Refinished Wishbass - pics

[Thunderitter]

Well, I'm ducking down, but here is my refin Wishbass #827; a fantasy model.

For those interested in the woods: The front is curly maple, the back is african mahogany, the neck is walnut with purple heart and maple stringers and the fingerboard is jatoba.

I've cleaned up the curves a bit (actually quite a lot!) sanded, filled the sanded down to 1200grit, then finished with a hand-rubbed oil finish on the body and neck and finishing oil on the fret board.

I think the hardest bit for me was getting the curve/contour right at the neck/body marriage. The original didn't follow the curves of the body and was rather angular heading up to the upper horn.

I've fitted one of 3stringpete's Wishbass control harnesses (a great upgrade!) hence the extra knob (5 tone settings). I've replaced the metal control plate with a flame maple one I made myself. I've fitted a new black bridge and ebony control knobs. As with all my basses 'she' has Schaller strap-locks and finally the strings are Rotosound Jazz 77 flats; 45,65,85,105.

I am very happy with the results and best of all she sounds great too!

It was a $300 initial purchase that I probably put about 20 hrs of additional work into, add about $100 for the harness, oils, paper, and knobs; probably about a $1000 bass to me now (I'm cheap at $30 and hr!)

 

[UncleBalsamic]

I'm still not sold on Wishbasses, but this probably the nicest one I've seen.

I might get one at some point, they look fun to mess about with.

 

[Barkless Dog]

Nice job

Does it have a truss rod?

 

[Thunderitter]

No truss rod - it has a thick neck!

 

[kesslari]

That is really nice looking. Enjoy.

 

[john_g]

wouldnt that lower sharp horn be jabbin you in the side all the time? Ahh, there goes my pancreas!

 

[IAmTheDood]

how can a bass with such good looking materials look soooo fugly?!

nice job on the refin ... just not my cup o' tea!

 

[funkybassplayer]

I must say I like the looks of that bass. Nice flame in the maple and the purple heart is a nice little touch

 

[mynan]

how can a bass with such good looking materials look soooo fugly?!

nice job on the refin ... just not my cup o' tea!

That's not cool..., not to mention against TB rules. I won't tell you what I think of people like you...that's against the rules too.

 

[IAmTheDood]

lol ... sorry if I offended .. just the shape is not my personal preference!

the woods and materials look great on it .. and the refinish job is good .. just I don't get the shape lol.

 

[Guest043]

i love wishbasses..hes one of the few people doing something unique out there. he just happens to be a mountain man, and his fret markers are nails. it adds character if you ask me!

but the refinish really made it more professional looking. throw on a badass bridge and that thing would be just as good as any $1200 fretless.

 

[Thunderitter]

wouldnt that lower sharp horn be jabbin you in the side all the time? Ahh, there goes my pancreas!

The way the bass balances on a strap the lower horn is out to the side so no risk of self impailment! Without a strap the horn makes for a great rest!

 

[Barkless Dog]

Far into the future theses are going to be really collectable, like silver tones or other off the wall brands.

Ones that still have straight necks years down the road will be the most desirable.

 

[Thunderitter]

....throw on a badass bridge and that thing would be just as good as any $1200 fretless.

I would have considered a Hipshot 'A' (allows for through body stringing) but there isn't any room between the p-up and the rear of the bass!

 

[west*coast*bass]

Though not a fan of the body shape, you really did a nice job of cleaning up the rough initial build that the Wishbasses seem to have. I think they can sound pretty good and with a little extra help, they can be a fairly good buy.

Good job!

 

[Thunderitter]

Though not a fan of the body shape, you really did a nice job of cleaning up the rough initial build that the Wishbasses seem to have. I think they can sound pretty good and with a little extra help, they can be a fairly good buy.

Good job!

The bass sounded pretty good from the get-go! From what I hear/read that's the usual case with Wishbasses - no links to the YouTube clips needed here! The reason for me installing the harness was, that with only a volume, it is nice to get a little bit of tonal variance!

The one thing I'll add about the bass, was that I didn't really 'get it' until I physically had the chance to play the thing and having done the refin I get it even more!

I'd definitely say the shape is f'ugly (we'll I'm really just saying that 'cause as I own the bass I can - TB rules! I've been waiting for this day!) Actually it's a shape that I've grown to like. With a 1200grit finish it is actually pretty sexy these days, but it's a bit like porn, it's far better to be there in person than look at pictures!!

For anyone interested I'll bring it along to the GTG in VA on 6/26.

 

[cheezewiz]

Definitely not my thing, but it shows you can actually polish a turd.

 

[Anscari]

I always wondered if all the people who rants about those basses would do the same if they didn't know they were wishbasses, and the owner said they were a custom job from any top-name luthier... anyway, nice looking bass.

 

[Frost.Blast]

Looks awesome to me.

How does this baby sound anyway?

 

[Guest043]

I would have considered a Hipshot 'A' (allows for through body stringing) but there isn't any room between the p-up and the rear of the bass!

:scowl: oh mr.wishnevsky, when will you ever learn...

im still real close to ordering a "lobe" with a spalted maple top and purpleheart fingeboard