'66 dot/bound J tribute

[JIO]

Effing gorgeous man - just gorgeous.....

Wow, hard to believe that is ash - so much richer than what a dark stain would give you....

The cream pickups are puuurrrrrfect!

I love it....

Yah - it's pretty unusual looking for ash in a really good way. When Pat got it he said "they really cooked this wood!" When I was drilling the various holes for strap-pegs etc, the yummy roasted aroma returned. The finishing locked it inside, but I wish I could still smell it like the way cedar lingers. I've got chunks left over from the slab I could alway drill into for a roasted ash fix!

 

[Basshappi]

Very sharp JIO, well done sir!

 

[JIO]

Thanks Basshappi! I was thinking, we are in a select group here - we all know the image/icon that is "Fender Jazz Bass" and we can further appreciate a riffing-off of that iconic design base - so it's fun right? Most people not having a clue would be like.., nice wood, or pretty bass - which is not a bad thing, but we who have this ingrained reference of where it began can enjoy a subtle differences from the established norm. It's one of the reasons this 1960 design remains relevant and contemporary. There was something inherently correct about it when it was first designed that lifts it above mere nostalgia. Lots of ergo and otherwise designs have been used since then, but the Jazz bass design has proven to be a universal contemporary standard (along w/the P-bass) that even after many nuanced diversions has maintained it's dominance as a useful and tasteful design. Kudo's to Fender - honestly, that is a real accomplishment.

 

[JIO]

The Schaller bridge showed up w/a spacer included. My last 2 I bought didn't come w/the spacer, and for the same price. Even w/1 spacer it still need height and the German seller I ordered from on ebay was out of stock and refunded my money. I did a search and many can be commonly found - but all from England, France, and Australia and I found one site that said it was not available in Germany(?!) I'm going to make a spacer of the roasted ash from leftover pieces I saved and be done with it.

 

[JIO]

Done - the more I play it the more I'm hearing the lows being very defined and rich, more so than before the roasted ash body. And nice even sustain which this bridge contributes to.

 

[7dollarbologna]

My buddy just had Dan Ransom make him a Tele - loves it!

 

[JIO]

I removed the ash bridge riser after some more fine tuning/adjustments - much better. It was a stop-gap solution anyway.

 

[BassHappy]

I removed the ash bridge riser after some more fine tuning/adjustments - much better. It was a stop-gap solution anyway.

Man, those Schaller bridges are amazing!

I love how they are three way adjustable, spacing and all, just way cool! This is such a keeper, what an understated beauty this one is JIO! Nice work all the way from design to execution!

 

[JIO]

Man, those Schaller bridges are amazing!

I love how they are three way adjustable, spacing and all, just way cool! This is such a keeper, what an understated beauty this one is JIO! Nice work all the way from design to execution!

The Schaller 3D bridge is a testament to good design and because of that is a timeless classic. (since introduced in the 80's I think)

Thanks Rick - this bass has been in the family for awhile now but this version is a keeper! Here's the family tree -

first version: Lindy Fralin split-coil pu's and Audere JZ3 9v pre are the carryovers. Neck now on my Tele fretless, alder body evolved into the Glam P/J.

defretted tele neck from midnight wine Signature J

altered alder body from orig midnight wine Signature J

alder Signature body stripped of midnight wine finish - carryovers: the ebony boarded Allparts neck, pu's,pre

 

[wraub]

That ash is awesome looking! the whole bass is a looker, for sure.

Nice job!

 

[JIO]

 

[JIO]

I use my Gildaxe fb page to chronicle any bass project I do, gilding related or build/design related. When I posted this completed bass on my Gildaxe Facebook page, two seconds after posting a guy who follows asks "how much?" I suddenly was hit with - "sell my bass?" - I mean, it is my intent to generate Gildaxe revenue but this specific bass? I thought about it for a while, and decided I could make him a clone of this bass. So I sat down and totaled up all the cost of parts, including finishing by Pat. (but no labor on my part) Parts and finishing totaled to $1298.02 (give or take $ depending on best price for any one part at time of purchase) So if I add on cutting-out/shaping/sanding the body and assembly/set-up… it starts heading just south of 2K. Wouldn't have this grain pattern - but otherwise it would be the same. Never heard back, but at least it gave me insight into why decent basses cost as much as they do. And also, those Warmoth/Allparts/etc bodies even if made to order are done using computer guided machines and essentially 'cranked out' compared to being hand made. They're good no question, and the price reflects paying for the expensive machinery etc…, but it comes down to minutes cutting/routing one compared to hours by hand. What it did tell me is that I'm really not interested in competing with people making J, P or any other clone bodies anyway. Sometimes it takes someone asking "how much?" to help focus goals/priorities.

