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Help me build a Matt Sharp sig 5

NicJimBass

NicJimBass

Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
Nov 22, 2004
3,990
2,227
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Lancaster, OH
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#1
Okay,

It dawned on me last night that Matt Sharp (Weezer, the Rentals, solo) is probably my biggest influence. I really dig his playing... simple, yet perfect for the song. Anyway, I dig the J bass he played with both bands, but since I'm a 5 string junkie, I decided I want to make a MS sig 5. I figure that I can get all the parts from Warmoth, especially the neck since that's where his Tele bass neck came from, supposedly. Does anyone have somewhat detailed pics as to what the bass looked like, and any info as to what pups he had and such? Any and all help with this would be greatly appreciated!!
 
#8
I saw him perform earlier this year when he was touring with Goldenboy, and when he wasn't playing guitar (a bass traitor! ;) ) he used that black bass. Brian Bos of Goldenboy referred to it as the "road warrior," and it's way more beat up now than in those photos. Interestingly enough, it was actually Matt's birthday the day I saw him (at Eugene's own WOW hall). Couldn't quite make out the pickup manufacturers, though I was about 3-5 feet away from him (not many people showed up, it was pretty "intimate"). So if you want to make a Matt Sharpe sig, I would suggest putting some wear into it.
 
#11
ZOMBIE THREAD LIVES!

So, found some recent pics of the bass in question. I've read that he used Schecter Monstertone pickups, which are apparently rare. I'm thinking Rio Grande pickups, sans covers, would work well in their place. In these pics, he has a Schaller roller bridge, which is an easy find.

My only concern is the body. It looks as though he had a white/ cream body originally, and may have painted it flat black... but not well enough, as it's coming off. Thinking of getting a white body, and either painting it myself, or having someone paint then relic it. Thoughts?

Pics:

msbass2.gif

msbass3.gif

msbass.gif
 
#12
Another Zombie thread resurrection!!

I made a Matt Sharp backup bass (Lake Placid Blue one used with =w= and the rentals) a year or so ago, but finally sourced some Schecter Monstertones off here a few weeks back. I'm now thinking of making the black bass.

I believe the body is maybe 70's as it seems to have the 70's pickup spacing. Could be very late 60's, but I'm tempted to say 70's. Not sure about it being originally white/cream, then painted black. I always thought it was white primer underneath a black colour coat that had worn away from playing? Who knows!

The neck as well is proving difficult to source any info on. Looks like it;s maybe flame or birdseye maple with a rosewood or ebony board. I've asked this in the luthiers section and unofficialwarmoth.com but got pretty much 50/50 for both!

Good luck if you do this. Not sure if Monstertones ever came in a 5 string version, but I had some Rio Grandes' a while back and they look pretty much the same as Monstertones. Sound good too!
 
#13
***Honorable mention for a Most Extreme Z0mbie Thread Revival Challenge***

@UnDoNe, you are still fired for getting rid of your Matt Sharp black bass. /internet sarcasm :)

@NicJimBass, not sure where you ended up in the last 15 years, but here's what we know today and what you can (and should) still totally build if you have the "jones" (FWIW, in 2020 I'm finally getting to my own 25 years later...ymmv I guess)

UnDoNe (or anyone) can chime in, but as we know it in 2020, the Blue Album black bass B.O.M. goes something like this:

-A J-bass body (70's pickup spacing)

-Black Schaller Roller bridge *this exists as 5* (3D-5)

-Jerry Jones lipstick pickups, later switching to the more famous Schecter Monstertones. For reference, Jerry Jones pickups are extremely rare as they were only offered on Jerry Jones instruments. In 2020 I *think* there are retail 5-string Dano-style lipsticks. In 2020, Schecter Monstertones are available retail, but only come in 4 string..if it's physically possible to rip the caps off of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder 5 string pickups, you may achieve a similar look. ***Or just put whatever you want in if you have a specific preference and plan on playing the darn thing***

