SBO 2022 - Big Brother (Assembly build)

[Piranha]

Several years ago, I built a Telecaster (guitar) from Warmoth parts, which I finished in Sherwood Green with a pearloid pickguard. It turned out really good and is pretty much my #1 guitar.

I decided to give it a big brother in the form of a Tele-ish bass with similar finish details (maple neck, Sherwood Green body, pearloid pickguard). I bought the parts at the end of winter, but other priorities intervened. I am hoping the build-off will give me the motivation to see it through.

Parts:
Warmoth '54 P-bass body, swamp ash (4lb, 10oz)
Warmoth Tele Bass neck - quartersawn maple, graphite stiffening bars, 1-5/8" nut width, vintage small frets (stainless)
Seymour Duncan Custom Shop 51 P-Bass Stack pickup
Hipshot Ultralight cloverleaf tuners
Fender bent plate bridge
Warmoth 51 P-Bass pickguard, pearloid
Fender bridge and pickup covers
Fender Straplock buttons, and control plate
Warmoth Neck plate
Electrosocket jack cup
CTS 250K audio taper pots
string retainer, knobs, wire, output jack, etc

... and away we go!

 

[Beej]

Welcome!

 

[Reedt2000]

Nice, I really dig that color

 

[Flamingo21]

Matching the guitar's colour scheme is a nice idea.

 

[Piranha]

Got all my hardware installed. Next: take it all back off and prep for paint.

• Note the old-school, egg-beater drill. IMO, these are much more forgiving than a battery-powered, cordless drill.
• I'm going to need to modify the pickguard so it fits around the control plate. Not sure if I should try freehanding a Dremel or hand file it.
• I had the The Fender Bass book for reference for the horn strap button and string retainer locations. I think I nailed the strap button, but the string retainer might be a smidge too close to the nut. I was trying to leave room for a headstock decal.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Looks good. If you believe in the egg beater over a cordless drill it seems like that might answer the file vs Dremel question. The file takes longer but you’re less likely to go too far.