Bass Build: Burgundy Mist Precision

[BearlyBass]

Despite primarily being a jazz bass guy for the last two decades, I always liked to have a P bass in the stable. This has shifted lately in favor of my Precision, particularly this year with so many remote collaborations and recordings. It's left me considering another P bass (to either keep rounds on or leave perma-muted). For the first time, I'm becoming someone who has more than two basses laying around! My wife, as you may imagine, is ecstatic.

Awhile back I saw this and have been thinking about a parts bass build ever since:

Well, MJT set me up this week:

Still waiting on a few things in the post, but here's what's been gathered so far:

I like my gear to feel lived in, so I picked up some essentials that have had the shine knocked off, plus a set of TIs and a Fender Original Precision pickup. I've ordered a wiring kit, mint guard, and neck plate/screws that will hopefully turn up next week. I like having pickup/bridge covers on my P basses, so if anyone has suggestions on a source for weathered covers please hit me up. Worst case is I'll buy a new set, but I'm leaning into aesthetics on this one and don't mind a few extra dollars thrown toward a business right now.

The first neck I'll put on this is a Road Worn Jazz with a rosewood fretboard. Not sure if that will be its "forever" neck, but it will be a nice contrast to the 1-piece maple Precision neck on my Classic 50's P.

That's it for now. Expect updates as things arrive and progress occurs. In the meantime, interested in your thoughts!

 

[DavidBassista]

Looks like a fun build. I would put a Precision neck on it though.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

Nice

I'd like to see how a mint guard looks like on it. My first thought looking at the Fender one was a cream, yellowish scratchplate, rather than that white one.

Re. weathered stuff, brite pads and, if needed, fine steel wool can help. I used some green brite pads on the back of my Cl50s neck (not needed for the RW, I guess), the WD black replacement guard that came glossy and reflective and now is rather matte... And the pickup covers too, lol.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Weathered covers? Put them in a bucket with a little muriatic acid in the bottom (don't let the acid TOUCH the parts) and let the fumes do the work.

 

[BearlyBass]

Thanks all for your insight - I’m calling this the end of phase 1:

I’m loving the Road Worn Jazz neck, but I still think phase 2 will be a neck swap for a rosewood-board Precision neck sometime in the years to come (along with a weathered cream/mint guard - this light mint that’s on it is fine but the fit/look is not perfect). One thin shim at the bottom of the neck pocket and a minor tweak to the truss rod, and the bass setup like a dream. This all came together very easily and it has plenty of that thick oomph in the tone - sounds like a Precision!

That puts the stable at three: the burgundy P, a ‘72 neck parts Jazz I’ve had since the 90s, and a lacquer Classic 50’s P.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I have a Fender thin skin Jaguar in BMM. It's a beautiful color, IMO.

 

[BearlyBass]

Phase 2 complete, with bonus new bass. Found an Original 60s precision neck for a good price in great condition and swapped it out. Also moved the Original pickup over to my 50s precision and put a Pure Vintage '63 in this burgundy mist beauty. Could not be happier.

But what does one do with an extra jazz bass neck, you ask? Why have one pink-ish bass when you can have two? A Flea body, Pure Vintage '74 pickups, this Road Worn jazz neck, and a set of La Bella 760FL strings turns out to make a lovely noise. Here's the whole stable organized in gradient:

 

[hypercarrots]

this is how the bass collection expands!

 

[InstantEctobass]

Cool build!!

 

[dabbler]

Great thread! But then anybody who writes Burgundy mist has my full attention.

Anyways, I think you should give your P a brother. Mine is an SX, but just to stoke the GAS juices:

 

[BearlyBass]

Oh wow, this is a trip down memory lane. The bass collection has uhh… expanded since this burgundy mist p bass build

I should probably make a separate post about my insanity. But here’s the squad:

Those with a keen eye will notice there’s now a second burgundy mist p bass. Another MJT body, with a Tony Franklin fretless neck.

 

[murphy]

Oh wow, this is a trip down memory lane. The bass collection has uhh… expanded since this burgundy mist p bass build

I should probably make a separate post about my insanity. But here’s the squad:View attachment 5086051View attachment 5086060

Those with a keen eye will notice there’s now a second burgundy mist p bass. Another MJT body, with a Tony Franklin fretless neck.

same thing happened to me over the span of 3 years....

Now an illness to be stopped