I just finished assembling a super cheap (inexpensive) but really great P-Bass!

[Deaj]

I have been playing EBMM Bongo basses exclusively since 2005. They do so many things so well, they play so effortlessly, and they sound so good that I decided to sell off my P-Bass and my Roscoe LG3000. I've had no regrets to date.

I decided last year that it might be nice to have a beater P-Bass around, something with very little money into which I have very little money tied up. I began searching ebay, craigslist, forums, etc. for quality parts at bargain prices. Over time I have scored some incredible deals. During this time I had occasions to demo Squire's Classic Vibe series P-Bass models, the 60's model in particular. All of the CV 60Vs P-Basses I played were more than adequate for my project so I added this bass and its body & neck to my parts list search. I scored a like new 60's CV P-Bass neck a short while ago and I just purchased a Fiesta Red 60's CV P-Bass body (great vintage Fender custom color!).

Here's a list of the parts I've purchased or owned from earlier projects:
*The aforementioned Squier CV body and neck
*A 3-ply parchment pickguard
*USA Fender reissue reverse-wind tuners
*USA Fender string tree
*USA Fender reissue split coil pickup
*USA Fender Deluxe P-Bass bridge
*USA Fender mounting screws for pickguard and hardware
*Fender neck mounting plate (part already on hand)
*CTS pots, paper in oil capacitor, Switchcraft output jack, and cloth insulated interconnect wire (parts already on hand)
*Dunlop Strap-Locks (part already on hand)
*Soft, padded leather strap (part already on hand)

My total investment at this point is just a hair below $175, spread out over a years time. Patience really paid off here!

All I have left to do is to install at this point is a pair of P-Bass control knobs (should be here Tuesday). It's otherwise complete. How'd it turn out?

It's a far better instrument than I had expected to be perfectly honest. I figured that it would likely end as good as or better than a Classic Vibe P-Bass. It sounds like a great 60's P-Bass and it plays effortlessly! Not much more to say than that.


Here's a quick cell phone pic:


As a side note I've always wondered how close a Bongo H/H could be made to sound like a P-Bass. I played them side by side for a bit and to my surprise I was able to get the Bongo to sound close enough to render the P-Bass redundant. It's not 100% there but one would be hard pressed to tell the difference live or recorded.

I'm really very pleased with the outcome of this project. Though I could flip the bass for a few bucks profit I've no desire to let it go. My brother (fantastic guitar player!) is thinking about learning to play bass so I'm going to ship the newly built P-Bass out to him on loan for a while.

[mfbolton]

Congrats on your patience and your very cool parts P-Bass!

[M.R. Ogle]

Very nice! A hundred and seventy-five is very inexpensive for a bass with those good components, you must be quite the bargain-hunter!

[Steve Dallman]

I have some nice basses, and play a Variax 5 string primarily, but a couple years ago, put together a Musicman knockoff, and did so very cheaply. I used a very light Silvertone P body. I purchased 4 bodies on Ebay for $24, shipping included...two strat bodies and two P bass bodies. None turned out to be plywood, and the P bodies were extremely light. All were likely Asian Silvertones and had been scrapped due to paint scrapes and/or chips.

I bought a cheap 4 conductor MM pickup, cheap preamp, OLP bridge and control plate, cheap 5 string Eden neck and put the bass together for around $100.

It's my backup bass, and after my Variax got severely damaged in a car accident, it became my main bass for the year it took to get my Variax back together. It sounds great, feels great, and plays great. I don't know if it sounds like a MM but it sounds danged good.

I've since changed to a black pickguard, and straightened the pickup. I need to repaint the bass as the red lacquer I used has been too soft.

[Alicebass]

whoa! cool.

[t77mackie]

That's a sweet bass for $175! Can you upload a soundcloud / youtube video so we can hear it? Maybe a side-by-side with the Bongo?


^That little guy has the same bass!

[Runnerman]

Deaj...curious what settings on the Bongo you used to get the P sound.
Thx.

[M.R. Ogle]

Now, can you show us how to put together a super-cheap ($175 or less) Bongo? I'd be all over that!!!

[t77mackie]

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

Now, can you show us how to put together a super-cheap ($175 or less) Bongo? I'd be all over that!!!

[Salamenster]

Aight.

[Deaj]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallman

I have some nice basses, and play a Variax 5 string primarily, but a couple years ago, put together a Musicman knockoff, and did so very cheaply. I used a very light Silvertone P body. I purchased 4 bodies on Ebay for $24, shipping included...two strat bodies and two P bass bodies. None turned out to be plywood, and the P bodies were extremely light. All were likely Asian Silvertones and had been scrapped due to paint scrapes and/or chips.

I bought a cheap 4 conductor MM pickup, cheap preamp, OLP bridge and control plate, cheap 5 string Eden neck and put the bass together for around $100.

It's my backup bass, and after my Variax got severely damaged in a car accident, it became my main bass for the year it took to get my Variax back together. It sounds great, feels great, and plays great. I don't know if it sounds like a MM but it sounds danged good.

I've since changed to a black pickguard, and straightened the pickup. I need to repaint the bass as the red lacquer I used has been too soft.

This is pretty slick! Nice build

[Deaj]

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

Now, can you show us how to put together a super-cheap ($175 or less) Bongo? I'd be all over that!!!

I sure wish I could. I'd like to add a 5-string H/H, a 4-string H, and a 4-string fretless H/H. At $175 each I'd do all three today (at a $3,700 savings too). Somehow I doubt this going to happen.

[Orangeclawhamme]

I tried to find a link to John Entwistle's Frankenbass. The color was even close to yours. I think he would be proud of you.

[aasti3000]

Nice!!!

[Deaj]

Originally Posted by Orangeclawhamme

I tried to find a link to John Entwistle's Frankenbass. The color was even close to yours. I think he would be proud of you.

I don't think I've seen that bass. I'll have to look for it online.

Originally Posted by aasti3000

Nice!!!

Thanks!


I put new Bass Slinkys on the Bongo (same strings I strung the P-Bass with) and compared the two basses again. I can get the Bongo to sound close to the P-Bass but not quite close enough to let the P-Bass. Every time I plug this bass in I like it more.