 

[JIO]

Will finally get to take the roasted ash J out on a date tonight to participate in a jam session with 2 of my favorite peeps (Josh-drums, Haroon-guitar/inspired vocaleze)

The "Friday Night Jam" is where I field-test all my basses. I recall years ago after a FNJ, the bass I brought didn't make the grade and I sold it within the month. I know ahead of time that this one will have no such problem! (it's family!)

roasted ash J commuting with nature (the calm before the storm!)

 

[JIO]

Fun evening! The roasted ash J sounded good - actually darker than I recall it sounding w/an alder body. Maybe the roasting darkens more than the colour. Makes me want to want to throw some rounds on it - this neck has only had flats from day one. Could bring something special to the table.

update to this post: just realized the treble knob on my SWR 400s head was full off! (hence, darker sounding?) It's right next to the volume knob which I turn full off before shutting down so it must have been bumped full off by mistake and I didn't notice last night. It seemed odd that ash could sound darker than alder. May still try some rounds for variety-sake.

 

[MrArose13]

VERY NICE!

That pic made me giggle, in my head it was like you walked out to the garden and WoW... there's a bass growing over there. It looks ripe... I must pick it.

 

[JIO]

VERY NICE!

That pic made me giggle, in my head it was like you walked out to the garden and WoW... there's a bass growing over there. It looks ripe... I must pick it.

Thanks! Ha! Didn't consider that - funny! ("let's see, well the roasted ash J is looking ready to pick...") I like when people post their basses in unusual places - bass agent's '66 oly wht J comes to mind. (in a cove filled with ice) I'd have to search for it - he's posted it a few time. Here's one I shot a few years ago just down the block.

 

[JIO]

As this thread has er.., wandered a bit from it's inception, please feel free to do some wandering yourself! Like Sir Paul sez' - "it's a long and winding road…"

 

[JIO]

Jumping back to the thread starter, which was my '66 trib J… got me some nice wing-tipped Stacey Adams at Nordstroms Rack (for an equally nice closeout price!) and a white formal shirt in the correct size (especially at the neck!) and silver/black cuff-links to accessorize. (very JB) Bond Girl is playing at a private 'James Bond' themed shindig titled "From Russia With Love" Saturday night at an exclusive mens (and woman's) club (The Wingtip Club) here in SF right next to the Transamerica Pyramid building (photo op!) in the heart of the financial district. As everyone in attendance will be dressed to the nines - I figured I'd better look sharp!

dress rehearsal taking the JB stance - ready to shake some booty and stir up the dance floor! (note bow-tie fashionably eschew!)

 

[JIO]

Not to shabby... our view tonight will be from the 10th floor of the Bank of Italy building (1908 - built right after the great earthquake), the 'small' white building next to the Transamerica Pyramid facing Coit Tower. You only live twice!

 

[mapleglo]

Jumping back to the thread starter, which was my '66 trib J… got me some nice wing-tipped Stacey Adams at Nordstroms Rack (for an equally nice closeout price!) and a white formal shirt in the correct size (especially at the neck!) and silver/black cuff-links to accessorize. (very JB) Bond Girl is playing at a private 'James Bond' themed shindig titled "From Russia With Love" Saturday night at an exclusive mens (and woman's) club (The Wingtip Club) here in SF right next to the Transamerica Pyramid building (photo op!) in the heart of the financial district. As everyone in attendance will be dressed to the nines - I figured I'd better look sharp!

dress rehearsal taking the JB stance - ready to shake some booty and stir up the dance floor! (note bow-tie fashionably eschew!)

You look awesome!