Lockdown '51 P Bass

[mojomike001]

This project was not really in the cards until this irresistible lightweight swamp ash MJT slab body showed up on ebay. With boredom setting in, I just had to bid. Once I won the bid on this, the rest took on a life of it's own. The neck is a new Fender '51 replacement neck which I aged. The pickup is a Duncan Antiquity II. Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners. I had a few assorted parts around and the strings are Sadowski Black Label Flats. Unfortunately, I can't really play it yet because there's no wiring harness yet. It's coming withing the next week. Weight will be a little under 8 pounds with no covers, and a little over 8 with the covers. I'll keep the bridge cover in place, but lose the pickup cover.

I hope it sounds good!

 

[TDR1138]

Gorgeous!

 

[RSBBass]

Nice job. If you have the pots, th jack, and the pickups all you need is some wire. No need to buy a wiring harness.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

...
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*wolf whistle*

 

[2saddleslab]

That is a stunner!!! Well done! Slabulicious!

 

[mojomike001]

Nice job. If you have the pots, th jack, and the pickups all you need is some wire. No need to buy a wiring harness.

I’ve wired up my own a few times, but my soldering skills are only ok.
I prefer to get one from a pro, so I had ordered one from Kelling on eBay. I’ve bought from them before and they do a nice job, but it hasn’t gone out yet. I went ahead with everything else including the setup. Once the harness comes, it should just be a ten minute job to wire it in.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

I would stay on lock down with that bass to play every day .

 

[mojomike001]

I would stay on lock down with that bass to play every day .

I'm really looking forward to hear what it actually sounds like. It should be wired up and complete for the resumption of the weekly blues jam I run next week.

 

[AnalogKid4003]

very cool!!

 

[mojomike001]

Here's an update now that the bass is completed. It sounds great and I love it! It looks old, but it plays very smooth.

 

[2saddleslab]

^A beauty!!

 

[Panther]

Love it! How did you age the neck? I've been thinking about getting or building a 51 myself. I miss my Dusty

 

[filmtex]

Killer bass. Very nice job. I'd play it...fer sure!

 

[Johnny Alien]

That's killer!

 

[joel406]

Love it.

I want one in a 5 string.

 

[69'Vette]

Absolute beauty! I'm in the middle of gathering parts for my own '51 build. I got the same neck a few weeks back. May I ask, how did you age it? I'm going for a fiesta red body for mine,

 

[mojomike001]

Absolute beauty! I'm in the middle of gathering parts for my own '51 build. I got the same neck a few weeks back. May I ask, how did you age it? I'm going for a fiesta red body for mine,

The neck I aged with ColorTone Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer, Vintage Amber. I did lay down some Guitar Reranch neck tint on the headstock prior to the lacquer to darken it further. The body was already painted and relic'd by MJT. They are the best for that sort of thing. The chrome I age by scuffing it first with sandpaper, then soaking it for a while in white vinegar/saturated salt solution. After soaking it, take it out wet and leave it for a while in the air and it begins to rust and corrode a bit in next to no time. When it get he way you want, rinse it in water and dry it. I also very lightly sprayed the pickguard with the tinted lacquer as well for a little yellowing.

Good luck with yours.

 

[69'Vette]

The neck I aged with ColorTone Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer, Vintage Amber....
Good luck with yours.

Thank you for that great info! My neck and body came in over the last two weeks, and I'm waiting on paint now.