The Burpster Posted February 25, 2011 Author Posted February 25, 2011 Latest update - Its finished and will be traveling back to chez Bobster very very soon...... Harris sent me this pic to me, probably to give me a semi - it worked.... Wow just Wow..... Quote
EdwardHimself Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Looks very nice. I dunno if i would be able to play on it though if it was mine... Quote
EdwardHimself Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' post='1108440' date='Jan 30 2011, 06:34 PM']I do epoxied defrets and I won't do necks that are too old or too valuable any more. I've never had any problems, (other than one, thankfully not very valuable neck getting 'lost in the post'), but I've had people with really nice, vintage Fenders asking for this treatment. I'll normally suggest they try an after market neck rather than perform what is some pretty major surgery on their beloved instrument and whilst it's not irreversible, it'll take allot of work to get it back to something approaching 'standard'. You made the right choice there.[/quote] +1. I mean it just takes 4 bolts if you want to have a fretless sound. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Quote
henry norton Posted February 26, 2011 Posted February 26, 2011 [quote name='EdwardHimself' post='1141650' date='Feb 25 2011, 09:38 PM']+1. I mean it just takes 4 bolts if you want to have a fretless sound. Seems like a no-brainer to me.[/quote] Yeah, well 4 bolts and a few quid, (a few hundred in the case of Thor). Epoxy is worth considering if either you want a maple fretless (which usually needs a tough coating of some sort or another) or you like and want an epoxy fretless board for the smooth, glassy feel in which case it won't matter what your board is made of. For what Thor charges you can buy quite a nice fretless bass guitar full stop so you need to be certain before you lay your cash on the table, but there's nothing else quite like it and some players are willing to spend whatever it takes to get that feel and look. But I still think it's too big a change to make on vintage gear as it's pretty much like giving trhe bass a new neck. Proceed with caution... Quote
The Burpster Posted March 2, 2011 Author Posted March 2, 2011 To some degree I agree with the above sentiments, if you buy your basses and label them with a value. I don't, never once have I thought "ooooh that bass is a £1k note" like a lot of folks would/might/actually do. Besides while your arguments hold some water, please tell me where on gods earth I will find the odd spare PRS EBIV neck floating around for sale....? Sorry they don't exist, plus Stevensville won't make a one off I asked that. Before you shout at the monitor but you could put an 'X' brand neck on, WTF would I do that? I want a PRS fretless not a mongrel. Yes it was fairly rare PRS bass. Is it worth less now its been Thor'd and Bob'd..? I very much doubt it, before it was rare, now its UNIQUE. (even the PR dept at Stevensville want pics!) Aaaah also a definitive update for the " oooooo it'll cost you when it comes back in" observers - Sent FedEX - ZERO import duty and tax. Harris has dealt with the UK before and puts a wonderful diatribe on the export form that makes it perfectly clear this is was a repair. Up to date - delivered today pics. Complete pics in a few days time when its been set up and had time to settle.... Quote
warwickhunt Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 Now that's bought and paid for Bob you can save your pennies up and buy my PRS with maple neck... Ooooh maple fretless with the Thor'd treatment! Quote
The Burpster Posted March 2, 2011 Author Posted March 2, 2011 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1147642' date='Mar 2 2011, 08:27 PM']Now that's bought and paid for Bob you can save your pennies up and buy my PRS with maple neck... Ooooh maple fretless with the Thor'd treatment! [/quote] Frick me 6 PRSs - that's a bit excessive..... Judging by today's news Mrs May is flat out intent on slashing my wages, so whilst I'd love to say yeah, at the moment I've got to maintain a sensible head. Quote
henry norton Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='The Burpster' post='1147620' date='Mar 2 2011, 09:14 PM']To some degree I agree with the above sentiments, if you buy your basses and label them with a value. I don't, never once have I thought "ooooh that bass is a £1k note" like a lot of folks would/might/actually do. Besides while your arguments hold some water, please tell me where on gods earth I will find the odd spare PRS EBIV neck floating around for sale....? Sorry they don't exist, plus Stevensville won't make a one off I asked that. Before you shout at the monitor but you could put an 'X' brand neck on, WTF would I do that? I want a PRS fretless not a mongrel. Yes it was fairly rare PRS bass. Is it worth less now its been Thor'd and Bob'd..? I very much doubt it, before it was rare, now its UNIQUE. (even the PR dept at Stevensville want pics!) Aaaah also a definitive update for the " oooooo it'll cost you when it comes back in" observers - Sent FedEX - ZERO import duty and tax. Harris has dealt with the UK before and puts a wonderful diatribe on the export form that makes it perfectly clear this is was a repair. Up to date - delivered today pics. Complete pics in a few days time when its been set up and had time to settle....[/quote] Steady on chap or I'll have to report you to the moderators!!! Ahh, I see you are one..... I would actually have no problem epoxying a PRS bass neck (or a Wal, Pedulla, Fodera etc.) but I still won't do a 60's Jazz or Precision as they have historical value as well as being quite valuable in the classic sense. It does depend on what you value in an instrument I suppose and although PRS basses aren't made any more I personally don't consider them to be particularly historically valuable. Quote
