Project completed.

leftybass · September 07, 2012, 01:58:29 PM

A bit of history:
The Byrds taped a few tunes for a TV show, and Chris Hillman played a strange bass that has always intrigued me: P-Bass body with a maple neck with 2X2 headstock and what appears to be a Fender decal.

I had a Squire P-Bass Special, replaced the neck with one I just received from Warmoth, added some Hipshot tuners, a bridge cover, and "Flyer" decal. I dig it.

maxschrek · September 07, 2012, 02:25:32 PM

Man, that looks great! I'm kinda digging the 2x2 look with the Fender body....before I saw it, I don't think I would have thought much of it. I've gotta Warmoth 13 degree angle, paddle headstock neck that I'm gonna do something similar with soon.

T

drbassman · September 07, 2012, 02:29:39 PM

Nice job! I've always been a fan of the 2+2.

Highlander · September 07, 2012, 03:35:57 PM

+1

How did the fascination result in the follow through, Ronn, and why not the whole hog with the decal...?

Dave W · September 07, 2012, 10:51:46 PM

Cool project, Ronn. I remember a couple of discussions about this bass on the FDP years ago, and at least one at RickResource. No one was sure. IIRC someone even contacted Chris Hillman and even he wasn't sure about the components.

Highlander · September 08, 2012, 05:44:18 AM

I thought it was mentioned on here more recently that that...

Dave W · September 08, 2012, 08:50:16 AM

Maybe it was mentioned here. I see now that Ronn quoted Hillman a few months ago in a thread at the Tele Forum: "I get asked asked this question quite a lot.
I borrowed that Bass from somebody for that taping and I used it for that T.V. show and never saw it again. Who ever owned the Bass must have had it customized in some weird way..."

leftybass · September 10, 2012, 08:04:15 AM

Quote from: HERBIE on September 07, 2012, 03:35:57 PM
+1

How did the fascination result in the follow through, Ronn, and why not the whole hog with the decal...?

1. It's not a Fender so I didn't wanna put a Fender decal on.
2. Thought "Flyer" would be kinda funny/cute considering the Byrds inspiration for the bass(and it's use in my new Byrds tribute band).

Here's the backplate:

Stjofön Big · September 10, 2012, 02:36:14 PM

Concerning Byrds, did you hear their cooperation with Fats Domino? Some tracks recorded live, Untitled era. Haven't heard it myself, but if you have, what's your impression?
Nice bass, by the way!

Rob · September 10, 2012, 03:36:23 PM

Quote from: leftybass on September 10, 2012, 08:04:15 AM
1. It's not a Fender so I didn't wanna put a Fender decal on.
2. Thought "Flyer" would be kinda funny/cute considering the Byrds inspiration for the bass(and it's use in my new Byrds tribute band).

Here's the backplate:

I like that thought and the bass a LOT!
Really nice work

Highlander · September 10, 2012, 05:22:39 PM

Neat... eight miles etc influences...

The only reference I meant is considering how many Bach's now "tribute" the NR it would be fascinating how many would do the double-take...

Mind you, Ronn, they probably will anyway...

godofthunder · September 11, 2012, 06:13:42 AM

Thats pretty dam cool!

jumbodbassman · September 12, 2012, 08:41:00 AM

+1