Vintage P bass rebuild

[Reggaebass]

Looking well nice Duarte 👍

[Duarte]

Thanks folks! I'm really excited about this bass. I must thank you all for your input and advice on the process so far. I am a new to this kind of project so it is greatly appreciated.

 

More updates soon - but for now it's another week of tru-oil!

[Duarte]

Just a quick one - my mini task of the day was preparing the bridge. The original plan was to go with a fender bridge I had kicking around, but after closer inspection, the original bridge plate is significantly more substantial, it feels about 50% heavier. So after a good clean to remove the rust, and some saddle/screw/spring replacements, I think we have the bridge....

 

It might get a shiny new one in the future, but I won't worry about that just yet.

 

(I've corrected the E string saddle already  )

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by Duarte

[Duarte]

She's finished!

 

Apologies for all the photos, but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I think there's just enough 'new' to give the bass a whole new personality without sacrificing any of its vibe. Not only does it look good, but after a set up it's an absolute beast. My only gripe is the new pickguard has about a 1mm gap where it should meet the neck on the upper horn side - I'm not sure how this happened but I won't dwell on it. It is apparent in the 2nd pic.

 

New parts were: tuners, nut, output jack, pickguard and screws, knobs, strap buttons, and bridge screws. 

[Reggaebass]

Top class job, that looks superb ☝️

[ezbass]

Looks great, well done. Don’t worry about the p/g gap, you’ll notice it soon enough. I had a neck pocket gap that size on my old ‘63 P, annoying at first, soon forgotten and had no effect on the sound or playability. I’d love to hear/see a demo of your resurrected bass.

[Duarte]

45 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Looks great, well done. Don’t worry about the p/g gap, you’ll notice it soon enough. I had a neck pocket gap that size on my old ‘63 P, annoying at first, soon forgotten and had no effect on the sound or playability. I’d love to hear/see a demo of your resurrected bass.

 

I'm sure I'll get over it soon enough - it was just a little bit of a bummer when first putting everything together,  and thinking what about what detail I missed for that to happen. However, pretty decent all things considered! I'll get round to recording a demo next week I think. It's got the ideal P bass tone.

[Velarian]

I’d be tempted to colour-in the gap with a sharpie. Or, less destructive, perhaps stick a carefully trimmed piece of black electrical tape under the pick guard?

[Duarte]

57 minutes ago, Velarian said:

I’d be tempted to colour-in the gap with a sharpie. Or, less destructive, perhaps stick a carefully trimmed piece of black electrical tape under the pick guard?

 

I've considered it. Let's see!

[benh]

What a lovely looking piece of wood! Congrats, looks great

[PaulThePlug]

Very Nice... Next? 😉

and who's that lurking in the background... Aria? Funny reverse P on that.

Edited October 29, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[Duarte]

4 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

Very Nice... Next? 😉

and who's that lurking in the background... Aria? Funny reverse P on that.

 

Next is this! I'm just trying to find a suitable product to use as a finish for it in Bangkok, but it's proving difficult. Needs a refin, new pots, and a professional needs to look at the truss rod...

 

 

And you are right! That lurking bass is an Aria Pro II CSB-450. Its super clean and has a well rounded, slightly aggressive tone that I love. I actually bought it for my girlfriend but obviously I play it more!

 

[BassTool]

On 29/10/2021 at 07:38, Duarte said:

She's finished!

 

Apologies for all the photos, but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I think there's just enough 'new' to give the bass a whole new personality without sacrificing any of its vibe. Not only does it look good, but after a set up it's an absolute beast. My only gripe is the new pickguard has about a 1mm gap where it should meet the neck on the upper horn side - I'm not sure how this happened but I won't dwell on it. It is apparent in the 2nd pic.

 

New parts were: tuners, nut, output jack, pickguard and screws, knobs, strap buttons, and bridge screws. 

That.

 

Is simpleh loveleh 👌🏼

 

 

Great job, and deffo the right thing to do exposing that lovely grain IMO 👍🏼

[Andyjr1515]

Yup - great job