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Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: PeterB on November 06, 2009, 05:43:53 PM

Title: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 06, 2009, 05:43:53 PM
Although I'm the newest member in the house at the moment, I thought it might be interesting to kick off a project topic myself. I did some before of which these two are the most interesting, a Tractor and a Darkstar-P:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Gallery/24092009780.jpg)


Currently I'm working on creating a Fender Lotto, but in a different color. This should be the result at the end:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/FenderLottoNOSCharcoalBig.jpg)

I heard a Squier TB with an extra humbucker of a Dutch bassist and was blown away by the power and the big bottom of it. After that, it didn't take long to decide to create a copy of the Lotto. I've considered many colors including Orange, CAR, black, and some more, but I wanted something "classy", but not the usual black. After seeing a Charcoal Frost P body on Warmoths site it was clear, Charcoal Frost it should be. The body is on it's way, but is lying in Dutch customs right now.

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/BP687C.jpg)

I have already gathered all the parts, including the big buckers:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/06102009837.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/15102009878.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/15102009890.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/14102009861.jpg)

A few things won't be like the original:
* I will also add a parallel/series switch for both pickups;
* I'm doubting about the bridge. I'm not a big fan of the BadAss bridge, so maybe I'll just choose a Gotoh 201;
* I have a Allparts Jazzneck with black blocks and binding for the Lotto, but still have to do some experiments to see if I can transform the usual Fender headstock into a Tele headstock.

I'm glad I will get some good help of a fellow bassist for the electronics, because that's just one step to far for me.

Besides the Lotto, I have some other projects on the shelf:
* a low-cost FenderBird (with Jazzbody, Epi T-bird neck and a Mel Schacher mod)
* a NR FenderBird (with Lindy Fralins Bassbuckers and Allparts blocked Jazzneck)
* an 8-string (with a Darkstar and a ??)
* a Telecaster guitar project
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Highlander on November 06, 2009, 05:58:41 PM
Lots of project fans here...  ;)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Iome on November 07, 2009, 02:22:52 PM
May i ask you where you found those Fender Buckers??!!
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 07, 2009, 03:06:48 PM
Offcourse you may ask. I bought them here: http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: godofthunder on November 07, 2009, 04:30:00 PM
 That looks like a really cool project !
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Barklessdog on November 10, 2009, 04:23:04 AM
For the Lotto Bass I would use a G&L ASAT Body. That would really nail the vibe.,

Nice basses
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Denis on November 10, 2009, 10:18:38 AM
Offcourse you may ask. I bought them here: http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm


Darren Riley's shop is only a couple of miles from my house! He's a great guy and really knows what he's talking about!
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 11, 2009, 01:09:06 AM
For the Lotto Bass I would use a G&L ASAT Body. That would really nail the vibe.,

Nice basses

I've thought about that or a Warmoth custom T body, but I'm a bit afraid of a big neckdive. I've tried an ASAT a few times, but wasn't comfortable with the feel.  So the P-body will have to do it.

And...my Warmoth P body is into foreign customs now since the 2nd of november....I'm beginning to loose some patience here  :-\
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Dave W on November 11, 2009, 09:39:14 AM
A friend has solved the neck dive problem with the Tele guitar body. First, by using a short scale 19 fret Mustang neck, and second, by removing the wood between the neck pickup and neck pocket, which allows him to mount the neck deeper into the body. He says no neck dive whatsoever.

But then it wouldn't be a Lotto Bass project, would it?
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Chris P. on November 12, 2009, 02:04:11 AM
Very, very, very cool, Peter Farmer! I love it!

Here's mine:

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/Chris%20op%20bas/IMG_6299.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/Chris%20op%20bas/IMG_6300.jpg)

That was at the Messe. Hate that colour.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Highlander on November 12, 2009, 02:42:00 PM
I know a cure...  ;D
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: SKATE RAT on November 12, 2009, 07:09:19 PM
i think that looks sweet
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 13, 2009, 03:24:05 AM
Hey Chris, Peter Farmer? Haha  ;D And how should I translate Chris Dekker in a way it would not be offensive?  ;)

I remember those pictures, love the color but I would prefer Candy Apple Red instead of that finish. And....it was only at the Messe, or did you take it home? (if so, please invite me...)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Chris P. on November 13, 2009, 08:50:44 AM
The name Dekker has nothing to do with a Dutch word for bulls making cows pregnant, but all with thatched cottages. For mr. Farmer: Rietdekker. So you could translate my name as Chris Thatcher. And I don't have an aunty Margaret.

I only held the Lotto in my hands. I haven't plugged it and I left it at the Messe.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Dave W on November 13, 2009, 09:39:36 AM
That reminds me of reading a Babelfish translation of a German page about some kind of test meter for pickups. The translation said the designer was a "pickup farmer" (from Bauer).
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 13, 2009, 10:58:02 AM
Well, my last name might explain why I'm so attracted to the Tractor, and use one in a band  8)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Highlander on November 14, 2009, 05:07:23 PM
My wife became "Jackie Stewart", but she doesn't want to drive Formula One's...  ;D
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: drbassman on November 15, 2009, 05:17:25 AM
This isn't the one Dave's referring to but it didn't neck dive either............

