The Demon Bass

[WG Plum]

THAT is the perfect bass for metal. Black metal specifically.

 

[filwitheneff]

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.

First of all, you gave it a perfect name! It really does look a bass that would be used by demons. The roughness of the build gives it serious character. That said...

You may end up with a $400 living room conversation piece. But if you can get that thing up to par, it would be epic. Good luck!

 

[tpaul]

You spent $400 for that?

I hope you get $400 worth of fun out of it...

 

[Smooth_bass88]

All hail The Demon Bass!

 

[ardgedee]

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.

The random wood extensions on the headstock and the surface on the back of the neck makes me suspect this was somebody's shop project. You can't get irregular textures like that with CNC unless you program them in.

 

[Nakoatron]

That fretwork tells me this was built by some lone wolf out there for one reason and one reason only. To eventually end up on talkbass as a controversial piece.

 

[Wood and Wire]

It was very generous of you, to donate $400 to Goodwill.

You also got a novelty walking stick, for your twilight years.

 

[Snaxster]

That thing isn't fit to be firewood.

Totally disagree!

 

[BassoContinu0]

if Khyber pass had sex with satan

 

[mdogs]

Have you thought about an exorcism?

 

[WG Plum]

If you have the money/wearwithall to get it playable, that would be a great bass for a really weird ass band. I totally approve, fwiw.

 

[Obese Chess]

I love a good project as much as the next guy, but man, that neck. It doesn't even look like all the frets are under the strings.

 

[Rib 13]

this bass is what Mothman would look like if it were Keith Richards with less life expectancy

I'm not so sure it isn't the Mothman

 

[Ostie]

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

Progressive string spacing?

The good news is you only lost $350 on the deal.

 

[abarson]

Hahaha! I saw that on Goodwill and wondered if a TB’er would pick it up. Kind of an expensive project to take on.
As badly as it's been butchered, it never occured to me that it might have actually left a factory as a playable instrument. There's just so much wrong with it that I assumed it was homemade. Maybe it started life as a Weifang reject? I've not seen a 4+2 headstock before.

 

[sedan_dad]

Hey, we all screw up one time or another. Just make it a point to be sober next time you buy something.

 

[rocmonster]

Is someone trying to give Wishnevsky a run for his money?

Wishnevsky made Wish basses, this bass wishes it was a bass.

 

[Five String]

I regret that I agree with the nattering nabobs of negativism but if you end up getting this playing I want to see it so color me.....

sub'd

 

[Fender_Bender]

Based on the rest of it, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if the pickups are fake as well.

 

[micguy]

I propose a 2 step program for this:

1) Remove the pickups, bridge, and tuners. Some of those might be useful

2) Burn the rest. That may sound flippant, but I’m not kidding. With frets that are that sloppy, I can’t imagine that anything on that bass was done well. If you want to make a good bass out of this, anything done by the builder should be tossed, so you have a good starting point.