Luthier screwed up my P bass

[funkmaster p]

I think installing a battery box and doing the work without charging seems a reasonable solution.

Yes, I do too. I just told him to go ahead with that. It's not what I originally had in mind, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

Thanks a lot, folks for your suggestions and empathy for my situation. Happy Memorial Day for all you Americans, and to everyone else, have a great day!

 

[joinercape]

Just have him rout a rear cavity and make a cover. He’ll shield the cavity, no finishing required. Problem solved, plus your bass is a bit lighter and you have more room for mods. He sounds like an honest guy, accidents happen.

 

[FenderTuni]

Given that your bass is wired active I would hide the flaw with a battery box route. The luthier did assume responsibility and that's a very honorable thing to do, not all people stand up to their mistakes. This issue has several solutions, Let it pass and keep the friendship.

 

[FranF]

I'd go for the spot repair/touch-up. No telling if the new body is gonna sound or feel the same. It may become a whole different animal. Maybe better, or possibly and unfortunately, may never be the same.

 

[Draggula]

A luthier who is good, and honest is a great thing to have. If it were me (after several stiff drinks), I'd have him fix the hole as best he could, let him go on the body replacement, and think of something you would really like to have done (at a massive discount), even it is done later. It's on the back, I can't imagine it will impact the tone, AND when you become famous, they'll be able to point to your bass and say "Yeah, that's what made this bass so awesome." Besides, chicks dig battle scars.

 

[invalidprotocol]

I’m sorry this happened to your bass and for how you feel at this moment. Been there...

Kudos to the tech for owning his mistake and offering up a real solution right off the bat or at all for that matter.

 

[Jay2U]

Nice! He's modding your bass to a 'road worn' version for free.

 

[theduke1]

It’s just a bass and he has offered to make it right.
IMVHO
Duke

 

[funkmaster p]

I’m curious as to what the luthier was attempting to do when the accident happened. Any idea (his explanation?)?

I am curious also, and have no idea what he was going for.

 

[Marikk]

Sorry to hear about your bass, an unfortunate mistake, But i like how your guy is handling it so far.

He didn't try to deflect or try to force a half @$$ solution.

I think hes a keeper, Plus you can bet hell be bloody careful with your other basses now

 

[theduke1]

As a machinist I would guess the pilot the plunge cutter was a tad long
Duke

 

[funkmaster p]

... at least he fessed up about his mistake. I've experienced this type of mistake, where the tech/luthier prayed I didn't notice his mistake...

Agreed. Although it must have been very difficult for him to step up about his mistake, he did so, and that gains a lot of points with me.

 

[tpaul]

I don't get all the praise for the luthier being so brave and honest. The guy's bass has a hole in it. It's not like he had the option of pretending it didn't happen.

I'm glad a battery box seems to be a satisfactory solution for the OP, but for me it would not, unless I was thinking about doing that mod anyway.

 

[Spidey2112]

I don't get all the praise for the luthier being so brave and honest. The guy's bass has a hole in it. It's not like he had the option of pretending it didn't happen.

I'm glad a battery box seems to be a satisfactory solution for the OP, but for me it would not, unless I was thinking about doing that mod anyway.

I may be missing something, here...

This week, I brought the bass back to him to have an active EMG J pickup installed in the bridge position.

... this would qualify, wouldn't it? Can you have an active pickup, without the supporting electronic elements?

 

[funkmaster p]

I don't get all the praise for the luthier being so brave and honest. The guy's bass has a hole in it. It's not like he had the option of pretending it didn't happen.

I'm glad a battery box seems to be a satisfactory solution for the OP, but for me it would not, unless I was thinking about doing that mod anyway.

You can't discount his offer to pay for a new body.

 

[two fingers]

All in all, the immediate phone call and offer to fix it how you see fit would still win my future business.

This. The guy is ready to do whatever makes you happy. He's still a good guy and should still be your friend moving forward. Cudos to him.

If it were me, the battery box seems the likely way to go. It'll make your battery 10X easier to change anyway. Who wants to remove the guard to change a battery?

Have him install one of those battery compartments that flip out like Carvin and others have used in the last. Easy change and a great mod if you're going active anyway.

 

[Fender_Bender]

It’s fairly easy for this to happen. You have to use a very long and thin drill bit at a shallow angle to drill the wiring channel from the pup route to the control cavity and the bit has a tendency to wander because of the size and length. If you don’t go with a battery box then I’d go with having the breakthrough plugged and painted black. If you’re lucky it’ll just look like a pin knot.

 

[SirMjac28]

Well, now you know who not to take your '61 P to in the future . I love that burst and what do those active pups sound like?

 

[PotsdamBass8]

The battery box is a great idea. I’m assuming you like this bass because you’re taking the step to mod it, so I wouldn’t risk getting a new body that isn’t as good.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If the battery box will work, I'd go with that. Then it's win / win.