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Builds%20and%20Refurbs/telemasterfinished.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Dave W on November 15, 2009, 12:28:07 PM
I remember that one.

I was referring to Tim Armstrong's recent bass (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/184829-cant-believe-but-im-there-my-gear.html) made from a Fernandes Tele body, a vintage Musicmaster neck and a GFS MusicMan type pickup.

Tim's a member here but since he became a moderator at the TDPRI he doesn't have the time to visit other forums. Too many people like me keep him busy over there.  ;)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 15, 2009, 02:37:57 PM
Thanks for sharing that bass. Looks beautiful, I guess that's also a Musicmaster neck on it?
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: drbassman on November 16, 2009, 08:01:47 AM
Thanks for sharing that bass. Looks beautiful, I guess that's also a Musicmaster neck on it?

Yep, I put the Musicmaster neck because I wanted short scale with no neck dive.  It worked.  I probably should have kept it.  It was my very first build.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 18, 2009, 04:33:39 AM
 :thumbsup: Recieved the Warmoth P body in Charcoal Frost for the Lotto yesterday. It's really beautiful, and some pics of it "fresh out of the box"

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/171120091055.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/171120091056.jpg)

Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Nocturnal on November 18, 2009, 05:59:08 AM
Love the color!! :o
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Dave W on November 18, 2009, 07:41:22 AM
Whoa! I like that!
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Pilgrim on November 18, 2009, 09:06:39 AM
I like it, too....GREAT color.

Wonder if they make Crimson pickguards?  ;)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 19, 2009, 01:37:48 PM
First picture to get the feeling after a check if the neck fits in the body firmly and it does. Very tight fit, and after a first install of the bridge I checked if the strings will run equally over the neck and line up straight. Just perfect  8)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/191120091060.jpg)

Next step: design of the pickguard since I don't have an example, besides a load of pics.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: drbassman on November 25, 2009, 05:22:40 AM
Very cool.  Mudmaina.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Pilgrim on November 25, 2009, 08:51:33 AM
Are those the pickups you plan on using?  You'll have routing to do and need a pickguard to cover the standard P-bass route.  Seems like an odd choice.

I was looking at those pickups as an outside possibility for the bridge PU my EB-3 project - are they essentially a P-style pickup in a chrome cover???
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Basvarken on November 25, 2009, 08:55:03 AM
You'll have routing to do and need a pickguard to cover the standard P-bass route.  Seems like an odd choice.


Doesn't seem odd at all if you look at what Peter is aiming for:

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/FenderLottoNOSCharcoalBig.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Iome on November 25, 2009, 09:01:24 AM

I was looking at those pickups as an outside possibility for the bridge PU my EB-3 project - are they essentially a P-style pickup in a chrome cover???

They're humbucker with only to poles per line exposed, the other two are under the cover
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Pilgrim on November 25, 2009, 09:03:21 AM
They're humbucker with only to poles per line exposed, the other two are under the cover

REEEEalllly?  That is interesting.  I may have another look at them for the bridge pickup.  IIRC, they're not very expensive.

Yes, it makes more sense when I see what the goal is - just would have done the routing and filling the P-bass route before the paint job.  But the PG will cover it.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on November 25, 2009, 02:36:57 PM
Yes, it makes more sense when I see what the goal is - just would have done the routing and filling the P-bass route before the paint job.  But the PG will cover it.

Well that was my plan, routing before paintjob, but I just couldn't stand the looks of that Charcoal Frost body, so I changed, and the PG will be more than big enough  ;)

Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Pilgrim on November 25, 2009, 06:39:06 PM
I would love to hear what you think of that pickup when installed - especially in the bridge position.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: chromium on December 02, 2009, 11:36:12 AM
I'm living in a hole, because I never saw this lotto model before this thread - but I love the looks of it.  Can't wait to see your clone of it progress!

Seeing it loaded with those jumbo-buckers, I couldn't help but think of this bass:  

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/bfd5_3.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/doindadomodance.gif)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Highlander on December 02, 2009, 12:43:19 PM
WTF...!  :o
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Sven on December 02, 2009, 03:14:08 PM
Does that bass belong to Derek Smalls? I do like the switches.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Dave W on December 02, 2009, 04:51:13 PM
I'm living in a hole, because I never saw this lotto model before this thread - but I love the looks of it.