-Tort guard (+10,000 TB flex), I would seek a Fender brand for best "redness"

-2X Strat volume knobs / corresponding splined pots, and a (missing) tone knob (if wired as a regular J-bass)

-(checks Warmoth catalog #18, saved from my first Matt Sharp-ish build in 1995) In 2020, you need to ask for a birdseye maple Tele neck (currently there are two options, one for "super figured" which costs extra...this is up to you), ebony fretboard, 21 frets (you will need to ask them to do the "old" square fretboard overhang profile !!!paging UnDoNe!!!), and abalone dots (clay dots were not a regular option on bass necks). If there is a "J" nut width option for a 5, do that, ha ha. Today's "slim back contour" option was not available. Fret choice is personal; go with what you know...unsure of the actual option on the Matt Sharp neck. In 2020, I am unsure about Warmoth's offerings for alternate 5 string tuner configs inside the Tele headstock profile. PRO TIP: in 2020, I would 100% opt for graphite rods even though they were not options then (only steel was offered, see: neck dive)

-Your choice of Schaller M4S or bolt-on "Elephant ears". I have scanned, photoshopped and then zoomed in on the inside of the Blue Album cover so many times that my head hurts...the tuning keys aren't exactly visible, but you can kind of make out a dome shape on the pegs. This is consistent with M4S tuners, which are clearly visible in the "Undone-The Sweater Song" video, around the 1:00 minute mark where Matt turns away from the drums and back to the microphone. Later versions of the bass have elephant ears. 100% up to you. Note, stock M4S tuners are extremely heavy. (Another?) PRO TIP: the old cool-looking M4S keys swap perfectly onto Schaller BMLs guts which are MUCH lighter.

-Again, per the Sweater Song video, I only see one string tree. Later photos show two trees, one pinning the A and D down. For a real player 5 string, you will probably want one of those neeto bar-shaped ones.

-Misc: the body swoosh and bridge backstop highlight?? You're on your own. Good luck!
 
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#14
Anthony Fury said:
***Honorable mention for a Most Extreme Z0mbie Thread Revival Challenge***

@UnDoNe, you are still fired for getting rid of your Matt Sharp black bass. /internet sarcasm :)

@NicJimBass, not sure where you ended up in the last 15 years, but here's what we know today and what you can (and should) still totally build if you have the "jones" (FWIW, in 2020 I'm finally getting to my own 25 years later...ymmv I guess)

UnDoNe (or anyone) can chime in, but as we know it in 2020, the Blue Album black bass B.O.M. goes something like this:

-A J-bass body (70's pickup spacing)

-Black Schaller Roller bridge *this exists as 5* (3D-5)

-Jerry Jones lipstick pickups, later switching to the more famous Schecter Monstertones. For reference, Jerry Jones pickups are extremely rare as they were only offered on Jerry Jones instruments. In 2020 I *think* there are retail 5-string Dano-style lipsticks. In 2020, Schecter Monstertones are available retail, but only come in 4 string..if it's physically possible to rip the caps off of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder 5 string pickups, you may achieve a similar look. ***Or just put whatever you want in if you have a specific preference and plan on playing the darn thing***

-Tort guard (+10,000 TB flex), I would seek a Fender brand for best "redness"

-2X Strat volume knobs / corresponding splined pots, and a (missing) tone knob (if wired as a regular J-bass)

-(checks Warmoth catalog #18, saved from my first Matt Sharp-ish build in 1995) In 2020, you need to ask for a birdseye maple Tele neck (currently there are two options, one for "super figured" which costs extra...this is up to you), ebony fretboard, 21 frets (you will need to ask them to do the "old" square fretboard overhang profile !!!paging UnDoNe!!!), and abalone dots (clay dots were not a regular option on bass necks). If there is a "J" nut width option for a 5, do that, ha ha. Today's "slim back contour" option was not available. Fret choice is personal; go with what you know...unsure of the actual option on the Matt Sharp neck. In 2020, I am unsure about Warmoth's offerings for alternate 5 string tuner configs inside the Tele headstock profile. PRO TIP: in 2020, I would 100% opt for graphite rods even though they were not options then (only steel was offered, see: neck dive)

