Coronado Bass - almost finished!

[Dave W]

Was that DarrelT? He was a big Coronado fan who used to hang out at the FDP. Haven't seen him post there in a couple of years.

[drbassman]

Yep, it's Darrel.  I'm gonna invite him to join us here.  He's got some parts he doesn't need.  You do have a good memory.  I remembered his name after he asked if I was the drbassman from the FDP but I don't think I could have pulled it out of my memory banks on my own!

[Dave W]

I had his Coronado site bookmarked, and it's still up: http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/t/dtoole/FCP.htm

[drbassman]

I had his Coronado site bookmarked, and it's still up: http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/t/dtoole/FCP.htm

Oh yeah, that's buried in mt guitar bookmarks too.  Been a long time since I visted it though!

[Pilgrim]

Thanks for the link!  I remember having visited that Coronado site, but it was a couple of years ago.

Those Coronados are excessively cool, even if they have a reputation for sounding pretty average.

[Rvl]

I did some things to get it to sound better
-Stock bridge is too heavy , I replaced it with a Hofner or a ebony archtop
-pickups are weak , needs to be remagnetized or given to Novak and get rewound ,repotted and remagnatized
-tailpiece is too heavy and doesnt allow 34inch scale strings to be used , I made a tail/strap pin that allows 34" strings

Personally if I was going to use mine everyday , I would replace the stock pickups with some mini humbuckers
I have some Vintage Vibe that would work really well too

If anyone needs one I have a spare Coronado pickup

Thanks

Robert VanLane

[drbassman]

Great post Robert.  I remember your bass, it has potential for sure.  How much do you want for that pickup?  Does it have the rubber gasket on the bottom?  Let me know.

I think you're right about the old pickups, they tend to lose their zip over the years, but Curtis could easily reinvigorate them.  I was gonna us TV Jones in mine until Darrel offered me a full set, wiring harness and all.  It was too good to pass up.  I'm going to use a wooden bridge too on mine.  I don't care for the original Coro bridges.  I have decided yet on the tailpiece.  I have one with a missing logo that I might use.  If you have a tail piece you'd like to unload, let me know.

They are unusual basses for sure but they have a certain charm and a place in history when Fender tried to compete with Gibson, although not very successfully in this market segment.

[shadowcastaz]

Hey doc, I saw this pic of a coronado, thought of you

[drbassman]

Hey doc, I saw this pic of a coronado, thought of you

Whew, that is green!    I think maybe it's a Wildwood, hard to tell in that pic.  Yeah, the Coronados where an interesting attempt by Fender to enter the hollow body market.  I wish I had kept my first one.  This new one will stay at home once it's finished.

[shadowcastaz]

Oh yeah, Its a wildwood. Thats why I sent it . Interesting concept to dye wood while its growing.

[drbassman]

Oh yeah, Its a wildwood. Thats why I sent it . Interesting concept to dye wood while its growing.

Yes, but doesn't it hurt the tree and cause it pain?

[Dave W]

Yes, but doesn't it hurt the tree and cause it pain?

Don't laugh. Back in April a Swiss governmental ethics committee published a set of guidelines on avoiding offending the dignity of plants. And they were serious.

[shadowcastaz]

They should outlaw it, next they will try it with humans.

[drbassman]

Don't laugh. Back in April a Swiss governmental ethics committee published a set of guidelines on avoiding offending the dignity of plants. And they were serious.

I'm not surprise, it's a whacked out world!

[Dave W]

Check it out here (.pdf). Be sure to see the flow chart on page 6.

Save the cauliflower!