The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: Barklessdog on April 21, 2008, 05:08:12 AM

Title: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 21, 2008, 05:08:12 AM: I thought it would be cool to do a project Gibson/Epi bass thread to give others ideas on what to do or not to do. It can be something as a swapped out pickup to a total recreation

List any modifications you have done or things you had to restore.

My Project EBO

Slot head Ebo had a new custom made neck grafted on
Added-
Rio Grande Pitbull
Big D varitone
Single Coil mode push pull switch/pot
White nitro paint
Light Weight Sperzel locking tuners

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/chair.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/backebo.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ebhed.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/reclining.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 21, 2008, 05:19:45 AM: Vintage Part Replica John Entwistle Fenderbird-

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/Fendbent.jpg)

Parts
78 Precision neck
Hand made single piece Honduran Mahogany body
70's Tbird Bridge pup
70's cover with Lindy Fralin custom built Tbird pup from two melody maker rewound pups
6O'S T Bird Bridge
Custom made pickguard with custom engraved logo

work safe picture!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/fullviewX.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/birdside.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ferrule.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/fbpup.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2008, 06:59:42 AM: OK, here goes:

60's rehab (I need some better pictures of this one!)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/60s%20NR%20TB/100_1242.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/60s%20NR%20TB/100_1206.jpg)

NR repro:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Repro%20NR%20TB%20Project/100_1288.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Repro%20NR%20TB%20Project/100_12872.jpg)

Upgraded Allen Woody (now in the possession of Herr Uwe)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Woody%20Signature%20Bass/woodybodyclose.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Woody%20Signature%20Bass/woodyentirefrt.jpg)

My first parts bass, I did the headstock myself and got addicted to bass tinkering:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Builds%20and%20Refurbs/t-birdfrontcloseup.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Builds%20and%20Refurbs/tbirdfrontall.jpg)
Title: From ze Wunderwaffen Lab ...
Post by: uwe on April 21, 2008, 07:00:56 AM: Not much of a "project" really, but sticking TB Plus pups into an Epi Explorer created my best non-custom shop Explorer, the Epi creams my two Gibson regular line mid-eighties Explorers into the ground:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/13.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_0924.jpg)

My EB-"U", a seventies maple neck, "pup-in-the-middle" EB-0 (originally a totally run down brownish original with a body so worn it couldn't have served as a table in a Mexican cantina) that had an additional RD Standard stacked humbucker implanted plus the beloved two point "tipomatic" bridge exchanged for some "Deutsche Technik". Great sounding bass, the RD Standard pup works better with the mudbucker than any other combination.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_0019.jpg)

My dilapidated 67 Non Rev IV *** and what became of it, resurrection works!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/Schlachtfest.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/TB1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/TB2.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/TB3.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/TBx.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_0929.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/11.jpg)

I was never happy with the bass output of my SG-Z, a radical solution was needed:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_0914-1.jpg)

And then I reversed the process with this gunshot EB-0L (2 TB Plus were added to the original mudbucker), resident stylistesse Fräulein Rommel came up with the trendy and one of a kind orange/blue concept:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/bullet.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2338.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2329.jpg)

A 1965 TB Rev IV *** in yet again sunburst would have been boring, the fins of the (meanwhile deleted) "Gibsons for Girls" Godess line inspired me here:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/P1020532.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/P1020553.jpg)

***
All TBird bridges shown used with friendly permission of S. Dasson Technology Labs!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 07:28:51 AM: Former Gibby SB400
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0005-1.jpg)(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0004-1.jpg)
bergermeister
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0015.JPG.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0016.JPG-1.jpg)
Pontiac gold Tbird HO(which has an old pontiac logo on the PG now)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0005-4.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0006-3.jpg)
Hobbit Triumph Ho. this is my favorite player
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0003-4.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMG_0001-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 07:32:12 AM: Uwe,I remember the bullet bass but never saw the finished body. what is the story on the color?

