• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cheesy project bass- what is this thing?

Engle

Engle

Oct 5, 2014
15,218
93,477
62
Pacific Northwet
#1
I’m a sucker for old MIJ projects. This was on VarageSale around the corner from me. It was advertised as a wall hanger with just one picture.
Seeing the aluminum pickguard and chrome pickup I offered $30 and picked it up last night.
3345919A-3D0C-43F7-8930-6E77B080AF60.jpeg
AC1797E5-204F-4629-8D34-20A2EFD9C923.jpeg
78583A38-86F4-40B2-AD8F-F348E36C7CF9.jpeg
D8496AEB-2195-44BE-B3B1-D4E2FFA211F9.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Beej, PrinceByTor, EatS1stBassist and 14 others
#3
Very interesting stepped neck pocket - not a common method, especially on a '60 MIJ ss. No tr isn't that uncommon, especially if from the early '60s. And I wonder what the two severed screws on the back of the hs were for. Can you assess if it's the original finish on the body & neck? And speaking of neck - how is it? (as in, is it relatively straight?) That's the one thing I always look at first when considering an instrument like that. The frets look good - no notable wear. Many of these guitars/basses had metal pg's - I scanned my reference book and unfortunately didn't see anything similar. Could have come out of any factory then and been badged with any name. The question of it being refinished stems from it having no indication of a hs name. If a decal that was removed there should be a ghost of it, and there are no holes if it was a screwed-on plate. And the string-tree (a strap-peg with a washer?) is definitely not original. Subbed! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, bobyoung53 and GBassNorth
#7
JIO said:
Very interesting stepped neck pocket - not a common method, especially on a '60 MIJ ss. No tr isn't that uncommon, especially if from the early '60s. And I wonder what the two severed screws on the back of the hs were for. Can you assess if it's the original finish on the body & neck? And speaking of neck - how is it? (as in, is it relatively straight?) That's the one thing I always look at first when considering an instrument like that. The frets look good - no notable wear. Many of these guitars/basses had metal pg's - I scanned my reference book and unfortunately didn't see anything similar. Could have come out of any factory then and been badged with any name. The question of it being refinished stems from it having no indication of a hs name. If a decal that was removed there should be a ghost of it, and there are no holes if it was a screwed-on plate. And the string-tree (a strap-peg with a washer?) is definitely not original. Subbed! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
The neck has a forward bow with about 0.6 mm relief with no string tension. There are also some issues with the binding.
It’s definitely been repainted. Very thick primer and black on top of the original red.
99D05F25-D309-41FF-8999-BB2BD73C8378.jpeg
69200138-984F-4841-9937-8280F93BE449.jpeg
F4430E9D-4F46-4C95-9DB8-4A4FE5E514F4.jpeg
A87B23DB-10A7-4296-BED4-F09F368954B0.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Beej, mikewalker, icefly and 3 others
#13
Engle said:
Possibly refretted.
It’s a 33 1/2 scale and there are 3 sets of bridge mounting holes…
I have an EB copy 30.5 scale neck. This may be a rat rod build.View attachment 4690498
Click to expand...

That 33.5" scale is the typical Teisco "long scale" for that era. Their early P-bass copies used the same scale. If you are going to replace the original neck with a 30.5" one, you will have to re-locate the bridge.
 
  • Like
Reactions: -Asdfgh-
#14
GretschWretch said:
That 33.5" scale is the typical Teisco "long scale" for that era. Their early P-bass copies used the same scale. If you are going to replace the original neck with a 30.5" one, you will have to re-locate the bridge.
Click to expand...
I could go a couple of ways. With the 30.5 neck, I could probably use the stock pickup with it’s narrow spacing. As you say, the bridge location would move, and I would need a narrow bridge.

A standard F style 34 neck and bridge would be easy, but would need a pickup with wider spacing. I do have an Artec Mudbucker that would probably work.

I need to try out the pickup. It looks cool, but how does it sound?
 
#15
Engle said:
I could go a couple of ways. With the 30.5 neck, I could probably use the stock pickup with it’s narrow spacing. As you say, the bridge location would move, and I would need a narrow bridge.

A standard F style 34 neck and bridge would be easy, but would need a pickup with wider spacing. I do have an Artec Mudbucker that would probably work.

I need to try out the pickup. It looks cool, but how does it sound?
Click to expand...


yes - that is a good question! :)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back