Build a new bass guitar

[Theobald]

I built/assembled/modified 3 basses. I bought parts from :
www.emma-music.com, French shop, they have some Allparts neck and any color of nitro paint you might want. I tried Boston, Nitrolack and Dartfords, I prefer Bostons. But others might think differently.

You can also have a look at bassparts.de, but I don't recall any Tele body.

I just finished a P-bass using a Fame body from www.musicstore.de. those bodies are pretty good and not expensive (2 parts body, no filled hole, knot or poor wood lines).

You can PM me if you have questions. You can write in French.

 

[thewildest]

I understand you don't want to finish, but if change your mind, www.solomusicgear.com

I did my first build ever with them, below before and after. The hardware that came with it was decent, but I upgraded all (tuners, PUs, bridge) and the bass sounds incredible, much better than the "real thing"

 

[swink]

I had a look around on the Belgian second hand site:
This does seem like a good, inexpensive base to start from.
② basgitaar Squier — Snaarinstrumenten | Gitaren | Bas — 2dehands

 

[bassliner50]

If you buy Fender/Squier/compatible bits you can make something basic to begin with and upgrade over time if you wish to carry on the journey.

Yes Fender or Squier parts are available everywhere. Also these instruments would be much easier to buy or sell used. Once setup well with pickups and strings of your choice they are remarkable. Gigworthy even for high level players.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Solo guitars in Canada make some good kits, from what I've heard. They probably ship overseas. I would research and research some more. The Sterling SUB Sting Rays are an excellent modding platform, as are Squiers. You'll probably end up with a higher quality instrument if you get a bass and mod it as opposed building from an average kit.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Bass Guitar Kits – Pit Bull Guitars

I bought an SG bass kit from them. Customer service - excellent. The kit? Meh.

 

[gianpiero]

I understand you don't want to finish, but if change your mind, www.solomusicgear.com

I did my first build ever with them, below before and after. The hardware that came with it was decent, but I upgraded all (tuners, PUs, bridge) and the bass sounds incredible, much better than the "real thing"

View attachment 4778649

View attachment 4778648

Really nice bass!

 

[Dec1975]

guitarfetish.com also sells parts for bass. And they even have solder-less pickup kits.

 

[Durham52]

I had a look around on the Belgian second hand site:
This does seem like a good, inexpensive base to start from.
② basgitaar Squier — Snaarinstrumenten | Gitaren | Bas — 2dehands

Yes, hard to go wrong with a Squier in good condition. All upgrade parts, bridges, tuners etc. are easily accessible and there are plenty of pickup options in those Fender shapes, many which will sound authentic and plenty which will give more modern, or aggressive tones. Many of the necks on Squiers are especially good, considering the price range of the instruments too.

 

[gianpiero]

I found a Squier CV 50s (2021) in excellent condition for a very good price. I will start from here!
Wish me good luck! Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[Theobald]

Cool. Don't forget to show the progress and final result

 

[gianpiero]

As promised this is the result of two months searching and working on the bass.
Hopefully you'll like her.

1. Neck and body : Squier P CV 50s
2. Tuning machines : Hipshot HB14
3. Pickup : Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound
4. Potentiometers : Fender 500k (I had to enlarge the holes of the control plate)
5. Bridge : Hipshot Kickass
6. Pickguard : Pillans Ltd (UK) Ebay
7. Strings: Labella Deep Talking Bass 0760M Flat
8. Straplocks : Gotoh

A big shout goes to the people of Hipshot. They are fantastic for their support and help!

The sound of the bass is very powerful and I am really satisfied with my first experiment.

I have only to fix a barely listenable hum when I don't touch the strings. Maybe the ground wire doesn't make a good contact with the bridge.
Do you have a solution for this issue?