GeeCee

The latter I believe. I vaguely recall that is a MK model under the paint, which, if true, would be an odd choice really, better to have started with a Roadie.

Seconded, JD does use some nice hard-wearing ebony for their fingerboards; just curious do you know what body the neck was originally attached to?

Sounds right

You can but ask, though John is essentially retired, so it would be up to Mike and Andy as they would likely be the ones that would have to make it. Hard to say, they don't do as much non-Jaydee work now and the model choices have narrowed somewhat. Pretty easy to replicate though, 62 jazz copy, no scratch plate, plain ebony fingerboard, active EMG pick-ups (battery on back), and black hardware throughout (machine heads, control plate, bridge, etc.) Would look like this:

Not normally, no, Roadies do have a central strip of maple. In this case, the maple strip is painted over to look like ebony. Anorak fact, the first couple of Roadies made actually do have a central strip of ebony instead of maple.

Different basses I think, look at the figuring on the upper bout in the above to the fretless. There have been a number of Roadies redone in recent years.

Here is a pic of S4 Roadie next to a S1 MK. Look at the tail to see how much shorter it is.

Oh, here it is, I think. So I was close, it was originally sunburst.

It is a refurb. I thought there was some pictures on the FB page of the other bass during the refurb, but I can't find them.

Oh, maybe I misunderstood, but I was referring to the one you used as an example, not the one you're having built.

So, if I remember correctly, this particular bass started life as a Roadie IIA fretless in cherry-red. The faux stripes look has become quite popular recently, cheaper to refinish a worn Roadie IIA than order a new MK; reckon original style Roadies may become an endangered species soon. Bit like pearl-pink MKs, there was a time when these were being refinished because pink was seen as a bit naff or less manly.

The series designation refers to the body size, it has nothing to do with the body laminates. The largest size body is the S1. The S2 has the same body length (along neck axis) as the S1 but is narrower across the body. The S3 is a proportionally scaled down version of the S1 (both length and width). There is also a rarely seen S4 which is smaller still (and usually short or medium scale). The number of laminates is immaterial, but both MK and GA24 models have a laminated body. Generally speaking, older models have neck and body laminates made of mahogany, walnut and maple. Newer instruments have walnut and maple. I am not talking about body wings or exotic wood facings, just the laminates that give the illusion of a neck through bass (they're all set neck). There can be 3, 5, 7, 9+ laminates. If you see a funk groove, it's almost certainly a S2, but owners have requested funk grooves on S3 and GA24 models, and some have requested no funk groove. The imaginary line that the controls take (marked from PU selector thru EQ controls) is more or less parallel to the neck in S3 instruments and angled more towards the XLR in S1 and S2 (really need pictures but I am too lazy to pull some up). There is also more wood after the string anchors in a S1 and S2 vs. a S3 because of the longer body. So, a Roadie can be S1, S2, S3, or S4. What is different is that the body is essentially all mahogany, with no laminates (actually a central maple stripe) and less thrills generally (no head and neck binding, painted headstock, no XLR, usually no laminated PU covers, etc.) but JD is a custom shop so there are always exceptions. I have a GA24 shaped Roadie 2A with a bound neck and laminated PU covers. The Roadie shown above has the illusion of laminates created by painting or staining the wood.

So, almost certainly cocobolo, but I did not buy it new, so not 100% sure. It will be that or some other rosewood relative like Kingwood. It was originally sold as a GA24 Video model as it has fairy lights (actually those are fiber optic markers, not LEDs like you get now). It's more than 30 years old. Access is very good, but you are speaking to someone who only plays sitting down these days (don't gig any more) and doesn't venture up the dusty end very often (no Jaco for me). Also, Jaydees hang differently from your average Precision type instrument (2 fret shift where your hand falls, IMO). I always preferred the GA shape over the MK, but eventually settled on the Calibas shape as my favorite. GA balances well in my opinion, but I think a lot depends on the type of strap you use and how high you want to wear it. I am not a slapper so I don't wear it stapled to my shirt collar when standing. I have seen some users add a second strap button on the lower bout for (presumably) better balance, so if you have ordered one you may want to try one to see what works best for you. Also, think long and hard about the weight. Exotic woods (usually) = more weight on what is not a light instrument to start with.

No, well, yes you can, but not stably unless you put in a corner. Same problem with the Alembic series bodies. There is a screw in the tail of the Jaydee which goes in the hole that is used to hang the bass when spraying, but depending on angle of lean, it could be wood on wood. Honestly, just buy a stand. It will fit in some stands that support the bottom of the bass, see picture.

Yeah, Buy new JD pick-up Remove EMG PU and block extra rout Fill holes for added controls Refinish body - got to be a solid color due to above What's going on with fretboard - looks like it has been painted, can't see position markers Fit new nut Refit machineheads (unless you like the Warwick look) Need new JD decals front and back