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The Fenderbird begins....

Eilif

Eilif

Grooving under the MDW runway.
Oct 1, 2001
9,756
9,645
Chicago
#1
Final update:
Finished bass here:
NBD. Cheap Parts Fenderbird. Could be alot worse!

Update May 19th I got a friend to take some in-progress shots. Page 2, post 40.

I've mentioned in a few previous threads my interest in building a Fenderbird on a budget. Well...

Today this arrived at work

NBD. Cheap Parts Fenderbird. Could be alot worse!

as did this
Link Removed


An epiphone Goth t-bird body with bridge, pickguard, neckplate and control cavity cover, and an "eden" pbass neck. I'm pleased with both items, but it should be noted that the Eden neck is not traditional Fender measurements. It's got an extra fret and an extra quarter inch or so of length. No matter for me though, since I have to enlarge the neck pocket anyway.

Tonight I...

1)Enlarged the neck pocket (lots of slow work with a dremel)
2)Removed all hardware

I already have a set of Black Schaller traditional tuning machines, and new black pickguard screws are on the way. I will be ordering a pair of Mighty Mite soaps for it as well.

Steps coming up..

1)A heat gun is on the way from Grizzly so I can start stripping the body.

2)Then the body goes off to my step-brother-in-law for a refin. Color to be determined after seeing what lies under the wood.


I don't have a camera, so I won't have many (probably not any) in process pics, but I'll find some way to photograph the end results for you all.
 
Last edited:
#6
I just scanned the Frankenbass thread and someone posted pics of a really accurately done Fenderbird, gave me a twinge of gas pains,it was nice, I left moping how badly I could use one of those. I'm also a longtime student of all things Entwistle but I'm a stupid purist, always dug T-Birds and just couldn't get around cutting one up to bolt a Fender (which I also dig) neck on it. I've even built my own T-bird replica with a neck and scale based on Fender Precision specs. But now Epi supplies a body with a neck pocket?! Holy cats! Could it be any easier? Looking forward to seeing your project done. Great idea! good luck with the project!
 
#7
I liove FenderBirds!

Picture%20447.jpg


fb5%20044.jpg
 
#8
Thanks Sam,
If I can swing the funds, I'm definatley going to try and get a camera.

Ric 5,
I knew those pics would show up sooner or later.:D Your work was very inspiring to me as I considered this project.

REd 5,
Thanks for your interest. I hope you are not too much of a purist. This is on-the cheap, so the elements I was able to take from Entwhistle's Fenderbirds are

1)mahogany body
2)maple precision width neck
3)maple board (very important)
4)pickup position
5)Thunderbird body style.

Unfortunately it will have different
1) pickups
2) Bridge (3 point vs original 2 part)
3) pickguard (raised center strip on the epi won't allow the distinctive large guard like his)
4) Hardware. Black vs Chrome.

While you all wait...
The decal design "Fenderbird Ox Bass" is in progress. JehuJava is doing a spectacular job here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427751&page=2
 
#9
Eilif said:
Thanks Sam,
If I can swing the funds, I'm definatley going to try and get a camera.

Ric 5,
I knew those pics would show up sooner or later.:D Your work was very inspiring to me as I considered this project.

REd 5,
Thanks for your interest. I hope you are not too much of a purist. This is on-the cheap, so the elements I was able to take from Entwhistle's Fenderbirds are

1)mahogany body
2)maple precision width neck
3)maple board (very important)
4)pickup position
5)Thunderbird body style.

Unfortunately it will have different
1) pickups
2) Bridge (3 point vs original 2 part)
3) pickguard (raised center strip on the epi won't allow the distinctive large guard like his)
4) Hardware. Black vs Chrome.

While you all wait...
The decal design "Fenderbird Ox Bass" is in progress. JehuJava is doing a spectacular job here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427751&page=2
Click to expand...

Heh! No I'm not that stiff,these times require flexability and I'm all about "On the Cheap" I think that's the beauty part of your build.Hell,that's why I started building, (also why I stopped, since a playable bass can be had for less than the price of a good set of pickups or a preamp!)
 
#12
RED5 said:
,that's why I started building, (also why I stopped, since a playable bass can be had for less than the price of a good set of pickups or a preamp!)
Click to expand...

Right there with you. Most of the basses I've done have been passive fixer-uppers that repaired for fun and then craigslisted for what I had into them. It's just a hobby for me, so my standard is that if it isn't a bass that I was absolutely sure that I would love and keep, I refuse to initially put more into it than I can get on sales.

That's the standard I'm following for this bass as well. Just a solid giggable bass that I can upgrade later if I love it (if it needs it) but that I can flip if I don't.
 
#13
eleonn said:
Ehhh... looks nice but... how are you going to fight neck dive?
Click to expand...

Anyone whose ever played a thunderbird knows that when it comes to neck dive, it's not about fighting, but about acceptance. :D

Seriously though, I will be moving the top strap button to the top of the neck heel, though I fully expect that it will always dive.
 
#15
Eilif said:
Anyone whose ever played a thunderbird knows that when it comes to neck dive, it's not about fighting, but about acceptance. :D

Seriously though, I will be moving the top strap button to the top of the neck heel, though I fully expect that it will always dive.
Click to expand...
Yep! The sound and look of the T-bird far outweighs a little gravity.
There's a point on mine just on the neck heel that balances the whole bass. I'm guessing at around the 20th fret? I have my peg there and I can nearly balance the bass like a scale. I play it noramlly almost vertically.
 
#18

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