The Fenderbird begins....

[Eilif]

Final update:
Finished bass here:
NBD. Cheap Parts Fenderbird. Could be alot worse!

Update May 19th I got a friend to take some in-progress shots. Page 2, post 40.

I've mentioned in a few previous threads my interest in building a Fenderbird on a budget. Well...

Today this arrived at work

NBD. Cheap Parts Fenderbird. Could be alot worse!

as did this
Link Removed


An epiphone Goth t-bird body with bridge, pickguard, neckplate and control cavity cover, and an "eden" pbass neck. I'm pleased with both items, but it should be noted that the Eden neck is not traditional Fender measurements. It's got an extra fret and an extra quarter inch or so of length. No matter for me though, since I have to enlarge the neck pocket anyway.

Tonight I...

1)Enlarged the neck pocket (lots of slow work with a dremel)
2)Removed all hardware

I already have a set of Black Schaller traditional tuning machines, and new black pickguard screws are on the way. I will be ordering a pair of Mighty Mite soaps for it as well.

Steps coming up..

1)A heat gun is on the way from Grizzly so I can start stripping the body.

2)Then the body goes off to my step-brother-in-law for a refin. Color to be determined after seeing what lies under the wood.


I don't have a camera, so I won't have many (probably not any) in process pics, but I'll find some way to photograph the end results for you all.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi, Eilif.


WOW, 60 views and no replies. You've topped even some of my threads.

Only thing that people seem to dislike more than Thunderbirds must be Fenderbirds then .


Cool project, try to borrow a camera for the "in progress" shots if possible.

Regards
Sam

 

[Mon Rominee]

Only thing that people seem to dislike more than Thunderbirds must be Fenderbirds then

Not by me, I love Fenderbirds AND thunderbirds.

 

[perogato02]

I dig 'work in progress'-threads

 

[sarcastro83]

subscribed.

 

[RED5]

I just scanned the Frankenbass thread and someone posted pics of a really accurately done Fenderbird, gave me a twinge of gas pains,it was nice, I left moping how badly I could use one of those. I'm also a longtime student of all things Entwistle but I'm a stupid purist, always dug T-Birds and just couldn't get around cutting one up to bolt a Fender (which I also dig) neck on it. I've even built my own T-bird replica with a neck and scale based on Fender Precision specs. But now Epi supplies a body with a neck pocket?! Holy cats! Could it be any easier? Looking forward to seeing your project done. Great idea! good luck with the project!

 

[Ric5]

I liove FenderBirds!

 

[Eilif]

Thanks Sam,
If I can swing the funds, I'm definatley going to try and get a camera.

Ric 5,
I knew those pics would show up sooner or later. Your work was very inspiring to me as I considered this project.

REd 5,
Thanks for your interest. I hope you are not too much of a purist. This is on-the cheap, so the elements I was able to take from Entwhistle's Fenderbirds are

1)mahogany body
2)maple precision width neck
3)maple board (very important)
4)pickup position
5)Thunderbird body style.

Unfortunately it will have different
1) pickups
2) Bridge (3 point vs original 2 part)
3) pickguard (raised center strip on the epi won't allow the distinctive large guard like his)
4) Hardware. Black vs Chrome.

While you all wait...
The decal design "Fenderbird Ox Bass" is in progress. JehuJava is doing a spectacular job here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427751&page=2

 

[RED5]

Thanks Sam,
If I can swing the funds, I'm definatley going to try and get a camera.

Ric 5,
I knew those pics would show up sooner or later. Your work was very inspiring to me as I considered this project.

REd 5,
Thanks for your interest. I hope you are not too much of a purist. This is on-the cheap, so the elements I was able to take from Entwhistle's Fenderbirds are

1)mahogany body
2)maple precision width neck
3)maple board (very important)
4)pickup position
5)Thunderbird body style.

Unfortunately it will have different
1) pickups
2) Bridge (3 point vs original 2 part)
3) pickguard (raised center strip on the epi won't allow the distinctive large guard like his)
4) Hardware. Black vs Chrome.

While you all wait...
The decal design "Fenderbird Ox Bass" is in progress. JehuJava is doing a spectacular job here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427751&page=2

Heh! No I'm not that stiff,these times require flexability and I'm all about "On the Cheap" I think that's the beauty part of your build.Hell,that's why I started building, (also why I stopped, since a playable bass can be had for less than the price of a good set of pickups or a preamp!)

 

[Croox]

fender birds are awesome, I've got my own take on it in the works now. Cant wait to see the finished project!

 

[eleonn]

Ehhh... looks nice but... how are you going to fight neck dive?

 

[Eilif]

,that's why I started building, (also why I stopped, since a playable bass can be had for less than the price of a good set of pickups or a preamp!)

Right there with you. Most of the basses I've done have been passive fixer-uppers that repaired for fun and then craigslisted for what I had into them. It's just a hobby for me, so my standard is that if it isn't a bass that I was absolutely sure that I would love and keep, I refuse to initially put more into it than I can get on sales.

That's the standard I'm following for this bass as well. Just a solid giggable bass that I can upgrade later if I love it (if it needs it) but that I can flip if I don't.

 

[Eilif]

Ehhh... looks nice but... how are you going to fight neck dive?

Anyone whose ever played a thunderbird knows that when it comes to neck dive, it's not about fighting, but about acceptance.

Seriously though, I will be moving the top strap button to the top of the neck heel, though I fully expect that it will always dive.

 

[Mon Rominee]

Here's mine. I made the body, Warmoth Wenge / Ebony board neck. Bart classic TBird pup.

 

[RED5]

Anyone whose ever played a thunderbird knows that when it comes to neck dive, it's not about fighting, but about acceptance.

Seriously though, I will be moving the top strap button to the top of the neck heel, though I fully expect that it will always dive.

Yep! The sound and look of the T-bird far outweighs a little gravity.
There's a point on mine just on the neck heel that balances the whole bass. I'm guessing at around the 20th fret? I have my peg there and I can nearly balance the bass like a scale. I play it noramlly almost vertically.

 

[Alcyon]

i was one of those views without a comment . duly subscribed. looks gorgeous so far.

 

[beyondhairy]

a thread a posted the other week....

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428146


moving the strap button to the back heel eliminates neck dive so much that my 6 and 7 year old cousins can rock out with the t-bird lol

 

[Eilif]

a thread a posted the other week....

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428146


moving the strap button to the back heel eliminates neck dive so much that my 6 and 7 year old cousins can rock out with the t-bird lol

Cool, that's where I was planning to put the strap, so maybe there won't be much dive. On the other hand, the Schaller Vintage style tuners are pretty massive...

 

[SDB Guitars]

switch to the Schaller lite tuners (or Hipshot Ultralites). You can get them with the classic "elephant ear" tuning keys

 

[Eilif]

switch to the Schaller lite tuners (or Hipshot Ultralites). You can get them with the classic "elephant ear" tuning keys

Ah Grashoppa you must inspect the entire thread. This is to be a bass of much thrift and little spending. The tuners of which you speak would add 50% to the cost of this most humble bass.