the T-40 / ATK Frankenbuild... excitement building

Whoa Nelly! I like this. I’m just in the beginning stages and I’m not even sure what neck I’ll use, but this could be something special. ATK pickup plus the legendary (to me) Ibanez P5 in the neck position. Oh yeah!

 

Idealy I would like 2x2 tuners if possible, but right now I have a Peavey Patriot neck that looks right, but it’s 21 frey as opposed to a 20 fret T40 neck.
I may end up removing all wood between the pocket an neck pickup, putting in a 21 fret neck, and cheating the bridge further toward the bottom. I always thought the bridge saddles were too far north on the T40.
I am a big fan of the ATK bridge.

 

Neck pocket extended to neck pickup to make room for 21 fret neck, and better suited for the ATK bridge.
With the addition of the G&L neck It's now an AT-40K-2000

 

I have some scrap Ash (which is what inspired this whole project) that I plan to make a control cover from.
I will either use the 90s ATK preamp, but add a 3 way pickup selector in front. Or I'll do a very simple passive pickup switch and volume pot. I don't do passive tone controls.

 

I had a few hours today... Well I didn't really, I just put off my real work to spend some time with the AT40K-2K.
Neck pickup cavity made smaller to fit Ibanez Super P5, neck pocket extended to meet neck pickup. which is a good thing because look at this poor neck! I get to make fresh holes where I need them now.
I had to re drill the holes on the bridge plate to allow for the string through body holes to line up. I have no drill press, so it's a bit messy... I have no router or luthier tools either, this whole thing is done cowboy style.
But it's going to work. I got it strung up, gave it the 5 minute setup, and I think I'm going to dig this bass. I especially like how no money is being spent. aside from the new set of strings it will be made 100% from stuff lying around after years of hoarding. Check out the holes in the fretboard! Previous owner drilled right through it! (I told you this was screwed up) I'll fill those later. I'll probably decide to use something more classy than sheetrock screws to hold the bridge in place too

 

1- I disagree on the sheetrock screws, this bass is the best of three phenomenal basses, and it's finish will be cool.
it's not a rat bass because it's made from great parts
2- There will be no sonic effect of tiny holes in the highest section of the fretboard. I have never played that high up on the E string anyway

If you throw two ATK pickups in something I would uses the ATK electronics, just throw a 3 way switch in the front.

 

I'm fine with heavy basses / thick straps, so I think I'll be ok. I shaved off weight with the removal of the pick guard, some wood, major sanding of the body (60 grit to really round the edges and dig out deep scars in the body. With that said the original giant chunky t40 bridge probably weighs the same or more, I anticipate it weighing less than a stock t40

I'm going to get weird with the finish. I like to "see how the sausage was made". I'm going to grain fill with a walnut filler, to smooth it out, then dark stain wipe the body. This way the body will be smooth (I don't like deep open grain) the body may be contrasty (zebra stripey) with dark grain and bright wood, Also this will also highlight every pickgaurd dowel fill and piece of wood I have added. I will finish off with a gunstock oil on the body and neck.
I understand that most people will think this is a bad idea and I don't care, I think it will look awesome.

I'm almost done a major home renovation right now, so once that's complete I'll get back to it.

 

Maybe that sentence came across as passive aggressive, and I suppose it was.
I've noticed resistance to creativity here. My other mods were met with a good deal of "Don't do it" and "You'll regret it". Those two basses have become my absolute favorites.
I am appreciating the positive vibes on this one.