Custom Performer/Supersonic bass

[JIO]

Got the neck yesterday and cut out the outline of the body.


before... and after

rotary truss-rod adjuster

the upper horn sits nicely at the 12th fret and overall length is 45.5", an 1" less than my Jazz bass - not bad for a 24 fret 34" scale neck!

just resting on the back at this point - checking alignment/scale - also can see the 2 piece Gibson style set-back headstock - no string tree needed

templates to visualize some scalloping options - the headstock face will stay natural w/the body colour at these scalloped areas


An interesting factoid came up when I picked up the neck from Dan (Ransom) - He commented how it had a Buzzard bass look, and it does - even if it wasn't my intent (which it wasn't). But here's where serendipity plays in; Dan was the luthier who worked on the original Buzzard bass that John Entwistle commissioned! He built the prototype neck and body from drawings that JE provided. After it was built Dan was at the NAMM show and JE was making a guest/artist appearance there. Dan loves the WHO and like me grew up listening to them starting w/"I can see for miles". He said that when JE walked up to him, the first words out of his mouth were "neck's too round". !!! After that was cleared up/biz done, Dan hung out w/JE for then next few hours there. Crazy small world we all live in.

[JIO]

Started work developing the belly contour. All hand tools (rasps/files and sandpaper) so far.



Also sanded the bevels in the headstock and rubbed a first coat of aged varnish to start the finishing process. Just wanted to see the look so far to see where I'm at. So far so good.



And a mock-up to start envisioning the final layout. I'm considering DiMarzio Ultra Jazz (hum-cancelling) pu's w/white covers. (very 80's) and some sort of white knobs if I can find some I like. Pick-guard color w/be determined last, after it's painted.

[kris pung]

That's looking GREAT

[Sharknose79]

Very cool !!!
Subscribed.

[TheEmptyCell]

Looks excellent, but have you thought about angling the pickups? Might look cool/ sound a little different than a standard J bass.

[daveman50]

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

Looks excellent, but have you thought about angling the pickups? Might look cool/ sound a little different than a standard J bass.

Agreed.

And - from your photo, it looks like your pole pieces will be wider than your string spacing -- ?

[NKBassman]

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

Looks excellent, but have you thought about angling the pickups? Might look cool/ sound a little different than a standard J bass.

Here's a vote for double-P pickups.

[JIO]

Some good points about pu's, as string spacing is an issue w/poled J's. Having each string land squarely between poles is ideal, but from what I know it is not critical. Options include angling the pu's to align pole spacing and minimally affect tone/sound, the double P's,(very retro 80's ,) using non-pole Lace J's, or soap-bars. So far I'm really leaning toward white J's and don't fancy the angle concept so that leaves the Lace-style, which I like (yes, very 90's...). I also will look into white soap-bars if they exist. (other than in the cleaning-supply isle! ) I could also paint some black soapbars, but don't think I want to deal w/pu's paint that will scratch off eventually from playing.

I created the front arm bevel, routed the edges, sanded a bit and put a coat of sanding-sealer on before more sanding and a little Bondo here and there. (the screw-eye is for hanging) Also think I want master V/stacked neck T-B/stacked bridge T-B controls, like my Auderie set-up on the J.., or not - depending on what I decide once I get to that point. 3 knobs for sure. I decided against white plastic knobs - just can't go there.



I laid it next to my J for comparison-sake. A 52yr old sexy grama next to a 32yr old hottie - As it turns out the seated position lower arch is pretty much aligned w/the J and the pu spacing and general location is similar as well - so far so good.

[JIO]

Looked into a few different companies who 'do white' pu's. I think unless I find something else, EMG X soapbars are what I want. They come in black, white and creme - no outboard screw-flanges (way easier to rout cavities and cut the pickguard openings) and no worries regarding strings lining-up. I've never liked EMG J's as I've used them in the past, but I do like the soapbars tonally and dynamically. Very punchy, crispy and dynamic. They're sold everywhere on line so finding the best price should be easy.

[kris pung]

I can't stop looking at this thing it's just awesome. Also I bet those curvy Delano Xtenders would look really cool on this bass.

[Stealth]

Were it my build, I'd make custom covers for those pickups that are in the same vein as the original Performer's ones.

[Yelo]

Absolutely love the shape of this thing!!!

[JIO]

Originally Posted by kris pung

I can't stop looking at this thing it's just awesome. Also I bet those curvy Delano Xtenders would look really cool on this bass.

Delano Xtenders?

[jloftin1]

[/quote]

Not to derail your build but, the pickguard on your Jazz is great. It looks so much better on a jazz than '50s P.

Oh and the build is pretty awesome as well

[JIO]

Originally Posted by jloftin1

Not to derail your build but, the pickguard on your Jazz is great. It looks so much better on a jazz than '50s P.

Oh and the build is pretty awesome as well

Thanks man - I'm "Jazzed" about the build myself! And the Jazz bass - I made that single ply matte black pg awhile back as a cross between a '51P and a Jazzmaster/Jag. Since then I've more recently done some chambering underneath it to lighten it up a bit. It's an awesome instrument, and if the Supersonic can achieve some of what it has - I'll be well pleased!

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Stealth

Were it my build, I'd make custom covers for those pickups that are in the same vein as the original Performer's ones.

I thought about it, as they are very unique and cool , so.., we'll see what develops.

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Yelo

Absolutely love the shape of this thing!!!

That was my initial draw to the Performer - sooo sexy! Ok, humor me here.., I've always felt that the Jazz bass, which intro'd in 1960 was a Jane Mansfield, Za Za Gabor, Marilyn Monroe sort of hip swinger (to compare curvousity). So what actress/movie star would be a reasonable comparison for the slinky Performer (born 1985) >? If you could download a pic to illustrate your choice/opinion, that would be best!

... oh, and keep it clean guys!

[pilotjones]

Originally Posted by JIO

That was my initial draw to the Performer - sooo sexy! Ok, humor me here.., I've always felt that the Jazz bass, which intro'd in 1960 was a Jane Mansfield, Za Za Gabor, Marilyn Monroe sort of hip swinger (to compare curvousity). So what actress/movie star would be a reasonable comparison for the slinky Performer (born 1985) >? If you could download a pic to illustrate your choice/opinion, that would be best!

... oh, and keep it clean guys!

Hmmm, what 80's chick had a pointy top and a curvy bottom?

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by pilotjones

Hmmm, what 80's chick had a pointy top and a curvy bottom?

Of course!

[kris pung]

Originally Posted by JIO

Delano Xtenders?

there elliptical pickups