegs and a schaller tuning machine thrown in that was missing its peg. You know, just for good measure.

All the hardware was rusted out. The pots are, as far as I can tell, original equipment and I'm guessing this thing is from somewhere in the mid 80's. When I took the broken and battered pickguard off (sorry I didn't snap a pic of it before I tossed it. It was broken at the input jack area), the wiring literally fell apart at my touch. And it was all dirty. Like... really dirty.

Luckily, the neck is made from some heavy maple and it is still straight as an arrow. Truss rod seems to be in good shape too. After a good strip down (sans cleaning), I've got a gutted bass

Now, I've always been a fan of well-worn basses. That cool natural relic work is difficult to pull off without the true long-time playing unless you're a pro. I'm not a pro. So I figured I would sand the hell out of a few spots And leave it at that.

So, not wanting to drop too much change into something like this project, I purchased a Fender Deluxe P pup and bridge for $30 from a fellow TBer, then went and got some DiMarzio 500k pots and a new DiMarzio jack. Going by the way the original wiring setup was done, I used my trusty iron and some rosin core solder to get it all wired together. I used some spare copper-core trailer wire I had laying around.

After mounting the pup and hardware in, I tried throwing a pickguard I had laying around from an old pbass project gone by on it. No dice, it was too small. So I took the one off my actual P to try. It didn't fit right either. Interesting problem, but seeing as the entire point of this bass is to be a cheap hot-rod project, in stead of buying a guard, I decided to cut some small segments out of veneer to screw on and mount my new badass skull knobs. (also a TB purchase) I'll be cutting those segments tonight, but plan on leaving the wiring exposed for the most part. I may cut out a piece to surround the pups too. Dunno yet.

But that's as far as I am now. More to come!

RkdJehova · #2 07-28-2011, 01:18 PM

Update:

So, after browsing home depot for a bit, I found a nice sheet of 3 ply, thin, flat siding that I decided looked nice. I put a thin spaced under the pups so they sit closer to the strings, and because the wood is going to be thicker than a normal pickguard. I chose to go with a dark Jacobean stain on the guard, and on the first template (i'm cutting three, the first just to get measurements), the stain turned out great but a red tint revealed itself. I still think the red tint looks alright with it, and being a frankenbass, I'm fine with a little imperfection.

With everything pretty much done, (making the final guard tonight), I should have a finished product by my next rehearsal. I'm super stoked to unveil this thing.

RkdJehova · #3 07-28-2011, 02:31 PM

A few pictures that i'm finally able to upload:

lowendgenerator · #4 07-28-2011, 02:33 PM

Nice!

Pilgrim · #5 07-28-2011, 05:23 PM

I think you're gonna have a nice project outcome!

RkdJehova · #6 07-28-2011, 11:04 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, and any of you who may happen to be in between, I have completed my task. After a little setup job, she is complete and sounds better than any stock memphis ever made. The pickup was a good choice, but i'll probably replace it with a hand wound as soon as possible. I like the rugged look that it ended up with. Looks like it's been played like hell and the Ringbolts with carabiner straplocks (reeeeedneck) just kinda top it off for me.

Here are the completed photos:

RkdJehova · #7 07-29-2011, 10:42 AM

Update on playability:

I've got the action set low now, but I need a new nut for the neck. A D G string grooves are fine, but the E groove has been worn too deep. I have a small segment of folded paper in it now that gave it good enough height to play.

One other thing, you can slap, but no popping because the guard is too thick. Good thing im not much of a slap and pop player

RkdJehova · #8 08-20-2011, 02:35 PM

Having gone through a few practices, I can honestly say thing thing plays like a dream for only having around 70 our so bucks in it. I definitely need to get a new nut for it, but I can't find anywhere that will let me order any nut material. (Suggestions are welcome, please!)

Other than that, she's about as good as you can expect, if not more so. Through my GB head and ampeg cab, the tone this puppy cranks out is out freakin standing.