-Your choice of Schaller M4S or bolt-on "Elephant ears". I have scanned, photoshopped and then zoomed in on the inside of the Blue Album cover so many times that my head hurts...the tuning keys aren't exactly visible, but you can kind of make out a dome shape on the pegs. This is consistent with M4S tuners, which are clearly visible in the "Undone-The Sweater Song" video, around the 1:00 minute mark where Matt turns away from the drums and back to the microphone. Later versions of the bass have elephant ears. 100% up to you. Note, stock M4S tuners are extremely heavy. (Another?) PRO TIP: the old cool-looking M4S keys swap perfectly onto Schaller BMLs guts which are MUCH lighter.

-Again, per the Sweater Song video, I only see one string tree. Later photos show two trees, one pinning the A and D down. For a real player 5 string, you will probably want one of those neeto bar-shaped ones.

-Misc: the body swoosh and bridge backstop highlight?? You're on your own. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Good to hear from, man! Great to see you're still seeking that Matt Sharp 5 sig!

I'll go through what I can answer...

  • Body is a 1973 Fender J bass. 4 holes for the neck plate, so before that changed, anyway.
  • Correct on the bridge. When he sold the original back in 2010/11, it was Schaller made, but branded Hamer. I'm almost certain of that. It's now replaced with a chrome Schaller.
  • 5 string Monstertones ARE AVAILABLE! Schecter do a J-5 bass which has them. Not sure if they're available for sale separately though. Possible option is Rio Grande Muy Grande's. They come as a 5 string version, and have .25 inch pole pieces. Same lack of covers too. I had the 4 string version. Great pickups, and definitely based on the old Schecters.
  • Electronics - yes, 2x white strat knobs on splined pots, and a tone pot (solid shaft) with no knob. IMPORTANT: the bass is wired in series, not parallel. Sounds a lot darker and grunty, than normal J bass wiring.
  • Neck is birdseye maple and jet black ebony board. I just emailed Warmoth and they happily kept the square edge at the end. Had to pay for it though, can't recall how much.
  • Yes, tuners were Schaller M4S, now Schaller BML. I've got M4S on a current bass, and they're great. No idea why Matt changed them out, but no problems with mine.

I'm currently running a bass like Sharp's...black, worn out 1973 body, original 1970's Schecter pickups, chrome Schaller 3D bridge, M4S tuners and birdseye maple warmoth neck with tele headstock. Went for the birdseye fretboard too this time!

6196012-4a68a09fa9d2f2a50445e5b3b2e8b201.jpg
 

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#15
Excellent! So it's kinda back for you, great!! Quick Q - did you do clear gloss on your Matt Sharp neck? Or...? What about this one? I don't think your build thread mentions it.

Good info on the 5-string Monstertones - now @NicJimBass *HAS* to build it. :)

Yes, saw he had a chrome one on now. He sold the original?

Also, awesome info on the wiring - how did you find that out? Just curious. Esp. since you can split the MonsterTones, my big plan was foregoing the tone pot and sneaking in a rotary switch (series in-phase/parallel in-phase/series reverse-phase / parallel reverse-phase). The one I got is hard to turn without a knob BUT has strat knob splines, so that might be knob #2.

I can guess why the M4S tuners were abandoned - the anti-rotational pins on the back of the tuner body are really small, and they really dig up the headstock and start to rock back and forth. Especially with the .115" Boomers he was running (or so I've read about), I can see this being a real pain. I fixed this on my dad's old Precision with M4Ss by making larger "donuts" that press onto the smaller anti-rotation pins and fit with enlarged holes (Schaller BMLs address this by having larger pins anyway, in case you want the M4S key look without the weight).

