Duarte

I'm slowly improving my mixing and editing skills I think. Particularly pleased with this latest video

Thanks folks! I'm really excited about this bass. I must thank you all for your input and advice on the process so far. I am a new to this kind of project so it is greatly appreciated. More updates soon - but for now it's another week of tru-oil!

This is a new one I had made by a local luthier, I'll keep the old one for something. But I am digging this look for now!

OK, proper update! I'm still working through tru-oil coats (I have been conservatively applying 1 per day for the past 10 days and it still has a little way to go) but here's an idea of how she'll look. Pickguard arrived today and I must say I'm very happy with how it's coming along.

I appear to be going through a bit of a phase, as this is the 2nd 70's Japanese P bass I've bought in the last few weeks. This is my perfect P bass. I love the punk aesthetic of the white/black combo, I love the slightly 'wrong' headstock shape. The body seems to be a little undersized, as it's very light. The neck feels somewhere between my 78 Yamaha P and my Fender Japan J. I had been eyeing it up on FB marketplace in Bangkok for a while, a really good deal. It was on sale for just a little too long so I had to go for it. It's a 78 Greco in remarkable condition. It plays superbly and sounds as good. This is a keeper, for sure.

Congratulations! In the past month I've acquired 2 P basses, having never owned one before. It's true, they just work. Everything feels and sounds good on em!

update from the anodising shop...

Oiling has begun. There have been some very informative threads on BC about how best to do this - I must thank Honza992 for an incredibly detailed account of his telecaster build here: I am in the grain-fill stage, 3 coats of tru-oil applied. I am going to take it slow, and just keep going until it shines. It won't be perfect, it's an old bit of wood, but I am very happy with how it's going so far. I have a feeling the body will match the neck nicely in terms of colour and general 'vibe'. It's got some of the maddest grain I've ever seen on a body.

I think you're right. I think I will do this kind of stain on a future project, but this isn't the right bass for it.

It was a little wet still - here's experiment number 2. I did this between the neck and pickup, an area that'd be covered up. Slightly sanded, then again but dampened (I'm trying to imagine what it'll look like with tru-oil).

This idea really stuck in my head. I've tested a spot inside the neck pocket.

Hi everyone! Apologies for the slow updates. Work became crazy for a couple of weeks as we prepare for reopening as the end of lockdown is in sight, so I haven't had the time to dedicate to this project until now. I've ordered a custom made black anodized from a local luthier. I wanted to get a few coats of oil done before the next update, and I am almost ready to start applying the finish, but I need some advice before I do. The wood has a couple of spots, only on the sides of the body, that are discoloured. This is the kind of thing that would become significantly more obvious once oil is applied. After a considerable amount of sanding, and an attempt at cleaning, I can't seem to get rid of them. I'm not too bothered if I can't remove them, as I will embrace the finished bass regardless of imperfections. After all, it's been around a fair bit! However, I'm putting this out there to see if anyone here has encountered such a thing. Here is the worst affected area - otherwise the wood is beautiful. The bass is hanging out to dry after cleaning!

Aria pro II CSB-450. It's wonderful. The neck is the same thickness from the first fret to the 22nd fret, and it has this super aggressive sound and responds very well to a pick. I play this more than any of my other basses!

I'm all about the black pick guards. Single ply, of course!

Absolutely right, this is screaming for cream covers!

Great tips! I drilled pilot holes but I think they weren't deep enough on the ones I rounded out. That's what I get for being too cautious I guess. More updates soon...

Glad it's not just me! I find intricate tasks like this incredibly difficult - I'm as good as blind when working with things close up. Just have to order more screws and all is well though 🙂

Quick update - tuners installed, covering many ugly holes! Being a novice with extremely poor eyesight, I threaded 2 screws and lost another 2. Otherwise, perfect!

Exactly how I envisaged him!

A handsome pair!

Haha! I fled Bangkok and went to Koh Chang for a week to escape the smoggy lockdown and work from the beach. I'm back on the bass and about to apply the first coat of tru-oil. Pics soon. I did have a parcel from Japan waiting for me when I returned... Gotoh vintage style tuners, and they weigh an absolute ton. I love it.

Damnnn, so nice. EB should supply these knobs with the bass. Where did you get them?

Cool. Cream covers of course. Always fancied a bass with cream pickups. Not in Thailand! Bangkok's streets are paved with Dimarzios, babay. That is, I've seen some new pairs in shops recently.

This is how I feel. The best basses I've had were always the heavy ones. Weight has never concerned me, although that may change now my hairline has started to recede...

The combined knowledge and experience here never ceases to amaze. It's bonkers how informative this thread has been so far! Thank you all. In the event that I buy this old bass, would dimarzios be the natural choice of replacement pickups? I'd likely attempt to restore it to something close to its original state.