Is creating a frankenbass worth it?

[PTS74]

Interested to know how many people create exactly what they want from parts, or spare themselves the fuss and pay extra for the real thing?

I'm personally pondering how to get a bass that looks like a '75 natural ash Jazz with maple fretboard and white block inlay neck (and not pay crazy vintage USA prices). Which route would you take?

1. Pay close to grand for a Japanese '75 reissue on ebay, which looks perfect and they're generally known to be quality instruments. The pros are I can start playing straight away. The cons are it's a little pricier than a frankenbass, possible customs tax, and if I don't like it I can't send it back.

2. Use a MIM natural ash body I have, buy a maple and white block inlay neck from Allparts, and slap a CUSTOM logo decal (Edit, won't be using Fender branding) on it. The pros are it's a little cheaper than the Japanese option. The cons are hiring a tech to get everything set up right and troubleshooting possible incompatibilities.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Giving the options of buying a Fender or making a counterfeit, I'd buy the Fender. If you don't want a Fender, why use the Fender logo? You can get your own decals easily made up.

 

[PTS74]

Giving the options of buying a Fender or making a counterfeit, I'd buy the Fender. If you don't want a Fender, why use the Fender logo? You can get your own decals easily made up.

Well, I'm just one of those people who thinks it completes the look. It will be my bass to keep, I'm not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. It's a fair point though, and another plus for buying the real thing.

Anyone have experience with US custom tax on Japanese goods?

 

[DWBass]

I went the parts bass route. Much more cost effective then going the Custom Shop route since Fender doesn't make a standard bass with what I want.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Building your own bass is fun, and let's you create exactly what you want. But it's not a Fender. Unless you are being buried with the bass, one day it will be sold. There are "is this a real Fender?" thread here almost daily. Don't help the counterfeiters.

DIM is right - make your own personal logo. Trust me. You will get a kick out of it, as will others who look at it. It's also cheaper.

 

[Pocket4]

Parts bass is the 'real thing'. in my humble opinion, playing with decals to make a bass something that is not - well, I better say it's just not my cup of tea.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It's not that expensive, nor is it that much work (unless you do the woodfinishing yourself - but that's not that difficult, and fun). Give it a try.

 

[2saddleslab]

Ya gotta tell it like it is. Do a build, it's a blast to make your own, including the decal.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You can get 10 full sheets of the decal paper for under $20 - go wild and try stuff.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I just don't like phoniness. Putting a Fender decal on a Non-Fender is just dishonest and unethical.

 

[RED J]

Either one is a "real" bass. I have had and do have both. So then it comes down to being a four flusher and what Doc said ^^

 

[DavC]

i think it a lot of fun ... to shop , find , build , etc ... don't leave Warmoth stuff off the list ... especially since their stuff is licensed by Fender ...

i've built a few parts bass ... or rebuilt/modded more to my liking ...!

and i've also had the 80's MIJ model , which was great ...

i'd say , shop slowly and carefully ... the only way to stay under budget ...!!

a couple pics ...

 

[bikeplate]

Fun putting together The exact bass you like. Have at it. Don't expect to get your money back out of it when you're tired of it though

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you buy the parts used, you can get your money back for the most part. If you build from new, you may never want to.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

It's nearly impossible to compete with the economies of scale possible in mass production, so you aren't going to save any money in the low range of instruments. In that case, you are better off buying a Squire CV or VM series and upgrading the pups or electronics. The sweet spot seems to kick in somewhere between $500-$1000, where you can assemble some really good parts and make a bass that's absolutely perfect for you without the custom shop markup. I've built two frankenbasses now, one from Warmouth parts and one hybrid amalgam of home-made wood body and Steinberger hardware, neither cheap by any means, but you can spread the cost over time so it FEELS less painful! It's a blast building parts basses, reason enough in itself. I agree that slapping a fake fender decal on it would be cheesy at best, particularly as it's so cheap and easy to have a custom made one done, or DIY with photoshop and a decent printer.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I gotta be me (Bulldog Bass Company). I did a '51 P butterscotch blonde translucent.

 

[PTS74]

Thanks for the replies, at least those of you who were polite. I didn't know you can get custom decals, so rest assured I'll bypass a Fender logo. Didn't realize I'd have to also get a decal on my forehead that read "scumbag" for even entertaining the thought.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I've done 3
Warmoths (Strat, tele, j bass) and have a p with a j neck cooking (probably not done before thanksgiving, the parts haven't left wamoth yet, and are headed to MJT next for paint).

None of my fender stuff
Is fender (nor does it say fender) because they never have quite what I want, and I don't have custom shop money. Every time I find a fender I like, it's an ugly color or something. For the
Strat, I wanted an ebony board and a hard tail, which is not fender. The tele is pretty stock. For the j bass, I wanted a nitro finish, and upgraded electronics. It's a little scary because you can't
Play first, but I've been happy so far. Price, including final set up by a pro is
Similar to American standard, and I think the quality is better (depending on who does the il final set up). Not custom shop good, not sadowsky good, but nice, and exactly what you want.

Downsides- more hassle than
Buying off the rack, can't play ten and pick the best, etc. also, resale is bad (probably better
To part it out)

 

[MobileHolmes]

I didn't know you can get custom decals, so rest assured I'll bypass a Fender logo. Didn't realize I'd get labeled a scumbag for even entertaining the thought.

I made my own for one bass with laser
Printer decal paper (used a font that was inspired by 50s frigidaire). For my new build, I found a lady on eBay that does logos (there are a bunch, she had great
Feedback). I'm getting "Bassopotamus" in something close to the fender script in metallic silver

 

[Gilmourisgod]

No offense intended, people get touchy about fake logos because some bozo is always hawking an obvious fake on Ebay with a counterfeit decal for high dollars. When you get into the stratospheric level of rare vintage instruments, there is a thriving forgery underworld, the same characters who make fake painting and antiques. Most guitar forgeries are pretty blatant, but an expertly relic'd instrument, often built from at least some genuine parts, can fool even the experts. Unlike paintings, most guitars have little to no provenance. There's a guy who keeps trying to sell what is clearly a Jazz parts bass supposedly once owned by Jaco for thousands, can't remember what it is now
As he keeps changing the price. What balls! Its funny unless you are the sap that buys the fake.