Hello everyone, I just scored a 68 telecaster bass. The neck is in excellent condition but the body has been cut up. I was told that it came from a recording studio in Nashville. I’m not even sure if the body is original. It seems as if they connected it directly to a console for recording as it has no pots and the pickup is wired direct to the output Jack. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do about the body? I’ll post pics. Thank you!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
68 Telecaster bass
- Thread starter Lofreakwencee
- Start date
Yep, that body has been altered, if original. It has the string thru ferrules on the back and expanded control area, so very well might be the original body. What to do next depends on if this is a keeper or not. If so, I'd get a new body from MJT and rock the snot out of it.
It looks like some DIY body contouring there. Some screw holes filled in. It may be original. It can be restored.. mostly. If it was mine I’d get a slab body made for it and stash that away
Some pics of my ‘68 all original except the pickguard.
That sure is the original body, just altered.
What's done is done. I'd leave it as is and just finish putting the full J bass electronics in it and rock it that way.
I'd much rather have the modded original body on there than and aftermarket one.
What's done is done. I'd leave it as is and just finish putting the full J bass electronics in it and rock it that way.
I'd much rather have the modded original body on there than and aftermarket one.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Put that neck on this and be done.
Put that neck on this and be done.
With that neck I’d spend the money and get a proper body and pickup. Keep the bridge.
You can route out new plugs to cover up the old routes, and then reroute for the original electronics/cavity.
Afterwards, time for a refin!
Afterwards, time for a refin!
that control cavity is ripe for some little rodent to snuggle up in.....I wouldn't know how to repair that... too bad, it's a string-thru too. Tho i'd be tempted to wanna fix the body on my own, if it were the original, and i like to tinker.....but the neck/bridge
......ditch the rest imo
......ditch the rest imo
Is that weed in the control cavity?
I like it, it must have been owned by a grandma that only drove it to demolition derby's on Sundays.....
with the de-slabsiding of the body, I would just get it as pretty as possible as it is.
with the de-slabsiding of the body, I would just get it as pretty as possible as it is.
Kinda depends on what / where / how you play; on tour part of the year, weekends only, four times a year, or occasionally in the spare bedroom.
You could get another body with all the same characteristics as the original body, but the value of that complete bass would just be about the same as the value of the neck.
You could attempt to find a ‘68 body and electronics to go with your neck, but the value of that complete bass would be something significantly less than an all original ‘68 Tele, and you might have more in that bass than the value of an all original ‘68 Tele bass.
It depends on whether you want the look, feel, & tone of a ‘68 Tele bass (which most would agree is not a highly desired thing by the masses), or if you just want a comfortable, good sounding bass & you aren’t looking to attempt to build something of value by adding stuff to what you currently have.
You aren’t going to achieve retirement value out of an all original or a highly modded ‘68 Tele bass, so I’m in agreement with @mikeswals , build out the electronics the way you want in the modded body and commence playing. The current value of the neck should hold up for some years to come, since it appears to already have plenty of wear.
You could get another body with all the same characteristics as the original body, but the value of that complete bass would just be about the same as the value of the neck.
You could attempt to find a ‘68 body and electronics to go with your neck, but the value of that complete bass would be something significantly less than an all original ‘68 Tele, and you might have more in that bass than the value of an all original ‘68 Tele bass.
It depends on whether you want the look, feel, & tone of a ‘68 Tele bass (which most would agree is not a highly desired thing by the masses), or if you just want a comfortable, good sounding bass & you aren’t looking to attempt to build something of value by adding stuff to what you currently have.
You aren’t going to achieve retirement value out of an all original or a highly modded ‘68 Tele bass, so I’m in agreement with @mikeswals , build out the electronics the way you want in the modded body and commence playing. The current value of the neck should hold up for some years to come, since it appears to already have plenty of wear.
Last edited:
I wouldn't ditch the body. Add the wiring & pots, put on a pickguard and a control plate and a decent bridge, and you've got both a keeper and a player. You can do all that for around $100.
Look for Squier CV50s and swap the neck onto it. Sell that body to someone who wants a bass that isn’t a Tele. The Squier has the wrong bridge but the rest of it looks like a 54-6. I really like the pickup on my made in China CV. Better yet put the Squier neck on that and sell it, maybe save the bridge to make the new bass a wee more authentic.
Looks like someone likes to play in G.Some pics of my ‘68 all original except the pickguard.
View attachment 4650462
View attachment 4650463
View attachment 4650464
View attachment 4650465
View attachment 4650466
I'm not sure what you paid for that instrument but it looks like got a neck and that's about that. I think this idea of placing that neck on this body might be the best you can do.
what did you pay?
Apply a Grateful Dead sticker to the body, plug the bass into an amp and let 'er rip!
