Building '54 P-Bass

[Pbassmanca]

View attachment 2858911 Here it is with 4 coats of semi-gloss. I love the exposed grain. Decided to pass on my rosewood fingerboard so I ordered a Warmoth neck with maple fingerboard. Should be here by Thursday. The Lindy Fralin Split '51 pickup and Stellartone showed up today. I've heard that some guys had some minor difficulty getting the pickup to fit in the standard pickup pocket. This one is tight but it fits. I may fuzz it out just a little.

That looks just deadly man! Good choice on the maple fretboard, it will look killer. Did you go with the vintage small frets?

 

[Pbassmanca]

I'm a big fan of ash bodies finished without grain filler as well.

 

[JGbassman]

That's a really nice bass starting to shape up. You are giving me the urge to get back in the shop and build a 51. Ugh. I hope this passes soon. I need to sell some basses, at 20 it's getting a little silly, and getting harder to find room for them all...

 

[Pep]

I'm a big fan of ash bodies finished without grain filler as well.

I agree. I'm planning on doing another swamp ash one with a rosewood fingerboard, either a black or tortoise shell pick guard, black hardware and a natural finish. I'll probably seal the finish on that one and go gloss.

 

[Pep]

That's a really nice bass starting to shape up. You are giving me the urge to get back in the shop and build a 51. Ugh. I hope this passes soon. I need to sell some basses, at 20 it's getting a little silly, and getting harder to find room for them all...

I feel your pain.

 

[Pep]

That looks just deadly man! Good choice on the maple fretboard, it will look killer. Did you go with the vintage small frets?

Thanks for the compliment. I'm debating on whether to use a black gloss or black matte pickguard. I have both. As far as frets are concerned, I went with med-jumbo. I'm not going for a vintage look on this one.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm debating on whether to use a black gloss or black matte pickguard. I have both. As far as frets are concerned, I went with med-jumbo.

Very cool. It might look great with no pickguard at all to show off all that sweet wood grain!

 

[selowitch]

I'd sure like to have a '54 P style bass, blonde or butterscotch, but in a five-string version. Not distressed or anything, just kinda what one would look like if they made one back then 'cept for a five-saddle bridge, maybe split pickup, I just want the flavor.

There's a Schecter with a similar look, but the details are obviously not vintage-spec:

 

[Pep]

There's a Schecter with a similar look, but the details are obviously not vintage-spec:
View attachment 2861146

Schecter makes some really nice basses. That would probably be a great player but it doesn't fill the bill as far as looks are concerned. If I was going with Schecter, the Baron-H is the one I'd buy.

 

[Pep]

Here’s another body photo after a coat of clear gloss. I intentionally took the photo with the light reflection on the body so you could see the texture of the grain.

Also, here’s a photo of the decal I applied this evening to the new Warmoth maple neck. The only thing I don't like about the neck is the spot where the maple fretboard meets the headstock. I've never seen one that looks that bad. It's not only a mismatch of grain, but it also appears that the the very edge of the fretboard either discolored or the glue wasn't cleaned up properly before clearcoat. Disappointing, but he string should cover it up quite a bit.

 

[SJLee]

View attachment 2864504 View attachment 2864500 Here’s another body photo after another coat of clear. I intentionally too the photo with the light reflection on the body so you could see the texture of the grain.

Also, here’s a photo of the decal I applied this evening to the new Warmoth maple neck.

Outstanding!

 

[Pep]

Boring for string-thru bridge later this week. Also working on the neck.

 

[jhb138]

You said black hardware? Shoulda stuck with the dark colored board... make that red *really* pop.

 

[SJLee]

You said black hardware? Shoulda stuck with the dark colored board... make that red *really* pop.

There's actually more contrast between maple and black then a dark colored board. More contrast = more pop*.

 

[Pep]

There's actually more contrast between maple and black then a dark colored board. More contrast = more pop*.

The red isn't at bright as it appears in the pic. It's actually darker. I'm still debating on whether or not to install a pickguard.

 

[flewis]

The red isn't at bright as it appears in the pic. It's actually darker. I'm still debating on whether or not to install a pickguard.

Go with no PG for now. You can add it later if you like.

 

[Pep]

Go with no PG for now. You can add it later if you like.

Good idea. I have a black gloss one and a black satin one.

 

[charlie monroe]

I'm also in the no pickguard camp.

 

[Pep]

If everything goes right I should have this baby finished by next week. I'm doing a bit more to the finish then wiring it up, stringing it, adjusting the neck and giving it a go. Will post soon.

 

[charlie monroe]

We're ready