Frankenbass

[kristlik]

I was given an old Samick bass (fender style head, active p-style pups-3 pups 1 toggle switch) that my nephew picked up at a pawn shop for $20. The wiring needs work/repair (read it doesn’t play), there is one tuner that doesn't match, the covers are off the back, and the roughed up finish and stickers give it that well used/abused look.

But I was wondering if trying to resurrect this bass from the dead, might not be a good way to get some firsthand knowledge of bass maintenance repair, with out the worries of ruining a bass.

I was thinking of new: bridge, pups, pots, electrical, nut and tuner--or is this a waste of time and money that would be more profitable (as far as a learning experience with better possible results) invested in another project?

Do you have any suggestions on what parts to use, and places to find them for this project?

[Jimbow]

I think you'd be better off buying an SX and modding that with a new bridge. Just IMO.

[vintager]

Originally Posted by Jimbow

I think you'd be better off buying an SX and modding that with a new bridge. Just IMO.

+1 im afraid..

putting money and time to changing hardware is worth only in case of having rewarding fundament in what has left - really good body and neck (and their joint). what i would do with that bass to save it is some lower-budget experiments with various strings.. pickup placements and finishes.

[Bryan316]

Can you throw up some pics of this thing? I'd want to see what kind of shape the neck is in, the joint at the body, if there are worn-out frets or dead fret buzzing... that kinda thing. If the bass is fundamentally sound and doesn't have any "unrepairable" problems that a rookie couldn't handle, then it's not worth it. But I'd have to see it to determine that.