The bitsa thread

[Beedster]

15 hours ago, fretmeister said:

Can any of you fine people suggest where I might be able to get a paulownia body?

 

In an ideal world it would be EBMM Sterling shaped, but a J shape without pickup routs would do if I can't find a Sterling one.

 

ta

There's a load of UK sites offering custom bass bodies, I've seen Paulownia offered on a couple (can't recall which), but I think given you want quite a niche model you'd be best off dropping each of them a message 

[PaulThePlug]

Couple of years back i got a Custom P Body made...

Enjoyed the whole Bitsa Experience, so got a custom J Body made...

Both are Paulowina for cost, it is a soft wood for dinks.

 

Now defunct or rebranded Luthiers Warehouse / Luthiers Crafts, via the Bay. Got a Jazz Neck from Twin--Cam on the bay.

 

There is a company Wild Rainbow Music on the bay, might be worth dropping them a line.

[Geek99]

Be careful with paulownia - I found that it it drinks paint and is very soft as stated above 

[kodiakblair]

47 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

Got a Jazz Neck from Twin--Cam on the bay.

 

There is a company Wild Rainbow Music on the bay, might be worth dropping them a line.

Both the same bloke, Willie Mac 🙂

 

 

[PaulThePlug]

What sort of cost are you thinking?

How about one of these

https://www.thomann.co.uk/harley_benton_bass_guitar_kit_mb_style.htm

 

[fretmeister]

1 hour ago, Geek99 said:

Be careful with paulownia - I found that it it drinks paint and is very soft as stated above 

 

I have 2 paulownia basses already. I don't mind dinks.

 

I now fancy a ray / sterling type without the weight!

[HeadlessBassist]

The OP had it right in that some of these bitsa basses are like custom shop creations. I picked up this one a few days ago and have worked on it a little. Done a nice setup with lighter Elixirs, and added some better foam on the bridge pickup, as it was sinking too far away from the strings. Just been out and done some new outdoor pictures, too.

 

The constituent parts are; Fender MIM roasted maple neck, Schaller tuners, 'Guitar & Bass Build' high polish Alder body, Hipshot bridge (only bridge I've ever seen that needs a 0.05" Alun Key!) and active EMGs with a 9v battery under the gold tort scratch plate. A very lively and snarly sounding bass  - think of it as a non-pink Betsy. 

[JoeEvans]

There are some gorgeous basses in this thread! I don't know why but I find a nice bitsa bass much more appealing than an equally nice off the shelf one...

[Beedster]

32 minutes ago, JoeEvans said:

There are some gorgeous basses in this thread! I don't know why but I find a nice bitsa bass much more appealing than an equally nice off the shelf one...

Completely agree Joe, I have this rather weak part of my brain that believes that a bass built while the Beatles were still together has some magic, but every time I own one it goes, and my old bitsas stay, simply because theyr are better instruments in nearly every respect. OK, they don't have the mojo (although they do if people think they do of course), but they make me feel much better when I play them, and that feeling's a big part of why I play 👍

[JoeEvans]

30 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Completely agree Joe, I have this rather weak part of my brain that believes that a bass built while the Beatles were still together has some magic, but every time I own one it goes, and my old bitsas stay, simply because theyr are better instruments in nearly every respect. OK, they don't have the mojo (although they do if people think they do of course), but they make me feel much better when I play them, and that feeling's a big part of why I play 👍

I think a unique bass that someone has carefully assembled has another kind of mojo.

[Beedster]

On 22/04/2025 at 16:07, Beedster said:

There's been a whole lot of experimentation with Fender-alike bitsas recently, the Bitsa Box is now oversubscribed - two having to slum it in another box at present - and due a clearout. Keep your eyes open on the FS thread folks 👍

 

 

First up, maple FL Precision, Shuker neck that is rather wonderful, 70's Daion MIJ body that has that 'I'm genuinely old and not reliced' vibe, EMG Geezers, and yes, LOLLIPOPS

 

It's not a responder so the Badass is coming off to be replaced by a nice 70's RI BBOT

 

 

 

 

[HeadlessBassist]

Beedster, what's that dark coloured 'bitsa in the middle of the box with the very flamed neck? (Third from left.)

[Beedster]

Just now, HeadlessBassist said:

Beedster, what's that dark coloured 'bitsa in the middle of the box with the very flamed neck? (Third from left.)

All in good time my friend.........., all going well all nine should be in the public domain by close of play tomorrow 👍 

[Jono Bolton]

6 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

First up, maple FL Precision, Shuker neck that is rather wonderful, 70's Daion MIJ body that has that 'I'm genuinely old and not reliced' vibe, EMG Geezers, and yes, LOLLIPOPS

 

It's not a responder so the Badass is coming off to be replaced by a nice 70's RI BBOT

 

 

 

 

That's a cracker 

[Beedster]

1 minute ago, HeadlessBassist said:

Beedster, what's that dark coloured 'bitsa in the middle of the box with the very flamed neck? (Third from left.)

....although what I will tell you is that it is a Warmoth Precision that is so ludicrously underweight that it has a contract with a Paris model agency for the Autumn catwalk season