The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: Granny Gremlin on August 29, 2017, 06:39:21 AM
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Someone on another forum, out of the blue (we had a single PM convro once a few months back) just offered me a free project bass (local so no shipping required). Of course I accepted, so we'll see what happens.
I know nothing about it, aside from it being routed for a P/J set and having dual truss rods.
Popcorn time.
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PJ with dual trussrods? Alembic?!
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Dual truss rods could also mean a Ric copy, despite the P/J routing.
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Like this stunner? :mrgreen:
(http://www.rickenfaker.info/images/jolana_3.jpg)
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Yikes!
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yeowzers. I dunno. Dude hasn't got back to me and since it's free I'm not gonna be a pest about it. Not as if I have a shortage of projects at the moment.
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So the dude just showed yup at my door and handed me this thing yesterday.
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/526ee2462681df8ff42964510d893fe0/tumblr_oy4xurISqh1unxz8do6_1280.jpg)
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/7d8a4eda05121c457b9871aa05b037c2/tumblr_oy4xurISqh1unxz8do1_1280.jpg)
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/1af2d8fc6bc5a5b2ab2436aa00cf45d7/tumblr_oy4xurISqh1unxz8do2_1280.jpg)
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/13417516f94baddd3913e29dd3c4ff33/tumblr_oy4xurISqh1unxz8do3_1280.jpg)
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/f5d63cb097026675ee5ad9ecc59126cf/tumblr_oy4xurISqh1unxz8do4_1280.jpg)
Now y'all know I am not a fan of maple fretboards, long scale and P/J pups, but this thing is neck thru, dual truss rods, mahogany body with a bit of a weird diagonal strip parquet figured top thing going on (looks better in person; it surprised me when I saw it cuz it looked bland in the phone pic dude sent me; rather nice) that is surprisingly thick too; not a thin veneer. The best part is that it’s already stripped so I can go to town with a refin without the bitch work. So I am actually rather enthused.
So many ideas about how to go with this. Undecided re pups (would love something like a thunderbird pickup - but we’ll see what I can get… I’d consider a mudbucker but would then want a second pickup and I’m feeling this as a single), but I am definitely filling that J route (no like Js and no like bridge position on a bass). Since there’s 3 pot holes thinking of doing vol, treble cut (standard tone control) and bass cut (inductor based - hoping to score a vintage Gibson choke coil for that). Also considering altering the shape a bit - definately will contour the neck joint area a bit more, but also maybe modify the horn shape to be less pointer Strat/P and more Ric cresting wave or LP Jr DC ish.
Also it came with a case (branded ‘baldwin’ like the pianos). Haggard (no handle and that one corner pictured is messed up) but for the price I am doing well.
It’s a Freebird.
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So anyway I need hardware; whatchall got in yer parts bins? Kinda kicking myself for selling off a bridge I had sitting around, but maybe that's a good thing and I'll get something better, ideally post-mounted.
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Baldwin did own Burns and Gretsch at one time, although this bass doesn't look like any model I can recall.
Only relevant part I have is a Bartolini 8S P pickup but it sounds like you won't be going in that direction.
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You don't do fretless but that's the way I'd go... just love my RD and the ringing tones I get from that fully maple beastie and the single neck pup...
As you said...
:popcorn:
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Come on, somebody's gotta have something. Tuners, bridges, even stap pins.
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Might have the electrics from a box of junk on ebay. At least it could let you test.
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Come on, somebody's gotta have something. Tuners, bridges, even stap pins.
ebay - guitar parts - china.
Free shipping, too! I mean , just to make it play..
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I've got a bucket of old parts that has some of what you need. I know that theres a bridge off an old Washburn you can have and maybe some tuners. Definately a bunch of strap buttons, Not sure about pickups but I'll have a look later today when I get back to the house.
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if any of this interests you let me know.
(http://i.imgur.com/o0JZpvd.jpg) (https://imgur.com/o0JZpvd)
(http://i.imgur.com/2NFUYlv.jpg) (https://imgur.com/2NFUYlv)
(http://i.imgur.com/TZvUPtJ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/TZvUPtJ)
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I have pots and wire. And yes, a Chinese pickup is where I might have to go with this (I do have some basic P pickup here; probably out of a Squire).
66Atlas, my screen sux - what do those calipers read? If it's 5/8" or bigger and 2x2 vs 4 in line I'll take em.... and thinking the bridge on the right (what is that, looks like a Badass I or copy) - the Washburn looks too massive and lets not get started with the black hardware, cuz the pup probaly won't be.
Speaking of pups, thinking Chinese Tbird or Lace Alumitone Bassbar. Bassbar might be too modern looking (and chrome is more $ than black :( ). I could be into other things,... should check out Pitbull, those used to be popular.
Still looking for:
- strap pins
- a nut (might try one of those prefab brass ones off ebay; gotta measure it up)
- pup
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Caliper is hard to read with the shadows but it's a bit bigger than 5/8 (.72 inches) thats the grooves on the ferrule. They're reverseable but are set up 2+2 so should work for you. Chrome bridge is some sort or badass copy, probably from an 80s Washburn or other Matsomoku bass. I've also got about 20 years worth of strap buttons from switching mine out to strap locks. PM me with you address and I'll get it all out to you Monday. Look forward to seeing the end result! :toast: