is it possible on a P-bass body...

ghostjs · #1 10-28-2008, 08:21 PM

to put a Humbucker Pick-up in place of the P pick-up by cutting out the shape of it???

i wanna know cause i want to build my own custom P-bass and the one i saw on Guitar Center (Big Block Series P-Bass) had an ugly Humbucker and not to mention $800... way outta my budget...

also can a guitar-repairer do that for me? i plan on putting in a passive Music Man style Humbucker (Seymour Duncan SMB 4a)

The BurgerMeister · #2 10-28-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostjs

is it possible on a P-bass body to put a Humbucker Pick-up in place of the P pick-up by cutting out the shape of it???

yes.

**line6man** · #3 10-28-2008, 08:39 PM

All you need to do is find a competent luthier who does routing, and have him route a MM pickup on your bass.

62bass · #4 10-29-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostjs

to put a Humbucker Pick-up in place of the P pick-up by cutting out the shape of it???

i wanna know cause i want to build my own custom P-bass and the one i saw on Guitar Center (Big Block Series P-Bass) had an ugly Humbucker and not to mention $800... way outta my budget...

also can a guitar-repairer do that for me? i plan on putting in a passive Music Man style Humbucker (Seymour Duncan SMB 4a)

Or you could order the body from Warmoth and specify to Warmoth what pickup routing you want. Much cheaper though to start with a cheaper bass and have someone route it. You might need to get a new pick guard too and have it routed.

ghostjs · #5 10-29-2008, 04:14 PM

ok so i route the pick-guard also? i found a body for $150 on ebay with already a black finish is that ok or do you suggest i get an unfinished one? (i dont like spending money)

Vynns · #6 10-29-2008, 04:31 PM

Maybe you could jones around for a used G&L L-1000? Don't know precisely what they go for, I think anywhere from €300,- to €700,- (someone correct me if I'm wrong). That sounds like it's almost what you want, if you can find one in your budget. Maybe even better. I know I want one.

ghostjs · #7 10-30-2008, 10:19 AM

the problem is, i cant find any G&L L1000s anywhere... and i wanna customize my own bass...

so again, should i buy the finished body or unfinished???

JimmyM · #8 10-30-2008, 11:25 AM

Doesn't matter. A good luthier can rout either.

lonote · #9 10-30-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostjs

ok so i route the pick-guard also? i found a body for $150 on ebay with already a black finish is that ok or do you suggest i get an unfinished one? (i dont like spending money)

No offense meant, but from the tone of your posts it looks like you have no idea how to do this project. If you are a beginner to power tools and/or soldering irons, I strongly suggest you either do some research or have a competent luthier do this one for you. I mean this helpfully, not as a smartass. A luthier would charge you less than $100 to do the labor, the cost of the pickup would be extra.

KeithPas · #10 10-30-2008, 11:57 AM

Follow the advice in this thread, get someone qualified to do it for you. If you are set on doing it yourself get a less expensive bass body from ebay (I have paid as little as $40.00 shipped for a cheap but solid P bass body). Do you have the Basslines pickup?

ghostjs · #11 10-30-2008, 02:26 PM

my bad, it sounds like im doing it myself, no im not, i have a luthier and i just need to know what work needs to be done and if i should have a finished body or unfinished.

KeithPas · #12 10-30-2008, 03:00 PM

THis ought to be a cool project, post pics when its done. PM me if you need parts, I have a bunch.

Pilgrim · #13 10-30-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonote

No offense meant, but from the tone of your posts it looks like you have no idea how to do this project. If you are a beginner to power tools and/or soldering irons, I strongly suggest you either do some research or have a competent luthier do this one for you. I mean this helpfully, not as a smartass. A luthier would charge you less than $100 to do the labor, the cost of the pickup would be extra.

I was about to write the same advice. The original question wasn't even asked in the right terms...which tells me that this is not familiar territory. See a luthier.

ghostjs · #14 10-30-2008, 03:14 PM

i said last post i got one... but anyhow, i got a lot planned out now and im saving up for the parts,i just need to know if its ok for me to have a finished body or unfinished body.

KeithPas · #15 10-30-2008, 04:27 PM

I would go with a finished body. A competent luthier will not have any trouble doing the necessary work for your project. PM me if you need parts for this project, I have P bass stuff and pickups in my parts drawer.

ghostjs · #16 10-30-2008, 05:12 PM

thanks keith, i miht not need part cause my friend is selling me a full p-bass really cheap but there mig be some parts i might ask for, so thanks!

ghostjs · #17 10-31-2008, 01:03 PM

hey.. is it ok if buy a squier P-bass? cause someone can sell me one for like $75 but im afraid the neck pocket wont fit the Mighty Mite neck i plan to buy.

WarriorJoe7 · #18 10-31-2008, 01:07 PM

I have a pj bass body for sale here for $125 plus shipping. With a pickguard you could turn the precision pickup route into another shape and have a jazz pickup at the bridge.

It WILL fit a mighty mite neck...

FS/FT 80's Chandler P bass body P/J fits Fender (overseas ok)

ghostjs · #19 10-31-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

I have a pj bass body for sale here for $125 plus shipping. With a pickguard you could turn the precision pickup route into another shape and have a jazz pickup at the bridge.

It WILL fit a mighty mite neck...

FS/FT 80's Chandler P bass body P/J fits Fender (overseas ok)

i dunno, i was looking for a P set up only not a P/J set up. thanks anyways

Eilif · #20 10-31-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostjs

i said last post i got one... but anyhow, i got a lot planned out now and im saving up for the parts,i just need to know if its ok for me to have a finished body or unfinished body.

Either is fine. With a finished body there is the danger that when they route out for the new pic, the paint around the cut will crack, but a good luther can do it.

When the area routed is going to be under a pickguard, it's even less of a worry, as it doesn't matter much what finish get's chipped.

Good luck with the project. I'd much rather have a bass with a humbucker in the mid position like yours or an L-1000, than a bass with a humbucker in the bridge position like a big-block or a Musicman.