What to call a put together bass?

[DougSkinner]

Please excuse if this isn’t the correct place to post this:

Not a true new build, but if pairing a stripped down body with a new neck, and then replacing everything else custom, what would you consider this bass to be? For example, a Squier body, and a different Squier neck, and all custom hardware, electronics, etc... The headstock has a serial number. The major parts are Squier. But it’s a completely different bass. I’m not trying to misrepresent anything, or claim any particular brand, etc. What is the appropriate way to go here? (In addition to just being honest...) I could remove all labels and call it a complete custom job, but then I’m using Squier parts with no credit. If I leave the Squier name on it, am I misrepresenting myself?

 

[Nev375]

Parts bass or a Frankenstein

 

[Will_White]

Franken Bass

 

[Zooberwerx]

Per today's jargon: re-purposed.

Riis

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Kevin

 

[DougSkinner]

My wife and kids have plenty of names for it too...

Do I leave the Squier name and/or serial number on there? No big deal as long as I keep it, but if it’s ever sold or anything, is there an accepted norm?

(Kevin is a top contender...)

 

[arbiterusa]

Parts bass. No need to overthink it. Leave all the stickers, serials etc on it.

 

[Will_White]

Another one I use is Mongrel, but I reserve that for less then high quality instruments. Like this one of mine (right)

 

[DougSkinner]

Parts bass. No need to overthink it. Leave all the stickers, serials etc on it.

Thanks. That’s really where I was going.

 

[Beej]

It's a Ship of Theseus - Wikipedia

 

[Mugre]

It's a Ship of Theseus - Wikipedia

That's a legal and marketing debate that Steinway has been waging for about 10-15 when they realized that like Fender and Marshall, their biggest competitor was not Bosendorfor or Kawai but their own used instruments. They've even coined a term for them, "Steinwas".

 

[MattZilla]

That's a legal and marketing debate that Steinway has been waging for about 10-15 when they realized that like Fender and Marshall, their biggest competitor was not Bosendorfor or Kawai but their own used instruments. They've even coined a term for them, "Steinwas".

that has got to be tough on a salesman. The only rap I could come up with when someone who clearly can buy a new set of bones is thinking of getting a used one "well, we can guarantee that no one has been naked on any of these"

 

[Aqualung60]

I call mine Ruby.

 

[gln1955]

Not sure why there is a question. If you describe it completely when you sell it, there is no misrepresentation. As far as the Squier label goes, there is no obligation to keep it. Just don't replace it with a Fender decal.

 

[5StringBlues]

Arthur

 

[quindecima]

Assembeled

 

[Cage]

Please excuse if this isn’t the correct place to post this:

Not a true new build, but if pairing a stripped down body with a new neck, and then replacing everything else custom, what would you consider this bass to be? For example, a Squier body, and a different Squier neck, and all custom hardware, electronics, etc... The headstock has a serial number. The major parts are Squier. But it’s a completely different bass. I’m not trying to misrepresent anything, or claim any particular brand, etc. What is the appropriate way to go here? (In addition to just being honest...) I could remove all labels and call it a complete custom job, but then I’m using Squier parts with no credit. If I leave the Squier name on it, am I misrepresenting myself?

Call it your own

 

[JD Supernatural]

I put a Bass together using various bits I had a decal made (waterslide) that said Moss Bass Company. just liked the name

 

[Big Hoss]

I guess the definition is slightly fluid. For me, if the body, and neck are matched originals, then I would call it a modified bass. Like my modified Squier Affinity Jazz Bass (Duncan Designed pickups from a Vintage Modified Squier, high mass bridge with brass saddles from a Classic Vibe 60s Squier, CTS pots / cap).

If the neck / body are from different instruments, it is at that point, I would call it a Frankenbass. Kind of like swapping a different brain into the body....

 

[Madhouse27]

Franken Von Squier. One of the great things about this brand is the ability to affordably swap parts and pieces around to get what you want. My Squier Frank is a Special P body with a VM Jazz maple blocked neck, new badass bridge and nickel hardware. Love the thing!