umcoo Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Hi all, I recently started a thread looking for colour inspiration after deciding to put together a bitsa Jazz. Whilst I'm still undecided, I really love the 60's colours like Seafoam Green and Ocean Turquoise so I can see this ending up as one of those two. I call it a '60's ish' Jazz as there's a few themes from that era that I love; the colours of course, but also the 60's thumbrest position, a dot and bound neck, and probably some of the Gotoh Res-o-Lite tuners which have the long shaft bit [oo err]. Here's a few pictures I've been using as inspiration for the colour and style... [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/01585_front_zps7a6d203b.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/01585_front_zps7a6d203b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/110193765_el_zpsdaa4d34d.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/110193765_el_zpsdaa4d34d.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Some not-so 60's things are the Schecter Monstertone pickups that'll be in it. These bad boys pack a punch and are extremely rare, although after constant searching I recently found a bridge pickup on eBay and won it for £2.50. Turns out after getting it that it needs a rewind, so that's currently being done by Jack's Instruments Service in Manchester. Found a neck pickup for £60 so all in all not too bad for prices. It'll also have an old control plate from my previous Jazz, which has 2 white strat knobs. Not everyones cup of tea, but I dig it. I'm wanting to stick with one company for the hardware, so probably looking at a Gotoh bridge, either the 201 or 203. I picked up the body last week from Guitarbuild. Went with a 3 piece Swamp Ash and it looks superb. I was half tempted to do it natural, but love those 60's colours too much! I've not weighed it, but feels nice and light, and Guitarbuild were great to deal with. It's based on a 1960 Jazz, so one thing I wasn't expecting was a lack of hole between the bridge and control cavity. This was left out so the old copper strip can be used, but they look pretty ugly imo. Don't have the tools to drill it myself but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. The 3 piece body ran at £100 including shipping which I thought was a steal for a quality UK made part. If you're looking for bass [or guitar] bodies, they're the people to go to. Here's some pics of the body... [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0297_zps5f86fc2c.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0297_zps5f86fc2c.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0296_zps1bf22fa4.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0296_zps1bf22fa4.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I've also just picked up the dot and bound neck this afternoon. Found it on eBay, and luckily the seller's shop is 10 mins from work so I called in for it. I love the dot and bound necks, think they look really classy and it's a shame you don't see too many around. No idea where the neck was made but it looks great and has really lovely grain on the back of the neck and the rosewood is lovely and dark. Fretwork looks spot-on so I should be good to go. The plan is to do a matching headstock when I paint the body. [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0295_zps3f7bb5b8.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0295_zps3f7bb5b8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0294_zpsb8caa076.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0294_zpsb8caa076.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0291_zpsb23f70e8.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0291_zpsb23f70e8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] One small issue is that the neck and body aren't the best fit. There's a fair gap of maybe 1-2mm in the pocket so I'll probably need to stick some veneer in it - again, I'll cross it when I need to. So that's about it for now. I'm just buying odd bits every pay day, so will get the pickups back probably later this month, then the next step is to start with the nitro. Never done anything like that before, so if it goes to pot, you'll all be able to laugh! Will then get hardware last whilst I'm waiting for the nitro to cure then get it set up and rock out. I'm not expecting some custom shop quality, just a good sounding bass one [relatively] low cost that I can beat around a bit. Updates might be few and far between as I don't want to rush it and balls it up, but appreciate any comments or do's and don'ts along the way! Cheers all [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0292_zpsa27af4d0.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0292_zpsa27af4d0.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0290_zps12119e9a.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0290_zps12119e9a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/goat_punisher/media/DSC_0289_zps32495d99.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/goat_punisher/DSC_0289_zps32495d99.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I've seen those necks on eBay, been thinking about getting one for a while. How is it? Do you think the neck not fitting is down to the neck heel not being wide enough or the routing of the neck pocket being too large? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 That body grain is amazing. Seems a shame to cover it up with a solid colour. How about a trans finish? Blonde, of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umcoo Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 [quote name='Jono Bolton' timestamp='1406464977' post='2511640'] I've seen those necks on eBay, been thinking about getting one for a while. How is it? Do you think the neck not fitting is down to the neck heel not being wide enough or the routing of the neck pocket being too large? [/quote] Hi Jono, I've packed things away whilst I wait for other bits to arrive, but I measured the body when I first got it and pocket width was 64mm which is standard. So maybe the neck is slighty off. When I got it the guy said it's not the best neck in the world, but not the worst! Not sure what he means by that, but it looks a cracker to me. Maybe slightly too orange on the maple for my liking, so thinking of knocking the finish back and maybe going with a clear satin nitro. Something to think about anyway... Binding, rosewood and the frets are all in great condition though. As I picked it up myself, and paid outside of eBay, the guy let me have it for £80 which was real cool of him. discreet - haha, afraid I'm not much for trans colours, but appreciate your comment. Just thinking aloud now, but wondering whether to go pickguard-less with this. There's something I really like about Jazzes without guards. I guess it'll throw the whole 60's vibe off, but whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Love the dots and binding combo on a Jazz neck, 66-tastic! Looking forward to seeing this build evolve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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