Bad idea for a custom?

[cdef]

This is an interesting project. Would you be re-using the bridge and electronics from your old bass, or modernize the hardware too?

I've always thought the body shape benefits a lot from the curves of the pickguard.

 

[NickyBass]

It would be interesting. As to the pickguard, I would lose it, but try to curve and contour the top wood to 'replicate' it. Might look killer. The headstock may have to be modified to not violate any trademarks. It would look nicer, imho, with a more modern design. It may even help the neck dive. The bass would have a cool retro vibe with nice modern appointments.

 

[Jared Lash]

This is an interesting project. Would you be re-using the bridge and electronics from your old bass, or modernize the hardware too?

Right now I haven't decided much of anything. I am pretty sure if I go ahead with this project that I'll update the electronics. I liked the original sound, but it had its flaws (pretty muddy on the lows) and I think I'd like a two pickup setup (like the 302 unlike my 301 that has a single pickup) better.

As for the bridge, I don't know whether to re-use it or not. It is a bulky and odd piece of hardware and a real pain to set up. On the other hand it has a unique look, plenty of mojo and mine is in great shape. Hmm . . .

I've always thought the body shape benefits a lot from the curves of the pickguard.

Yup, I've come to that conclusion too. It will have a pickguard or at least wood figured in to look like the pickguard. Losing it altogether would change too much of the look of the bass and that (along with its great playability) is really what I love about it.

 

[Jared Lash]

It would be interesting. As to the pickguard, I would lose it, but try to curve and contour the top wood to 'replicate' it. Might look killer. The headstock may have to be modified to not violate any trademarks. It would look nicer, imho, with a more modern design. It may even help the neck dive. The bass would have a cool retro vibe with nice modern appointments.

Your comments are right in line with what I've been thinking. I'm not sure how feasible it is to contour a top to replicate the pickguard, but that is somethign I've thought about too. If that's not possible (or cost prohibitive), I think a figured wood pickguard (cocobolo?) might work well too.

I'm not worried about violating trademarks. First off, it isn't like it's a Stingray I'm copying. This is a long discontinued bass made by a company that doesn't even make basses anymore. But more importantly, I plan on changing several design components anyway, like the headstock as you mentioned. I'm also resigned to the fact that the upper horn will almost certainly have to be extended to combat the neck dive.

A cool retro vibe with nice modern appointments? EXACTLY what I want.

 

[Jared Lash]

Just a quick update to my thread. I have completed one of my goals and will be completing a second in the months to come.

First, it looks like I have found a well preserved B-302 to snap up. This one is a vintage white (which is yellowing a bit) but looks to be in good condition. If everything checks out, then I have another bass to add to my modest stable. And at a pretty good price too.

Secondly, I have swapped emails with Bud LeCompte and Chris Stambaugh and am incredibly impressed with both of their work. I am going to save up some money and hopefully make this custom bass idea a reality.

Which brings me to my last question. I am going to use a mahogany body for this bass (likely with a maple bolt-on neck) and need some help deciding on top woods.

I am keeping the pickguard shape and doing it as either an inlay or overlaywith a different wood. So I will have a moderately figured topwood with a fancier wood used in the pickguard shape.

Any ideas for an eye catching but not too busy combination?

 

[Eric Perry]

Bebensee in the same class with DP and Wish....


Just... Ouch!

 

[Earwigger]

Good luck on the project. I really dig the body shape of that Guild.

 

[bongomania]

I've always liked the look of those Guilds. Go for it, get Bud or Chris to make you a "perfected" version!

 

[justinb515]

some darkstar pickups would really bring out a vintage yet modern growl in the bass, and the look would match with the vintage design to boot. Just a thought...

 

[poor_gear_whore]

Just a quick update to my thread. I have completed one of my goals and will be completing a second in the months to come.

First, it looks like I have found a well preserved B-302 to snap up. This one is a vintage white (which is yellowing a bit) but looks to be in good condition. If everything checks out, then I have another bass to add to my modest stable. And at a pretty good price too.

Secondly, I have swapped emails with Bud LeCompte and Chris Stambaugh and am incredibly impressed with both of their work. I am going to save up some money and hopefully make this custom bass idea a reality.

Which brings me to my last question. I am going to use a mahogany body for this bass (likely with a maple bolt-on neck) and need some help deciding on top woods.

I am keeping the pickguard shape and doing it as either an inlay or overlaywith a different wood. So I will have a moderately figured topwood with a fancier wood used in the pickguard shape.

Any ideas for an eye catching but not too busy combination?

I think black korina for a top wood would look great. I am drawing a blank as far as wood for the pickguard. Maybe purpleheart?

 

[-Sam-]

some darkstar pickups would really bring out a vintage yet modern growl in the bass, and the look would match with the vintage design to boot. Just a thought...

Just what i was thinking perfect for this project

 

[Suburban]

A: fix the original up. That might be replacing the neck, and so what? If it's not neckthru, it's within reach. A new neck, with lighter and stiffer wood, will also fix a bit of the neck dive. A new pickup may do some to that, as well. Then move the strap buttons, and be good.

B: have a replica made - too!
The selection of materials and methods will take away the most of the neck dive. The selection of builder will give you a the level of the result. I mean, you don't select supergrained wood for a painted bass, and you don't go for the exotic wood experts to build a painted bass...

