NBD: Frankenstein P Bass!

[Keitor]

My first bass resurrected! Even though the only "original" part its the body…

Originally an Squier California Series P Bass (the lowest series at his time), was a gift from my father to get started into bass.

Gave it to my whole life luthier years ago and him got it destroyed. Sad story, the man got into drink and drugs again after a lifetime of issues and become “untidy”.

I recover it and started a project to make it playable again and, why not, upgrade it to take it to the road again, in addition that is one of the best memories that I can keep from my dad!

I’m leaving all the parts that its made of:

- Squier California Series body (Indonesian/Chinese basswood maybe? IDK, it’s super lightweight so it can be)

- Japanese All Parts Roasted Maple Precision neck

- Fender Mexican bass bridge and tuners (left from a Standard MIM Jazz Bass)

- Black pickguard (really can’t remember where it came from, but I’ assuming it’s argentinian! )

- Fender Pure Vintage 62’ pickups

- Korean alpha pots and electronics (I am pretty surprised of the great quality of these)

Looking forward to re-new it in upcoming gigs!

 

[TheReceder]

Sometimes the favorite bass is the one you threw together.

 

[Loiner91]

The burst finish is especially nice on this. Classic look reminds me of the 70s P basses minus the cream pickups. Really awesome you got this back and resurrected it!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

The story and sentimental parts make it priceless.
But it dosen't hurt that it looks great too!
Rock on.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Nice one

 

[Keitor]

The burst finish is especially nice on this. Classic look reminds me of the 70s P basses minus the cream pickups. Really awesome you got this back and resurrected it!

Yeah! I always feel curiosity on how Squier could get a nice sunburst finish on their lowest quality series on Asia, considering that on cheap basses it’s easy to mess up on that.

 

[Loiner91]

Yeah! I always feel curiosity on how Squier could get a nice sunburst finish on their lowest quality series on Asia, considering that on cheap basses it’s easy to mess up on that.

I think this is also evident with Fender Japan. The fit of the necks in neck pockets, and finishing seems really high end, but electronics and hardware not as good. Its seems to me that different parts of the world have slight inclinations towards different skills/resources so you see ups and downs in quality. Even now I think Squier are tending to put out better looking and more interesting models than USA/Mexican Fender models. But yeah, that burst on yours jumped out at me straight away-I cant even explain what it is, but it just looks better than the USA/Mex ones Ive seen!

 

[Keitor]

I think this is also evident with Fender Japan. The fit of the necks in neck pockets, and finishing seems really high end, but electronics and hardware not as good. Its seems to me that different parts of the world have slight inclinations towards different skills/resources so you see ups and downs in quality. Even now I think Squier are tending to put out better looking and more interesting models than USA/Mexican Fender models. But yeah, that burst on yours jumped out at me straight away-I cant even explain what it is, but it just looks better than the USA/Mex ones Ive seen!

The fit on the neck pocket was an issue, it took some extra work but it’s a common issue on these low-end basses.

You remind something that I didn’t mention: the originally bridge was an weird 5-hole like this one, also a California Series bass.

And it’s got a pretty sunburst too!

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Black pickguard screws would look tasty on that!

 

[UNICORN BASS]

I meant the P not the J.