BTW, the lab on the couch does move ,although that is my seat she is in . go figure!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: uwe on April 21, 2008, 07:39:46 AM: Quote from: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 07:32:12 AM
Uwe,I remember the bullet bass but never saw the finished body. what is the story on the color?

We were fooling around in an old thread about what color it should be refinned. Blue came up and so did orange and then Mark quipped to make it both. Said and done!
BTW, the lab on the couch does move ,although that is my seat she is in . go figure!

I find that most touching how people grow so emotionally attached to their dogs that they have them stuffed after their demise and keep them around as display in the house ... ;D
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 07:52:01 AM: Im laughin ,but that makes me gag!
That sb4oo is gonna get a trim on the baseball bat neck , some new holy pup surrounds and a pair of single coils like the orig. some time back a friend of a friend had a an orig sb w/ singles and I loved the tone. At one point I was goin to do it pelham blue ,but I still like the white. I love the Blue NR. I need to fix a friends 335 w/ broken head. . Do you have any more pics of the neck job you had done ? M
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: TBird1958 on April 21, 2008, 08:36:01 AM: Is that a brass chandelier I see behind that cool lookin Gold 'Bird?................
Please let me sell you something to replace it! :D
I'm at least happy to be a small inspiration for Uwe's orangeand blue EB
Seriously tho, very nice stuff, I'm more than just a little envious of the collective talent here. I wanna see some pics from Scott, (God of Thunder) and Scott (BassIV) :)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Chris P. on April 21, 2008, 08:37:43 AM: Please don't get Uwe started again about his terrible clownburst.... ;D
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Dave W on April 21, 2008, 08:46:29 AM: When I showed the seller what had become of the gunshot EB-0L, let's just say he was impressed with Uwe's repairman's skill but not with the color choice. :D
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: uwe on April 21, 2008, 09:53:27 AM: "Do you have any more pics of the neck job you had done ?"

Not of the TBird, but of the Epi Embassy:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/epi1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/epi3.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/epi2.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 09:58:02 AM: "Is that a brass chandelier I see behind that cool lookin Gold 'Bird?."

Yes it is and the reason its on the table is I replaced. I like old brass,the new crap is cheap looking. Ill take a pic of what I put in its place. I have to reset the neck on the gold HO . . angle needs to be increased a couple degrees. The bach bird may end up Pelham blue . I like it Uwe
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 09:59:27 AM: Thanx Uwe. They both will help.M
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2008, 10:47:58 AM: Great thread and great projects!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: uwe on April 21, 2008, 11:44:02 AM: My favorites currently are: John's white EB-0 turned -3, his Fenderbird (because it is shaped like no other), Dr Bassman's first single coil TBird (that just cries "Boutique!" in a nice way) and Shadowcastaz' classy gold TBird plus the Bergermeister paddle with that awesome pickup.

Uwe
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: chromium on April 21, 2008, 11:46:42 AM: Great stuff!

Dr B. - what's the story on that - is it koa? - bolt-neck TBird? What kind of neck did you start with? Did you build the body from scratch? How did it sound? I really like the look of that one!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2008, 12:31:19 PM: Quote from: chromium on April 21, 2008, 11:46:42 AM
Great stuff!

Dr B. - what's the story on that - is it koa? - bolt-neck TBird? What kind of neck did you start with? Did you build the body from scratch? How did it sound? I really like the look of that one!

The neck was a Warmoth paddle head that I trimmed down. The body I bought from a fellow builder off eBay. It was alder with a walnut veneer. I put in a SD 51 p bass pup and it sounded really nice, very strong low end and clear mids and highs. The only flaw was it turned out neck heavy, so I sold it to a guy in a church band down south somewhere.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2008, 12:32:19 PM: I too love John's white EB and Shadow's gold bird.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2008, 12:53:39 PM: Danke!..Im not worthy... ;D

Im truly flattered especially the company Im in.sorry for the F content but this is a player with matching headstock
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/ho1.jpg)
and my baritone....
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/barttone1.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Chris P. on April 21, 2008, 01:07:00 PM: The white EB3 is my favourite too.

