HazBeen

Lovely basses regardless, Jah Wobble!

Found a video and made some screen shots, again one without front dots but now you can see the dots better.

http://www.mikelombardi.net/guitar/fretless.htm So Jack’s is like this one. Apparently only made to special order (fretless 88s), intruiging.

Check the position of the dots against this one... https://reverb.com/item/150313-ovation-magnum-i-fretless-70s-mahogany-with-ohsc-and-case-candy Actually also appears off to me, but hard to tell

Good you posted your board. My “blunt” opinion. I see duplication going on, 2 synths (arguable 3 with the manta) and 2 octaves (clearly different variations but in essence 2 synth and 2 octave effects. Not counting the Zoom of course. My blunt opinion, Matroyka does a really good synth in a very compact package so get rid of the Super Synth and save some proper space. Get a proper Chorus/Reverb instead. Then get rid of the digital Digitech (it is not great for bass imho) and get a Meatbox or a good analogue filter. But opinions are @rseholes.. so just ignore me.

Do you need another pedal, or want another? I mean do you miss a certain texture/sound or is it just because you can? Analogman Chorus is great on 18v

My eyes still work well enough, but Yamaha decided it was a good idea to use maple fretlines on a light rosewood board. Basically in any coloured/low light condition I cannot see the fretlines.... this may be a permanent fix to my glow in the dark pen solution.

The bass is great, but it only works on 1 drum beat.

The Ace of Spades!

This is what's next, since the NRA is almost bankrupt they are getting into the music industry to get rid of old stock

Ha ha.... I need to rename the posting as I have done the measurements, basically using my trusty calipers on a picture of a Thunderbird at full zoom and then transposing measurements to full 34” scale. Thank you maths... the P is staying a P. As I do not want to tamper with the graphite neck I cannot get the front pickup in the period correct spot exactly, but very close and the back pickup I can get just right. Thunderblackstone it is! Project estimated start date end of August on a build diary near you , will focus on the build element first but if it turns out right I will also do a repaint in TB Pelham Blue at a later stage.

+1

I am an avid recycler, but to be frank this is more marketing than anything else. Average life span of an instrument? 30 years or more? Not exactly wasting resources compared to packaging, plastic consumer goods, toys, cars, batteries etc. Addressing an issue that does not exist to an extent.

I have an even better plan potentially My 2nd Bogart 4 plays really well but I prefer my main (the splatter finish one). Since it is a JB (60’s spacing) the pickup placement is quite close to a TBird already. I had been speaking to Stefan Hess (the builder) about doing a few mods on te bass, but as it is a composite body I wanted a few pointers. He mentioned it is very similar (actually easier, no splinters) to route a Blackstone polycarbonate body compared to wood. Once the T pups arrive I am going to do some more detailed measurements, but I may do away with the PT idea completely in favour of something more quirky. A Thunderblackstone! Status does the B2, so Thunderbird-esque graphite instruments exist . Watch this space. See pic, my main splatter finish 4 in the background plus my 8 string.

Good point re the TB position. I live the TB tone but I do not like the look and the neck dive even less. Food for thought. Re the body, true it would be easier and I could put it together again as a P. I like no finish (well just oil), and a new body would give me the option of just going oil finish. Going to let it sink in.

I alway use masking tape anyway, so good to hear what I would have done is what you advise. Chisel the sides, would a quality router bit not work just fine if you have done the outline with a scalpel?

A luthier building it will be more expensive than just modding the P. I am more than capable of doing it, so to me it makes sense. Resale value never bothers me, I own several basses that are just for me anyway. But I get the sentiment.