Since I regained interest in playing the bass and bought my Schecter in Dec 07, and then bought the Squier VMFJ last month I've had a growing desire to tear apart a bass down to its core, just because, for no major reason other than to learn more about my instrument..
I had never done this before and having no training for it I didn't want to screw up my Schecter if I did something wrong, nor the VMFJ.. So I've had my eyes open for something cheap and interesting to hopefully come my way. Yesterday that finally happened!
Some of you may have read my post yesterday, inquiring whether or not the Squier ProTone was worth $100. I actually ended up paying $75 for the bass! I think it was definitely worth the $75, and then some! Though there were/are some problems that I've been working through..
1. A tuner is broken and needs replaced. GC did not have a 'single' replacement (only 4 packs), nor the kind I need at all for that matter.. Will maybe order one through Allparts.com?
2. One of the main long saddle screws was bent. I was able to craftily straighten it again though!
3. Most of the pickguard screws were rusted. I replaced all of them with new one's.
4. Something sticky and wet was spilled all over the body of the bass (years ago?), soaked up under the pickguard, under/on the bridge, and around the pickups. This caused ages worth of dust and gunk to accumulate and stick, and it ALL had to be cleaned..
5. The E string slot in the nut is very wide. Seller of bass was using roundwounds with paper stuffed in to fill the gap. I bought some flatwounds that have a wider E string and it fills the gap better, but there's still a little room to wiggle.. So I'm also using paper.. I already bought a new nut for it, but I don't feel like messing with it honestly.. The paper seems to work...
6. What else?... Can't think of anything now! Wait, oh yeah, the neck needed some oil and cleaning BAD!
Here are some pics for y'all!
SELLERS PIC THAT HE TOOK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON
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MY PICS, AND THE WORK!
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The spillage was all over underneath the pickguard..
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This was last night around 11 or 12pm..
AND THE RESULTS SO FAR! PICS TAKEN AROUND 5PM TODAY..
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I LIKE IT! I DON'T THINK A BETTER BASS AT A BETTER PRICE COULD HAVE COME MY WAY FOR THIS PROJECT!
Once I get the replacement tuner I'll probably take the bass down to the shop and have them do an intonation check on it. I think that should really finish it off nicely..
I hope you enjoyed my enthusiastic post!
Anybody have pointers for all this extemely novice luthier work I'm attempting?
Thanks again!
LKD
I had never done this before and having no training for it I didn't want to screw up my Schecter if I did something wrong, nor the VMFJ.. So I've had my eyes open for something cheap and interesting to hopefully come my way. Yesterday that finally happened!
Some of you may have read my post yesterday, inquiring whether or not the Squier ProTone was worth $100. I actually ended up paying $75 for the bass! I think it was definitely worth the $75, and then some! Though there were/are some problems that I've been working through..
1. A tuner is broken and needs replaced. GC did not have a 'single' replacement (only 4 packs), nor the kind I need at all for that matter.. Will maybe order one through Allparts.com?
2. One of the main long saddle screws was bent. I was able to craftily straighten it again though!
3. Most of the pickguard screws were rusted. I replaced all of them with new one's.
4. Something sticky and wet was spilled all over the body of the bass (years ago?), soaked up under the pickguard, under/on the bridge, and around the pickups. This caused ages worth of dust and gunk to accumulate and stick, and it ALL had to be cleaned..
5. The E string slot in the nut is very wide. Seller of bass was using roundwounds with paper stuffed in to fill the gap. I bought some flatwounds that have a wider E string and it fills the gap better, but there's still a little room to wiggle.. So I'm also using paper.. I already bought a new nut for it, but I don't feel like messing with it honestly.. The paper seems to work...
6. What else?... Can't think of anything now! Wait, oh yeah, the neck needed some oil and cleaning BAD!
Here are some pics for y'all!
SELLERS PIC THAT HE TOOK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON
Invalid Link Removed
MY PICS, AND THE WORK!
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
The spillage was all over underneath the pickguard..
Invalid Link Removed
This was last night around 11 or 12pm..
AND THE RESULTS SO FAR! PICS TAKEN AROUND 5PM TODAY..
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
I LIKE IT! I DON'T THINK A BETTER BASS AT A BETTER PRICE COULD HAVE COME MY WAY FOR THIS PROJECT!
Once I get the replacement tuner I'll probably take the bass down to the shop and have them do an intonation check on it. I think that should really finish it off nicely..
I hope you enjoyed my enthusiastic post!
Anybody have pointers for all this extemely novice luthier work I'm attempting?
Thanks again!
LKD