Maybe I'll change my EB0 plans...
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2008, 01:23:31 PM: Quote from: Chris P on April 21, 2008, 01:07:00 PM
The white EB3 is my favourite too.

Maybe I'll change my EB0 plans...

Yes, white is in now!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 21, 2008, 01:32:20 PM: Quote from: Chris P on April 21, 2008, 01:07:00 PM
The white EB3 is my favorite too.

Thanks guys. I wish it played as nice as it looks & sounds. The bridge is as low as it goes and just not low enough for me.

Maybe I'll change my EB0 plans...

If you do, make it off white with British racing green stripes. You always wanted a bass with stripes or insignias on it.

Go for it!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Basvarken on April 21, 2008, 03:12:24 PM: Y'all know the story on this one I guess 8)

before:
(http://www.superfloor.net/jcs.jpg)

after:
(http://www.superfloor.net/jackcasadygibsonsmall.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 21, 2008, 04:22:32 PM: I remember and I've always thought that turned out smashing!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Chris P. on April 21, 2008, 11:40:37 PM: Yeah, I like the added chrome and black to that JCS. And she sure sounds fine!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: gweimer on April 22, 2008, 03:39:10 AM: Here's the Holy Crap bass. I call it my experiment gone horribly right.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/12-23-2006-01.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/12-23-2006-03.jpg)

Here's the EB-1 fretless project I did. Hand-made Lollar one-off pickup and the Schaller bridge. This was a good year before Jack Bruce did the same thing for the Cream reunion. Sadly, I had to sell this one off.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/EB1_3.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/basses/EB1_2.jpg)

I'd post pics of the Bettie Page bass, but it doesn't belong in this thread...
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: godofthunder on April 22, 2008, 04:05:15 AM: Great looking basses guys ! Lets see what I have here. First the Phoenix a Shattered 60's NR II, I rebuilt the body, neck by Dolan. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/pheonix003.jpg) next the Warmoth Bird, Warmoth neck and body (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/011.jpg) The Model G bird, still awaiting paint at a friends body shop. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_2851.jpg) The infamous " Butcherbird", model G pup, extended cutaway, chrome tunders and a Badass bridge, great bass. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_2616.jpg) Epi Tbird with Model G pup and Badass, I made the pick guard.(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_2370.jpg) The first bass I built in '81 sporting my favorite combo, Dimarzio model G and a Badass.(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_1695.jpg) '76 Ibanez Destroyer Mudbucker plus a Bart Tbird pup, this bass sounds awsome (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_1720.jpg) EB4 turned EB3 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_1867.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 22, 2008, 04:11:40 AM: G Man huh?

Meanwhile in the basement of a certain Mr Dawson.....

A heart to heart with Mr Dawson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vfBO945wLc
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 22, 2008, 04:19:04 AM: From Turd bird & toothless

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/DCP02560.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/DCP02557.jpg)

to
Bird of Fire - the Cardinal- his Holiness!
Genuflect now!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/redbird.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/heads.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/34bodred.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/gotb.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/nonrcar.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: uwe on April 22, 2008, 04:20:16 AM: Nice animation!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 22, 2008, 04:29:42 AM: Many experiments are conducted in the innocent small town of Rochester. I actually believe it is Scott who is really Dr Basement!

Dr Bassman is merely a man who rebuilds basses to former glory, while Mr Dawson is the butcher of Rochester. So much mahogany has been spilt!

Seriously though, these experiment & rebuilt basses, to me are far more rewarding than just buying a stock bass.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 22, 2008, 12:28:08 PM: Oh man, I love all of these T-birds!!!!!!!!!!!!! :P
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Blazer on April 22, 2008, 03:54:29 PM: Although not a bass it's an epi nonetheless.

