Summer Fun: S.D. Curlee Restoration

jumbodbassman · August 16, 2011, 09:00:03 PM

hopefully Birdsongs silly prices will raise the value of both of mine.... they are going for a song

Spiritbass · August 17, 2011, 08:15:15 AM

Nice resurrection work Carlo! This thread has been educational for me. I hadn't previously heard the Curlee name before you mentioned your find. It's a very interesting approach to make a bolt-neck bass. The huge brass piece makes complete sense now.

Dave W · August 17, 2011, 09:28:03 AM

I remember seeing them back in the day but until now I hadn't seen one apart. Definitely a different approach.

bassvirtuoso · August 17, 2011, 11:38:46 AM

What is the nut width on the Curlee's?

jumbodbassman · August 17, 2011, 01:20:51 PM

pretty wide. close to pbass... maybe a hair thinner.. i can measure it whewn i get home if you want.

dadagoboi · August 17, 2011, 01:21:29 PM

Quote from: bassvirtuoso on August 17, 2011, 11:38:46 AM
What is the nut width on the Curlee's?

1 3/4" at the nut, at the 12th fret 2 1/16" with 2 1/16" string O.D. (45-105) at the bridge, the same as on my '60 EBO. Because of that the strings are very close (too close IMO) to the edge of the very rounded fretboard on the 32" scale Curlee. Fine on the EBO with shorter scale and less rolled edges. Takes a little getting used to but with low action not so bad.

I filed the bottom of the E and G saddles to get the action low enough. It's quick and fairly inconspicuous.

dadagoboi · August 24, 2011, 05:13:46 PM

Curlee neck tint courtesy of Mohawk Ultra Tone rattlecan color 'Light Natural Oak'. Esquire neck on top was from my late brother Tommy Cadillac's '57. ThunderBucker has owned it for the last 30 years or so, and gave it to me last month. Can't get much more authentic vintage tint than that! Bottom is a recent CS neck.