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Plywood instruments...worthless?
- Thread starter dave120
- Start date
I'd put it together without a finish on it and see what you think of how it sounds and plays.
Once it's got paint on it no one knows if it's plywood or not. If you like it... play it... If you want to make an playable art project... I'm all for doing that also. I've done it a few times.
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Once it's got paint on it no one knows if it's plywood or not. If you like it... play it... If you want to make an playable art project... I'm all for doing that also. I've done it a few times.
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I've been trying to find some pictures of a Cort P bass to see how they look and I haven't been able to find one that's a P style bass. There's some reviews on Harmony Central about a Cort P bass, but no pictures so it's tough to tell since pretty much every P style bass will be described exactly the same way. And since it came with nothing besides strap buttons still on it, I have no idea.
The only real thing that could be used to identify it might be the funky looking neck pocket. Does anyone know off hand the dimensions of a P bass pocket? I'm trying to figure out if to fit a standard sized neck on there I'll need to route out the squiggly things or if they're supposed to be covered by a pickguard. I guess that should be an easy thing to look up.
I noticed those but wasn't completely sure they were right. The 5 string one obviously is dimensioned a little different. The second one (besides being lefty) seems to fit the bill. The pickguard configuration matches since there's no side jack. The only difference is that the truss rod on it adjusts at the headstock and not at the heel. Of course, anything could have been done to this thing along the way so I don't know if that heel route is even original! They could be routed like that even though they don't adjust there too.
EDIT: Just saw your last addition. That looks good! Heel adjust and everything. If indeed the J route is not original that looks like the closest match so far. The string thru stuff was obviously done after the fact, which if the J route was being done I wouldn't be surprised if it was done at the same time, before it was refinished. The pieces are starting to fit together now.
Thanks!
The project continues...trying to level this thing out is turning into a lot of block sanding. I'm not sure what kind of abuse it took during its life thus far, but it's almost like parts of it have little shaved off areas on the back. It's getting there, though.
stflbn, I was just thinking that earlier today about putting it together without a finish. That wouldn't be very hard to do once I find a pickguard that will work. And after I get a neck of course...
Here's my next dilemma. I got the Fender pocket specs from Warmoth and did some measuring. The pocket size seems to be standard size, but the back end is the correct length at those 2 little ledges. This seems fine since the pickguard would cover the extra area there.
So I test fit an SX pickguard to it but you can see where it looks a little odd. Based on the control cavity route and the pickup screw locations, this is where it would have to sit. But it seems like it's a little too short, and you can see it falls a little short of where the original pickguard screws near the pocket were. I'm not sure if it's an SX dimension difference or if it's this one. I don't have a Fender with a pickguard anymore to see.
Technically it would work right there I'd just have to come up with something to cover that extra little area, but if the dimensions are actually off and this neck pocket extends farther out than a Fender, I might have to do some adjustment as to where the bridge sits to make sure the scale length is the same with a standard size neck. This could have already been accounted for, but I can't tell exactly where the bridge sat before since that area is a mess and has a lot of holes drilled and many filled. I'll just have to make sur eI measure it right when I have a neck on it!
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So I test fit an SX pickguard to it but you can see where it looks a little odd. Based on the control cavity route and the pickup screw locations, this is where it would have to sit. But it seems like it's a little too short, and you can see it falls a little short of where the original pickguard screws near the pocket were. I'm not sure if it's an SX dimension difference or if it's this one. I don't have a Fender with a pickguard anymore to see.
Technically it would work right there I'd just have to come up with something to cover that extra little area, but if the dimensions are actually off and this neck pocket extends farther out than a Fender, I might have to do some adjustment as to where the bridge sits to make sure the scale length is the same with a standard size neck. This could have already been accounted for, but I can't tell exactly where the bridge sat before since that area is a mess and has a lot of holes drilled and many filled. I'll just have to make sur eI measure it right when I have a neck on it!
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Just finished sealing and sanding the body so it's now pretty well leveled out and has a silky smooth satin appearance. I'm now comfortable leaving it alone until I get ready to use it. Had I not done that, it would probably soak up a lot of moisture being that I live in Florida. Then again it's plywood, so who knows. Better safe than sorry anyhow. The next step is to get a neck for it so I can see what else will need to be done. I'm probably going to try and get either an SX neck or a Squier neck as they're probably the cheapest ones. Maybe some other offbrands might fit but I'd like to keep as much of a traditional headstock style as possible. Once I find a deal on a neck I'll be ready to keep moving on this thing. I love projects!
Well I've done some more work to this thing now. I bought a MIA P bass pickguard from a TB'er here and it's a much better fit than the SX one. It's pretty much perfect, actually! I find it humorous that I paid twice as much for the PG as the body!
I did a lot of work with some wood filler getting all the old screw and bridge holes filled in. I probably didn't need to as they'd all be covered up, but I wanted the practice and it will look nicer with only one set of holes!
My next step will be waiting for the SX pickup set I have coming to get here. I want to mount the pickups in there and make sure I get the pickguard in exactly the right place before drilling the pickguard screws and I want the pole pieces to line up well also so I'm waiting on the bridge screws until then as well. I also noticed the bridge pickup is about 0.5" closer to the neck pickup than is the case on my Fender and SX P/J basses. I'm sure that would have some sound differences about it.
