• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Vester Bass - Polishing Up

N

ntyebrasswheel

May 28, 2012
5
0
Norfolk
#1
Firstly, I just joined so feel free to yell abuse at the noob ;)

Secondly, I just bought this 4-string Vester from my local CC and wondered if anyone had any kind of knollege on these basses. I've done a bit of snooping about and they seem to be very underground. I've read that it was a Japanese company making basses a few decades ago but they went out of business.
Anyway I really liked the look and tone of this bass when I spotted it. It needs a bit of tlc but it's a decent enough bass.

What I was mostly wanting help with is locating the best parts to fit this bass. I want to replace all the old tarnished brass parts with gold plated ones.
I neeed...
*Gold tuners
*Gold knobs
*Gold bridge (If I can find one to fit)
*Gold strings (Got some in mind but if anyone has a recomended brand it would be a great help)
-Btw I am a UK resident so UK sites would be appreciated but not totally nessesary-

So yes, that is all for now. Any help and support you can give would be a great help. Thanks guys!:bassist:
 

Attachments

  • SDC14136.JPG
    SDC14136.JPG
    124.9 KB · Views: 326
  • SDC14137.JPG
    SDC14137.JPG
    98.6 KB · Views: 208
#3
millsbass5 said:
Spend your cash on making it play and sound better. No need to put chrome-go-fasters on your bass.
Click to expand...

Noted. I'm taking performance into consideration with the parts I buy. The tuning pegs are loose and sloppy so changing those is a must if I want it to stay in tune for more than 5 minutes. But I thought I may as well get some aesthetically pleasing ones. It's gotta look good as well as play good ;)
 
#5
CauliColin said:
I agree with you, but if you want to improve the look, get some polish and some lemon oil (Dunlop make some) and clean it up! Worry about the hardware later. Give it a quick clean, and it will look B-E-A-UTIFUL.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I already did this with some metal polish and it didn't work great =/ I think the brass is too tarnished. Although I did use metal polish that's been sitting in my garage for 10 or so years... Hmm Lemon oil... is watered down lemon juice a valid alternative or am I being an idiot? :P
 
#6
you're being an idiot.
Also, he means polish the body, not the hardware.

But, that said, that bass is awesome! I've never seen one like it before, love the color. If I were you I would get new hardware too. I bet you'll never find a direct bridge replacement though, I guess I'd live with it rather than drill for a new.
 
#7
Sharko said:
you're being an idiot.
Also, he means polish the body, not the hardware.

But, that said, that bass is awesome! I've never seen one like it before, love the color. If I were you I would get new hardware too. I bet you'll never find a direct bridge replacement though, I guess I'd live with it rather than drill for a new.
Click to expand...

Ah I see XD Yeah I love the wood grain on this bass. It's got a fast fretboard and good tonal range.
Yeah I doubt I will be able to find a bridge to fit either. Most I've seen are fixed with 4 screws. I'd rather live with this bridge than drill into my bass.
Must change the tuning pegs though, for performance mostly but would be nice to get some shiny bright gold ones on that head! I'd love to get some gold strings too. Found some 24ct ones for £42 and they have decent reviews. I think those can wait but it would deffinatly set it off having strings to match the hardware! :P
 
#8
I got one for 100 bucks. It is the same model but differs a bit. Mine is Green lacquer and my pickups says Vester HB III and Vester HD III.

It plays like a mother even with the active circutry disconnected. It plays easier faster and even more expressive than my Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. As a guitarist, I prefer the contact feel of this bass as well. I can see my Jazz Bass loosing love over this one, as I set it up properly.
 
#9
I remember Vester guitars in the mid 90s. They were a brand smaller stores carried cause they couldn't afford the buying terms of the bigger brands. I remember them being much like Cort in that the quality was generally good, but still a budget offering.

If you like it, then go ahead and upgrade parts. Gold knobs and tuners are easily found (though its worth mentioning that tuning problems are more often a problem with the nut than the tuners). Finding a bridge will almost certainly mean filling and re-drilling holes. The one on there has Spector style saddles so maybe that's a way to go. In my opinion its not worth changing the bridge, just to put a shinier one on. Any upgrades you do will not make it any more valuable if you ever want to sell it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back