The "Praguar" refinish and upgrade.

[Habilis]

So, seeing as we're discussing the future, I wanted to mention that I just bought an eviscerated Squier 32" Telecaster Bass Special (the one with 2 pickups) on eBay for a very reasonable price. I've been intrigued by these since they came out, and this was too good to pass up. It's missing the pickups, wiring and tuners. Right now my extremely tentative plan is to cut a forearm contour (or whatever they call it) and then repaint it. Or, I might get a router, which I should really own anyway if I am going to keep doing these Frankenbasses, and put on some binding--and then repaint it.

I'll probably just buy replacement Squier tuners.

But the PICKUPS! Now THAT'S where the wackiness potential comes in! As I'm sure you all know, this model has one of those honking huge Fender chrome humbuckers in the neck position, and a jazz-type in the bridge (or had). So, there are all sorts of possibilities for the replacements--a G&L MFD or a MM-style in the neck? 1951-style P-bass pickup in the bridge slot? Fill the current holes and start from scratch? Hmmmmm....

OK, anyway, when I'm done with this one I'll probably start a thread for that one too.

 

[Habilis]

I'm thinking now that a fake-Fender typeface logo decal that says "SQUANDER" might be appropriate, given how much blood and treasure I've spent on this thing.

 

[bolophonic]

I'm thinking now that a fake-Fender typeface logo decal that says "SQUANDER" might be appropriate, given how much blood and treasure I've spent on this thing.

No offense, but that basically summarizes my impression of this build. It will be a fine bass, but man... I'm sure this experience will teach you a lot.

 

[Habilis]

Brief catchup: I have put about 3 cans' worth of clearcoat on it, and I have spray-painted the "tortoise-sh*t" pickguard with Duplicolor gloss white. It's a temporary solution until I buy or make a pearloid pickguard.

This week while the mrs. is out of town I will be teaching myself how to solder by practicing on the original Squier electronics, and starting the first round of wet-sanding. Pics later this week or next week.

 

[aquamentus]

Just found this thread and wonder how it turned out. So intriguing.

 

[Habilis]

Well, I have taken a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG break from this for work/school/family reasons. I am a stay-at-home dad, and my youngest kid is FINALLY in preschool, so I'm hoping that in the next couple of weeks I will have some time during the day to do the sanding. I'm afraid it's going to turn out pretty crappy-looking in the end, but it will make an acceptable back-up bass for my main P-bass. But I learned a lot.

 

[ICM]

I was a little worried at seeing the first photos with the giant sanding, but after reading through, this looks really cool. Colour choices are quite nice.