Does this look awesome?

[knuckle_head]

How 'bout a Fender Bronco?

If you buy used you can come by a Bronco that is the same quality as a Mustang - they were made the same way with the same parts in the same factories. Broncos are dirt cheap because they are not loved on the used market (comparatively).

A thought - there is the Musicmaster as well.

Ebay Item

 

[ProfGumby]

its a rough job but the second one with the darkstar looks sweeet

+1

 

[Andy_colassal]

Im probalby going with the mustang, i might not even put a darkstar in it.

...or i might get an organ

 

[XCincyBassMan]

I think the OP has a great idea. I got into ss bases after seeing a Dread Zepplin concert. Their bass player was playing a really small bass with an absolutely HUGE sound and tone!! So, I picked up a Musicmaster on the 'bay for $285. The body had yellowed nicely and the neck was straight, but, the pickguard was warped/broken the body was pretty beatup...so I began the transformation. I had to get a new pickguard which ended up costing $68 b/c I wanted a gold anodized one and WD had to to a tracing. While waiting for the pickguard, I discovered the pickup was a Strat pup!?! So I got a SD QuarterPounder, $54 from Elderly. Then after putting it all together, I couldn't intonate it. After trying (and failed) to get a simular bridge...I got a cheapie one for $12. I just left the body as is (it's a beater!) .

I have to say this is now one of my favorite basses to play!! I used it this weekend on a blues gig and blew eveyone away!! Tone for days. Sure, I didn't put in a $200 pick up but I still had to spend some cash to make it work and the experience was positive! I don't think the Musicmaster is much better than a Bronco, the tuners aren't that great (specially after 30yrs of neglect) IMO.

So, my $0.02 is: DO IT!!!

 

[drewfretless]

1976 Mustang with DS
1978 Musicmaster with DS
Both sound incredible.

 

[alongthewire]

wow those two are looking nice... some serious inspiration to get into a little diy work

 

[prattguy]

No love for Broncos here......but DARKSTARS.....YUMMY!!!

 

[Huge]

Those are awesome!

 

[CoffeeBass]

I agree with Huge.

I just turned my MIK squier P into a J/P/J setup. I bought some 62 RI's and some Model J's (I will be getting rid of one of the set's soon BTW) and am comparing them right now. I have been going to every guitar store I can find an trying every bass in the house and I am finding that my POS squire had a better feel and sound them most of the ones I play (except for those Tobias'!) whether they cost 200 or 1500. Keep in mind that my P has a plywood body.

The point I am getting at I guess is that if you like the playability of the bronco/mustang and the sound of the darkstar in it, do it! And I'll tell you what else, I have learned SO much about all things bass that even if I ended up with firewood and some spare pickups the knowledge and experience would be worth it.

Just my humble opinion.

CB

 

[CoffeeBass]

I just realized that I was posting a reply to something on the first page.

Sorry for the confusion..

CB

 

[Huge]

I agree with Huge.
...

I've never read such beautiful words. I promised myself that I wouldn't cry.

 

[Fred Hammon]

Let me add one more.
Apparently some other folks have found this project worthwhile. This one and the sunburst shown earlier are vintage instruments I believe.

I've heard nothing but good things from their owners.
These are not "cheap" basses as short scales go although I understand how "the uninitiated" might think so.
Don't be a Lemming.
Dare to be different! Go for the "soul".
More towards whatever inspires you no matter how different.
Nobody has ever been sorry for being different - in the long run.