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I just ordered a Glarry....

lark_z

lark_z

Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2020
1,757
3,098
Overland Park, KS
#1
It's too hot to do much outside, I've been itching for a new project to get me through the summer. Local searching for some old beater to rescue haven't proven fruitful.

What the hell, I just ordered a Glarry precision in natural 'Burly Wood' (ha - basswood, probably), 34". All in $93 from Amazon (dead simple return policy).

Hell, if the neck is straight, it's worth that. And yes, I know it's gonna be chunkier than my two modern C necks.

It'll be fun to mess with for awhile. I will have to paint the pickguard, for sure. Apparently it's not a standard size.

 
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#3
lark_z said:
It's too hot to do much outside, I've been itching for a new project to get me through the summer. Local searching for some old beater to rescue haven't proven fruitful.

What the hell, I just ordered a Glarry precision in natural 'Burly Wood' (ha - basswood, probably), 34". All in $93 from Amazon (dead simple return policy).

Hell, if the neck is straight, it's worth that. And yes, I know it's gonna be chunkier than my two modern C necks.

It'll be fun to mess with for awhile. I will have to paint the pickguard, for sure. Apparently it's not a standard size.

Click to expand...
Somebody posted about stick-on plastic sheets for pick guard covers about a week ago. I'd go that route, rather than painting. Get yourself some nice tort!

Then it's on to the Quarter-Pounders to replace p'ups, some decent tuners. Probably replace the pots, barrel jack and all the wiring too.

Bring out the fret file and slap on some new strings. Set it up, oil the fretboard, let us know how it plays.

Still makes my stomach churn that they sell these things so cheap. Oh well, that's industrial progress, I guess.
 
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#4
BassicJazzy said:
Somebody posted about stick-on plastic sheets for pick guard covers about a week ago. I'd go that route, rather than painting. Get yourself some nice tort!

Then it's on to the Quarter-Pounders to replace p'ups, some decent tuners. Probably replace the pots, barrel jack and all the wiring too.

Bring out the fret file and slap on some new strings. Set it up, oil the fretboard, let us know how it plays.

Still makes my stomach churn that they sell these things so cheap. Oh well, that's industrial progress, I guess.
Click to expand...
I replaced the pups on mine with EMG GZR-P Geezer Butler very soon after getting it. So that covered pups, pots and wiring.
The tuners were really ok. But I later changed them only because I wanted lollipop instead of clover.
 
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#5
BassicJazzy said:
Somebody posted about stick-on plastic sheets for pick guard covers about a week ago. I'd go that route, rather than painting. Get yourself some nice tort!
Click to expand...
Stick on, cool, thanks.

BassicJazzy said:
Still makes my stomach churn that they sell these things so cheap. Oh well, that's industrial progress, I guess.
Click to expand...
Absolutely, you can't get a used Squier neck for under $100. If the neck looks good (no twists, straight grain), I'll be happy. Anything else can be fixed.
 
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#7
Sounds like fun! I've purchased several Glarrys in the past and modded them. I plan on snagging one, selling the neck and installing an Allen Eden 32" medium scale neck that has been sitting for a while. I'll just utilize a hi-mass bridge to cover up the original mounting hole (I scoot the bridge up approx 5/8" so it will intonate properly).
As for plastic over the pickguard, I bought a roll of matte orange metallic vehicle wrap off ebay and covered my pickguard AND headstock on my new Affinity Jaguar Bass. Lots of compliments. Oh, yeah... I also covered the control plate, after drilling a hole and mounting a switch for Series/Parallel/Single switching thru that MM pickup!
Keep us posted regarding the mods/improvements!
IMG_5610.JPG
IMG_5609.JPG
 
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#8
I tried a five string Glarry a while ago and although it didn’t have the roaring to make it decent for heavy rock, it was pretty much perfect I must admit. Super light, very playable and a good straight and comfortable neck.

When I played some alternative rock with it, no one could tell it was a "cheap" bass. You could be surprised when you’ll give it a try !
 
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#9
covermego said:
Sounds like fun! I've purchased several Glarrys in the past and modded them. I plan on snagging one, selling the neck and installing an Allen Eden 32" medium scale neck that has been sitting for a while. I'll just utilize a hi-mass bridge to cover up the original mounting hole (I scoot the bridge up approx 5/8" so it will intonate properly).
As for plastic over the pickguard, I bought a roll of matte orange metallic vehicle wrap off ebay and covered my pickguard AND headstock on my new Affinity Jaguar Bass. Lots of compliments. Oh, yeah... I also covered the control plate, after drilling a hole and mounting a switch for Series/Parallel/Single switching thru that MM pickup!
Keep us posted regarding the mods/improvements!
View attachment 7531703View attachment 7531705
Click to expand...
Good job on that re-cover. Very professional. How did you trim it so precisely? The TBr who used the plastic film cover said a Dremel was the best way to do that.
 
