STRATOBASTER BASS

[dadagoboi]

I REALLY like your way of thinking! How is string to string balance?

Very good.  You have to favor the E side on height slightly.  These are the staggered pole height pups.  I'll try a flat top set for the next one.  The E and G are down the center of the outboard pole pieces.  The A and D are between the two inboard "pairs".  So sort of a P/Jazz combo.  Of course there's always aftermarket blades as a possibility but I really don't see the necessity.

[Rhythm N. Bliss]

Verrrry Cooool! 

[Dave W]

Well, Tbird 1958 nailed it when he said he always thought of a Pbass as a 'Stratocaster Bass'.  Except the double cut Pbass came first.  This bass is just returning the favor.

Not to be nitpicky but the P not only came first, it was actually based on a Telecaster body with the horn extended for balance. OTOH the success of the contoured Strat no doubt influenced Leo's decision to do the same on the P.

[dadagoboi]

I was referring to the fact that the P was the first Double Cut design not the first Fender design.  Fender under Leo was always about evolution and innovation so I'll concede your point.  My '55 P, build date '4/5/55 Mary', had a contour body.  That's it in my avatar.  I have to think the decision was a pretty quick, "when we get done with the strat we'll tool up for the Precision and have another product to introduce."  But yes, we pick at nits.  Are we nitwits?

[Dave W]

I was referring to the fact that the P was the first Double Cut design not the first Fender design. ..

Right, I understood that. I just meant that the basic body shape was Tele-inspired.

[Pekka]

Neil Murray had a custom Strat bass made in the late 70's. He had a fretless Precision neck which he had fretted and bolted into a strat style body. A 32" scale bass, looked liked a big Stratocaster. He has pics of it on his facebook page.

[dadagoboi]

So the weather got sane and I painted it.  Daphne blue which is white lacquer mixed with a smidge of cobalt blue and almost no yellow.  here it is a few days later waiting to be compounded and polished.  front took around half an hour by hand.  I like Scratch X as a general bass polish, removes minor scratches and waxes at the same time.


Did a quick patch on the cutout at the back of the guard and upgraded the bridge with a BezDez.  Double taped aluminum flashing on the pups to hide the pole pieces.


Going Steady!


Put some $7 nickel roundwounds on, sounds good and is fun to play.  

[ack1961]

that is seriously gorgeous

[exiledarchangel]

There's not enough drool emoticons for this build. The pickup trick is simply unbelievable.

[sniper]

about those pup/covers??? care to elaborate please?

high wow factor there Carlo

[dadagoboi]

about those pup/covers??? care to elaborate please?

high wow factor there Carlo

It's 9mm strips of aluminum roof flashing rounded on the ends stuck to the pup poles with double stick tape...just another cheap trick.  I tried to use aluminum tape on the complete pup but that didn't look very good.  Thanks, Bill.  It was a fun project.

[Freuds_Cat]

Now that looks cool.       whats the neck dive like carlo?

[dadagoboi]

Now that looks cool.       whats the neck dive like carlo?

Thanks.  No neck dive even with a seat belt type strap.  The body is 1.5 inch (38mm) plywood, total weight 7.3 lbs (3.3 kilo).

[drbassman]

Wow, that turned out really nice!  And I don't even like Fenders!!!!

[dadagoboi]

Wow, that turned out really nice!  And I don't even like Fenders!!!!

Thanks, high praise indeed!  I don't have much appreciation for Fenders post Leo.  Ditto StingRays.  Ditto G&L.