NBD: Fleabass 'street' bass- upgraded with Stingray parts etc.

[goonieman]

Howdie all,

I finally got around to finishing this cheeky devil.

I was inspired by flea's very own upgraded china fleabass - see it at 1:58 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ARZGwfhC_U)

Was in need of a fret job - so I levelled and crowned/polished the frets. I then put a bone nut in place to replace the junk plastic, (and hollow!) original nut. I mean really... a hollow nut? (who has hollow nuts?! LOL ;p ) good grief.

I removed the terrible pickguard that was glued on. Sigh.

I re-routed the pickup cavity and upgraded to a seymour duncan SMB-4D, with an original pre-76 stingray preamp. I also routed a new input jack as the original fleabass only has three holes for tone, vol and input.

This cheeky chap now sounds as good as it looks!

I can get the action super-low with no undue buzzing. Sounds super-tight and punchy. Love it.

A shame it has to go as I was not expecting to be the new owner of EBMM Sterling and I have to make room!

Pics:

[URL=http://s723.photobucket.com/user/bassfiend3000/media/IMG_4737_zpsrhwtpuzt.jpg.html][IMG]http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/bassfiend3000/IMG_4737_zpsrhwtpuzt.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s723.photobucket.com/user/bassfiend3000/media/IMG_4738_zpspsrh8jam.jpg.html][IMG]http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/bassfiend3000/IMG_4738_zpspsrh8jam.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s723.photobucket.com/user/bassfiend3000/media/IMG_4741_zps9jzvl1mj.jpg.html][IMG]http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/bassfiend3000/IMG_4741_zps9jzvl1mj.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Graham]

That looks lovely

[alyctes]

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1441464246' post='2859079']
That looks lovely
[/quote]

Definitely

[goonieman]

yeah, for the original price at stock configuration = huge market assessment error

2nd hand price, with some TLC and upgrade = huge win. Slim, fast neck with comfy body and ability to kick like a mule

Check out the youtube of this lad that changed JUST the pickup to the same SMB-4D. Sounds night and day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alI0-7Jdtik

[cybertect]

Looks like it was well worth the effort

[Me And My Bass]

I have a similar project with a flea bass, it's currently with the forums own Ou7shined for completion.

Thread is here - http://basschat.co.uk/topic/232538-project-fleabass/page__fromsearch__1

[goonieman]

Nice one! How's it coming along? Pics!

We can make this the upgraded fleabass appreciation thread...