Double Czech - Jolana DiscoBass & Kolorbass -

[JIO]

Repositioned the 'spokes' and while I was at it repaired the artwork after buying a handful of various metallic paint-pens.

...also, ordered a cool suede strap for it - should work well with the art-work. Intricate, but not "up-staging"

 

[Dynacord]

I Found more of the original red in the neck pocket. Also shows the laminate perimeter and what looks like sycamore or basswood for the core. It's a 'semi-hollowbody' as it has a solid rail of wood in the center top to bottom.

Linden (aka basswood) is common in Eastern Europe so that's possible. Maybe beech? Have to think about what would have been indigenous woods to the region at the time.

They honestly don't look bad on that hs either. I often get frustrated at the lack of "unique" bass tuners available new, but something I've wondered is how easy (or not) it would be to fabricate custom buttons for those kind of "y" style tuners. It would open up a lot of possibilities, and could be done in all manner of materials.......hmmm. The bass I'm building now was originally going to have Sperzels, but they couldn't make me a set (no aluminum), so after looking at tuners till my eyes hurt, I ended up with a set of Gotoh Res-o-lites. Everything else was either "Y" or cloverleaf.....

So true that there's a dearth of options for 'different' bass tuning machines. I was happy to find these Klusons for a Longhorn reissue (great little bass but the tuners really were junk on that version) - even color coordinated!

 

[Retro]

Linden (aka basswood) is common in Eastern Europe so that's possible. Maybe beech? Have to think about what would have been indigenous woods to the region at the time.



So true that there's a dearth of options for 'different' bass tuning machines. I was happy to find these Klusons for a Longhorn reissue (great little bass but the tuners really were junk on that version) - even color coordinated!

View attachment 4447772

Those look fantastic! Interestingly, in looking just now, that "Kluson" is German and is separate from the U.S. "Kluson". Their website says "There is an American company having filed the brand name Kluson for theirselves in the USA the same like we did here in Europe. What is resulting out of that is quite easy: We - Göldo Music - are not allowed to export our Kluson tuners to the USA, and they - WD/ TonePros - are not allowed to export Kluson tuners to Europe. Anything being shipped nevertheless (sic.) is illegal! " !
Also on the Euro side, Duesenberg makes a great bass tuner, but they only seem to come in 2x2 sets, so 4-in-a-line gets expensive (and wasteful, unless you like reverse headstocks too) Hofner's "nicer" tuners are the same....

 

[JIO]

Those look fantastic! Interestingly, in looking just now, that "Kluson" is German and is separate from the U.S. "Kluson". Their website says "There is an American company having filed the brand name Kluson for theirselves in the USA the same like we did here in Europe. What is resulting out of that is quite easy: We - Göldo Music - are not allowed to export our Kluson tuners to the USA, and they - WD/ TonePros - are not allowed to export Kluson tuners to Europe. Anything being shipped nevertheless (sic.) is illegal! " !
Also on the Euro side, Duesenberg makes a great bass tuner, but they only seem to come in 2x2 sets, so 4-in-a-line gets expensive (and wasteful, unless you like reverse headstocks too) Hofner's "nicer" tuners are the same....

I've seen the deco-esque Duesenberg turners and they are nice, however I won't use branded tuners on a different brand. (like Fender branded tuners on anything but a Fender) I mean, you can - I just choose not to. Brands like Schaller, Kluson, Gotoh or Grovers, all being used on many brands are open game!

 

[JIO]

Linden (aka basswood) is common in Eastern Europe so that's possible. Maybe beech? Have to think about what would have been indigenous woods to the region at the time.
So true that there's a dearth of options for 'different' bass tuning machines. I was happy to find these Klusons for a Longhorn reissue (great little bass but the tuners really were junk on that version) - even color coordinated!
View attachment 4447772

I'd have to see more of the wood to determine that. The Discobass fb is beach, so it's a good possibility it's beech.

 

[Retro]

however I won't use branded tuners on a different brand

Totally understand (and agree)! I've passed on multiple cool-looking parts (not just tuners) because of "Brand Name" association. ("F"-branded wide-range bass humbuckers, "G"-style reflector knobs, etc.) Some parts are just so inherently associated with one brand, or even another specific instrument *cough strat-knobs cough*, that they become a distraction on more uniquely styled basses.

