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Wishbass Club pt. 2

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#101
Gubna; The main thing that looks hinky to me is the way the headstock flows into the neck (or doesn't, actually). That is correctible though (as you know), but will require nut removal (very easy actually, they are not glued down very seriously) and some serious rasping/filing/sanding. Yours appears to 'off' more than most. I just got finished doing some reshaping and edge rounding on my Stude headstock and had a little bit of the same problem, but it was easily remedied -it just took a couple of hours of shaping work, which I enjoyed really. Did you get any kind of a discount for these errors/changes to your order specs? I'm curious how Wish deals with that sort of thing (my Fantasy is still in the pipeline).
 
#102
Those of you speculating that Wish's heart may not be into this anymore may be right. The following is taken from his auctions currently on Ebay:

"Note. At the present time, i am planning to make up to 1000 of these and then decide if i want to sell the company. Getting near retirement age. So that means there will only be about 70 more of these under these conditions, at these prices. There has been no real interest in buying the brand name, so far, and the economy is not doing all that well, as you may have noticed.


Here is the deal. One years gross will get you the brand name, patterns to 70 basses, the website wishbass.com. my customer files and a course in how to make instruments my way. I think one person could make about 200 basses a year, you see what they sell for. I make a little over a hundred a year, myself.

This would be a great opportunity for a mechanically inclined person who has a real desire to work for themselves.

Thanks for your interest and support. "
 
#103
3stringpete said:
I think 49sfine should consider offering his brass alloy control covers on eBay. He can provide two (or more) options for general shape (paisley or standard tear drop) and three options for holes (blank or no holes, two holes for volume and jack, and three holes for volume, tone, and jack). Three mounting holes on the perimeter should be standard.
If 49sfine reads this, please post another photo of your Wishbass with the brass control cover. With Wishnevsky stating that he will make up to 1000 Wishbasses before retiring, the idea of Wishbass accessories might be popular...one of the reasons I make Wishboxes.
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Fellow TBers; In response to Pete's idea about me producing some brass or copper control covers ... I might be motivated enough to try it out but it would be nice to know if there would be ANY sort of demand for the things. I wouldn't mind doing it if even just as a 'favor' for those few who are really into Wishbasses, but still ... Any thoughts about this that you're willing to share?

Also for your consideration: A shot of an original WB teardrop, the smaller scale brass teardrop for my Banana Bass, a peened paisley cover and a template for a third shape. What say ye?
 
#104
49sfine said:
Fellow TBers; In response to Pete's idea about me producing some brass or copper control covers ... I might be motivated enough to try it out but it would be nice to know if there would be ANY sort of demand for the things. I wouldn't mind doing it if even just as a 'favor' for those few who are really into Wishbasses, but still ... Any thoughts about this that you're willing to share?

Also for your consideration: A shot of an original WB teardrop, the smaller scale brass teardrop for my Banana Bass, a peened paisley cover and a template for a third shape. What say ye?
Click to expand...

I could see the peened paisley on one of my WB's. What is the cost you were thinking of charging?

James
 
#106
49sfine said:
Fellow TBers; In response to Pete's idea about me producing some brass or copper control covers ... I might be motivated enough to try it out but it would be nice to know if there would be ANY sort of demand for the things. I wouldn't mind doing it if even just as a 'favor' for those few who are really into Wishbasses, but still ... Any thoughts about this that you're willing to share?

Also for your consideration: A shot of an original WB teardrop, the smaller scale brass teardrop for my Banana Bass, a peened paisley cover and a template for a third shape. What say ye?
Click to expand...

I'd definitely be interested in purchasing some peened brass tear-drop ones with 3 holes....to use with the Wishboxes I make.
 
#107
3stringpete said:
I'd definitely be interested in purchasing some peened brass tear-drop ones with 3 holes....to use with the Wishboxes I make.
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Pete: Thank you. Maybe I should make one for my Wishbox and let you see how it looks. (I could even use your cover as the template) Right now since the metal I am using is old stock from back when I was making jewelry (35 years ago!), I really have no idea what the brass alloy sheet I have actually costs in today's money. I need to look into that obviously. Anyway, this might be interesting - I'll develop it a bit further and let you know ...
 
#108
bassfinishing005.jpg


here is my newest one i fell behind on it because i had another build in progress. i didnt like the way the pickyp cofiguration and string holes looked so i made a biiiiiggg cover out of lignum viate (sorry i know i spelt it wrong) and padouk with a built in bocote thumbrest. the bass is of my own design and it actually came out pretty much the exact proportions to what i ordered. (yes i wanted it that large) so far what else i have done to it is i have added 2 more single coils and made a new nut and bridge also i have made a few large body contours so its more comfterble and lightweight. my only complaint is the scroll, it needs ALOT of work, its probably the most difficult part of refurbishing it. i cant wait till im done so i can go show the beast off. i have another wishbass that i will post up here sometime. i love my wishbasses
 
#109
Gosh, I just made an offer on the latest walnut JB bass Wish had on Ebay and I'll be danged if he didn't take it. Thank you, Steve - I almost feel bad for getting them at this price. Someone stop me! I was going to do a group shot, but now have to wait until this latest one gets here. Wish will ship Monday so it should arrive by Friday - wheeee ......