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/100_0580.jpg)
This Les Paul Junior was a dog, it had faulty wiring, the pickup wasn't lining up properly with the bridge and it sounded like sh!t. But it is one of the limited edition models which come with all mahogany construction and a set in neck rather than the alder body and bolt on maple neck of the normal Epi junior.

So I widened the pickup cavity, making it possible to get the pickup in the right position. Replaced the pickup itself with a Duncan P90 and the dodgy, flimsy bridge had to make way in favor of a tone pro's tailpiece.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/100_0582.jpg)

And so with a little TLC I made this dog become the "Top Dog", it's a fun little guitar with a mean snarling sound.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 22, 2008, 06:48:18 PM: Nice job, I love the retro look of your LP!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Dave W on April 22, 2008, 07:09:51 PM: I really like that, but I'm partial to Juniors anyway. I had Seymour Duncan P90s in an early 90s USA Hamer Special and they just smoked what Gibson was offering at the time.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 22, 2008, 08:36:45 PM: Doc that IS the look I was talkin 'bout fot the blond! Tres shiek! and yes that was me bidding on the bondo bird last year.M
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: exiledarchangel on April 22, 2008, 11:57:55 PM: Can we post geetards? ;D Oh well, hear my story then:

I had an Epi LP100 (cheap model, bolt-on), my first electric instrument indeed, that I totally reconstructed recently (without butcher it, ok).
I installed a Jimmy Page wiring with GFS lipstic humbuckers, some nice tuners and a Wilkinson roller bridge! Also I made some special decal. Wanna see it? Excuse me for the crappy pic... 8)

UWE ALERT: It's SHINY!!!

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k286/kwstas79/epi-lp/phot0173.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: gweimer on April 23, 2008, 04:47:50 AM: Quote from: drbassman on April 22, 2008, 06:48:18 PM
Nice job, I love the retro look of your LP!

Likewise. It's so "Leslie West". 8)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 23, 2008, 04:49:58 AM: Quote from: exiledarchangel on April 22, 2008, 11:57:55 PM
Can we post geetards? ;D Oh well, hear my story then:

I had an Epi LP100 (cheap model, bolt-on), my first electric instrument indeed, that I totally reconstructed recently (without butcher it, ok).
I installed a Jimmy Page wiring with GFS lipstic humbuckers, some nice tuners and a Wilkinson roller bridge! Also I made some special decal. Wanna see it? Excuse me for the crappy pic... 8)

UWE ALERT: It's SHINY!!!

Wow that looks great. Love the double Lipsticks!

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k286/kwstas79/epi-lp/phot0173.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: chromium on April 23, 2008, 09:27:03 AM: Nice guitars! My latest mini-project was a guitar too: a 2006 SG Special Faded, buffed out w/compound, polished w/Butchers Bowling Alley Wax, nickel covers on the 490s, witch hats, and - if I can snag one a bit cheaper from evil bay - it'll get one of those Allparts Vibrola replica tailpieces at some point. A nice budget axe!

... and the turd brown finish adds a splash of color among the cherry EBs! ;D

Before:

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/sg-special/before2.jpg)

After:

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/sg-special/polished2.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/sg-special/polished3.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on April 23, 2008, 09:32:37 AM: I like both those guitars,especially the waxed Sg .
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on April 23, 2008, 09:43:10 AM: I have always had a soft spot for Gibson Guitars.

I am always disappointed when guitarists switch to Strats or telecasters.

Seems like most of the old school guitar greats play Strats now. Even Zappa switched.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: uwe on April 25, 2008, 02:40:33 AM: Nice work on all these guitars - that waxed SG reminds me of my SG shape EB-6. I like plain maho.

Uwe
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on April 25, 2008, 04:31:28 AM: Quote from: uwe on April 25, 2008, 02:40:33 AM
Nice work on all these guitars - that waxed SG reminds me of my SG shape EB-6. I like plain maho.

