Starting Tele Bass Project

Pilgrim · March 10, 2013, 08:01:12 PM

Hmmm. Interesting. I notice no heel dimensions are given on the Jag listing.

Dave W · March 10, 2013, 08:12:18 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 10, 2013, 08:01:12 PM
Hmmm. Interesting. I notice no heel dimensions are given on the Jag listing.

Worth checking before you buy, but that's a short scale neck. I was talking about the 32" scale Squier VM Tele Bass neck.

drbassman · March 10, 2013, 08:58:04 PM

The Squire would be ok, but I'm with Dave on the Musicmaster neck. With a 30" scale it might be a good fit. Ask the seller for heel dimensions.

Yeah, I used Ric pups when you could still get them. Now, I'd go for TV Jones.

drbassman · March 10, 2013, 09:06:15 PM

Quote from: Spiritbass on March 10, 2013, 06:26:50 PM
I hadn't seen this - way cool.

Thanks. It was my first project ever!

Pilgrim · March 12, 2013, 09:02:22 PM

OK, got a neck! $127 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Musicmaster-Bass-Neck-1978-good-condition-no-reserve-/330880614612?nma=true&si=4hL6vIMEaoS%252BGeNE9Awc4M8Bz7g%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

drbassman · March 13, 2013, 05:55:38 AM

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 12, 2013, 09:02:22 PM
OK, got a neck! $127 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Musicmaster-Bass-Neck-1978-good-condition-no-reserve-/330880614612?nma=true&si=4hL6vIMEaoS%252BGeNE9Awc4M8Bz7g%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Looks good. Let us know if it fits the pocket rout when you get it.

Pilgrim · March 13, 2013, 08:28:16 AM

I'll reflect on whether to leave the Fender decal on the headstock or not. Since it will obviously not be a factory bass, I might leave it and enjoy the patina of the headstock and decal.

godofthunder · March 13, 2013, 09:19:53 AM

Nice score! I'd leave the decal one it's gone it's gone.

Dave W · March 13, 2013, 09:23:51 AM

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 13, 2013, 08:28:16 AM
I'll reflect on whether to leave the Fender decal on the headstock or not. Since it will obviously not be a factory bass, I might leave it and enjoy the patina of the headstock and decal.

It's a real Fender neck, so why not?

Quote from: drbassman on March 13, 2013, 05:55:38 AM
Looks good. Let us know if it fits the pocket rout when you get it.

It's the right dimension as far as width at the heel, it won't be too wide for the body, but Tele neck pockets are squared off and the Musicmaster is slightly rounded like a Strat. Plus I think the original Musicmaster/Mustang pockets are a little longer. Not a problem if he uses the unrouted body.

The routed body would need some adjustment at the end of the pocket. It also doesn't have any extension above the body, so there's not as much support for the heel unless. That probably won't be a structural problem.

Lightyear · March 13, 2013, 10:24:31 AM

I would think that the routed body would be too much work to adapt and by selling that body off you could partially fund the build.

Take some really good pictures and place a carefully worded listing on the Ebay and you could do very well as it's a great looking body.

Nocturnal · March 13, 2013, 10:28:54 AM

I'd leave the headstock logo and finish alone.

Pilgrim · March 13, 2013, 10:51:21 AM

Quote from: godofthunder on March 13, 2013, 09:19:53 AM
Nice score! I'd leave the decal one it's gone it's gone.

Quote from: Nokturnal on March 13, 2013, 10:28:54 AM
I'd leave the headstock logo and finish alone.

These capture my thoughts well. Unmodified it shall remain.

Highlander · March 13, 2013, 02:46:47 PM

Lovely aged look, Al... the neck's good too...

Dave W · March 13, 2013, 04:38:13 PM

Quote from: HERBIE on March 13, 2013, 02:46:47 PM
Lovely aged look, Al... the neck's good too...

Pilgrim · March 13, 2013, 07:40:37 PM

I'll keep working on my personal "lovely aged look". I'd really like to avoid having anyone sand me down and refin me.