PPK: That' a very kool & interesting guitar! Thanks for sharing and keep us posted ...

BTW the Stude just looks better and better the more I rub on it. It's gonna' be a looker.
 
#110
I went to work on the wish last night with the dremel and some rasps. I've got to go get some sandpaper this weekend. I figure I'll do alot of it this weekend. But it's progressing nicely.

I also looked into some walnut knobs - but I might go with ebony to match the fingerboard. I might go the route of the side jack, and install a H.A.S. Varitone.

Also, mine didn't come with the position markers so I'll need to come up with something for it. Any ideas?
 
#112
49sfine said:
Gosh, I just made an offer on the latest walnut JB bass Wish had on Ebay and I'll be danged if he didn't take it. Thank you, Steve - I almost feel bad for getting them at this price.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean...if the PU weren't right on the bridge on that one I'd have snapped it up, I think it's a beaut.

Now, if I were a tool, I'd say he's just relisted the claw he had up there last week @ $200. But I'm not a tool. Am I?
 
#113
newfuture said:
I know what you mean...if the PU weren't right on the bridge on that one I'd have snapped it up, I think it's a beaut.

Now, if I were a tool, I'd say he's just relisted the claw he had up there last week @ $200. But I'm not a tool. Am I?
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NEWFUTURE: Actually, since I have other Wishes, I thought the pup close-to-the-bridge effect might be a kool difference in the sound from the others. I wouldn't say that is why I bought it, but having differences between the 4-strings is a good thing, at this point.

This isn't some kind of cult, is it????? - :)
 
#115
god i want that claw now... i have the money... but gas prices... truck parts... etc... and my parents making sure i dont do any impulse buys... oh god... the gas hurts... ill have to see the last pay check that i didnt open....


but i may have to do some tweaking on that claw if i do... any ideas?
 
#117
Ripper said:
god i want that claw now... i have the money... but gas prices... truck parts... etc... and my parents making sure i dont do any impulse buys... oh god... the gas hurts... ill have to see the last pay check that i didnt open....


but i may have to do some tweaking on that claw if i do... any ideas?
Click to expand...
Ripper: Well, you asked so here goes - keep in mind that what looks good to me may turn you totally off. I had thought about bidding on the Claw but didn't because I really didn't like the way the smaller horn looks shape-wise and the darker wood. Makes me think it broke off and was repaired, or it could just be a darker run of the wood. Anyway, I was thinking about shortening that horn down past the darker area and perhaps reshape the way it contours into the body. If it were mine, I would cut out some paper in the new shape I wanted and lay it over the horn and then back up and look at it. If the new outline wasn't any good, then try again, or accept it the way it is. Of course the usual smoothing, fingerboard releveling, neck sanding, etc. goes without saying. I think most of the time, just sanding out the whole thing really makes the wood come alive and you might end up not wanting to do too much else. I always work the contours more; making them softer, more round and consistent. Also, really smoothing out the headstock makes a difference even though it is tough to get in there and work the inner curves - the outer ones are easy. Anyhoo, good luck wth one if you spring for it. The Price is right!
 
#119
Well I gave in to my impatience and started the tung oil finish. Here are some shots, highlighting some of the new curves, after 3 coats of oil. I rationalize by telling myself I don't want to take all the Wish out of the bass, but in reality I am just impatient. It takes only 20% of the time to get the bass 80% "there". I try not to rush the neck, and make it as comfortable as I can, but the body just gets the bold strokes, uneven joins and rough edges, etc.
PurpleheartHyperIP-1.jpg

PurpleheartHyperIP-2.jpg

PurpleheartHyperIP-4.jpg

PurpleheartHyperIP-6.jpg

Let's hear it for a little asymmetry!
PurpleheartHyperIP-7.jpg

PurpleheartHyperIP-5.jpg

PurpleheartHyperIP-8.jpg

I have a jam in a couple of weeks, I don't know which basses to bring, I can't fit them all in my car!
 
#120
James; Wow, great pictures! Your bass is very nice - I love the purpleheart body and dual stringers. I took some time off today from my bathroom remodel and 'relaxed' with some serious sanding on the walnut Stude - man, it is smoother than a baby's behind! It actually feels like polished stone or glass. I took it all the way to 1200g. I've never done that before, as my Hyper only went to 800g. I am going to try TruOil on this one. I'll post pix when I get my camera download software figured out - something is haywire right now.
 
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