Fretless 5 string Bassworks Build Diary

[Lee-Man]

Hi all, a few weeks ago after trying out (and then buying!) the Bassworks Surf Green nitro PPJ5 I’ve ordered a new fretless partner to it in Daphne blue. 

Here’s a picture of a similar bass on the Bassworks Instagram.

Current planned specs are: 

•    Body American Red Alder
•    Neck Flat Sawn Canadian Rock Maple
•    Fingerboard Macassar Ebony
•    Pear wood fretlines
•    Nitro Daphne Blue 
•    Luminlay side dots 
•    Bartolini PJ pickups
•    John East UNI Pre, 3 Band EQ, 4 knob, 18V

There's not only some great luthier skills in these builds, but also some really clever engineering and technology stuff. 

Bruce at Bassworks has been amazing keeping me in the loop with the build, so hopefully I’ll be able to keep this thread updated. 

Also, just to note since the bass was commissioned I’ve now become a Bassworks Artist. 

The pic below is the colour I've settled on.
 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Lee-Man

[SpondonBassed]

Is this the @Bassworks  bass that he's mentioned on another build thread?

Cool.

[Hellzero]

That's him @SpondonBassed :

 

 

[Lee-Man]

10 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said:

Is this the @Bassworks  bass that he's mentioned on another build thread?

Cool.

The fretless is a new build, but is the same colour as a pre existing fretted 5. The colour of the fretted one inspired my final decision for the fretless build 

[SpondonBassed]

3 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

That's him @SpondonBassed :

*Thanks*

[Lee-Man]

5 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

That's him @SpondonBassed :

 

 

Thats the one I own now, its awesome (hence commissioning a new fretless build😁).

Spent the day at Zephyr Studios in Leicester with it yesterday. 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Lee-Man

[SpondonBassed]

3 minutes ago, Lee-Man said:

The fretless is a new build, but is the same colour as a pre existing fretted 5. The colour of the fretted one inspired my final decision for the fretless build 

Ah right.  Also cool.

[Lee-Man]

1 minute ago, SpondonBassed said:

Ah right.  Also cool.

If I could I'd also have that fretted blue one as well, its looks awesome IRL. 

[Lee-Man]

Bruce at Bassworks has been great at keeping me updated. Once we settled on the specs he sent over a spec sheet for reference. The only other choice at this stage is the fingerboard wood. I’ve gone for the piece on the left. Its Macassar Ebony and its going to have pear wood lines. 

Edited February 7, 2021 by Lee-Man

[Lee-Man]

More progress on the neck. It’s going to have a compound radius and rolled edges. Not vintage FMIC, but just a bit softer. That should make it more comfortable on a fretless. 

Edited February 8, 2021 by Lee-Man

[Lee-Man]

More pictures. Heres one I took when I dropped into BassWorksHQ last week.

And this is my neck on a similar in stock body. I've gone for an off white/cream pick guard. Saying that, the white looks pretty good! 

Edited February 8, 2021 by Lee-Man

[Andyjr1515]

Looks a nice board

[Lee-Man]

The fretless body has been capped and chambered. My PPJ5 fretted is only 8lbs, so this fretless one should be in the same region. 

 

[krispn]

On 08/02/2021 at 18:07, Lee-Man said:

More pictures. Heres one I took when I dropped into BassWorksHQ last week.

And this is my neck on a similar in stock body. I've gone for an off white/cream pick guard. Saying that, the white looks pretty good! 

What a wonderful piece of wood. So characterful. The recessed tuners are a nice touch as I know a thicker headstock can add to the overall tone. It makes perfect sense to have the recess and maintain that extra wood.

[Lee-Man]

Video update from Bruce at Bassworks of the Body being machined. 

 

[Lee-Man]

A few more pictures from this weeks build progress. 

The extended thumb groove on the heal is really comfy on my fretted PPJ5. 

Really impressed with the build progress and attention to detail. 

This isn't the final control cover. The actual cover is a slightly newer enhanced design using magnets instead of screws. 

Edited February 18, 2021 by Lee-Man

[TheGreek]

43 minutes ago, Lee-Man said:

using magnets instead of screws. 

Such a great idea...makes life sooo much easier.

[Lee-Man]

Just a quick update. My PPJ5 Fretless body is grain sealed and ready for paint. Looks too pretty to paint a solid colour! The weight is going to be bang on 4kg to match my fretted PPJ5. Decent weight for a 5 string. 

 

Edited March 12, 2021 by Lee-Man

[SpondonBassed]

29 minutes ago, Lee-Man said:

Just a quick update. My PPJ5 Fretless body is grain sealed and ready for paint. Looks too pretty to paint a solid colour! The weight is going to be bang on 4kg to match my fretted PPJ5. Decent weight for a 5 string. 

 

 

On 05/02/2021 at 12:33, Lee-Man said:

•    Nitro Daphne Blue 

Have you decided against paint then?  It does look good already.

[Lee-Man]

1 hour ago, SpondonBassed said:

 

Have you decided against paint then?  It does look good already.

A tobacco sunburst has been mentioned, but I have a few other basses that are similar, so still going for the Nitro Daphne Blue I think.  

[Lee-Man]

More progress on my PPJ5 Fretless. It's ready for the Daphne Blue nitro paint to be added. Not long now!

Incidentally these two 2 JPJ5 basses (Swamp Ash) are available and looking for a home. #GAS

[Lee-Man]

Just a quick update. My fretless is ready to be shot in nitro in the next couple of weeks. Not long now! 

Here it is with a couple of other builds in progress. 

The side mounted locking jack being fitted. Bruce at @Bassworks has a real eye for details. 

[Lee-Man]

More pics. My PPJ5 body is in for paint. Base coat is first, then its being shot in nitrocellulose Daphne blue. Theres another PPJ5 fretted up for grabs thats shortly going in to paint. I think capri orange or Daphne blue is on the cards. If your quick get a deposit down and choose

So far I'm really knocked out by luthier Bruce's attention to detail and clever engineer touches that should make this bass smoke on gigs. 

Here's my neck on a PJJ5 body thats also available for spec'ing and build. 

Edited April 22, 2021 by Lee-Man

[Lee-Man]

Base coat done. Now for Nitro and then let it cure and final assembly can take place.

Edited April 26, 2021 by Lee-Man