• 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.

The D Bass

D

danflamenco

May 17, 2010
3
0
#1
So my Fender J got stolen out of my car a couple weeks ago and I had to go buy a new bass. I spent all day yesterday going from shop to shop, probably played 50 or 60 basses. The funny part is that the very first one I played is the one I ended up buying. I knew it was good right away... just couldn't get over that it was the first one so I drove all over town before going back to Music Go Round and buying it.

This bass was $150.

When I picked it up it looked like the biggest POS I'd ever seen, but I kid you not, this might be the best bass I've ever played. When I got it home, it sounded even better. I'll post up some pics here in a bit. This bass looks like it's been to hell and back. It's a P Bass clone that I'm pretty sure is a one-off, probably built from parts or something... way back in the day. The headstock has hand lettering that says "Decision Bass". Awesome.

2 Things...

I'm hoping you guys can take a guess how old it is. And I'm also wondering... it sounds so good but I'm tempted to fix it up. Do I run the risk of killing the great sound I get from this guitar by putting new parts on it, or can it only get better? I'm sure this discussion has been had, but I'm looking for some fresh opinions.
 
#2
While many would say keep it if it rocks, if you switch parts out, you can always put them back in. Right? It might not sound exact, but it will probably always have that something that caught your ear in the first place. So why not right?

No pic no bass... First time I've said that!
 
#3
Im in the 'If it aint broke' camp myself. You can almost certainly put back anything you replace and it'll sound the same. I still wouldn't do it. Unless something is borked, why mess with it really. Spend that time and money on another guitar that needs it.
 
#7
I probably should have clarified, I'm looking to do MOSTLY cosmetic changes. What about new tuning knobs, that sort of thing? There are some things you can't see in these pictures too. Both strap knobs have been relocated with a hole where it used to be. There are 2 big black screws on either side of the bridge... either where another bridge was, or a bridge cover.... not sure??? I'd also like to get some nicer knobs for the volume and tone. I'm just afraid to mess with it too much. I'm just curious if I can make this thing look nice.

About the PG, it appears as if the previous owner put a different style of PG on it after some time. There are no holes where the missing screws are. I'm telling you, this thing is a piece of work.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back