Luthier screwed up my P bass

[Chango Malo]

No brainer - battery box if you are ok with the location, if not either a respray/touch up or new body. Stand-up guy either way (hey, I just made a bass joke)!

I've read the DB section. From my observations there is no jocularity permitted within 1000 yards of a double bass.

 

[funkmaster p]

The guy said he wouldn't feel right about charging me for the installation, so we're good. The tortoise battery cover doesn't quite look like it belongs on the bass, but......moving forward!

 

[mikewalker]

TORT!! (what's not to like...)

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I've been there and done that myself. It's extremely easy to do...

Just so you know - since the damage was right under the control cavity, installing a plastic battery box was most likely not possible. The reason is the pots and cabling for the electronics reside directly above that area. The luthier's solution was probably the only way a battery compartment could be made in that exact area.

Yep. There's no way to get a battery box in there with the pots. A battery will typically fit under the pots, but not a box.

There may or may not be enough depth to recess the cover flush with the back of the body. That runs the risk of chipping the edge of the finish when routing, which could cause more damage, but it would look nicer if the battery cover was recessed flush. You might see if he'd be willing to do that. Overall, I think it looks pretty good. I can tell you from experience that changing a battery under the pickguard gets really old, really fast. A back door will be a blessing every time you change the battery.

Oh, and I think it adds some character. Character is a good thing, IMO.

 

[funkmaster p]

I've been there and done that myself. It's extremely easy to do...




Yep. There's no way to get a battery box in there with the pots. A battery will typically fit under the pots, but not a box.

There may or may not be enough depth to recess the cover flush with the back of the body. That runs the risk of chipping the edge of the finish when routing, which could cause more damage, but it would look nicer if the battery cover was recessed flush. You might see if he'd be willing to do that. Overall, I think it looks pretty good. I can tell you from experience that changing a battery under the pickguard gets really old, really fast. A back door will be a blessing every time you change the battery.

Oh, and I think it adds some character. Character is a good thing, IMO.

Sets my mind at ease. Thanks!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Did the guy use threaded brass inserts and machine screws to prevent stripping out the screw holes when repeatedly removing and replacing the battery cover?

 

[funkmaster p]

Did the guy use threaded brass inserts and machine screws to prevent stripping out the screw holes when repeatedly removing and replacing the battery cover?

Good question. I hope he put in the extra effort.

 

[Reedt2000]

Sounds like it might be too late but could he have cut the box off of a battery box and installed just the lid? Then it would just open into the control cavity.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

it would hardly be noticeable with a black cover.

 

[five7]

Or a chrome cover like a MM classic has.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Good question. I hope he put in the extra effort.

If not, that is easily remedied, depending on how close the holes are to the edge of the cavity.

 

[funkmaster p]

it would hardly be noticeable with a black cover.

Or a chrome cover like a MM classic has.

Sounds like it might be too late but could he have cut the box off of a battery box and installed just the lid? Then it would just open into the control cavity.

Fantastic ideas! Will probably explore all of them.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

The plot thickens. Here is verbatim what I texted to him.
Me: I'm thinking a battery box that still uses the regular 9v clip, instead of contact terminals.
Him: You got it.
Me: Let's go ahead with that.
Him: We're making lemonade out of lemons.
Me: Yessir
View attachment 3032718
View attachment 3032720
Him: Ready when you are.
Me: Loving the look of the installation from the front.
Me: When I mentioned the battery box without the contact terminals, this is what I had in mind:

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Hold...00RZ41VQ6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8

Me: Is this feasible? My apologies for my lack of communication.
Him: Nope, it's a done deal.
Me: Thanks so much
Me: Oops! You saying feasible yes, or feasible no?
Him: No
Me: Ok

End of texts

I don't want to be hard to get along with, but as far as aesthetics go, me no likey!

Ummmmm ok. Maybe a Music Man P/J next time?

Sorry but I really don't like the battery cover. Looks cheap.

 

[graphics1988]

Go to any sign shop and ask for a scrap piece of black or carbon fibre vinyl. Cover the tort and never look back . If any of them try to charge you for the vinyl, PM me and I will send you a chunk in an envelope for free.

 

[funkmaster p]

Go to any sign shop and ask for a scrap piece of black or carbon fibre vinyl. Cover the tort and never look back . If any of them try to charge you for the vinyl, PM me and I will send you a chunk in an envelope for free.

Extremely kind gesture. Thank you.

 

[deepestend]

I don't mind it at all. I wouldn't overthink it.

 

[deepestend]

Same look as on these fenders:

Fender American Elite Precision Bass - Ocean Turquoise, Maple Fingerboard

 

[deepestend]

Fender elite p

 

[Brad Johnson]

"The bass already took a value hit just by adding the pickup"

That's a matter of perspective. I buy em to play em. An already modded pbass with what I would consider to be the right mods, is more attractive to me. Buying a new pbass as an investment probably was not his objective.

Unfortunately that POV doesn't reflect the market. Mods typically don't add to the value, in fact they often affect it negatively.

 

[Marikk]

Always fun to see what the pitchfork and torch carrying crowd will have to say when they finish walking over water to get here.

Fairly certain most people have made at least one mistake at work. Did everyone demand you be terminated? did they come for your head?

99% of people who would claim to never have made a professional mistake are liars or perpetually unemployed