My first creation

[vintager]

Hi,

So im finally posting this, despite the bass has a neck from 97 MIM p-bass because i still don't have enough time to work on new neck.
After few years of messing around with basses this is the first one i decided to make from the scratch. Idea was a '62 based jazz vibe bass - but not an exact replica. I love the look and playability of old Fenders but i was not into making people think its a real deal or something. (It doesnt even has a pickguard holes). All turned out pretty good and i'm very satisfied, plays great (i like that P neck.. looks like a B width so its not far from jazz). I can't put it down (it was finished on Christmas..) and i really learned a lot building it.

here's a summary :

- alder 2-piece tight-grained body
- custom mixed aged oly-whitish nitro (can't reproduce real shade on pics..) weather checked and 'reliced'
- Fender Original Vintage pups
- Gotoh 201 bridge ( yes..worn ! lol ) + fender saddles
- neck plate, control plate, strap buttons from Fender (aged)
- copper star shielding, vol. control only
- 1997 MIM P neck (worn back side, rolled edges, fret redress..)

Neck is to be changed as soon as i'll be able to work on new.. but it plays much better than on old P and im happy with it for now.

- Ernie Ball .50 Flats


I would like to thank 'mother' talkbass (especially the luthier's corner) and 'uncle' bravewoodguitars.co.uk (my bookmarked fetish site ) for all the knowledge and inspiration. Any comments appreciated.

all the best,

mike

[Trevorus]

Ok, that thing is awesome. It's what fender relics SHOULD look like.

[ZolkoW]

really cool, man!
Are you sure, the body is alder? on the secont pic it looks like ash to me... who cares, anyway?
great finish.

on thing: the headstock seems to be too "new" for that body!

[vintager]

thanks for both reactions,

when i saw that piece for the first time i thought its ash because of that tight grain and weight but after more detailed examination and call with the furniture builder that i got it from i was sure it is alder, just a pretty dense grained. and it doesnt look that dense everywhewe..

and headstock.. yes, but i decided not to spend time on it because this neck is not permanent.. i may let the acids work on the tuners someday but im looking forward to build a whole new neck with clay dots, nitro, etc..

[SirBass]

VERY cool!

if you don't mind me asking, How did you relic the hardware?

[vene-nemesis]

Originally Posted by SirBass

VERY cool!

if you don't mind me asking, How did you relic the hardware?

+1 answer us!

[vintager]

not much of alchemy, nobody told me big secrets .. i just realized what works on certain parts. metal oxidates best when exposed to acids combinated with oxygen, so i used hydrochloric acid vapors. plastic parts and nitro finishes are yellowing under UV light. weather checking is done by quick temperature changes so i choosed some kind of compressed air can wich was freezing cold near the nozzle. and also much of fine grit sandpaper and steelwool.. thats it. important thing is to have a well cured nitro finish and be patient during the 'scratch work', you have to think about every hit..each one has to be reasonably placed according to wear of old instruments. i'm no expert, keep in mind this is my first project and all words above are just my logical jugdements..

cheers,

mike

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Ok, that thing is awesome. It's what fender relics SHOULD look like.

Biiiig +1.

AWESOME job.