wateroftyne Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='The Burpster' post='1147620' date='Mar 2 2011, 08:14 PM']Aaaah also a definitive update for the " oooooo it'll cost you when it comes back in" observers - Sent FedEX - ZERO import duty and tax. Harris has dealt with the UK before and puts a wonderful diatribe on the export form that makes it perfectly clear this is was a repair.[/quote] That's good news. As mine was a '71 neck, you understand why I couldn't take the risk... Quote
The Burpster Posted March 4, 2011 Author Posted March 4, 2011 I did start by stating that I agree with some of the sentiments - I dont think I would send a 1960 fender neck to be epoxied but then I wouldnt have bought a 1960 Fender in the first place...... If removing it would de value the instrument because it holds that value becasue it is old, then it would be a silly thing to do if the expcected loss of value is an issue. The PRS that I bought was worth £1k I'm pretty sure this will make it more not less valuable. My post was in response to those suggesting it was a bad idea taking a neck off and having this done. Having a neck de-fretted and epoxied by the guy that did Jaco's later J necks a bad thing....? I think not. Pics of completed bass on over the weekend, it may even qualify for the blackest of black basses too...... Quote
henry norton Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 Fair enough. Hyperbole asides, what do you actually think of the finish now you have the neck in your hands, close up? Looking at the pictures it looks like you went for a satin finish. From the publicity shots his boards look like glass, clear and flawless. Are they as good in the flesh (or the wood & epoxy???) Quote
The Burpster Posted March 4, 2011 Author Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' post='1150019' date='Mar 4 2011, 10:10 PM']Fair enough. Hyperbole asides, what do you actually think of the finish now you have the neck in your hands, close up? Looking at the pictures it looks like you went for a satin finish. From the publicity shots his boards look like glass, clear and flawless. Are they as good in the flesh (or the wood & epoxy???)[/quote] I did go for satin and it is remarkably good ! I have straight edged it - it is flawless. Was it worth the expense, wait and and trouble ? yes, even being a 'dyed in the wool' utterly senseless PRS fan, I doubt very much that Paul could get a result like this.... Harris thoroughly deserves his rep as best on the planet...... Quote
The Burpster Posted March 4, 2011 Author Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1149348' date='Mar 4 2011, 11:45 AM']That's good news. As mine was a '71 neck, you understand why I couldn't take the risk...[/quote] To some degree I do. It would have only been a de-fretted '71 fender. ....but then, what a '71 de-fretted fender it would have been.... Quote
wateroftyne Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='The Burpster' post='1150095' date='Mar 4 2011, 11:06 PM']To some degree I do. It would have only been a de-fretted '71 fender. ....but then, what a '71 de-fretted fender it would have been....[/quote] It's actually a factory fretless - one of the first, in fact. It's a beautiful neck, with a warm glowing headstock, and beautiful rosewood grain. Basically, the neck really needs to be desssed, but the rosewood cap is getting a bit thin. I thought that getting it Thor'd - in satin - would be the sensible thing to do to keep the neck alive, and visually keep it pretty faithful. Instead, it's stored in the cupboard and I have a (very nice) replacement neck on there. Had the neck gone off the get epoxied, I wouldn't have regretted it. Quote
The Burpster Posted March 6, 2011 Author Posted March 6, 2011 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1150113' date='Mar 4 2011, 11:19 PM']It's actually a factory fretless - one of the first, in fact. It's a beautiful neck, with a warm glowing headstock, and beautiful rosewood grain. Basically, the neck really needs to be desssed, but the rosewood cap is getting a bit thin. I thought that getting it Thor'd - in satin - would be the sensible thing to do to keep the neck alive, and visually keep it pretty faithful. Instead, it's stored in the cupboard and I have a (very nice) replacement neck on there. Had the neck gone off the get epoxied, I wouldn't have regretted it.[/quote] In those circs then mate, I'd say its a no brainer - get it done. The fretboard needs renovating so even if its original, then its not like it will have mahoosive value because everyone wants mint unused not renovated stuff (FFS you know what I mean, you've seen it - getting hung up abut solder joints.... ) and as soon as the board has been replaced/renovated its no longer original. Send it off, release its tone and play it! Do you want to borrow my purpose made shipping tube...? Go on you know you are thinking about it...! Quote
The Burpster Posted March 6, 2011 Author Posted March 6, 2011 Killer tone - Awesome looks. Another keeper...... Quote
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