Refreshing an Old Friend (MIM P-Bass rebuild/refinish)

[gimp]

All the clear is done. Now I get to wait. Here are two shots to show the "range" of colors this thing takes on:




And one more mockup. For those following along, I do have a question.

I think I like the balance of the black to the rest of the bass (the blocks help), but I am thinking about a chrome bridge cover. Does anyone know if the "SQUIER 60s
BASS BRIDGE PICKUP COVER" (part number 007-7335-000) fits over the BadAss II bridge - http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/b...e_ashtrays.htm Evidently those basses had a "high mass bridge" on them.

Here is the last mockup:

[jaxstarke]

Man, you are getting NO help on this thread. I feel for ya'. Looks good though. Keep it up.

[phaze1todd]

I highly doubt an ashtray will fit over a badass. You might have to go back to a stock style. The Sheehan Wife has a Schaller under the ashtray.

[klaus486]

I'd say it would not cover that bridge. The BA is significantly larger than a stock Fender bridge.

Nice looking bass bro!

[klaus486]

Bass players deserve more spot light so I'm bringing my own from now on!


This is what I get for leaving my TB logged in while at work!

[gimp]

Still waiting to sand and polish, but new bits and pieces have been coming in.

On a gamble I bought the bridge cover I mentioned earlier:

Originally Posted by gimp

"SQUIER 60s
BASS BRIDGE PICKUP COVER" (part number 007-7335-000)

And, which I haven't bolted anything down to the bass, it looks like it might just work. It is wide enough and tall enough. The only question will be how far back it will sit on the bass once it is bolted together and strung up. It will sit further back than if it was stock, but not bad at all. Part of the bridge will stick out of the front of the cover, but not much, and in black, you may not notice.

After it's polished and strung, I'll see if I can get away with installing it. I actually like the idea of it sitting further back, considering where my hand ends up when I'm picking.

[gimp]

So, after playing around with the cover (and I still might end up using it), I decided that I should just get rid of the Badass bridge. It just didn't look "right" with the way this bass is coming together. It's for sale (FS: Black Badass II Bridge) for anyone who is interested.

So, as a replacement, I ordered this guy:



Just 15 more days until I can polish and start to put things together.

[tdub0199]

Looking good!!!

[Andii Syckz]

Those brass saddles might give you an overall better tone. I love the squier classic vibe series cause the tone is just amazing. it has that magic ring to it from the brass saddles. it's great. Keep it up man, the bass looks killer!!

[ChloroPhil315]

This would look great with all black knobs!

[xray]

Keep the classic look going with one of these knob types:
http://www.warmoth.com/Round-Top-Dome-C823.aspx

[gimp]

I currently have the "round top chrome" knobs. Should look cool with the new bridge. Black knobs would be cool with the black bridge.

[gimp]

Quick weekend update. I just couldn't wait anymore...

The truth is, the bass needs a nut cut, and I had to work around my luthier's schedule, so this weekend I did the color sanding, buffing, and final assembly. It looks just plain awesome. I love the brass saddles so much I doubt I'll mount up the cover.

So, I didn't last a full 30 days, but the paint stopped off-gassing a while back. I think it will all work out.

This thing came out just how I wanted. A few of the old battle scars were left behind (intentionally) in what was left of the old finish, and they came right through. Basically a "light" relic job. I love it.

Good photos will come after it's all strung up.

[gimp]

I did take one quick picture after shielding.



I did have to trim it up a little bit to keep it from showing, and I did add some electrical tape inside the cavity near the input jack, as it was a tight fit and I didn't want to copper to make contact.

[gimp]

Thanks to the mods for moving this to the right place!

[gimp]

Got it back today! Just in time for my gig tonight. Phil from Philtone set it up with super low action. It absolutely sings.

[tonybassman]

Looks great, love the block inlays.

[PipeRain]

That is hella cool! Funny thing is, I've got a white bass that I am now considering making black.

[DougBass]

Awesome!

[gimp]

Thanks!