Anyway, glad to see your update / new rig, looks awesome!!!
 
#16
Anthony Fury said:
Excellent! So it's kinda back for you, great!! Quick Q - did you do clear gloss on your Matt Sharp neck? Or...? What about this one? I don't think your build thread mentions it.

Good info on the 5-string Monstertones - now @NicJimBass *HAS* to build it. :)

Yes, saw he had a chrome one on now. He sold the original?

Also, awesome info on the wiring - how did you find that out? Just curious. Esp. since you can split the MonsterTones, my big plan was foregoing the tone pot and sneaking in a rotary switch (series in-phase/parallel in-phase/series reverse-phase / parallel reverse-phase). The one I got is hard to turn without a knob BUT has strat knob splines, so that might be knob #2.

I can guess why the M4S tuners were abandoned - the anti-rotational pins on the back of the tuner body are really small, and they really dig up the headstock and start to rock back and forth. Especially with the .115" Boomers he was running (or so I've read about), I can see this being a real pain. I fixed this on my dad's old Precision with M4Ss by making larger "donuts" that press onto the smaller anti-rotation pins and fit with enlarged holes (Schaller BMLs address this by having larger pins anyway, in case you want the M4S key look without the weight).

Anyway, glad to see your update / new rig, looks awesome!!!
Click to expand...

Man oh man, blast from the past!

I ended up not doing anything at all, but this has kinda lit the fire again. Will it result in anything? Probably not, but never say never!

I actually got a black Franken J in a trade last year, and it's basically collected dust, but I messed with it a little last week. I ended up swapping the Badass bridge it came with for a Schaller bridge from an old 80's Kramer Focus I bought several years ago, because I toyed with the idea of finding a tele neck, and going from there. I still like the idea for a 5'r version though. Might look into it again!
 
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#17
NicJimBass said:
Man oh man, blast from the past!

I ended up not doing anything at all, but this has kinda lit the fire again. Will it result in anything? Probably not, but never say never!

I actually got a black Franken J in a trade last year, and it's basically collected dust, but I messed with it a little last week. I ended up swapping the Badass bridge it came with for a Schaller bridge from an old 80's Kramer Focus I bought several years ago, because I toyed with the idea of finding a tele neck, and going from there. I still like the idea for a 5'r version though. Might look into it again!
Click to expand...

You 100% should, it won't cost that much either way. Warmoth prices / value are truly amazing and you can nickel & dime the misc parts in the Classifieds as you go.
 
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#18
@UnDoNe one more question for you - is Matt's bass actually white with a black paintjob over that? Some of the closeups make me think this. I'm not a hardcore Fender historian, but if it's a '73, someone on here might be able to answer if Fender primed their (non-natural/burst) bodies.
 
#19
Anthony Fury said:
@UnDoNe one more question for you - is Matt's bass actually white with a black paintjob over that? Some of the closeups make me think this. I'm not a hardcore Fender historian, but if it's a '73, someone on here might be able to answer if Fender primed their (non-natural/burst) bodies.
Click to expand...

Matt's neck has a gloss on it. You can tell from the Undone video, it's all shiny. I fancied a change on my current bass, so it as satin nitro, but I've played it enough now that the back of the neck is glossing up. The peghead is still satin though. Kinda cool.

Yes, he sold the original black bridge a while ago. I'm guessing at 2010/11. It was around the time that Pinkerton Deluxe was released. He sold the black bass bridge, an Orange OR200, his Musicman, a flightcase, couple of other non-bass related things too. Couldn't afford any of it at the time :(

To answer your quoted question, not sure. I always assumed it was a white body which was sprayed black. I have a suspicion there was something about those early 70's bodies. They're sprayed with poly, but the paint is really bad quality. I've seen lots where the paint just flakes off them. Just a guess though. Wasn't black a custom colour, and old bodies were painted over to make them? Might be wrong on that, but it sounds familiar.
 
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