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My Modded "Double Reverse P" Essex

Arvin

Arvin

Underwound
Supporting Member
Sep 26, 2008
1,437
8,577
Bend, Oregon, USA
#1
I recently picked up an Essex P, and did some fun mods to it.Here's a pic of it, stock:

002.jpg


I disassembled it, and re-routed the pickup slot, plus added a new one:

015.jpg


016.jpg


IMG_0123.jpg


The new pickguard is plexiglas, with silver-gray metalflake paint on the bottom side of it:

IMG_0122.jpg


Here's the finished bass:

IMG_0131.jpg


IMG_0132.jpg


Vital Stats:
The neck, and its hardware are stock
The bridge is stock
Neck pickup: Duncan Vintage for P-Bass (SPB-1)
Bridge pickup: Duncan Quarter Pounder for P-Bass (SPB-3)
Each pickup has its own volume control - CTS 250K pots
The master tone control is a CTS 250K, modified to no-load at full up
Orange drop .047uF cap on the tone control
The knobs are J-bass knobs from Allparts
The switch is a Gibson; I think it's the one they put in SG's
Switchcraft jack, mounted on the side
I put a set of D'Addario XL Nickel Wound Rounds on it

I can't put this thing down! It plays and sounds great. :D
 
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#3
Very nice work and all you're own as well. I chickened out and am currently having my 2nd P p/up fitted professionally at a very reasonable rate. I've gone for the SD Vintage P for the extra p/up but leaving the Fender one as is and I'm going for the 2 p/ups in the trad layout like an Elite II, but the extra p/up is further from the bridge. Here's my bad mock up I did in Photobucket, hopefully I'll the real thing back tomorrow.

PV2-1.gif
 
#13
OMG You destroyed a perfectly good SX!!! (in 30 years someone will read this post and think I was a visionary)

Actually I like what you did, contrary to what most musicians do you made something unique.
 
#20
This is VERY nicely done! I have long thought about this, and now you have stimulated me to try it soon.

I did something like this back in the 70's, with 2 Gibson EB humbuckers on my Hagstrom bass - it was amazing having the big pickup near the bridge - a very solid sound without too much treble - perfect for the time.
 

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