Harley Benton P-Bass build Diary

[Stub Mandrel]

Inspired by @Teebs buld of a Harley Benton P-bass after much agonising I invested a huge £77 in one. After restocking delays, it eventially arrived from Thomann yesterday. Everything quadruple packed - bubble wrap, boxes for neck, body and accessories (even a cheesy lead!), outer box and a completely unnecessary huge outer box to make it look like I'd ordered a triple neck quitar...

 

Teebs thought his was a 'pea-bass and painted it the colour of mushy peas. I was thinking if a '51 headstock would look OK, when @wateroftyne posted this pic of Billy Talbot:

[Stub Mandrel]

So... I must admit I'm weighing up Candy Apple Red versus getting some dark blue transparent lacquer... but meanwhile:

The fretsawing was hard work, the rasping nerve-wracking and the sanding had sweat literally dripping of my nose. Not sure whether to knock the bit on the tuner side off as well?

[Stub Mandrel]

Possible logo...

[Andyjr1515]

On 27/06/2020 at 14:45, Stub Mandrel said:

So... I must admit I'm weighing up Candy Apple Red versus getting some dark blue transparent lacquer... but meanwhile:

The fretsawing was hard work, the rasping nerve-wracking and the sanding had sweat literally dripping of my nose. Not sure whether to knock the bit on the tuner side off as well?

I find headstock shaping one of the most challenging bits of any build!  This looks very good @Stub Mandrel - well worth the sweat

[Stub Mandrel]

Now I'm agonising...

Candy Apple Red would be an exciting challenge but I've already got a bass that colour \I would always be comparing it to.

I'm now leaning towards Daphne Blue.

[Richard R]

Candy cobalt blue? Would be a real challenge I suspect?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/263338458922?chn=ps&var=562350961422&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=562350961422_263338458922&targetid=908661474856&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007082&campaignid=10204056441&mkgroupid=107296324212&rlsatarget=pla-908661474856&abcId=1145987&merchantid=115029330&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-MKYhZOp6gIVEO3tCh1YZQFREAQYASABEgLAfPD_BwE

 

 

[Si600]

Candy Cola Red.

[Stub Mandrel]

5 hours ago, Richard R said:

Candy cobalt blue? Would be a real challenge I suspect?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/263338458922?chn=ps&var=562350961422&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=562350961422_263338458922&targetid=908661474856&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007082&campaignid=10204056441&mkgroupid=107296324212&rlsatarget=pla-908661474856&abcId=1145987&merchantid=115029330&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-MKYhZOp6gIVEO3tCh1YZQFREAQYASABEgLAfPD_BwE

 

 

Funnily enough I have looked up a deep blue translucent laquer, often used over figured wood, it is one of my favourite colours in metallic and should work as a 'candy apple blue'.

[Richard R]

Candy Perfume Girl? Oh wait, that's a song by Madonna.

[Maude]

I have this picture saved on my phone for no other reason than its the best red I've ever seen. The Merc low rider's not bad either. 

[Stub Mandrel]

After much agonising, I saw a picture of a daphne blue p-bass,remembered my GAS for a daphne blue '60s Jazz that I don't need.

So I've just hit the button on Daphne blue from Northwest guitars

[Geek99]

On 27/06/2020 at 16:42, Stub Mandrel said:

Possible logo...

Talbot was the Middle Ages word for a hunting dog 

[stewblack]

Straight into the headstock with not a moment of hesitation. I'd be terrified to pick up the saw. 

Will you paint the headstock to match? 

[Stub Mandrel]

12 hours ago, Geek99 said:

Talbot was the Middle Ages word for a hunting dog 

Indeed, and a pub I used to occasionally visit in Aberystwyth in the early 80s.

But it's also Billy Talbot's surname 🙂

[Stub Mandrel]

11 hours ago, stewblack said:

Straight into the headstock with not a moment of hesitation. I'd be terrified to pick up the saw. 

Will you paint the headstock to match? 

Unlikely, I want a 60's vibe.

[Richard R]

35 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

But it's also Billy Talbot's surname 🙂

I recognised the Crazy Horse image, but not the name. Googled, read, and now educated 👍

[stewblack]

11 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Unlikely, I want a 60's vibe.

Oh. Sorry for showing my ignorance. 

How does a painted headstock impact on that? 

[Stub Mandrel]

14 hours ago, stewblack said:

Oh. Sorry for showing my ignorance. 

How does a painted headstock impact on that? 

I m,eant 50s, but how many 50/60s Fenders have painted headstocks?

[stewblack]

3 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I m,eant 50s, but how many 50/60s Fenders have painted headstocks?

Not my field. I did a quick image search of 60's basses seemed quite popular, but that's irrelevant. It's your project, gotta look how you want it to right?

[Stub Mandrel]

The only one I can find* is a Midnight Black but as its 'made in Japan' it's clearly 60s-style not original.

 

*Gogle image search for "60s fender precision bass"

[Owen]

On 30/06/2020 at 22:31, Maude said:

I have this picture saved on my phone for no other reason than its the best red I've ever seen. The Merc low rider's not bad either. 

Hubba hubba!

[stewblack]

5 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

The only one I can find* is a Midnight Black but as its 'made in Japan' it's clearly 60s-style not original.

 

*Gogle image search for "60s fender precision bass"

Yeah I wasn't so specific, anyway it's cool, I'm just looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. 

[Stub Mandrel]

I'm more worried about blending the headstock into the neck which is pre-coated in a matt finish and doesn't require further treatment.

The instructions say "Remove the neck and all the frets cleanly before you start painting".

I suspect they mean 'mask off'... I may try and spray just the headstock and 'feather in' as I like a satin neck finish.

Sprays from Northwest guitars due to arrive tomorrow. I've bought a sheet to make a 'spray booth' but I have to use it as a photography backdrop for a few things this week first!

[Stub Mandrel]

More logo thoughts (all my other builds/butcheries have been 'Deathburgers').

[Richard R]

There ought to be a good name which is also mechanical engineering play on the term "precision" bass. The best I can think of at the moment would be something like Submicron precision bass.
Or if I were building it WideTolerance precision bass.