So, who can name the various bits and bobs.....

[deefer_dog]

Who can help identify the make(s) of this bass....... It's a future project when I pick it up!

Can't place my finger on what this Frankenbass is. Any help?

[deefer_dog]

Here's a bigger one.

[bremen]

Trim those strings, makes my eyes water just looking at them

[deefer_dog]

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1353339588' post='1873825']
Trim those strings, makes my eyes water just looking at them
[/quote]

I don't have it yet, so it was definitely NOT me who put the strings etc on.... I'm getting it as a project in a week or two. Just trying to figure out WHAT manufacturers the neck/body/pups may be. Have a paint job in mind, and bridge type. Just need to figure out what it is.

[Low End Bee]

I think I see some of my old school desk in there.

[deefer_dog]

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1353339880' post='1873834']
I think I see some of my old school desk in there.
[/quote]
Yeah, the Plywood is a bit rough, but after it's painted, smoothed and set up, who knows what it may sound like

[chrismuzz]

That nut is shockingly bad, look at the string spacing!

[deefer_dog]

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1353340277' post='1873849']
That nut is shockingly bad, look at the string spacing!
[/quote]

You noticed that too eh? :-p Even if it's a non player, It will hang on the wall!

[Dr M]

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1353339880' post='1873834']
I think I see some of my old school desk in there.
[/quote]

Funny you should say that, I've got a guitar that my Dad built from worktops from the science department at my secondary school. My Dad worked there at the time, so when they tore all these solid wood worktops out, he took the lot. This was about 10 years ago, and he's just got through that stock.

The wood actually turned out to be something like a darker korina once all the varnish and graffiti was sanded off!

OT: I do recognise that headstock shape, but I'm damned if I can remember which budget make I've seen it on... Have to say, not too keen on the bridge saddles, though.

[paul_5]

Aren't those pickups from a Westone (or similar)?

[BigRedX]

If you are really lucky the pickups might be DiMarzio.

As for the rest of it does it really matter? I would imagine that standard Fender style parts can be made to fit if you need to replace anything.

[LemonCello]

It's Fender Metal Bass! Swot it says on the head stock!

[grunge666]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1353341112' post='1873885']
If you are really lucky the pickups might be DiMarzio.

[/quote]

+1 on that I've got the same in my P - and tremendous they are too.

New neck on that mate and it'll be a keeper I reckon.

[Gilby]

Headstock is similar to a Watkins rapier, I knew someone who had a six string rapier years ago but can't recall if the basses were in the same style.

[yorks5stringer]

Yep, if bought from eBay it will be a genuine Fender.....as they weed out dodgy fakes with a ruthless fevour.

[grunge666]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1353368343' post='1874431']
Yep, if bought from eBay it will be a genuine Fender.....as they weed out dodgy fakes with a ruthless fevour.
[/quote]

Post of the year for me that!

[RandomBass]

[quote name='grunge666' timestamp='1353459349' post='1874982']
Post of the year for me that!
[/quote]
+1 multiplied by a big number

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='Dr M' timestamp='1353340742' post='1873870']


The wood actually turned out to be something like a darker korina once all the varnish and graffiti was sanded off!

[/quote]

I work with reclaimed woods quite a bit - any old science benches I've come across have been either teak or iroko, which would fit your description.

[GregBass]

Could it be a Rickenbacker copy that has been modified to avoid litigation?

[iiipopes]

OK, when I set my large-screen to view @400%, I have a few observations:

1) The neck seems to be a real Fender neck with the "bullet" truss rod that has had the headstock shaved, but I can't tell anything about the model. It could be anything from a '70's P-neck to one of the more recent MIM, MIJ, or Squier necks that use the same truss rod.
2) The body seems to be an inexpensive copy plywood body that has been stripped and refinished. The P-J configuration may actually be original. If not, the woodworking is good quality. I actually like plywood bodies if they are light weight and overall resonant, because laminations tend to cancel resonances that cause dead spots. Remember: even Gibson ES175 and Epiphone Casino guitars are laminate (plywood) tops, so it's not that it is made of plywood, it is the quality of the plywood.
3) The D string slot seems to be there and the string simply dislodged out of the slot. There may be more damage to the nut that it won't stay in the slot, but that's at the limit of resolution and I can't say for sure.
4) The pickups may very well be DiMarzio P and J pickups. A good combination, because the J is an end-to-end coil humbucker that matches the P, and it seems to be wired V-V-T-jack, which is the easiest, most versatile combination for stage use. (less risk of grabbing the wrong knob in the middle of a set or a song).

Comment: as with any project, make sure the overall cost of acquisition and time/labour factored in are reasonable. It's difficult to identify a project that needs just the right balance of time and money to be a good deal, and it is too easy to get a bucket of parts and overspend putting it back together when a reasonable used bass with a couple of personal modifications would actually be less expensive in the long run, be a better playing bass, and have better resale value.

Edited November 22, 2012 by iiipopes

[deefer_dog]

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1353603437' post='1876520']
OK, when I set my large-screen to view @400%, I have a few observations:

1) The neck seems to be a real Fender neck with the "bullet" truss rod that has had the headstock shaved, but I can't tell anything about the model. It could be anything from a '70's P-neck to one of the more recent MIM, MIJ, or Squier necks that use the same truss rod.
2) The body seems to be an inexpensive copy plywood body that has been stripped and refinished. The P-J configuration may actually be original. If not, the woodworking is good quality. I actually like plywood bodies if they are light weight and overall resonant, because laminations tend to cancel resonances that cause dead spots. Remember: even Gibson ES175 and Epiphone Casino guitars are laminate (plywood) tops, so it's not that it is made of plywood, it is the quality of the plywood.
3) The D string slot seems to be there and the string simply dislodged out of the slot. There may be more damage to the nut that it won't stay in the slot, but that's at the limit of resolution and I can't say for sure.
4) The pickups may very well be DiMarzio P and J pickups. A good combination, because the J is an end-to-end coil humbucker that matches the P, and it seems to be wired V-V-T-jack, which is the easiest, most versatile combination for stage use. (less risk of grabbing the wrong knob in the middle of a set or a song).

Comment: as with any project, make sure the overall cost of acquisition and time/labour factored in are reasonable. It's difficult to identify a project that needs just the right balance of time and money to be a good deal, and it is too easy to get a bucket of parts and overspend putting it back together when a reasonable used bass with a couple of personal modifications would actually be less expensive in the long run, be a better playing bass, and have better resale value.
[/quote]

^^^ THIS!!

I'm getting the bass for free off a friend. Nut and bridge replacement will be sorted, and all the paint and finish will be done by me, so not too costly

Apparently the wiring is OK from what he can see. I'll bring a mini amp up to test it. Could be a fun little project

Cheers for the help! Here's a closeup.

Edited November 23, 2012 by deefer_dog

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1353603437' post='1876520']
1) The neck seems to be a real Fender neck with the "bullet" truss rod that has had the headstock shaved, but I can't tell anything about the model. It could be anything from a '70's P-neck to one of the more recent MIM, MIJ, or Squier necks that use the same truss rod.
[/quote]

Real Fender neck?, really??

Rosewood board, flat square heel, dots, bullet truss?

Not for me.

[BigRedX]

Unfortunately from that close up I don't think the pickups are Di Marzios (IIRC they should have allen key pole piece adjusters rather than solid ones).

[throwoff]

Is it one of MD Phillips scratch builts?

[lettsguitars]

Interesting saddle arrangement. Must have been put together by a blind man. It'll certainly need the paint job!