This is my last “project” bass for a while (I think) but it is one I’m happy with. I am going to start with a disclaimer: I know some of you have strong feelings about the Warmoth T-bird body as well as Fender type pickups on a Gibson style body, but I’m not a purist so it doesn’t bother me.
I had ordered a Carvin “Fender” style neck with an ebony board, no inlays, and paddle headstock, Jazz width. My initial plan was to cut my own style headstock on it and install the neck on my Epi Goth rebuild. But…I ended up buying this Warmoth body from a guy on TB so my plans changed. I loved the trans red finish on this and I thought the wood grain looked nice too. Below is a parts list that the seller had in his listing:
Warmoth Transparent Red Mahogany with Raised Center Block
Hipshot A Bridge
EMG PJX & EMG Pre-Amp
Warmoth Pearlized White Pickguard
Miscellaneous Parts (black strap pins and Schaeller strap locks, black electrosocket input jack, double 9v battery boxes, Fender ferrules)
I also added Gotoh tuners and my own headstock logo. The original neck had been installed with the Fender 3 bolt plate but that made me nervous because the neck pocket doesn’t have some of the side support that a typical Fender pocket would have, so I had the neck installed with stainless threaded inserts just for added security (probably not needed but I feel better about it). After doweling the original neck pocket screw holes Joe (Chromium) helped me touch up the finish with his trans red stain and super glue and I sanded that back to smooth. I had a custom neckplate made with the Bacardi bat on it, which didn’t totally cover the original screw holes but since that is on the back I don’t really care about that. My luthier did all of the dirty work of shaping the headstock, painting, clear coat, installing the threaded inserts, etc.
The headstock didn’t turn out exactly as I hoped but I do like it overall. The original idea I had was to merge a Non-reverse headstock with the Epi Batwing shape. Due to size issues I had to scale it back and ended up taking a cue from Reverends headstock design and altered it. The headstock is narrower than I would have liked but on the plus side it doesn’t neck dive at all.
I’m still getting used to the EMG setup (haven’t had an active bass in many years) but so far it does sound good to my ears. The good thing with the p-j setup is I have tons of options if I ever want to change the pickups. So far I’m happy with this bass. It’s comfortable, hangs nicely, plays nice, looks good, and has some personal touches to it. I will post some pictures but photobucket isn’t letting me upload some of the better shots I have of the bass.