 

[Jared Lash]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I was thinking about using Dark Stars too. I just wonder if they will be aggressive enough for the sound I hear in my head. I'm thinking of a cross between The Ox and (though I don't normally like his tone) Flea's sound from BSSM.

Chris Stambaugh thinks there is a reproduction of the bridge, so I likely won't use my old one.

As for the "pickguard" inlay/overlay wood, I am leaning toward something darker like Mac Ebony or Cocobolo or something very light as a contrast. Holly or maybe flamed maple.

 

[cdef]

I was thinking about using Dark Stars too. I just wonder if they will be aggressive enough for the sound I hear in my head.

DarkStars are indeed an intriguing prospect for your job. They're not much like your old pups, but Guild had the Hagstroms (on which the DSs are modelled) on their Starfire basses, so it would be like a virtual continuation. They require a bit more real estate, but have a very high output and would bring a kind of edge to this project.

As for the pickguard, what about some kind of burl rather than a "striped" one?

 

[Jared Lash]

lmoh,

I haven't heard enough of the Darkstars to know if they are what I want (can they give me the aggressive growl I often want?) but I certainly like the idea.

You may be right about using a burl for the pickguard shape.

Then again, I am excited enough about this idea that if I like the bass as much as I think I will, I may eventually order a fretless and/or an 8-string with the same design. Then I can certainly experiment with a couple different top wood combinations.

Thanks for all the feedback on this idea guys. If there's any more input I'd love to hear it.

 

[the giz]

I am sitting here with the first bass I ever owned resting in my lap: a 1978 (I think) Guild B-301 which my mom bought for me 15 years ago when I first started out on the instrument.

It was pretty worn out then and is virtually unusable now (frets completely worn down, several dead spots, poorly shielded) but it is still an absolute joy to play around with.

Even after graduating to "bigger and better" basses, I still absolutely love the feel of this thing. I gave it to my younger brother years and years ago and coming back to it now I'm almost shocked at how good it feels in my hands.

The last few days I've been seriously considering getting a custom bass built as a modern incarnation of this old Guild. There would have to be some improvements made - better balance for one, this sucker has major neck dive issues and different pickups but I love the shape and feel of this bass immensely.

Am I crazy to want to recreate this 70's bass?

If not, who would be a good luthier for such a project? My first thought (based on what I've seen of his work and the rave reviews he gets here at TB) was Chris Stambaugh.

Oh, and for those unfamiliar with this relic, here's a couple pictures of B302s. 301's (like mine) had one pickup and the 302's had two, otherwise they are identical.

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Other than the dual pickups, this bass is exactly like mine, though on a custom bass I'd want a natural wood look with possibly an exotic top (cocobolo maybe?) to give it a more modern look.

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If I do go down this road, should I leave the pickguard as is, modify the design or just forego it altogether?

Hmmmm reminds me of a Wishnevsky bass with my eyes closed haha

 

[-Sam-]

After having a look can i suggest that when you change the upper horn you make it less round? it looks kind of "gumby-ish" at the moment and seeing as your altering the design any way....

 

[contakt321]

My ideas:

Clear pickguard, but rear routed (I don't love wooden pickguards) - this way you retain the look w/o covering whatever cool top you pick.

Maybe use Black Limba in place of Mahog, it's similar (I have read) but looks sharp

Darkstars sound like a good idea

Sounds like a really cool custom bass, very unique - even though its a copy

 

[Jared Lash]

Bass_Mule,

Yeah, I have often thought the same thing about the upper horn. Check my drawing below (hopefully it shows up) to see how I envision it. Plus, a longer, less "Gumby-ish" upper horn will combat the neck dive that plagues this bass.

contakt321,

Thanks for the input. I've thought about black limba too, and I'll ask the luthier (either Stambaugh or LeCompte - both guys do incredible work) what they think. Then again, mahogany might be better in keeping with the overall vintage vibe.

I almost never play with a pick, so the pickguard is really just going to be used as a design element. I thought about omitting it altogether, and I think a clear pickguard would lead me to the same conclusion - I think it changes the vibe of the bass too much.

So I think the pickguard shape will be done as an inlay or an overlay with either a dark figured or burled wood, or even something much lighter like figured maple as a contrast to the top wood, for which I'm currently thinking walnut. Something like this (but obviously with more of the top wood showing):

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Here's a preliminary sketch of what I am envisioning. Pardon the bad artwork:

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I have extended and flattened the upper horn, changed the headstock, set the neck in deeper (allowing either 22 or 24 frets - we'll see), moved the bridge back further, and included a set of two Darkstars.

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to pickups, so I have no idea if that's a good placement for the Darkstars. But most basses I've seen with a pair of them has the neck pickup right up against the end of the fretboard, and I need that real estate available. Juan Alderete has a similar placement of his Darkstars on his custom Fender Jazz so I don't know.

Again, thanks for all the input guys. I appreciate it.

 

[Obese Chess]

I've been thinking of taking a similar route with my '64 Epi Hollowbody...having someone recreate it, I mean.

With Darkstars, of course

Let me know how this goes for you, It sounds encouraging.