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finished up my first parts bass this weekend, fingerboard question

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by 12SB, Jul 15, 2013.

  1. Jul 15, 2013 #1
    12SB

    12SB

    Apr 1, 2013
    Long Island, NY
    So, I have a few outdoor festival gigs coming up this summer and fall, and I decided I wanted a cheap knock around bass I wouldn't have to worry about, as well as a little tonal variety ( my other basses are an american special jazz bass and a G&L jazz bass )

    I knew I wanted a p bass, so when I came across body and neck of unknown origins that a friend had, I grabbed it at an awesome price. It needed some TLC- a tuner was broken, missing a bridge saddle, the nut was cracked and the tone pot did not work. Luckily, I already had tuners ( off of my Am special jazz bass when I upgraded to hipshots ) and a decent bridge which I had never wound up using laying around for this project, so minus the labor, I was halfway there. The neck looks as though it could be a mighty mite, but has no marks or labels. The body, I have no idea- no marks or labels either ( I've had it completely apart & neck off ).

    So heres what went into it besides : seymour duncan spb1, cts 250 k pots & new input jack, .047 cap, black pickguard, graphtech nut, standard fender tuners, a knockoff gotoh bridge, some old screw hole filling, new hole drilling, a small piece of heavy sandpaper as a neck shim and a pretty cool bass was born!

    It turned out awesome! plays and sounds great.

    So here is my question: the fingerboard wood looks like an unfinished maple maybe? I'm not sure because of the darker color. Any of you guys have any insight? here are a few pics:
     
  2. Jul 15, 2013 #2
    12SB

    12SB

    Apr 1, 2013
    Long Island, NY
  3. Jul 16, 2013 #3
    Malak the Mad

    Malak the Mad Over the River and through the Looking Glass Supporting Member

    Oct 20, 2012
    The Archduchy of DuPont
    That…is a REALLY nice fretboard! I may prefer rosewood/darker wood boards, that's got some nice character to it.

    If you do give it a finish, my recommendation would be not to use any kind of tinting or coloring. Someone here on TalkBass should be able to give you a bit of insight, especially if you want to give it something to protect it (tung oil or something like that). Maybe ask again on the Luthiers board?
     
  4. Jul 16, 2013 #4
    faulknersj

    faulknersj Inactive

    Apr 4, 2008
    Scottsdale Az
    Cool Bass!!! I like the black bridge.
     
  5. Jul 16, 2013 #5
    Shakin-Slim

    Shakin-Slim

    Jul 23, 2009
    Tokyo, Japan
    I don't think that's a Mighty Mite neck. The headstock is a bit funny. Unless it's just the picture
     
  6. Jul 16, 2013 #6
    12SB

    12SB

    Apr 1, 2013
    Long Island, NY
    Thanks! I dig it too. Thanks for the advice, but I don't want to finish it- it plays great the way it is! I have always been more of an unfinished/rosewood guy for guitars and basses, so I like it the way it is :D
     
  7. Jul 16, 2013 #7
    12SB

    12SB

    Apr 1, 2013
    Long Island, NY
    Right?! It's pretty cool looking. I'm just wondering if it really is a maple fingerboard. the neck is a nice satin finish.
     
  8. Jul 16, 2013 #8
    12SB

    12SB

    Apr 1, 2013
    Long Island, NY
    yeah, I'll have to google some companies designs, that was just a guess on my part. Maybe its allparts or something?
     
  9. Jul 16, 2013 #9
    lobster57

    lobster57

    May 7, 2009
    Victoria, BC
    it almost looks like a post-fish-hook pre-shark-fin SX headstock to me.

    In my next post, more hyphens!
     
  10. Jul 16, 2013 #10
    Shakin-Slim

    Shakin-Slim

    Jul 23, 2009
    Tokyo, Japan
    Allparts, like Mighty Mite, have designs that are, as far as I can tell, identical to Fender. I'm guessing it's SX or something.
     
  11. Jul 17, 2013 #11
    bassbenj

    bassbenj

    Aug 11, 2009
    It looks like an SX which would mean it's maple. And SX is known for putting woods of different shades together (it's random from the pile, not planned to look cool). And Some SX necks do come through with amazing figuring. But usually they are not bare and the back is usually super thick glossy poly. So I don't know.

    But I do think that neck is very cool and all I'd do is bring out more color by treating the fret board with a neck treatment like Fret Doctor or whatever it's called. That will give the neck a nice treatment and bring out the color and figure as well. I wouldn't treat it with tung oil or anyting that would seal it.