The Last Bass Outpost

Some background.  I ditched my white '77 Tbird (bought new) in '81 for the usual reasons, neck profile and dive.  I was always happy with the sound, especially played through 3 Coliseums and 3 SVT cabinets.  '81 was very different from '77, married w/new son, down to one coliseum and a 2-15 cab.  Before I straight traded the Bird for a '76 'StingRay (still have it, weighs 12 lbs, great boat anchor) I made a tracing of the body.

Fenderbird was in my head.
 
 I quickly tired of the weight and blah sunburst of the 'Ray, though the neck profile is very nice, and decided to cannibalize it for a Fenderbird (Musicman=Leo=Fender).  Instead I bought the components: a left handed Charvel neck (new), Kluson reverse LH tuners, DiMarzio P pup and Badass, etc (all used from, I think, Freedom Guitars) for around $100 and commuted the 'Ray's sentence to life under my bed.  Built the Bird, painted it red and gigged it.  Still did the neck dive dance a little, but at least the profile was more to my liking.  And I liked the DiMarzio OK.
  Stopped playing after my daughter was born in '84.  After '98 divorce revisited the Bird and stripped the paint, made the Badass thru body, modified the headstock and added a P/J set of Duncans.  Then I replaced the Klusons with Gotohs.  Time to finish this one.

2001 w/ SDs.  You can see the original rout for the MM pup


Photoshop Concept (Blonde Ambition)


Last week (NR pg planned)


Counterbores for flush string ferrules


Plugging pot holes



Thinking about this, unfortunately after I drilled those counterbores. But there's always the next one.


Prepped for face lift, skim coat of filler sanded.


Not quite ready for its closeup. Paper backed veneer, Titebond glue.  Using this bridge or the Badass may reappear.


Next is pup routing, pot holes and gut contour, then body prep for finishing.  Pups will be 2 EMG 35 TWs, chromerized.  They are EMG's "vintage" sounding 3 coils.  We'll see.
http://www.emginc.com/products/category/247/2

Headstock has to be recontoured, veneered and refinned.

Color to be determined, a lot depends how well the back and sides clean up.  I'm leaning blonde or transparent Fiesta Red stain.

LBO has been a HUGE inspiration in the short time since finding it and joining. THANKS!

That TV Yellow Bird does it for me.  What's its story?

True, industry has been that way for years. And the federal government often requires it in contracts. But the man on the street won't use it unless he has to. I don't see that changing anytime soon, since two generations have grown up with it and it still hasn't made headway.

It certainly has in engineering and design.  Your local mechanic uses metric tools.  He knows 15mm is bigger than 14.  Is 5/8 larger than 13/32?  Have to think about that one.  Metric has taken over liquid measurement and some solids.

But in general I agree with you, the metric system will only be used by techies in the US.

That is very tasteful, slanted pup and all! Compliments!!!

Thanks, I'll tell it to the 26 year old hippie who did it with a chisel, hand drill, sandpaper and a Preval spray bottle.  Didn't need much for tools in those days.

BTW, Bananas is a reputable vendor, I do see a Gibson logo on the headstock and the back shot is exactly like mine.  So it's possible.  Geddy? who knows, different horses for courses.  The best example of a '60 EBO I've ever seen is JAE's in Bass Culture, wouldn't think of him as a short scale player.  But I would agree, Lifeson more likely if it's authentic.  That said $5K is crazy for that,um, thing.  Really sweet Explorer!

We're more likely to run out of oil before we go metric.

Today's cars are completely metric and at least 90% of motorcyles and basses.  What else is there that matters?  Oh yeah...

Seriously almost no manufacturing is done using the English system.

I follow your point.  I guess I was concerned that someone might think JAE's originals were just late '60s P bass necks mated to Gibson bodies.

I totally agree, parts is parts.

Thanks, used the nail method, blades on mine.