I have a 1970s fretless Ventura violin bass guitar. I got it cheap, but am starting to realize why that might have been. The pots are extremely dirty and need to be replaced. A few of the screws on the pickups are stripped. The bridge is too high and i can’t lower it. The tuning pegs are rusty and the truss rod is stripped bare. I used to look at this bass with fondess, considering it was my first. I’m now considering selling it and upgradin. Should I upgrade or dump a bunch of money into this gem?
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Is it worth the trouble?
- Thread starter Dan Newsom
- Start date
How much money do you think you will have to dump? Have you sprayed cleaner into the pots or penetrating lubricant on the screws? Tuners shouldn't cost that much; nor should a replacement bridge. That is one of the finer solidbody violin basses ever made; I'd resusitate it in the blink of an eye.
Thank you! I thought so but have had a few of my peers tell me it’s a waste.
Any idea on the truss rod? If anyone does, any and all advice would be helpful!
Any idea on the truss rod? If anyone does, any and all advice would be helpful!
If it were mine, I'd at least price a legit truss rod replacement, or maybe see about having that one re-threaded somehow. As for the stripped screws and pots, those should be an easy and cheap enough fix. The bridge also shouldn't de too hard to fix. If the tuners are still solid and functioning, I'd find a fine stainless steel brush and brush the rust off, although it might dull the existing chrome or nickel. Thinking out of the box of "mainstream" guitar repair avenues, if there are any good gun shops or automotive restorers in your neck of the woods, either might could help you with both the truss rod rethreading and the tuners.
How much $$ are you realistically going to get for It? You said you don’t have a lot of $$ into it so put a few $$ into it and enjoy it.
Turnaround
Commercial User
1. Pots are not expensive.
2. Is it the screws or the screw holes that are stripped. If it's the former, screws are cheap. if it's the latter it's a small matter to plug the screw holes and re-drill.
3. If the bridge is as low as it will go and is still too high, the base that the bridge is sitting on can be thinned. That's an inexpensive fix. If that won't work you might need a neck reset. If the neck is a bolt-on, that is also an inexpensive fix.
4. You can clean the rust off tuning machines. If the tuners really need replacing, that's probably your largest expense. But if they are still working I wouldn't replace them.
5. Is the truss rod stripped or is it the truss rod nut? If the latter it may be replaceable for a few dollars.
It's a nifty bass. Don't give up on it.
Considering the resale value of a no name instrument with issues, I think you should keep it for sentimental reasons.
I agree with the above but if either you can't make these repairs, or, if the truss rod is broken or the nut damaged, you will have more in repairs than its' worth.
How well did it play and how is the tone?
If you say bad to both, mount it on a wall.
.02
I agree with the above but if either you can't make these repairs, or, if the truss rod is broken or the nut damaged, you will have more in repairs than its' worth.
How well did it play and how is the tone?
If you say bad to both, mount it on a wall.
.02
The truss rod is the only real concerning issue IMO. When you say it's stripped do you mean the inside of the adjustment, where you stick the Allen key? Is the neck bowed? Is it a bolt-on neck?
The bass looks really cool. I'd try to get it functioning.
The bass looks really cool. I'd try to get it functioning.
Oh, you're right, that bass is totally done.
Please send it to me so I may dispose of it safely and responsibly.
Please send it to me so I may dispose of it safely and responsibly.
The place where the Allen key goes is stripped bare, although the neck has very little bowing.
And yes it is a bolt on neck
Thank you so much for the advice. All of this was extremely helpful! I’ll keep going on this bad boy
You might be able to just change the nut on the truss rod or sometimes you can take a larger size Allen key and file it so it will work. The bolt on neck can be shimmer if needed.
If the pots are accessible through a panel on the back I'd replace em and the jack. The tuning machines probably can be cleaned up or replaced depending on how far you want to take it.
Definitely worth doing.
Sounds like a Squier Precision I bought 5 years ago. Same problems more or less.
It's the first bass I bought before getting enough money to buy a premium bass 5 years ago.
It's has sentimental value so the Squier gracefully collects dust in the corner while I play Mr. Premium.
Prior to that I moved to another state and liquidated everything I owned; cars, music gear, clothes and furniture, etc.
Once settled in my new digs in a new state, the Squier was quickly acquired and I'll never let her go. She is a bitch to play and has many, many problems but, again, she's family here and a keepsake. Besides What is a dilapidated 2003 Squier worth anyway? $100 at best. Also Squiers are great instruments and cheaper than they deserve to be, I have 5 now.
3 P basses, a Jazz and a PJ Special which is an incredible bargain I found for $90. Great neck and great sound.
But Mr. Premium is used for all gigs.
It's the first bass I bought before getting enough money to buy a premium bass 5 years ago.
It's has sentimental value so the Squier gracefully collects dust in the corner while I play Mr. Premium.
Prior to that I moved to another state and liquidated everything I owned; cars, music gear, clothes and furniture, etc.
Once settled in my new digs in a new state, the Squier was quickly acquired and I'll never let her go. She is a bitch to play and has many, many problems but, again, she's family here and a keepsake. Besides What is a dilapidated 2003 Squier worth anyway? $100 at best. Also Squiers are great instruments and cheaper than they deserve to be, I have 5 now.
3 P basses, a Jazz and a PJ Special which is an incredible bargain I found for $90. Great neck and great sound.
But Mr. Premium is used for all gigs.
I’m glad your keeping it. It’s one beautiful bass. I really like the look of a solid body violin shaped bass.
I'd look at restoring it. Considering it's FRETLESS, a fretboard (trussrod) replacement is relatively cheap work. Almost do-it-yourselfer worthy... 
"Beautiful Plumage..."
"Beautiful Plumage..."
Welcome to Talkbass. Your bass, while very similar in appearance to a Hofner Beatle bass actually looks more like a copy of an old Gibson EB-1, which is styled after a double bass. Does it have banjo style tuners? (cant tell from the photo). In any case, it's unique and looks to be in nice shape. Even if you cant fix it, it would make a nice wall hanger in your den.
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Just wait til Ya'll see what I'm doing to a '72, Telecaster bass that someones kid KILLED. Yep, it's gonna get a CRAZY makeover... Thinline style.
Don't hate Me.
Don't hate Me.
That’s a cool axe, I would refurbish it, shouldn’t cost you more than 50.00 and a little time and patience!!
Not banjo-style tuners, but has a slotted headstock, tuners are mounted like a typical double bass.
Do you want to sell it or upgrade it ??? If you want a good violin bass then buy Hofner.
