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'72 Warmoth P Bass Build

#63
In a moment of pathetic irrational GAS, I ordered this neck today. Solid ebony. Just had to try it. So friggin coolio.

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#65
Converted her to a fretless today. Not sure if I will keep it like this, change it back or keep it as a double duty. Might leave it fretless in the summer when other basses are sitting out and put the fretted neck on for the winter when some of the others are living in cases for protection from the dry air. The neck is all ebony. Feels great (like rosewood) and the weight is not noticeable to me. I did have a scare mounting the string retainer - broke off two screws while cranking them in. Not an easy fix but got it done.

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#66
Doner Designs said:
Converted her to a fretless today. Not sure if I will keep it like this, change it back or keep it as a double duty. Might leave it fretless in the summer when other basses are sitting out and put the fretted neck on for the winter when some of the others are living in cases for protection from the dry air. The neck is all ebony. Feels great (like rosewood) and the weight is not noticeable to me. I did have a scare mounting the string retainer - broke off two screws while cranking them in. Not an easy fix but got it done.

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Breathtaking!
 
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#69
On to neck number 3. Took off the fretless neck so I could show up for a new gig with a non-threatening P bass vs one of my triples and went back to the wenge with frets.

Last week I received a birdseye maple neck that was going to go on a different bass but upon further reflection it seemed a better match for this one and the wenge a better match with the other. By match, I really mean coordinating contrast - love the look of contrasting woods.

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BN6095F.jpg BN6095E.jpg BN6095C.jpg BN6095B.jpg BN6095D.jpg BN6095A.jpg
 
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#72
Thought I would stop by here for opinions on my next 72P project. I want to take some cost out so that I can sell it without a loss. Would be similar to the one in this post (maple neck version).

These were my ideas for taking out cost without changing the overall look and perceived value too much:
  1. Drop the preamp - passive only (or go to a 2 band Classic Audere).
  2. Use a Warmoth tort pickguard instead of the walnut plywood
  3. Licensed Hipshot tuning machines instead of USA
  4. Instead of AAA birdseye neck, use regular birdseye
Body would still be mahogany with either birdseye or flame maple top and walnut accent line. Tung oil and paste wax hand finished. Babicz bridge and Nordstrand pickup would stay as well.

Might go with a rosewood fingerboard on the birdseye neck. Not sure on that one. Also not sure about whether to use a P or a J neck.

This one I would play for a while but I want to be able to sell it for at least what I have in it to fund the next project.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
 
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#74
Doner Designs said:
Thought I would stop by here for opinions on my next 72P project. I want to take some cost out so that I can sell it without a loss. Would be similar to the one in this post (maple neck version).

These were my ideas for taking out cost without changing the overall look and perceived value too much:
  1. Drop the preamp - passive only (or go to a 2 band Classic Audere).
  2. Use a Warmoth tort pickguard instead of the walnut plywood
  3. Licensed Hipshot tuning machines instead of USA
  4. Instead of AAA birdseye neck, use regular birdseye
Thoughts?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Steve, I'm a big warmoth fan, my thoughts...
1. Buy a used preamp of your choice from a trusted TB member (Spector, East, EMG, Bart, and Stingray preamps can all be found on TB in various clubs and classified adds for between $50 and $100)
2. Don't go with plastic on the guard, use wood or leather. The guard you had on that bass you sold, really made that bass something special.
3. Look for used tuning machines or go with the licensed as you planned.
4. Could be a dramatic visual and maybe audible impact but consider going with a rosewood/rosewood or wenge/wenge neck. It may cost a bit more upfront but you'll save money on the finishing end since it can be left raw.
5. Consider GFS pickups or possibly used pickups to save some money.
6. If possible buy a prefinished body of your choice, you'll save finishing costs there as well.
7. Look through the classifieds and TB club pages to see if you can find a used complete warmoth or other brand bass for sale that has the hardware (tuners, string trees, strap pins, bridge, knobs, etc) that are close to what you want. If you can pick it up for a couple hundred dollars or less you might come out ahead.

Generally speaking you'll get higher quality parts at lower cost used and save a bit more money vs buying lower quality or discount type new parts. The key is to buy only mint condition parts, which aren't hard to find on TB.
 
#75
GBassNorth said:
Steve, I'm a big warmoth fan, my thoughts...
1. Buy a used preamp of your choice from a trusted TB member (Spector, East, EMG, Bart, and Stingray preamps can all be found on TB in various clubs and classified adds for between $50 and $100)
2. Don't go with plastic on the guard, use wood or leather. The guard you had on that bass you sold, really made that bass something special.
3. Look for used tuning machines or go with the licensed as you planned.
4. Could be a dramatic visual and maybe audible impact but consider going with a rosewood/rosewood or wenge/wenge neck. It may cost a bit more upfront but you'll save money on the finishing end since it can be left raw.
5. Consider GFS pickups or possibly used pickups to save some money.
6. If possible buy a prefinished body of your choice, you'll save finishing costs there as well.
7. Look through the classifieds and TB club pages to see if you can find a used complete warmoth or other brand bass for sale that has the hardware (tuners, string trees, strap pins, bridge, knobs, etc) that are close to what you want. If you can pick it up for a couple hundred dollars or less you might come out ahead.

Generally speaking you'll get higher quality parts at lower cost used and save a bit more money vs buying lower quality or discount type new parts. The key is to buy only mint condition parts, which aren't hard to find on TB.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the ideas!
 

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