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#10
Gervais Cote said:
I tried a five string Glarry a while ago and although it didn’t have the roaring to make it decent for heavy rock, it was pretty much perfect I must admit. Super light, very playable and a good straight and comfortable neck.

When I played some alternative rock with it, no one could tell it was a "cheap" bass. You could be surprised when you’ll give it a try !
Click to expand...
There are other models showing up on Amazon now, different brands, all Chinese-made, some headless, some Premium level SR clones, with active EQ, for around $400. Where will it all end?

Were we all fools paying a couple thousand $ for our basses? I hope not. Or is this just a precursor to hostile takeover of the bass industry? Just kidding, don't ban me.
 
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#11
Congrats on the new bass! We got one in trade at the store, it was virtually unplayable and in desperate need of a set up. I gave it a good going over, the neck had a lot of positive bow but adjusting the trus rod sorted that, set the intonation, new strings , cleaned the pots and gave the whole bass a cleaning. It set up beautifully nice low action very easy to play. A good first bass for someone who can't spend much. It sold quickly.
 
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#12
I feel like I've posted my Glarry mod too many times already, but it's a good bass.
I would gig with it. expect to do some fret work, and reslot the nut. otherwise mine was good to go.
converting the headstock to a 3X1 fixed the neck dive. The body is SO LIGHT. (the tuners are reversable)
D8E30604-949E-4B7D-88CB-2E7729D5BA45_1_105_c.jpeg
 
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#13
BassicJazzy said:
There are other models showing up on Amazon now, different brands, all Chinese-made, some headless, some Premium level SR clones, with active EQ, for around $400. Where will it all end?

Were we all fools paying a couple thousand $ for our basses? I hope not. Or is this just a precursor to hostile takeover of the bass industry? Just kidding, don't ban me.
Click to expand...
I'd guess the workers making these instruments get paid peanuts. As for the $2k+ basses, I visited a US high-end builder's shop on numerous occasions and it sure didn't look like anyone was getting rich. If anything, I came away thinking it's a low-margin business.
 
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#14
GregC said:
I'd guess the workers making these instruments get paid peanuts. As for the $2k+ basses, I visited a US high-end builder's shop on numerous occasions and it sure didn't look like anyone was getting rich. If anything, I came away thinking it's a low-margin business.
Click to expand...
Perhaps it is low margins, but chances are the people at the top take in all the money while paying their workers the least amount they can. At least that’s how 99% off all US businesses operate. I mean, the average Walmart worker can barely scrape by, but you can bet the people at the top don’t live paycheck to paycheck.
 
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#15
I used a few Glarri (Glarrys ;)) for feeling out what styles and sounds of bass I would be more to my liking. They are really decent for beginners (with good strings and a setup) of for those who have the tools and skills to experiment on without much of an outlay of money.

As for using vinyl wraps on pickguards, you choices are unlimited. You can get Cricut (and other brands) permanent vinyls at WalMart or hobby/craft stores everywhere. You can also get custom wraps from many places. The rattlesnake pickguard in my avatar was a custom print from Inzane Skins. As for a clean edge, I use an X-Acto knife to trim right to the edge of the pickguard and the taper on the edge. I then come back with a fine grit sandpaper and scrub in a downward motion at the same angle as the bevel. Use a block on straight edges and I do the curves slowly by hand.
 
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#16
covermego said:
As for plastic over the pickguard, I bought a roll of matte orange metallic vehicle wrap off ebay and covered my pickguard AND headstock on my new Affinity Jaguar Bass. Lots of compliments. Oh, yeah... I also covered the control plate, after drilling a hole and mounting a switch for Series/Parallel/Single switching thru that MM pickup!
Keep us posted regarding the mods/improvements!
Click to expand...


The TB community just amazes me.....

I would have never though of vehicle wrap or the craft store, thanks @covermego and @MadJack ... https://tinyurl.com/3aaajkx8
 
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#19
Docduval said:
Perhaps it is low margins, but chances are the people at the top take in all the money while paying their workers the least amount they can. At least that’s how 99% off all US businesses operate. I mean, the average Walmart worker can barely scrape by, but you can bet the people at the top don’t live paycheck to paycheck.
Click to expand...
It is low margin. The problem is production capacity is so limited, and the time from start to finish involves several delays, where work gets done out of house. They are very limited to how many units they can have in production at any time, and cash flows can be very lagged. It's a little like the textile business, you spend money six months to a year before when you get the revenue. This can be tough to finance. Then there's the cost of rejects, things that went wrong late in the production process.

This is the reason that high-end builders like Warwick and Sadowsky have clones built using their specs in countries where production can be done at scale, by experienced, skillful, but inexpensive builders. Much higher profit margin on those.
 
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