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Essex Headstock Mod "The Blade"
- Thread starter ebonalley
- Start date
Here's the summary:
And finally...
a custom etched neck plate which signifies that this bass may have been made in China, but it was born in Texas!
Now if only my Patriots could play as well as this bass...
- "The Blade" headstock mod
- Economy mass bridge from GPR
- Gold hardware (warning, in hindsight, this bumped up costs considerably)
- Switchcraft jack
- Sheilding kit from Stew Mac
- Custom pickguard from Terrapin (brown shell)
- CTS 250 mini pots
- Orande Drop capacitor
- LaBella 760 FL medium scale flats
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners
- Neck thread inserts and shim
- Custom gold-finished control plate
- Pro setup including custom Tusq nut
- Bell shaped vintage knobs (I considered jazz knobs but felt these along with the pickguard really gave a nice vintage look)
And finally...
a custom etched neck plate which signifies that this bass may have been made in China, but it was born in Texas!
Now if only my Patriots could play as well as this bass...
It sounds incredible, I'm really really happy with the tone. My fingers feel a little clumsy around the LaBellas but that should pass soon.
Actually I can't take anymore credit for the frets than taking out my wallet. I found Brady Muckelroy here in Austin and he did a fine job. Those pics are from his Facebook account.
that completed unit is awesome looking, and your headstock mods were done very well, unlike this "hackjob" failure:
( I knew I saw a pic of someone who failed at their attempt )
.
( I knew I saw a pic of someone who failed at their attempt )
.
I really like that etched neck plate...a neck I bought off ebay and made into a Telecaster shape...I would do this to all my necks if knew I would not screw it up.
Here's the part where I go over-kill....especially when I'm working on a painted/ finished body. I shield as much as possile! I don't want to chance putting scratches in a shiny finish.
And, to be more & more careful, I've taped off the back of the bass/ the neck too.
Let me say that this is NOT "overkill!
Having done a few of my SX basses I was really surprised at how easily they get scratches! And not just on the wood finish either. I mean on the chrome plate too!
I had a place to work on them with thin packing foam and a soft flannel cloth over that. I was convinced that this would protect all the finishes from scratches. Sorry. No dice. Next thing I know I find scratches all over the bass. Had to actually buff out some of the worst ones!
I don't know. The SX finishes don't seem that soft to me! But apparently they are. Just seem VERY scratch prone. So protection by covering is not going too far!
As someone stated earlier - I'm not normally a huge gold hardware fan myself, but THIS I like! Great job on the shielding, etc., all of it. Now comes the fun part - enjoying that great bass.
As someone stated earlier - I'm not normally a huge gold hardware fan myself, but THIS I like! Great job on the shielding, etc., all of it. Now comes the fun part - enjoying that great bass.
Thanks Stingray. The first time I saw your bass I knew I had to have one for myself.
^ Well Thank You Sir! I do see some foundation similarity, but with your custom headstock work, the gold hardware, vintage knobs, etc., it really has a unique & very cool vibe design unto itself. Great job on it!
So how much did all these mods run you? I'm interested in modifying my SX 5 stringer... And regarding your bass, let me say, absolutely stunning job, sir.
Um... A lot. Start with $120 for gold tuners (too much from GPR), $85 for custom pickguard, $150 for luthier work and $40 for strings and you can add up the rest. It was a lot. I will probably never do gold hardware again due to cost. I don't regret it though as this bass is dead sexy and I plan to keep it due its playability and personal value.
Let me know next time you are doing a fret job so I can buy stock in a tape company! Looks good man! Thanks for the pics/step-by-step stuff.
man, that was a good read! Really enjoyed seeing where that was gonna end up. Indeed, that is one sexy bass you've got on your hands. Gold hardware (like slap technique) is one of those things I don't find works well on a personal basis, but when used tastefully by someone else, I am VERY down with! Hopefully you'll enjoy the crap out of that thing. I doubt anybody else will be able to appreciate the work that went into it like you will
Thanks sloppy phil. Its a permanent member of the family for good reason. And you're right, no one else would appreciate it as much as myself.
