Dumpster find. Warning: Rogue content. How lucky am I?

[RiZzBot]

Found this heap today. Looks like someone removed the frets with their teeth (not a terrible job really). Also came with what looks like milky white drip stains and cockroach eggs in the electronics cavity. Slight back bow on the neck, and missing tuning peg. Wondering how much effort I should put into fixing this monstrosity.
Is this my luck day?

 

[GBBSbassist]

I personally don't see much value in this, but I also dread the thought of spending money and time fixing up a really beat up instrument that likely retailed for less than $200 in the first place.

 

[Sigurd]

Wondering how much effort I should put into fixing this monstrosity.

How badly do you want a P-bass with a bad neck, chewed up fingerboard, and replacement tuning machine that will cost more than the bass is worth?

 

[Smoove-Groove]

what looks like milky white drip stains

I don't like the sound of that!

A good junk bass to practice mods on. Also good to practice a rattle can refin on too.

 

[Meyatch]

I'm pretty sure these retailed for like $90. Here's a newer version for $120
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/rogue-sx100b-series-ii-electric-bass-guitar/h11150000001000

if you want a project its worth whatever you value that at, but I would have left it there, its probably worth less money than the cost of the one tuner you'd have to buy.

 

[two fingers]

Rattle can paint it fluorescent green and shine a black light on it in the man cave.

Other than that, clean it. String it with some flats. Experiment with fretless bass.

 

[RiZzBot]

if you want a project its worth whatever you value that at, but I would have left it there, its probably worth less money than the cost of the one tuner you'd have to buy.

I personally don't see much value in this, but I also dread the thought of spending money and time fixing up a really beat up instrument that likely retailed for less than $200 in the first place.

Currently accepting donation parts to fix this beast.

 

[RiZzBot]

Rattle can paint it fluorescent green and shine a black light on it in the man cave.

Other than that, clean it. String it with some flats. Experiment with fretless bass.

Would have to evict the family of roaches currently residing in it. First rattle can job might have be a can of Raid!

 

[GBBSbassist]

I'd ditch it based on the roach eggs alone, but I'm also a wimpy coward and afraid of spiders.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

You have already invested about as much money/time as you can without it being a bad investment. It never hurts to have a project bass to learn on though, it's a shame somebody else already failed at learning a de-fret on it.

 

[tpa]

If you like it then why not try to fix. If for nothing else then as a modification learning project. With your latest post you indicate what kind of budget you are on with this. Before anyting else string it up and see if trussrod and electronics work, and if so check wether you like you like the sound it can produce and if you like to play it.
Just be aware that no matter how perfect the bass will be the resale value will be in the same range that you paid before modifications/upgrades.

 

[electracoyote]

I'd spread a blanket over the coffee table, get my tools, put some sports on the TV, grab a cold one, and take this thing all the way apart with the intention to clean it up thoroughly.

The back bow may be nothing more than the lack of string tension and a turn of the truss rod. If the electronics work, you only need to address that fingerboard.

I've always wanted to put a few layers of resin on a de-fretted fingerboard to see if I could transform it into a fretless.

And if it all goes to hell, throw it back in the trash where you found it. It's not like you wasted any more time than watching a football game and drinking a couple of beers would have. And you'll at least get a little more experience with guitar repair out of the deal.

 

[RiZzBot]

If you like it then why not try to fix. If for nothing else then as a modification learning project. With your latest post you indicate what kind of budget you are on with this. Before anyting else string it up and see if trussrod and electronics work, and if so check wether you like you like the sound it can produce and if you like to play it.

I have the funds to give this bass a entire makeover. The "parts donation" comment was meant as a joke. But then again I bet theres a member here with the tuning peg I need for this bass. I would gladly pay the shipping for said part.

 

[RiZzBot]

I'd spread a blanket over the coffee table, put some sports on the TV, grab a cold one, and take this thing all the way apart with the intention to clean it up thoroughly.

The back bow may be nothing more than the lack of string tension and a turn of the truss rod. If the electronics work, you only need to address that fingerboard.

I've always wanted to put a few layers on a de-fretted fingerboard to see if I could transform it into a fretless.

And if it all goes to hell, throw it back in the trash where you found it. It's not like you wasted any more time than watching a football game and drinking a couple of beers would have. And you'll at least get a little more experience with guitar repair out of the deal.

This sounds like an excellent plan for the weekend

 

[petrus61]

My first bass...it even has the frets ripped out like mine did. It almost looks like the neck is twisting in the same direction too, but that might be the lighting.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Eek! I'm pretty much a wimp when it comes to stuff like that. Congrats on the courage!

I wonder if the roach eggs came from the dumpster or the apartment of the previous owner.

Wait, here's the official story... You were present with a friend. Suddenly you were both surrounded by giant cockroaches. (Now we know they are aliens from the documentary film Men in Black.) The only weapon of choice was his bass. The friend sacrificed his bass and himself to save you. As he was drawing his final breath, he only asked one favor in return, to restore this bass to its original glory.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You could get a really cheap set of tuners off Aliexpress for the cost of one decent one. Looks like a fun risk-free project beater, I’d fix it up and flog on it.

 

[electracoyote]

I bet their's a member here with the tuning peg I need for this bass. I would gladly pay the shipping for said part.

Those appear to be the most common tuning machines used on nearly every Asian-made bass under $175.00.

eBay is your oyster (I spent about 10 seconds on this search, you can probably do better)

bass single in Guitar Tuning Pegs | eBay

ONE Single Dean Bass Guitar Original Bass Side Chrome Tuner Tuning Peg | eBay

 

[PikeoftheLake]

Careful about those roach eggs. If you bring that bass in the house and those things hatch, you'll be out more than a couple hundred bucks in exterminator fees.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

KINDLING.