NBD: Wilkins Roadtested PJ5 (WRTPJ 5)

[G On Bass]

Specs:

Chambered J-Bass body
Body Wood: Alder
Fretboard: Birdseye maple
Neck: Hard rock maple (from ancient stock)
Color: Matte Marooned
34" scale 12" radius
Neck Pickup: Wilkins 60's P5
Bridge Pickuped: Nordstrand J (matched)
Elkectronics: Aguilar OBP-3 V/Bl/Bass/Pp HiMid/LoMid/Treble (9V)
Tuners: Hipshot ultralite 1/2
Bridge: Hipshot C vintage
Bone Nut
18.5mm spacing
9.0 pounds


I went to talk to Pat about building something, and he had this bass in his shop from NAMM. It is hybrid Roadtested, as the neck is from his 'ancient stock' (that he uses on his period-correct customs), and the neck also has birdseye maple on the fretboard and an angled headstock as opposed to regular maple and string trees on the regular RT line.

The bass is incredibly well built. Not a bump or burr on it. I've ever seen better fretwork and I can put the action on the deck with no problems at all. The finish is, of course, perfect. It looks satiny until some bright lights get on it, then it kinda goes metallic-y as seen in one of the pics below. Very cool.

The tones are really great and I am loving the preamp. The neck profile is very nice, being neither too thick or too thin. The bass already feels as if I've had it for a long time. I see what they mean when folks say these basses feel comfortable right away. The build quality is second to none.

So I'm looking forward to rehearsals and a gig on the 15th and will report back with more as it develops.

 

[RaginRog]

That's really nice. I wish I had the 4 string model!

 

[madbassplaya]

Very nice, Gus!

Would you mind pm'ing me what Pat charges for a build like this?

Thanks!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Congratulations! I saw this bass at NAMM, but didn't get to play it. I did play the Jimmy Earl 5-string, though, and it was absolutely amazing! I can imagine how great this one is - I love the P/J setup.

 

[G On Bass]

Thanks, everyone.

Very nice, Gus!

Would you mind pm'ing me what Pat charges for a build like this?

Thanks!

I couldn't say, as this one is kinda a one-off. Just e-mail him directly pat (at) wilkinsguitars (dot) com. He's good abut getting back to folks.

 

[petrus61]

Awesome! If I ever add another axe to the stable, it's going to be a RoadTested .

 

[SherwoodGreen]

Well done!
I remember seeing that bass at NAMM, it's awesome, as are all of PW's builds.
A Road-Tested P or P/J fretted four has been haunting me for several months now.
They are super-well built instruments, and the necks feel SO good!
Congratulations, Rock her!

 

[G On Bass]

A little bit more info:

The frets are from a company called Jescar, and are a similar to the Dunlop 6230s, and they are similar to the frets on early Fender models. But apparently these Jescar frets have a higher Nickel/Silver content.

I got to play it at a rehearsal last night for the first time and was really impressed with the ease of play and the range of tones, even with LaBella flats. I was going through an Ampeg PF-500>PF-115LF rig and it had plenty of high end available along with thunderous lows.

 

[Wallace320]

A little bit more info:

The frets are from a company called Jescar, and are a similar to the Dunlop 6230s, and they are similar to the frets on early Fender models. But apparently these Jescar frets have a higher Nickel/Silver content.

I got to play it at a rehearsal last night for the first time and was really impressed with the ease of play and the range of tones, even with LaBella flats. I was going through an Ampeg PF-500>PF-115LF rig and it had plenty of high end available along with thunderous lows.

I know you must be great with all the good stuff you're enlistin' down there, yet I really guess that bass almost plays by itself

Cheers,
Wallace