PBuzz: Precision-like fretless frankenbass, 7-days build challenge

T-34 · #1 04-04-2013, 05:59 AM

Hello everybody, how's going

In addition to another PB-like mod project ( Converting PB to PBoom! ), I am assembling another Precision look-a-like bass, but fretless this time.
I've made myself a challenge to finish it in 7 days (I need it to be ready for rehearsal and gigs very soon)

Today is the sixth day already, sorry I haven't had enough time to post daily pics here on Talkbass, was busy working on it and posting updates on french onlybass.com forum

I have few spare minutes today at work

, will post few pics here for you guys too

So, I am assembling the bass from an aftermarket PB-like body and "Hohner" fretless neck.

Day 1
Working on the neck: filling worn-out screw holes and redrilling new ones,

Day 2
Fine-sanding the body
Putting the tuners on (tuners are basic Stewmac "adjustable tension")

Day 3
Staining/painting the body. I used thinned acrylic paint applied with a brush, and I fix it with few coats of furniture oil (a laquier-oil mix close to Tru-oil)

Day 4
Cutting out a control cavity cover. Other than that there will be no pickguard.
At this point I wasn't decided yet on the control plate colour, and made two: one black and another tortoise.
(spoiler alert: the black have won

)

Day 5
Few more coats of the oil.
Comparing two control plates:

T-34 · #2 04-04-2013, 06:37 AM

Day 6

Electronics!

Going with a full-passive setup with a twist

Two caps: 0.1 for vintage "boom" and 0.01 to enchance fretless-loving mid frequencies, choosen by push-pull tone switch.
The tone pot in its fully open position shorts the signal to two limiting diodes, producing passive overdrive. I've already used this wiring before on basses and guitars: the overdrive can only be heard whith the pot turned fully clockwise, otherwise it has no effect whatseoever.

shaginwagin · #3 04-04-2013, 06:57 AM

Nice work! I like the tort control plate. Black strings would look cool too.

I'm working on a p refin myself. I like the finish you selected. I like seeing the grain exposed like that. I've got the same thing planned but in a different color with a full pickguard.

T-34 · #4 04-04-2013, 07:02 AM

There will be black strings, your wish was heard

T-34 · #5 04-04-2013, 07:07 AM

I concidered full pickguard, but decided to go with "control plate only" beacause 1) I had plastic offcuts lying around and 2) I always liked basses with this kind of control plates, like older G&L's

shaginwagin · #6 04-04-2013, 10:36 AM

Yesssssss

Mojo-Man · #7 04-04-2013, 11:59 AM

I like the look, without pickguard.
Very nice.

T-34 · #8 04-04-2013, 04:08 PM

Day 7 : the last one

Its over, I've assembled whatever was not assembled yet, soldered the pickup to the electronics and put the strings on: everything worked right from the start, cool!

I'll wait a little to let the strings and the neck settle down, then I'll fine-tune the action and the intonation.

I'll have plenty of time the next week to know it better: I have rehearsals and gigs coming very soon, and this bass will be extensively used