The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: dadagoboi on May 07, 2024, 06:43:33 AM

Title: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: dadagoboi on May 07, 2024, 06:43:33 AM

Bought this maybe 8 years ago. Baz has been inquiring about it ever since. No doubt he'd do a good job on it but I'm finally gettin around to a plan. That being: converting this hot mess to a Polaris White '64 II clone, or as close as can be done  to that. Then I'll sell off my original '64s.

(https://i.imgur.com/emg7CDK.jpg)

Somebody wanted an Explorer? The neck is intact, no breaks.

(https://i.imgur.com/PCehFQ6.jpg?1)

also, control cavity, and cover are not harmed.

The model and spare '64 parts from the bin except the P/G. Scott has kindly volunteered one of his priimo replicas to the project. I'll also be using a GOT Tailpiece.

(https://i.imgur.com/h1mx2le.jpg)

Full scale on a greid, sadly CAD deficient. The BICEN perimeter compared to a '64. More 'Telecaster ' style upper horn for one thing. Bottom horn is also different judging by what was left. II no longer own an intact BICEN to compare.

(https://i.imgur.com/oipP1Ux.jpg)

Hold my Beer.
(https://i.imgur.com/kVj02Xa.jpg)

So, new top horn/wing is in order and I'll attempt to use the cutoffs to replicate a '64 bottom. I'll also be routing the neck center down 1/4" until its below wing heigt and inlay a 3/8" thick new center to clean up the mess that now there.
(https://i.imgur.com/Jt0JTyW.jpg)


Lots of Honduras to choose from:
(http://i.imgur.com/u897UoJ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/u897UoJ)

Wish me luck!

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: TBird1958 on May 07, 2024, 07:26:04 AM

 Great project Carlo - I'm sure it will be a beauty when you're done with it. Love the reddish finish on your '64 II as well!

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: dadagoboi on May 07, 2024, 10:00:05 AM

Thanks, Veronica.
It's not so rred IRL. Plus I had the wrong WB setting on that early AM shot. A bit rusty on the photo skills.

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: uwe on May 07, 2024, 12:38:13 PM

This is a humanitarian gesture of immense proportions - you'll go to heaven for resurrecting that poor bass from what it has gone through!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6JpxDebokM


PS: Scott, I'll never say a word about you sawing up that TBird once for a deeper cutaway again, your original sin cannot be forgotten, no, but it now has been dwarfed beyond relevance.  8)

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: godofthunder on May 07, 2024, 06:53:33 PM

  Uwe I have been surpassed  ;D I still have the Butcherbird and am quite pleased with it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat  ;)

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: exiledarchangel on May 08, 2024, 11:45:29 PM

You know what, you could also make a reverse 20/20 out of it...

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: amptech on May 28, 2024, 03:02:27 AM

Good luck, gotta love a rescue project!
Worst I had was a Hofner shaped by some acid head in Sweden:
(https://i.imgur.com/KvscFlq.jpg)
Worst part was getting hold of old abachi wood from Germany. Took the liberty of making a Spanish 'S'
Höfner shape and doing a candy orange finish that I'm sure someone here hates as much as antigua :mrgreen:
(https://i.imgur.com/EdMAy42.jpg)

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: Dave W on May 28, 2024, 08:25:45 PM

Now that's a restoration!  :toast:

I like the candy orange.

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: TBird1958 on May 28, 2024, 10:29:21 PM

 Looks to be the same color as my Lull T4 - Lovely!

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: exiledarchangel on May 29, 2024, 02:49:13 AM

Awesome color, I agree! Fantastic work on this poor bass.

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: amptech on May 29, 2024, 03:03:03 AM

Thanks guys, and sorry Carlo for crashing your thread :-)
I was always puzzeled by the lack of candy orange options when I grew up, always liked it on 70's japanese motorcycles.

Title: Re: Butchered Bicentennial IV to '64 II Clone
Post by: uwe on May 31, 2024, 09:03:59 AM

I like the fin color too! Très tasteful!