I still don't have a neck for it though. I'm waiting for a deal to show up. In this picture I have a MIM Fender neck mounted on it which seems to be a good fit. I don't want to spend the $$ on a real Fender neck for it though, so I'm waiting for a generic one to come up that might need some work. I'm anxious to see if it sounds decent though, as I haven't actually had an instrument that wasn't solid wood before. I know some people say they sound bad but I'm curious. It's been some good practice working with strippers, wood fillers, sealers, and sanding though. I wonder if there's somewhere you can buy cheap (like even real cheap plywood) bodies in basic shapes to practice on...
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I did a lot of work with some wood filler getting all the old screw and bridge holes filled in. I probably didn't need to as they'd all be covered up, but I wanted the practice and it will look nicer with only one set of holes!
My next step will be waiting for the SX pickup set I have coming to get here. I want to mount the pickups in there and make sure I get the pickguard in exactly the right place before drilling the pickguard screws and I want the pole pieces to line up well also so I'm waiting on the bridge screws until then as well. I also noticed the bridge pickup is about 0.5" closer to the neck pickup than is the case on my Fender and SX P/J basses. I'm sure that would have some sound differences about it.
I still don't have a neck for it though. I'm waiting for a deal to show up. In this picture I have a MIM Fender neck mounted on it which seems to be a good fit. I don't want to spend the $$ on a real Fender neck for it though, so I'm waiting for a generic one to come up that might need some work. I'm anxious to see if it sounds decent though, as I haven't actually had an instrument that wasn't solid wood before. I know some people say they sound bad but I'm curious. It's been some good practice working with strippers, wood fillers, sealers, and sanding though. I wonder if there's somewhere you can buy cheap (like even real cheap plywood) bodies in basic shapes to practice on...
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Interesting project.
I happened to see this neck earlier this morning: http://cgi.ebay.com/Project-Jazz-Bass-Neck-Vintage-Tinted-Great-Frets_W0QQitemZ250411993254QQihZ015QQcategoryZ41423QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Not an exact Fender copy, but the price is right
I happened to see this neck earlier this morning: http://cgi.ebay.com/Project-Jazz-Bass-Neck-Vintage-Tinted-Great-Frets_W0QQitemZ250411993254QQihZ015QQcategoryZ41423QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Not an exact Fender copy, but the price is right
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It'll sound fine, as long as the pickups are decent. Sure the wood has some effect, but IME not nearly as much as pickups, and where they sit. Interesting, the bridge pup location. Should be a little 'fatter' than normal for a bridge J. Only real downside, as pointed out, is weight. I've seen ply bodies like that that weight 7lbs. As yours is lighter it shouldn't be an issue.
Maybe look at Allparts for a neck? Relatively inexpensive, decent quality(maybe over the top in this case though).
Maybe look at Allparts for a neck? Relatively inexpensive, decent quality(maybe over the top in this case though).
Yeah the weight seems fine on it. It weighs about the same as all my other basses with the test neck attached. I'll be going with SX pickups which seem to be relatively decent. I'll probably string it up once I get all the parts and use a neck from another bass just to get an idea of the sound. Of course the neck will make some sound difference, but since I'll probably end up with a maple/rosewood neck in any case so it should be close.
I hope it sounds good! If it doesn't, it was good practice at least. But if it's good then I'll spend a lot of time on the finish work and make it a really nice bass. Not that I need another one, but given how little I have into this thing, it would be perfect for some finish art. That or like I was planning before, a donation to an upcoming bassist!
I wish I had any clue how to make a neck, I would give that a try for this.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 252
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
It shouldn't sound bad. Ply wood is really no different from solid, except it might be stiffer and slightly heavier because of the glue.
NS Double basses (the original US model) is made from more-or-less high tech plywood. It's many layers of maple veneer and carbon fiber.
That body is probably Lauan with a maple veneer on the front. Lauan is also known as Philippine mahogany. It can be as light as basswood or as heavy as oak. It's usually in the mahogany range, and should pretty much sound like mahogany.
NS Double basses (the original US model) is made from more-or-less high tech plywood. It's many layers of maple veneer and carbon fiber.
That body is probably Lauan with a maple veneer on the front. Lauan is also known as Philippine mahogany. It can be as light as basswood or as heavy as oak. It's usually in the mahogany range, and should pretty much sound like mahogany.
Hey e'budy.
Had an old plywood strat copy that had great punch and sustain.
Found a plywood washburn bass ($30 c/l) put on an old fretless
neck, swapped the old p style pup with a DeMarzio and it does
everything I need it to do.
Plywood seems to be a bit heavier than some solids but on the cheap
it's hard to beat.
m.
Had an old plywood strat copy that had great punch and sustain.
Found a plywood washburn bass ($30 c/l) put on an old fretless
neck, swapped the old p style pup with a DeMarzio and it does
everything I need it to do.
Plywood seems to be a bit heavier than some solids but on the cheap
it's hard to beat.
m.
As stflbn said, just because the body is plywood doesn't mean you can't have a good looking and well sounding instrument. Here's mine.
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And wood filler is your friend.
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And wood filler is your friend.
I need to pick me up a basket case of a bass to work on. I've redone quite a few guitars (some have failed miserably) but no basses yet.
I don't own any plywood basses but I have four plywood guitars, I don't know why I like them but I do, I really don't play guitar very much anymore though.
