• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

So… I did a thing (modified Fender content)

BearlyBass

BearlyBass

Supporting Member
May 29, 2017
177
1,141
Puyallup, WA
#1
The past few years I’ve really dug deep into learning luthiery skills, which has been very rewarding, but also now when I get a wild hair to try something there’s no one to stop me lol. This all started with a few Castedosa YouTube videos. That short scale goodness called to me, but there was no way my partner would be happy with me dropping that kind of cash. But seriously, look at this beauty:

IMG_1765.jpeg


But then I’m putting together another pile of basses to put up for sale when I thought… why sell this black JMJ mustang (yes I have two, yes I have a problem) when I could turn it into more of a Castedosa. First problem: can the pickups fit?

IMG_1810.png


A little photoshop wizardry and math later, and I placed orders for everything I needed. Gold foil pickup and Bisonic routing template from Novak, Bisonic from Guild, a few miscellaneous parts, and it was time to play the waiting game for everything to arrive. Fast forward to this week and everything’s here.

Some progress pics:

IMG_1795.jpeg


IMG_1796.jpeg


IMG_1801.jpeg


IMG_1799.jpeg


IMG_1804.jpeg


IMG_1805.jpeg


IMG_1806.jpeg


IMG_1807.jpeg


I’m going to string it up and see if there’s much work to be done on pickup heights before going further into wiring. But that’s where we’re at! I have decisions to make on wiring, like whether to have a pickup switch (and if so what kind of wiring), stacked pots or a master volume and tone, or maybe a blend pot? Those thoughts are going to percolate for a minute, so suggestions welcome.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1808.jpeg
    IMG_1808.jpeg
    213 KB · Views: 60
  • IMG_1797.jpeg
    IMG_1797.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 51
  • IMG_1800.jpeg
    IMG_1800.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 46
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: starkiller19, Clark W, Morningside and 79 others
#9
BearlyBass said:
The past few years I’ve really dug deep into learning luthiery skills, which has been very rewarding, but also now when I get a wild hair to try something there’s no one to stop me lol. This all started with a few Castedosa YouTube videos. That short scale goodness called to me, but there was no way my partner would be happy with me dropping that kind of cash. But seriously, look at this beauty:

View attachment 5407006

But then I’m putting together another pile of basses to put up for sale when I thought… why sell this black JMJ mustang (yes I have two, yes I have a problem) when I could turn it into more of a Castedosa. First problem: can the pickups fit?

View attachment 5407008

A little photoshop wizardry and math later, and I placed orders for everything I needed. Gold foil pickup and Bisonic routing template from Novak, Bisonic from Guild, a few miscellaneous parts, and it was time to play the waiting game for everything to arrive. Fast forward to this week and everything’s here.

Some progress pics:

View attachment 5407009

View attachment 5407010

View attachment 5407014

View attachment 5407012

View attachment 5407015

View attachment 5407016

View attachment 5407017

View attachment 5407018

I’m going to string it up and see if there’s much work to be done on pickup heights before going further into wiring. But that’s where we’re at! I have decisions to make on wiring, like whether to have a pickup switch (and if so what kind of wiring), stacked pots or a master volume and tone, or maybe a blend pot? Those thoughts are going to percolate for a minute, so suggestions welcome.
Click to expand...
Awesome!
 
  • Like
Reactions: oftenest
#12
BearlyBass said:
The past few years I’ve really dug deep into learning luthiery skills, which has been very rewarding, but also now when I get a wild hair to try something there’s no one to stop me lol. This all started with a few Castedosa YouTube videos. That short scale goodness called to me, but there was no way my partner would be happy with me dropping that kind of cash. But seriously, look at this beauty:

View attachment 5407006

But then I’m putting together another pile of basses to put up for sale when I thought… why sell this black JMJ mustang (yes I have two, yes I have a problem) when I could turn it into more of a Castedosa. First problem: can the pickups fit?

View attachment 5407008

A little photoshop wizardry and math later, and I placed orders for everything I needed. Gold foil pickup and Bisonic routing template from Novak, Bisonic from Guild, a few miscellaneous parts, and it was time to play the waiting game for everything to arrive. Fast forward to this week and everything’s here.

Some progress pics:

View attachment 5407009

View attachment 5407010

View attachment 5407014

View attachment 5407012

View attachment 5407015

View attachment 5407016

View attachment 5407017

View attachment 5407018

I’m going to string it up and see if there’s much work to be done on pickup heights before going further into wiring. But that’s where we’re at! I have decisions to make on wiring, like whether to have a pickup switch (and if so what kind of wiring), stacked pots or a master volume and tone, or maybe a blend pot? Those thoughts are going to percolate for a minute, so suggestions welcome.
Click to expand...
I dig it

Post the demo vid yo
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerCityBass, Low Down Brown and oftenest
#14
Got it strung back up, and as I suspected the Bisonic doesn’t need the supplied plastic riser for good pickup height since it’s installed on a pickguard. As it is, the outside pole pieces are just proud of the plastic cover just like my Starfire II. The goldfoil is perfect with the short Novak plastic riser.

IMG_1823.jpeg


Still thinking on the wiring, but right now I’m leaning toward keeping it like the Castedosa - three way switch, master volume and tone. I’m going to play with some series/parallel and phase switching before I button it up to see if either/both give interesting tonal options. But I’m not someone who wants a thousand options in one bass, so I’ll lean toward simple unless there’s something too fun to leave out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: starkiller19, SJLee, Nebula24 and 26 others
#16
That looks amazing. Great execution.

I really like the V/V/T setup on my dual Darkstar bass, so I'd suggest that to be able to really blend these two different pickups to taste, but best of luck whatever you decide. Really a cool thing you're putting together.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oftenest
#19
The thing that hits me is the "roadworn" stamp on the body. People make a lot of fuss about whether or not a relic looks "genuine" - the whole point of a good relic is to make it seem as if the bass is old and was played a lot. Points get deducted if you can tell that the wear was done in a factory. Here we have a stamp to make certain people can verify that the wear is factory made - they are trying to make sure everyone can verify that it isn't "genuine".

I wonder if there will eventually be criticism for old worn out instruments that don't look like the factory relic'ed them.

"Hey - that wear doesn't look like a genuine roadworn - it just looks like you played it a lot - what are you trying to pull?"

OK, maybe it's just a stamp so factory people know whether to beat it up or not. But I wonder....
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: musicman556 and NKBassman

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back