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NBD '58 Precision parts build

RockBassNL

RockBassNL

Mar 11, 2019
15
80
Netherlands
#1
Hello everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster here. I've been playing bass for 14 years now and been predominantly a Jazz bass player for the last 11 years. Got an '09 American Standard and a 2019 Player Jazz bass.

Late last year I started thinking about getting a P-bass, I think I got GAS from reading to much TB ;). So I did a little searching and came across the '58 p-bass. Just fell in love with the 2tone sunburst with gold anodized pg, but couldn't find anything within a reasonable price range. So I decided to try my first parts build.

I started out by searching for a body, I eventually came across an Italian company that makes custom guitar/bass bodies and relic work ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). January of 2020 I placed my order for a p-bass body, even attached some examples of the kind relic work I wanted done. They are extremely friendly and helpful. Everything went smooth until COVID-19 hit and my order was delayed. This gave me time to source the other parts for my build.

Fast-forward to a the beginning of July, I get an email stating that my body is done painting and that it is going to be relic in the next couple of days. They even send me some pictures pre-relic :D. After a couple of days the body is finished, I get the photo's of the end result and on its way.

I decided to put a Fender Roasted maple precision neck on it and ordered a set of Fender CS '62 pbass pickups. Shielded the entire body/pickguard and had it set-up by a professional luthier.

After months of planning and waiting it is finally done! I couldn't be happier with the end result. It plays amazing, has nice low actions and sounds like a p-bass should to my ears.

Specs
- Alder, two-color sunburst
- Roasted maple Precision bass neck
- Fender CS '62 Precision pickups
- Emerson pre-wirded kit (CTS pods)
- Fender vintage style bridge
- Pickguard and chrome covers I orded pre-reliced
- Tuners came second hand from a Jazz bass (they are scratched but it suits the style of the bass)
- Strung with TI JF344

I know some people don't like a relic job on a bass but I really like the look. So here you go, the end result :D.

IMG_20200731_174036.jpg IMG_20200731_174043.jpg IMG-20200801-WA0004.jpg IMG-20200801-WA0006.jpg
 
Last edited:
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#6
RockBassNL said:
Hello everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster here. I've been playing bass for 14 years now and been predominantly a Jazz bass player for the last 11 years. Got an '09 American Standard and a 2019 Player Jazz bass.

Late last year I started thinking about getting a P-bass, I think I got GAS from reading to much TB ;). So I did a little searching and came across the '58 p-bass. Just fell in love with the 2tone sunburst with gold anodized pg, but couldn't find anything within a reasonable price range. So I decided to try my first parts build.

I started out by searching for a body, I eventually came across an Italian company that makes custom guitar/bass bodies and relic work ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). January of 2020 I placed my order for a p-bass body, even attached some examples of the kind relic work I wanted done. They are extremely friendly and helpful. Everything went smooth until COVID-19 hit and my order was delayed. This gave me time to source the other parts for my build.

Fast-forward to a the beginning of July, I get an email stating that my body is done painting and that it is going to be relic in the next couple of days. They even send me some pictures pre-relic :D. After a couple of days the body is finished, I get the photo's of the end result and on its way.

I decided to put a Fender Roasted maple precision neck on it and ordered a set of Fender CS '62 pbass pickups. Shielded the entire body/pickguard and had it set-up by a professional luthier.

After months of planning and waiting it is finally done! I couldn't be happier with the end result. It plays amazing, has nice low actions and sounds like a p-bass should to my ears.

Specs
- Alder, two-color sunburst
- Roasted maple Precision bass neck
- Fender CS '62 Precision pickups
- Emerson pre-wirded kit (CTS pods)
- Fender vintage style bridge
- Pickguard and chrome covers I orded pre-reliced
- Tuners came second hand from a Jazz bass (they are scratched but it suits the style of the bass)
- Strung with TI JF344

I know some people don't like a relic job on a bass but I really like the look. So here you go, the end result :D.

View attachment 3929630 View attachment 3929635 View attachment 3929637 View attachment 3929639
Click to expand...
Nice job!
Although the body is reliced, I’d personally install new and shiny covers and knobs (my personal taste).
Mattia makes very nice bodies using many of the famous, now, custom Fender colours.
The problem is that he only deals with bodies; it’s a pity you can’t order a neck from him, so you rightly had to source elsewhere!
For a period-correct pickup, you may wish to have a look into NL-made Rebel Relic P-bass pickup (DCR = 10.68kohm) or into the USA made Klein Epic ‘59 model (DCR = 10.22kohm IIRC).
Enjoy the P-power :thumbsup:
 
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#7
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
Nice job!
Although the body is reliced, I’d personally install new and shiny covers and knobs (my personal taste).
Mattia makes very nice bodies using many of the famous, now, custom Fender colours.
The problem is that he only deals with bodies; it’s a pity you can’t order a neck from him, so you rightly had to source elsewhere!
For a period-correct pickup, you may wish to have a look into NL-made Rebel Relic P-bass pickup (DCR = 10.68kohm) or into the USA made Klein Epic ‘59 model!
Enjoy the P-power :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Yeah its a shame they don't make custom necks too, would have loved to get one.

While I was sourcing the materials I looked at the Klein Epic '59. I compared a lot of pickups from audio clip around here. Eventually got, what I think was the best value for my money. Not looking for an exact period correct 50's bass, just wanted to get the 50's vibe going. The roasted maple neck isn't exactly vintage too :D

Thanks for the reply, really enjoying the pbass sound.. even more than I thought I would!
 
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#12
It is a beautiful bass. The only thing that is wrong is the tuner length. It’s missing the big long shaft tuners. Just a quibble but yours are getting buried behind the huge head stock.

Other than that you nailed it. All boxes ticked. My favorite P bass look as well.
 
#15
RockBassNL said:
Yeah its a shame they don't make custom necks too, would have loved to get one.

While I was sourcing the materials I looked at the Klein Epic '59. I compared a lot of pickups from audio clip around here. Eventually got, what I think was the best value for my money. Not looking for an exact period correct 50's bass, just wanted to get the 50's vibe going. The roasted maple neck isn't exactly vintage too :D

Thanks for the reply, really enjoying the pbass sound.. even more than I thought I would!
Click to expand...
Yes, you’re right; unfortunately the so-called “boutique” pickups also have a “boutique” price, whereas Fender, which makes good and affordable stuff, inexplicably (for me) decided to drop the aftermarket sale of the PV ‘58 pickup :crying:
Anyway, the one you have chosen is quite good as well :thumbsup:
 
#18
Wow, pretty nice relic job ！！！

But the tuning peg and knobs seem fresh here.

Suggest you take out all tuning mechines, separate them and choose tuning peg only.

Wrap the tuning shaft only with tape . Plug the knob screws hole and cover shaft hole.

Prepare a container with sand. Put those parts inside and rub with hand gently. Stop rubing once you found the result you satisfied.

Hopehelp
 
#20
Yahboy said:
Wow, pretty nice relic job ！！！

But the tuning peg and knobs seem fresh here.

Suggest you take out all tuning mechines, separate them and choose tuning peg only.

Wrap the tuning shaft only with tape . Plug the knob screws hole and cover shaft hole.

Prepare a container with sand. Put those parts inside and rub with hand gently. Stop rubing once you found the result you satisfied.

Hopehelp
Click to expand...
Might just try roughen-up the hardware a little bit. Thanks for the tip ;)
 
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