The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Basvarken on November 13, 2015, 09:53:55 AM
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Five years ago I bought an Epiphone Newport from a guy who found it in a sort of a recycle shop.
It had a horrible matte white refin and a Union Jack on the head stock. A three point bridge (with the original inserts just filled with large screws. A home made trussrod cover. And to make things worse it had Jazz Bass knobs. ;)
The fact that it had an added bridge pickup was not a big issue for me, as that is actually really useful.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/l/t1.0-9/12249943_10207776950486765_8185582519442990552_n.jpg?oh=ac04daa848decdabeaaa4cea4b4797eb&oe=56B6BE59)
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11988282_10207776950126756_7973700706869471067_n.jpg?oh=917a1dd943c52e088df82702ee15d991&oe=56B79BA8)
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/12115479_10207776950086755_8258719786872774452_n.jpg?oh=a1987cd7f568ef2a7b74537696af38fe&oe=56B24492)
The first thing I did was try and remove the Union Jack. I managed to get it off without damaging the original lettering too much.
A little while later I found two original Epiphipone knobs to replace the sacrilegious Jazz bass knobs.
After some consideration I decided to remove the three point bridge and put an original two point bridge back in place.
And I left it there four about four years. And used it once in a while.
A few months ago I decided to try an bring it back to it's original colour.
I removed the thick layer of white paint. The body was full of scratches and dents. And I had no choice but to remove the original transparent red that was underneath it too.
And then I plugged the holes from the three point bridge with mahogany. tried to match the grain as good as I could.
And stained the bass in it's original colour.
I found an Epiphione logo waterslide on the Internet and put it on the head stock because the old one hadn't survived the whole make over.
Just dressed her up again. Now she's ready to rock again.
Maybe I'll sell it. Don't know yet.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/12219517_10207776517235934_8467220929256992889_n.jpg?oh=146e8c1ab42d22380241fbc2d9b9a136&oe=56F28F0E)
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/12194645_10207776516835924_4638889474509640580_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12249631_10207776516795923_8825605109943083091_n.jpg?oh=77800a0edbe94b070c892defc81c931d&oe=56B64952)
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/12246928_10207776516715921_4309682881913890382_n.jpg?oh=d45f1d5098a50122f0419a19220e7a7c&oe=56BB8B25)
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Wow! That is FINE!!
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Beautiful work - that bass is lovely.
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I already said it on facebook. Really cool! Gorgeous bass!
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I'm thinking on replacing the pickguard with a new one. Because the original one misses a small part where it meets the neck pickup.
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This is so cool! It looks great now. Was the union jack a decal or vinyl or something else?
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It was spray painted.
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That is just beautiful! Great job!
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Lovely!
I will not comment on the reactionary bridge crime.
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Really beautiful! Are you willing to share where you found the Epiphone knobs? I would really like to get me three for my other Embassy.
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I will not comment on the reactionary bridge crime.
Wot... in the name of restoration to original state...? Nonsense...! :mrgreen:
Nice work Rob... one to be proud of...
As for trading on...?
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I'm thinking on replacing the pickguard with a new one. Because the original one misses a small part where it meets the neck pickup.
That's quite unnecessary. Don't go OCD on us.
And I salute your use of the noble bar bridge!! :toast:
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Really beautiful! Are you willing to share where you found the Epiphone knobs? I would really like to get me three for my other Embassy.
Found them on Ebay. A set of three. For an insane price...
But I sold the third knob for a very good (read insane) price, so I sort made up for the damage ;)
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Found them on Ebay. A set of three. For an insane price...
But I sold the third knob for a very good (read insane) price, so I sort made up for the damage ;)
I bought a whole guitar once just to get some knobs for my old Embassy, a Wilshire reissue. But then I put some new top-hat knobs on there and resold it for about the same money so I guess I did OK. Plus it was only about a $200 investment anyway.
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Beautiful restoration job. :toast:
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That looks awesome!
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We have normality - anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem :)
Great job - rescued!
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Beautiful restoration!
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We have normality - anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem :)
Another Adams' quote...
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Great work Rob!!
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Sweet work there, Rob!
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Very nice. Looks great!
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I remember when you got that, Stellar job on the restore. Id keep it just out of spite. I have the same bass but dont have to remove the paint. Already did that on a Guild Starfire YECH!
My Newport will soon be on the mend , as well as the Starfire. Winter is coming.M
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Really great job. Finish nitro?
I'd vote to leave the pickguard as is.
BTW Epiphone/Gibson do make (or made) reissue knobs (for their Wiltshire IIRC). I managed to get a set for my Embassy - though it was a chore as not an official part.
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No I used acrylic lacquer. Very convenient to work with. Dries quickly. And the cans are incredibly cheap (only 2 euro per can).
I know you guys think I'm crazy, but I am going to replace the pickguard. For me, that makes the restoration complete. I'm pretty sure the missing part of the old pickguard would keep annoying me if i'd leave it. 8)
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I'm thinking on replacing the pickguard with a new one. Because the original one misses a small part where it meets the neck pickup.
Don't be so friggin' anally-retentive Teutonic, Rob! That pg is fine as is. I had to look at mine and squint my eyes to see what you were talking about.
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Don't be so friggin' anally-retentive Teutonic, Rob!
That is part of the fun. :toast:
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PLEASE tell me where you found the Epiphone Decal!
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http://www.guitar-decals.com/water-slide-decals/epiphone-vintage-logo-gold-water-slide.html
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Ignore Uwe. Replace the pickguard.
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Thanks!!!!
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I know most of you guys think I'm crazy for bothering about the pickguard on the restored Newport. But I just couldn't stop there.
So I had a new one made. Now the restore job is really done.
I didn't only fix the missing part near the pickup. But I also moved the hole for the switch a little more forward, because I thought it was too close to the volume knob on the old pickguard.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1978720_10208049212053134_2169068698349167518_n.jpg?oh=d40a9eeca0be994bdc822d7b3ec9c204&oe=5704FD62&__gda__=1457027541_123f3eb039d6b3fe589c77522691e211)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12391328_10208049212133136_1658957803907650147_n.jpg?oh=5b8f228e9a406dbc8fd4bbb04c349a25&oe=5711E5C6&__gda__=1456791192_4ae0a781a792e9df3c8818264d3117d8)
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Really beautiful!
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Now it looks complete.
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Makes me want to work on mine. Nice job!
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Nice restoration work. How do you like the way the pickups sound together with the method that they are wired?
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Beautiful...
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Nice restoration work. How do you like the way the pickups sound together with the method that they are wired?
The added bridge pickup makes the bass a useful weapon in a band situation.
But somehow the bridge pickup overpowers the neck pickup in the combined setting.
Therefor I have set the bridge pickup way down to help the neck pickup shine through a little bit more. Now you have the bridge pickup sound with added sort of subdued sub low.
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That is the thing with mudbuckers always. You think that they will drown out any other pup known to man, yet it is the other way around, they have trouble making themselves heard in combination with other pups.
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Makes a nice combination with my Lollar in the PC ... :D
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That is the thing with mudbuckers always. You think that they will drown out any other pup known to man, yet it is the other way around, they have trouble making themselves heard in combination with other pups.
It's because of the frequencies of the mudbucker, not the output. Fletcher-Munson Curve.
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Ah, now I know. The forum of scientific elucidation. Butcher-Manson curve you say?