It's not surprising that you haven't heard of it. IIRC it was a custom shop model with a $6K list price. There may have been a very small run.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: drbassman on December 02, 2009, 08:13:17 PM
I luv mud but that's over the top.       :P
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Pilgrim on December 02, 2009, 08:51:42 PM
IMO that's evidence that more is not always better.  :P
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: clankenstein on December 02, 2009, 11:32:52 PM
IMO that's evidence that more is not always better.  : you are probably right but i would still like to hear it...
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: exiledarchangel on December 03, 2009, 12:53:52 AM
I would like to hear it too, but first I would wire the four muds in serial. That is, serial killer mode.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Iome on December 03, 2009, 02:33:27 AM
Damn, that thing could cause an earthquake....
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: clankenstein on February 10, 2010, 02:44:27 AM
if you wired 4 of those in series you could probably plug right in to your speaker box.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on May 05, 2010, 04:33:59 PM
It's been a while, but.......the Lotto is ready since a few weeks  8) :

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/210420101707.jpg)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/210420101708.jpg)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/210420101709.jpg)

Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Chris P. on May 05, 2010, 11:08:15 PM
Very nice, Peter! Great! Love the colour!

I'll calll you ASAP about split-P-business;)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Freuds_Cat on May 06, 2010, 12:14:10 AM
Peter is that the same colour or have you done a refin? Also What happened to the block inlay neck?

Looking very nice indeed. Everything looks like it was meant to go together naturally.

How are the buckers sounding?

-Bret
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: ramone57 on May 06, 2010, 04:27:33 AM
that's a beautiful bass, great job!
 :toast:
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Denis on May 06, 2010, 04:39:25 AM
Wow, that turned out great! Congrats! I like how the gray body now looks blue against the black pg.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Highlander on May 06, 2010, 01:32:14 PM
 8) in blue...
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on May 06, 2010, 05:24:11 PM
Thank you all, I'm very satisfied with the result.  8)

It is still the same body, same finish: Charcoal Frost. These pictures have been made with a crappy cellphone, I could do better. Color looks more into blue/grey, I admit.

It sounds just HUGE, but very useful sounds. With the neckpickup solo, it sounds like a good Telebass should, although it sounds a bit darker, more like a EB-0. Bridge-pickup solo has a big growly sound, it will eat a Stingray for breakfast!  8)

The pickups together is my favorite, very useful think rock-sound, not really Fender-like, but more......like a Gibson.

@ Bret: I choose not to use the Jazzbass neck. I was afraid a "thin" Jazzneck wouldn't bring me the sound I wanted. I wanted to be sure to have enough bottom and strong powerfull mids, ánd the feel of a bass I should have to "work" for a big sound, so I choose a Allparts Teleneck.

And, in the meantime, just before the Lotto another bass was finished, which I like to show to you :):
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/CS%20Bass/260320101565.jpg)


And now I'm busy with another nice bass, a mix of a Thunderbird and Jaguarbass with Lindy Fralin Bassbuckers.  8)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on May 07, 2010, 11:54:38 AM
Sa--weeeet!!! Freakin' GORGEOUS!!!
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on May 07, 2010, 11:58:16 AM
It's been a while, but.......the Lotto is ready since a few weeks  8) :

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/210420101707.jpg)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/210420101708.jpg)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Lotto/210420101709.jpg)



Beee-yooo-ti-ful
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Basshappi on May 07, 2010, 01:18:31 PM
Love the Lotto, well done!
Are those Chi-sonics in the Jazz?
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on May 07, 2010, 03:20:03 PM
Thank you all!

And yes, those are Chi-Sonics. The single coils, I also have the CS Humbuckers, but have not tried them yet. I love this bass, it has the comfortable playability of a Jazz, but tonewise it's a completly different animal, that is really close to a Rickenbacker when I "dig in".  8)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: drbassman on May 11, 2010, 01:05:21 PM
Wow, that bass is all business and beautiful to boot!  Nice job, I like the color!
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on May 12, 2010, 12:08:36 AM
Thanks Doc! You mean the Lotto or the ChiSonic-Jazz, or both?  ;)

The Lotto looks a bit blue-ish in this picture, but it really is Charcoal Frost.
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: drbassman on May 12, 2010, 12:24:13 PM
The Lotto!!!

Thanks Doc! You mean the Lotto or the ChiSonic-Jazz, or both?  ;)

The Lotto looks a bit blue-ish in this picture, but it really is Charcoal Frost.

Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: hobbes on June 09, 2010, 02:42:06 AM

very nice, may I ask where did you find the pickguard ? Is it home made ? 
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: Highlander on June 09, 2010, 10:00:17 AM
AAAAARRRRRGGGH...! WHO LET A TIGER IN...?

Welcome feline creature (do they eat vegetarians...? oops... almost all of you do...)
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: jumbodbassman on June 09, 2010, 12:18:02 PM
gotta love the lotto!!!  looks really sweet. great job.     are those original fender 72 era pups or the squire ones.   I heard the squire ones were not the same fart in the tub as the 72.  I have a 72 that i added a duncan qtr SCPB.  made the bass much more versatile but killed the value.  who knew in 1983 that i would care..... lousy scan of old picture

where did the pickguard come from?
Title: Re: Fender Lotto project
Post by: PeterB on June 10, 2010, 11:46:27 PM
Tnx! The pickguard is custom-made.

And the humbuckers in the Lotto are the Squier ones. Bought them as replacement-parts from Darren Riley's. I also heard they might not be the same as the originals, but these have enough bottom though!  8)