Uwe

Me too. I almost stripped my 98 LP to do a worn cherry look (one of my favorites), but decided to spend my time on other projects. Those are great looking guitars for sure!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Blazer on April 25, 2008, 08:03:54 PM: Here's my battered and modified 2002 Les Paul Studio which I bought in the state you see it.

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/LesPaul1.jpg)
It has Dimarzio pickups (A PAF pro at the neck and a Super distortion at the bridge) and the stock electronics have been replaced by Switchcraft made parts. The guy who I got it from said that he couldn't get it to sound right, that the Bridge pickup had to little output and the two pickup setting sounded "tinny". So after raising the bridge pickup's height and re-soldering the pickups and reversing their phase, those problems were solved.

It has since become my main guitar in my metal band "Slavantas" and I found out that in combination with the "Chorus clean" setting of my Boss GT 5 processor it produces a beautiful eerie clean sound.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Freuds_Cat on May 30, 2008, 07:22:29 AM: I gotta say that tradition aside this pic has always made me salivate:

(http://www.basspickup.com/largeimage11.jpg)

Being on a budget I wonder if buying a cheap Epi EBO Shorty and a pair of DarkStars and doing a bit of gentle work might yield a a bit of wholesome sounding fun?
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Barklessdog on May 30, 2008, 07:41:50 AM: I'm sure it will, but economically speaking a set of Dark Stars will set you back $275 for a pair if I recall?

I don't think you would get your money back on an EPi. I would wait for an EB husk on Ebay for around $200 and go from there.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on May 30, 2008, 07:42:00 AM: Being on a budget I wonder if buying a cheap Epi EBO Shorty and a pair of DarkStars and doing a bit of gentle work might yield a a bit of wholesome sounding fun?

by all accounts, decidedly so. on talkbass, Mr Hammon posted an email from Jack Casady proclaiming his fondness for a DS'd Epi EB0. go for it!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on May 30, 2008, 07:46:49 AM: Quote from: Barklessdog on May 30, 2008, 07:41:50 AM
I'm sure it will, but economically speaking a set of Dark Stars will set you back $275 for a pair if I recall?

I don't think you would get your money back on an EPi. I would wait for an EB husk on Ebay for around $200 and go from there.

I don't know if this is still available or not but I think it's worth considering, if you can deal with the refin.

(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3944/pinkod8.th.jpg) (http://img259.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pinkod8.jpg)

http://www.fatdawg.com/bass.html
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Freuds_Cat on May 30, 2008, 08:14:00 AM: Thanks for all the feedback. Unfortunately I have to deal with the tyranny of distance when it comes to the cost equation. Postage from either Europe or the US to Australia for large-ish items completely sucks and old Gibson bodies are as rare as rocking horse knobs to find here. Second hand Epi EB-0 goes for about $200 - $300 here.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: chromium on May 30, 2008, 09:17:01 AM: Quote from: Barklessdog on May 30, 2008, 07:41:50 AM
I'm sure it will, but economically speaking a set of Dark Stars will set you back $275 for a pair if I recall?

Try a hair under $400 shipped - unless that was a special price just for me. ;D

Despite the cost, the Epi thing still sounds like a fun project, though. You might consider just using a neck pickup. Note the pickup selector in the pic below - as full-range as the DSs are, I don't need to rely on the bridge pickup to add clarity. That was sure not the case with the original pickups!

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/guild/DSCF0014a.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Dave W on May 30, 2008, 09:34:45 AM: Quote from: ramone57 on May 30, 2008, 07:46:49 AM
I don't know if this is still available or not but I think it's worth considering, if you can deal with the refin.