 

[Dynacord]

Those look fantastic! Interestingly, in looking just now, that "Kluson" is German and is separate from the U.S. "Kluson". Their website says "There is an American company having filed the brand name Kluson for theirselves in the USA the same like we did here in Europe. What is resulting out of that is quite easy: We - Göldo Music - are not allowed to export our Kluson tuners to the USA, and they - WD/ TonePros - are not allowed to export Kluson tuners to Europe. Anything being shipped nevertheless (sic.) is illegal! " !
Also on the Euro side, Duesenberg makes a great bass tuner, but they only seem to come in 2x2 sets, so 4-in-a-line gets expensive (and wasteful, unless you like reverse headstocks too) Hofner's "nicer" tuners are the same....

Yep. Crazy... Those Klusons are used on some Duesenbergs (though I should note that the ones I have are not branded). They're really good quality. I kind of wonder if Duesenberg or Goldo couldn't be contacted directly for 4 in line (of course the shipping thing though...) Duesenberg does sell parts (I actually have Duesenberg knobs on my Meazzi bass - tying back to one of JIO's other threads).

 

[Dynacord]

Totally understand (and agree)! I've passed on multiple cool-looking parts (not just tuners) because of "Brand Name" association. ("F"-branded wide-range bass humbuckers, "G"-style reflector knobs, etc.) Some parts are just so inherently associated with one brand, or even another specific instrument *cough strat-knobs cough*, that they become a distraction on more uniquely styled basses.

Agree - though, in "exception that proves the rule" fashion, I do love this intentional mash up that Dave Reimer did:

 

[Retro]

Agree - though, in "exception that proves the rule" fashion, I do love this intentional mash up that Dave Reimer did:

View attachment 4448345

Wow..... I would definitely play that....too cool!

 

[JIO]

Agree - though, in "exception that proves the rule" fashion, I do love this intentional mash up that Dave Reimer did:

View attachment 4448345

That is nice - when doing a custom hybrid it becomes part of the gestalt. A T-bird that is ergonomically designed!

 

[frankie5string]

So true that there's a dearth of options for 'different' bass tuning machines. I was happy to find these Klusons for a Longhorn reissue (great little bass but the tuners really were junk on that version) - even color coordinated!

View attachment 4447772

Am I seeing that right? Are those mini-tuners with Gotoh-style full-sized string shafts?

 

[JIO]

So first I leveled/polished the frets (no more buzzing) resulting in very playable action, then I flat-bladed the fb down to wood (will coat with fb oil when done w/the finishing), and am in the process of re-finishing/spraying the neck with a fresh even black coating. Once cured I'll emory-cloth sand it smooth and shoot a couple light coats of satin-nitro clear.

The neck is the most intimate part of a guitar/bass for a player and to make it an instrument you want to play - it's all about the neck.

Unfortunately the artist didn't sign her artwork (artist rule #1 - always sign your artwork) So in its absence I recognized her beautiful work for all those who will view it from here on in to see.

 

[Dynacord]

Am I seeing that right? Are those mini-tuners with Gotoh-style full-sized string shafts?

That's the idea, yes.

 

[Dynacord]

So first I leveled/polished the frets (no more buzzing) resulting in very playable action, then I flat-bladed the fb down to wood (will coat with fb oil when done w/the finishing), and am in the process of re-finishing/spraying the neck with a fresh even black coating. Once cured I'll emory-cloth sand it smooth and shoot a couple light coats of satin-nitro clear.

The neck is the most intimate part of a guitar/bass for a player and to make it an instrument you want to play - it's all about the neck.

View attachment 4448508
Unfortunately the artist didn't sign her artwork (artist rule #1 - always sign your artwork) So in its absence I recognized her beautiful work for all those who will view it from here on in to see.
View attachment 4448514

Nice. Her style quite reminds me of a lot of the regional folk-art in the south/south-east of Poland and in Sloviakia and Ukraine. Typified here: Zalipie - The Most Beautiful Village in Poland - Unusual Places

Worth mentioning that Nudie Cohn of the famous Nudie Suits who was such an influence on American country/'cowboy'/'ranchwear' style was of Ukrainian Jewish extraction and it's very easy to see the connection from this East European aesthetic (which can be seen in embroidery as well) and the cowboy embroidery popularized by Nudie, Rockmount, H bar C, etc.

I'm still curious about the fingerboard wood and wondering if it's really dyed as from your pictures of the flat bladed areas it looks like the color goes through evenly. Darkest local wood I can think of is walnut and it doesn't look like that to me. Some sort of tropical wood sourced from some part of the world under Soviet influence at the time is not impossible. Little known aspect to Poland is one of the largest minorities here (even still) is Vietnamese - due to student (and resource) exchanges in the Soviet era (going way off topic, I worked on a Netflix series - the first done in Poland - "1983" which was a very cool counterfactual akin to "Man in the High Castle" where the Soviet Union never fell, and the Vietnam connection was a key plot aspect).

