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The Demon Bass

LaborDaze

LaborDaze

Jan 22, 2022
10
28
MD, USA
#1
I want to preface this by saying I don't know what I'm talking about and will probably be wrong about multiple things.
So about two weeks ago I was looking through goodwill auctions for basses and found this monster and promptly decided I needed it.
I was thinking it could be cool to fix it up and make it into a real well functioning instrument.
After shipping and handling I ended up paying about $400 which was probably too much but I'm pretty sure I'll have to pay at least double that to get it fixed and refitted.
This evening what I am tentatively calling the Demon Bass (working title) arrived in the mail
upload_2022-6-2_0-30-47.png

Decided right of the bat to try plugging it into an amp and, shocker, it doesn't work.
Since there are no logos or numbers anywhere on it it took some searching and but *I think* Ive ID-ed the original instrument.
It's made by Weifang Rebon, a Chinese company I've never heard of that sells (surprisingly good looking) cheap junk on alibaba.

I will update this thread as I give it a closer look but at the moment it seems like only the central body neck and bridge are original.
There are some seam-lines where I think stuff might have been changed, though they're very well concealed.
upload_2022-6-2_0-30-29.png

So right now I figure i come at this with a 5 step plan

1. Take detailed photos and notes on the demon bass's outside appearance.
2. Go into photoshop and compare the demon bass with the one I found on alibaba close-up to see if i can find out if I was right.
2. Pop off the cover and see what the electronics look like and if I can fix them DIY.
3. Clean the demon bass
4. Take it to for a consultation with a luthier see how many weeks worth of salary it'll take to get it into good condition.
5. Maybe get it fixed up.

Gonna update this thread as I get things done when I get the opportunity.
 
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#4
The bass on the far right in my profile pic is Chinese. I installed a Warwick adjustable nut, upgraded bridge, Spector pickups, emg passive electronics. It really sounds better than it is now. And I got the string spacing to match my Warwick and my Ibanez so it's very easy to go back and forth. It's fretless so I didn't have that to deal with this time but honestly every bass I've ever had needed at least a bit of filing on the corners.
 
#7
That's pretty wild. What I would do is see how straight the neck is on its own and hopefully it holds up. It's so crazy that they would design a dual truss rod system. Rickenbacker tried it and most people saw how unnecessary it is so it definitely didn't catch on for a reason. If you can't get it straight then you might need a new neck. Or a good tech that knows how to improvise a new rod in there.
 
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#8
LaborDaze said:
Looks great! My experience with instrument maintenance and modding is limited to adjusting the bridge and changing strings so I've got a lot to learn.

Another thing I'm not sure about is that it seems like the bass has two truss rods, and one is missing.
View attachment 4708462
Click to expand...
Hey Imma go out on a limb and say you may want to address that nut as well.
 
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#9
yeah I got that sense too lol. I suspect the bridge also needs replacing but I haven't messed with it yet, too late tonight.

Also if i'm already getting it refretted, would it be too much of a hassle to have them done normal and parallel?
 
Last edited:
#11
scuzzy said:
i'm all about a good redemption story, but I feel that bass is beyond fixing, particularly when you look at the frets unevenly spaced, a unilateral truss rod, splitting headstock laminations, offset pickups....even after dropping another $600 in it, is still may be unusable.
Click to expand...
I have to agree with this. The only things worth salvaging on that thing are the pickups, bridge, and maybe the tuners.

EDIT: Maybe make a body and neck that look similar but are actually functional as a tribute. That would be cool.
 
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#16
LaborDaze said:
yeah I got that sense too lol. I suspect the bridge also needs replacing but I haven't messed with it yet, too late tonight.

Also if i'm already getting it refretted, would it be too much of a hassle to have them done normal and parallel?
Click to expand...
It would need a new fingerboard. I love bass rescues, but I’m afraid this one is not going to be worth it unless you use it as a DIY learning tool.
 
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#17
LaborDaze said:
I want to preface this by saying I don't know what I'm talking about and will probably be wrong about multiple things.
So about two weeks ago I was looking through goodwill auctions for basses and found this monster and promptly decided I needed it.
I was thinking it could be cool to fix it up and make it into a real well functioning instrument.
After shipping and handling I ended up paying about $400 which was probably too much but I'm pretty sure I'll have to pay at least double that to get it fixed and refitted.
This evening what I am tentatively calling the Demon Bass (working title) arrived in the mail
View attachment 4708447
Decided right of the bat to try plugging it into an amp and, shocker, it doesn't work.
Since there are no logos or numbers anywhere on it it took some searching and but *I think* Ive ID-ed the original instrument.
It's made by Weifang Rebon, a Chinese company I've never heard of that sells (surprisingly good looking) cheap junk on alibaba.

I will update this thread as I give it a closer look but at the moment it seems like only the central body neck and bridge are original.
There are some seam-lines where I think stuff might have been changed, though they're very well concealed.
View attachment 4708446
So right now I figure i come at this with a 5 step plan

1. Take detailed photos and notes on the demon bass's outside appearance.
2. Go into photoshop and compare the demon bass with the one I found on alibaba close-up to see if i can find out if I was right.
2. Pop off the cover and see what the electronics look like and if I can fix them DIY.
3. Clean the demon bass
4. Take it to for a consultation with a luthier see how many weeks worth of salary it'll take to get it into good condition.
5. Maybe get it fixed up.

Gonna update this thread as I get things done when I get the opportunity.
Click to expand...

Those frets... :rollno: And the uneven string spacing... :crying:

Just a theory... were there adult beverages or other chemicals involved in the decision to purchase this?
 
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#18
I had been watching this bass on goodwill. It was relisted a couple of times. Started out as pick up only.
Thought about doing what you are doing for this bass, but I have to many projects at this time.
I have gotten about 5 good instruments from goodwill, only been burned once.
 

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