(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3944/pinkod8.th.jpg) (http://img259.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pinkod8.jpg)

http://www.fatdawg.com/bass.html

Despite the April '06 update stated on that Subway Guitars page, I think most of those basses have been gone for many years. There are a couple shown that were long gone when I called about them 7 or 8 years ago, and most of the others have been listed at least that long.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on May 30, 2008, 10:08:35 AM: I hate outdated stuff on guitar sites!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on May 30, 2008, 12:11:47 PM: I love that blond Guild with the DS's. Mahog is so nice in natural.I too paid the special price for DS's.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on May 30, 2008, 02:03:15 PM: Despite the April '06 update stated on that Subway Guitars page, I think most of those basses have been gone for many years.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. he's pretty slow answering emails and such. that would also explain the relatively low prices on some of the instruments.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: chromium on May 30, 2008, 02:28:28 PM: Quote from: shadowcastaz on May 30, 2008, 12:11:47 PM
I love that blond Guild with the DS's. Mahog is so nice in natural.

Thanks! I waited patiently for a natural one for some time. It's got its share of wounds, but I do love the wood and finish. This one has a nicely figured grain to it too - shows up more prominently at a distance:

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/eb-related/DSCF0037a.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on May 30, 2008, 04:44:49 PM: Very nice, fits right in with those Gibsons!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Freuds_Cat on May 31, 2008, 04:15:16 AM: Just saw where the latest Epiphone EB-x's have Basswood bodies :puke:
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on June 01, 2008, 03:02:14 AM: my refinned & rewired ripper

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/L-9S/body10.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/L-9S/headstock.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/L-9S/body4.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/L-9S/body6.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/L-9S/fretboard.jpg)
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on June 01, 2008, 04:43:37 AM: She is a beauty!Tort does belong on Gibbys.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: Freuds_Cat on June 01, 2008, 05:03:02 AM: That looks like a really lovely bass ramone57 :)

I have, what was once an early model Grabber (sliding pup model) until it was modified with a new gloss black paint job (not particularly well done) an Active EMG P bass pickup and wiring/pots. The black scratch plate was replaced and reshaped to similar to that of a MM Stingray.

To be honest mine feels like a plank of wood with some fence wire on it. The neck is very plank like in feel. The bass actually sounds quite nice but its not one that I ever play very much. It has given me a bad attitude to Rippers and Grabbers along with my experience playing them in shops, obviously mostly un-setup.

Yours on the other hand looks like what it should have been.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on June 01, 2008, 05:06:22 AM: thanks for the kind comments!
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: drbassman on June 02, 2008, 07:35:54 AM: Quote from: ramone57 on June 01, 2008, 03:02:14 AM
my refinned & rewired ripper

Wow, that is a really nice looking bass. And I do love tort! Turned out great on yours.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: chromium on June 02, 2008, 10:19:13 AM: Quote from: drbassman on June 02, 2008, 07:35:54 AM
Wow, that is a really nice looking bass. And I do love tort! Turned out great on yours.

I second that! Lovely bass.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on June 02, 2008, 11:24:50 AM: thanks guys, although I must say that I had to outsource the refin. no place to do it and no experience. my brother-in-law offered to help, but that usually means he ends up doing the work and he's quite busy most of the time. I did strip the old finish and did the new wiring myself. it was a great learning experience and a lot of fun!
again, thanks for the kind remarks. you all do fantastic work so your opinions carry some weight for me.
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: shadowcastaz on June 02, 2008, 01:43:03 PM: Where did you get her? Did you strip it?
Title: Re: Show off your finished Gibson/Epi project basses - all of them!!!
Post by: ramone57 on June 03, 2008, 05:36:12 AM: I picked it up from a shop in Pennsylvania via the net 3-4 years ago. it was ridden hard and put away wet, so to speak. lots of battle scars and general neglect but nothing too serious. some areas of the finish were worn away and the maple was dirty, especially on the fingerboard, so I decided to strip it and clean it up. it looks much nicer now so it was worth it to me.
the wiring was buggered and needed work, but it's not as easy as it sounds to find all the proper components. that's one of the reasons I decided to rewire it like an LP. the other reason was the factory setup doesn't allow the neck pickup to be soloed, which I prefer.
I wasn't too concerned about hurting the resale value because I don't intend to sell it. in time, it will pass to my son. I modified it to suit my preferences, since I'm the one that plays it. all in all, I'm pleased with the results.