 

[Dynacord]

That is nice - when doing a custom hybrid it becomes part of the gestalt. A T-bird that is ergonomically designed!

A really well thought out and balanced fusion IMO. I love how he took key elements from both - like the Gibson cherry transparent finish over mahogany (the neck, too) - or smaller details that are easy to miss like the Gibson shaped tug bar in ebony. Gold/silver cap reflector knobs look perfect there. And, of course, the t-bird bridge.
I've stuck t-bird pickups in a couple Fenders and seen many others (even if FSO rather than actual Fender) since but this is a much more complete design approach.


BTW on the Jolana and the artwork, are you considering clear-coating the body to protect the artwork? (assuming finish compatibility.) Could look quite nice and potentially help level out the overall finish I would imagine - though more expense and effort obviously.

 

[JIO]

A really well thought out and balanced fusion IMO. I love how he took key elements from both - like the Gibson cherry transparent finish over mahogany (the neck, too) - or smaller details that are easy to miss like the Gibson shaped tug bar in ebony. Gold/silver cap reflector knobs look perfect there. And, of course, the t-bird bridge.
I've stuck t-bird pickups in a couple Fenders and seen many others (even if FSO rather than actual Fender) since but this is a much more complete design approach.


BTW on the Jolana and the artwork, are you considering clear-coating the body to protect the artwork? (assuming finish compatibility.) Could look quite nice and potentially help level out the overall finish I would imagine - though more expense and effort obviously.

Yes, I noted all of those details and I agree that it's the best version of a Fenderbird I've seen. Is there a detail pic of the bridge? It looks different than a 2-part Gen1 T-bird bridge.

The paint-pens used are indelible and stable, basically thinner-based paint. And the DIY black finish is similarly crude in application so it's compatible visually. What I could do is shoot a thin clear lacquer coat over it to protect it for getting scratched when playing. (especially on the back) Nothing thick - just a protective layer.

And thanks for the info on the regional folk art/Zalipie designs. It makes me think of Dutch imagery, maybe because it's all floral.

I'll have to check out 1983 - I liked Man in the High Castle.

And the fb wood on the Kolorbas doesn't look dyed. It just looks like that is the original hue of the wood. It's pretty, a nice soft warm chestnut brown. It'll go a bit darker when oiled. I wet sanded the neck after spraying gloss black and will shoot satin clear lacquer over it once it stops raining. We've had some real rain off & on the last few days - always appreciated in CA as you know. Maybe we'll have a wet winter this year.

 

[Dynacord]

Yes, I noted all of those details and I agree that it's the best version of a Fenderbird I've seen. Is there a detail pic of the bridge? It looks different than a 2-part Gen1 T-bird bridge.

The paint-pens used are indelible and stable, basically thinner-based paint. And the DIY black finish is similarly crude in application so it's compatible visually. What I could do is shoot a thin clear lacquer coat over it to protect it for getting scratched when playing. (especially on the back) Nothing thick - just a protective layer.

And thanks for the info on the regional folk art/Zalipie designs. It makes me think of Dutch imagery, maybe because it's all floral.

I'll have to check out 1983 - I liked Man in the High Castle.

And the fb wood on the Kolorbas doesn't look dyed. It just looks like that is the original hue of the wood. It's pretty, a nice soft warm chestnut brown. It'll go a bit darker when oiled. I wet sanded the neck after spraying gloss black and will shoot satin clear lacquer over it once it stops raining. We've had some real rain off & on the last few days - always appreciated in CA as you know. Maybe we'll have a wet winter this year.

The bridge is a gen 1, 2 piece type. Just with both pieces close together. That's the only detail I'd like to see different - a little more of a gap between them.

1983 was a blast. Wish we got a second season. Here's the trailer:


Wishing you a good wet winter! Needed for sure!

 

[JIO]

Yikes - this just happened in front of our house! It's been pretty windy with the rain. Luckily there wasn't someone walking by or a car parked there! (in front of our garage door!) The city has been notified so we'll see how long it takes them to come deal with it. People can walk around it.

 

[Slidlow]

Yikes - this just happened in front of our house! It's been pretty windy with the rain. Luckily there wasn't someone walking by or a car parked there! (in front of our garage door!) The city has been notified so we'll see how long it takes them to come deal with it. People can walk around it.

View attachment 4449331

That branch could be made into a bass?

 

[JIO]

The bridge is a gen 1, 2 piece type. Just with both pieces close together. That's the only detail I'd like to see different - a little more of a gap between them.

1983 was a blast. Wish we got a second season. Here's the trailer:


Wishing you a good wet winter! Needed for sure!

Looks good!