Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Off the back of this thread...... And also a PM conversation that got me thinking, a snippet of which is below....... Those three I just sold are better than nearly all Fenders I've played, including Custom Shop, they just didn' t happen to be made in Corona! I'll make a suggestion mate, give it a go, you can make great basses from cheap parts picked up on this forum or on ebay, and if they don't work out, just move it on and try again. I keep saying I'll stop but I never do, in part because it's therapeutic, and in part because my main bass, a 1970's Fender body and Warmoth fretless neck, was the result of years of trial and error. Best way of getting a custom bass is to build your own I thought this, especially the last sentence about best way to get a custom bass, would be a good conversation to take to the broader community, also in the context of this thread about 'Pro' basses and 'Pro price tags i reckon that given a few weeks looking on eBay/BC/Reverb, I can put together a pro quality bass for usually around £300-£500 depending to a degree on luck. Just amazes me that more people don't 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) I’m stinky poo with tools/ electronics and like a smooth gloss finish. It’d be a complete waste of my time when I could instead be learning tunes. Whereas I can just pay someone who enjoys doing those things to do it really well. Edit: didn’t realise you cannot swear on basschat and it swaps out your words. What a pishtake 😂 Edited November 21, 2020 by OliverBlackman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) Good thread. For me, making bitsa basses has been one of the most rewarding things about taking up bass, and maybe it was inevitable given my nerdish predilection for putting together Airfix models when I was a kid (I still have a boxed HMS Victory kit in the garage waiting for an idle weekend; bought close on 40 years ago......) I certainly haven’t made any money on it but usually recoup costs when selling on, and doubt I’ve ever built the “holy grail” of basses, but it’s immensely satisfying - no element of it is particularly hard - and you can put together that dream bass that’s always been in your head. For me, it inevitably starts around a single part that I acquire often for no particular reason (usually on BC) - for the most recent P bass build (pictured) it was the Oly White body, so the plan became a ‘70’s type Dee Dee Ramone / Paul Simonon type bass, fitted with the very nifty Stellartone Tonestyler. Current build started with a pair of Celinder Jazz p/ups acquired for a mere tenner, so it’ll be a more boutique type J bass (I’m French polishing the body at the moment, whilst watching the rugby.....) Once you’ve got the bitsa bug you’re hooked...... edit: meant to say that apart from Chris’s 3 basses FS that I’d commented on; this one was the most impressive I’ve seen in recent years, you’d be pushed to find a kosher Fender this nice: Edited November 21, 2020 by Shaggy 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 48 minutes ago, Shaggy said: For me, making bitsa basses has been one of the most rewarding things about taking up bass, Likewise Greg, and I genuinely believe that some of the best instruments I've owned came out of this. My current main bass below is a case in point, it's tall all intents a worn Tony Franklin, but wow, what a lovely bass to play, lovely pair of PUPs by Jason Lollar, circuit by Kiogon, body by Fender, neck by Warmoth at significantly around 25% what the Tony Franklin would cost new Think I'm going to be posting a lot of pictures in this thread 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 The three I just sold 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PunkPonyPrincess Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) *that* black one... Gosh... Here’s my bitsa pink horror (albeit a MJT custom build with some fantastic parts) I take when I’m sure I’m gonna need to go nuts... i.e. anytime doing punk. Edited November 21, 2020 by PunkPonyPrincess 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, PunkPonyPrincess said: *that* black one... Gosh... Here’s my bitsa pink horror bastard (albeit a MJT custom build) I take when I’m sure I’m gonna need to go nuts... That’s horrible. I love it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I'll put my ash bodied bitsa up against any genuine Precision bass at any price for feel, spund and playability. Superb, and change from £130 to build. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I totally agree! I love putting them together for myself and some clients who want specific stuff. You’re right it doesn’t cost the Earth and there’s lots of spares out there and trial and error is the best way! I’m lucky I can do woodwork and have a big workshop and lots of tools! Electrics and stuff I can fudge and have some very clever luthiers who I can call upon if I’m stumped! Honestly give it a go, it’s very therapeutic. Oh even though I build them I still bought that magnificent looking P bass off @Beedster Four of my recent builds below. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Beedster said: Love the finish on this one, is there an accompanying thread? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Heres my bitsa P, Zebrano body, Warmoth wenge neck, Duncan 1/4 pounder, Gotoh hardware and the ubiquitous Kiogon loom. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 This is my current fretless, just made from cheap (at the time) bits - Cort MIK body, Mighty Mite neck, Duncan Designed pups, Fishman piezo bridge, Bartolini buffer pre, and Wilkinson tuners. Before this I had a beautiful walnut/pau ferro Warmoth jazz build which I bought and sold for ~£350, prices are considerably higher these days! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 Going through the back catalogue, this one was VERY nice 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Three I built. The walnut jazz is my biggest regret. I did loads to get the parts and build it and was so pleased with it, but sold it in a credit card panic if I remember rightly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 3 hours ago, walshy said: I totally agree! I love putting them together for myself and some clients who want specific stuff. You’re right it doesn’t cost the Earth and there’s lots of spares out there and trial and error is the best way! I’m lucky I can do woodwork and have a big workshop and lots of tools! Electrics and stuff I can fudge and have some very clever luthiers who I can call upon if I’m stumped! Honestly give it a go, it’s very therapeutic. Oh even though I build them I still bought that magnificent looking P bass off @Beedster Four of my recent builds below. I think it was you built a rather lovely Jazz sold on here with pale blocks ( now I'm writing this, can't remember what is looked like!). Nice work! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Bit like @OliverBlackman, my woodworking skills are legendary. - or perhaps infamous would be more accurate. My knowledge of electrics is patchy too, tho there's not much to say, a P bass's wiring. Despite this, I'm intrigued and feel a project is in the offing. Be rude not to... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Pea Turgh said: Love the finish on this one, is there an accompanying thread? I want to know who bought it so I can mither them when my more flush... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 1 minute ago, AndyTravis said: I want to know who bought it so I can mither them when my more flush... Well.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Just now, walshy said: Well.... Mate send me a message 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Would love to have a go but anything DIY that I touch turns to disaster. If its all screw together stuff I can do it, and I have soldered in pickups before. I really fancy having a go. Being a lefty we get very little choice in bass designs so a bitsa would be great, especially as I don't mind an upside down neck. However, I already 5 basses which is 1or 2 too many, realistically, so not sure if or when I'd let myself get round to a bitsa. I do love seeing the creations people come up with though, some real lookers in this thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 22, 2020 Author Share Posted November 22, 2020 13 hours ago, howdenspur said: I think it was you built a rather lovely Jazz sold on here with pale blocks ( now I'm writing this, can't remember what is looked like!). Nice work! Wasn't this one was it...? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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