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Bass project build.

DredFetus

DredFetus

Inactive
Nov 19, 2010
201
121
37
#1
Ive been wanting to build a bass for a while now and recently decided to pick up a budget bass to modify / rebuild. Its the same bass i currently own and play just with a different finish and i was thinking of sanding it down and staining the body and neck. Shaving down the width of the neck and possibly making into a fretless. Was also thinking of making it a string through with a new bridge. Its going to be a learning curve for me but not much since im a carpenter by trade.

Any suggestions or thoughts on this?
 
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#3
It sounds like you've already got the tools, both in-hand and in-mind, to do it. I say, "Why the Hell not?!" If you end up with an awesome instrument…great! If you have fun and learn something in the process…even better! :thumbsup:

Just out of curiosity, what make/model bass are you talking about?

Oh, and lots of pics and detailed posts would be cool. If nothing else, it would act as a guide for future modders/builders. :snaphappy:

EDIT: Although I'm no carpenter or woodworker, I will attest to how rewarding putting together a parts-bass can be…the bargain hunting for hardware & electronics, the insight gained on what makes a bass "tick" (props go to my local GC guitar tech for all his hard work, not to mention his patience with me) and the overall level of fun I had putting it all together. The praise my project has garnered on TalkBass alone has made the experience worth way more than any monetary expenditure I've put into it! (…which is a roundabout way of saying, "Thank you sooooo much, everyone!" :oops:)
 
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#5
DredFetus said:
Ive been wanting to build a bass for a while now and recently decided to pick up a budget bass to modify / rebuild. Its the same bass i currently own and play just with a different finish and i was thinking of sanding it down and staining the body and neck. Shaving down the width of the neck and possibly making into a fretless. Was also thinking of making it a string through with a new bridge. Its going to be a learning curve for me but not much since im a carpenter by trade.

Any suggestions or thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

If a person like me with absolutely no experience in this can do it, someone with your previous skills surely would have no problem. eBay is a good place to find a cheap bass to modify. I've found a bunch of mine there. Or try modding a DIY bass kit.
 
#6
So i came home today and the gf had bought it for me. ;) Ohh Yeah! Heres the pics of it now. Ill post some later once its stripped down to bare bones.
20150825_175134.jpg
20150825_175215.jpg
 
#8
DredFetus said:
Took it completly apart and started refinishing it. Here are so photos of the first day.
View attachment 678059
View attachment 678058
View attachment 678057

Is this a normal way for it to be grounded.View attachment 678064
Click to expand...
Its not uncommon at all to have a wire fished from the control cavity to the underside of the bridge where its then stripped of insulation and sandwiched between the bottom of the bridge and the top of the bass. This grounds the strings and player.
 
#9
Thanks GBassNorth i was thinking it would be normal just never really thought about it.

Finished work today eaily so im going to finish sanding down the bass, any suggestions or ideas of things i can do would be appreciated. I was thinking of making it a string through but was reading into it and most people say theres no reason for string through. That said what bridge would you guys go with. I was thinking something like this Link Removed
 
#13
Dose anyone have experience with making waterslide headstock decals? Im currently thinking of removing it and want the washburn frankenstin logo the one dimebag used but cannot find any so im thinking i will have to make my own. Anyone have any experience doing this?
 
#14
DredFetus said:
Dose anyone have experience with making waterslide headstock decals? Im currently thinking of removing it and want the washburn frankenstin logo the one dimebag used but cannot find any so im thinking i will have to make my own. Anyone have any experience doing this?
Click to expand...
Ask @BassHappy he helped me out big time with some decals. Really patient during the designing process, too. Generous fella to say the least :)
 
#16
What kind of decals did you guys go with if you dont mind me asking.
This is what i was thinking of doing.
Dime3STStealthDecal.jpg
 

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#20
So i may start another thread on this in the pick up section. Just wondering what i need if i were to install emg active pickups. Would i need to install a pre amp or not? I can give more information once i recieve the pick ups.
 

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