Alright, I've been talking about it for a long time and shared some pics here and there, but I finally got around to making one last trip to Brian Barrett at The LowEnd for final setup tweaks to my latest crazy idea. I have named him "Crockett" after Don Johnson's character James "Sonny" Crockett from Miami Vice.
I'm from Miami, FL originally and have always love the bright colors and flashy nature of my hometown. I like to have pieces of home around me. I even have 3 saltwater reef tanks at my house because I love the ocean so much! I've also always wanted a Mark Hoppus Jazz bass, but those things have gotten ridiculously expensive for just being a weird MIM bass. I decided for the same money I could build one exactly to my liking and pay tribute to my roots while I was at it.
Over the last year I sourced all the parts myself, and sent the body off to get custom paint done by Pat Sims at Sims Custom shop in Chattanooga, TN.
The parts I can remember now are:
Solid maple Hoppus-ish body from Perle Guitars on Reverb - I say Hoppus-ish because the actual Hoppus has a pickguard mounted (top routed body) volume pot and output jack. This body has a rear-route setup with holes for V and T, and a rim-mounted output jack route. This is exactly what I wanted!
Fender MIM roasted maple Precision bass neck - got this from Sweetwater
DiMarzio DP127 split rail pickup
Hipshot Kickass bridge
Hipshot USA Ultralite tuners
Matching Hipshot Extended Range tuner
Chrome knobs from a Gibson Diablo SG
Standard Fender chrome neckplate
Black convertible strap-locks (which I haven't installed on a strap yet. Oof)
It came out WONDERFULLY!!! I have multiple maple/maple necked P and J basses from Fender Mexico and USA, and this is far and away a beefier sounding instrument. Like... not even close. It's crazy how powerful the low E string on this thing is, and it gets even BETTER when you flick the extended range tuner to drop D!
I am absolutely a believer in roasted maple. This is my second roasted maple necked bass (other is a Sterling Ray35) and I absolutely believe these necks are stiffer than their un-baked (ha!) counterparts. When you're playing it, this thing just feels like it was milled from one piece of iron or something! Sure, the maple body (and the increased overall weight) may have something to do with it as well... but you just gotta feel this thing. It's really incredible. It's by far my favorite 4 string now. I'm actually contemplating swapping the necks on another MIM J and P I have to these roasted maple jobs. I am completely convinced.
Brian assembled/built the bass for me, and he did a FANTASTIC job. He treated it with as much love and care as one of his $4-5k custom basses. The frets needed a bit of leveling, so he did that and then gave them a full fret dress. The fret ends were done pretty well from factory, but not perfect. For a $330 then/$400 now neck, the overall finishing was actually a little better than I expected. Super comfortable profile. It's just a delight to hold and play!
I appreciate all the discussion here on TB as I was dreaming this up and planning it out. I read lots of reviews on hardware and electronics, etc. Your input means a lot to me! I am just a mediocre hobbyist and it's so great to be able to chat with folks who are real musicians, performers, engineers, builders, etc all here on TB!
Alright, without further ado... CROCKETT!
I'm from Miami, FL originally and have always love the bright colors and flashy nature of my hometown. I like to have pieces of home around me. I even have 3 saltwater reef tanks at my house because I love the ocean so much! I've also always wanted a Mark Hoppus Jazz bass, but those things have gotten ridiculously expensive for just being a weird MIM bass. I decided for the same money I could build one exactly to my liking and pay tribute to my roots while I was at it.
Over the last year I sourced all the parts myself, and sent the body off to get custom paint done by Pat Sims at Sims Custom shop in Chattanooga, TN.
The parts I can remember now are:
Solid maple Hoppus-ish body from Perle Guitars on Reverb - I say Hoppus-ish because the actual Hoppus has a pickguard mounted (top routed body) volume pot and output jack. This body has a rear-route setup with holes for V and T, and a rim-mounted output jack route. This is exactly what I wanted!
Fender MIM roasted maple Precision bass neck - got this from Sweetwater
DiMarzio DP127 split rail pickup
Hipshot Kickass bridge
Hipshot USA Ultralite tuners
Matching Hipshot Extended Range tuner
Chrome knobs from a Gibson Diablo SG
Standard Fender chrome neckplate
Black convertible strap-locks (which I haven't installed on a strap yet. Oof)
It came out WONDERFULLY!!! I have multiple maple/maple necked P and J basses from Fender Mexico and USA, and this is far and away a beefier sounding instrument. Like... not even close. It's crazy how powerful the low E string on this thing is, and it gets even BETTER when you flick the extended range tuner to drop D!
I am absolutely a believer in roasted maple. This is my second roasted maple necked bass (other is a Sterling Ray35) and I absolutely believe these necks are stiffer than their un-baked (ha!) counterparts. When you're playing it, this thing just feels like it was milled from one piece of iron or something! Sure, the maple body (and the increased overall weight) may have something to do with it as well... but you just gotta feel this thing. It's really incredible. It's by far my favorite 4 string now. I'm actually contemplating swapping the necks on another MIM J and P I have to these roasted maple jobs. I am completely convinced.
Brian assembled/built the bass for me, and he did a FANTASTIC job. He treated it with as much love and care as one of his $4-5k custom basses. The frets needed a bit of leveling, so he did that and then gave them a full fret dress. The fret ends were done pretty well from factory, but not perfect. For a $330 then/$400 now neck, the overall finishing was actually a little better than I expected. Super comfortable profile. It's just a delight to hold and play!
I appreciate all the discussion here on TB as I was dreaming this up and planning it out. I read lots of reviews on hardware and electronics, etc. Your input means a lot to me! I am just a mediocre hobbyist and it's so great to be able to chat with folks who are real musicians, performers, engineers, builders, etc all here on TB!
Alright, without further ado... CROCKETT!
