My Latest Overwater - J5 Fretless Build

[Phill]

Ive contacted overwater for a specific build as a tour next year requires a fretless five string. The only other fretless I own is a 1976 Stingray that I don't fancy taking the road!

 

After speaking to Chris we decided to base it off of one of my own J5's but with some changes - 

 

MM humbucker in the bridge & a lovely walnut top (including headstock veneer) 

 

Heres the full spec & some build pictures so far 

 

Overwater Contemporary J

 

5 String

 

35” Scale Length

 

Neck -

 

Standard Bolt On

 

One Piece Maple

 

Straight Headstock with Walnut Veneer

 

Fretless (24 fret neck)

 

46mm Nut Width

18mm Bridge Spacing

Plain Unlined Ebony Fingerboard

Luminlay Side Dots

 

Body -

 

Swamp Ash

 

Walnut Top

 

Electronics -

 

Active Overwater 3 Band + Passive Tone Control

 

Pickups -

 

Overwater Jazz Single Coil + Musicman Humbucker

 

Locking Jack

 

Hardware -

 

Overwater Bridge

Hipshot Hardware in Black

 

Satin Natural Lacquer Finish

 

 

[snorkie635]

That looks really grand. I'll bet it will sound fantabulous as well. Lucky man. 👍

[BassBus]

More of Martin's magic.

[Phill]

2 minutes ago, BassBus said:

More of Martin's magic.

He's a top lad and keeping right up to date with the build too, so more pictures incoming 

[Phill]

1 hour ago, snorkie635 said:

That looks really grand. I'll bet it will sound fantabulous as well. Lucky man. 👍

At first I wasn't sold on the walnut top but it does set it off nicely! Sound wise I think its going to sing as a fretless should 

[TheGreek]

I loved my "Green machine" Overwater - so much so that I was scared to take it out.

 

Pointless having it really.

 

I eventually sold it back to the fella who commissioned it in the first place.

 

Yours is looking fine already.

Edited October 4, 2023 by TheGreek

[Phill]

3 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

I loved my "Green machine" Overwater - so much so that I was scared to take it out.

 

Pointless having it really.

 

I eventually sold it back to the fella who commissioned it in the first place.

 

Yours is looking fine already.

Oh yes I remember that one I think! 

 

Cheers mate!

[snorkie635]

12 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

I loved my "Green machine" Overwater - so much so that I was scared to take it out.

 

Pointless having it really.

 

I eventually sold it back to the fella who commissioned it in the first place.

 

Yours is looking fine already.

Very much like that one as well. (I'm an Overwater nut!)

[Hellzero]

Already looks gorgeous. 😍

[eude]

On 04/10/2023 at 16:06, Phill said:

Ive contacted overwater for a specific build as a tour next year requires a fretless five string. The only other fretless I own is a 1976 Stingray that I don't fancy taking the road!

 

After speaking to Chris we decided to base it off of one of my own J5's but with some changes - 

 

MM humbucker in the bridge & a lovely walnut top (including headstock veneer) 

 

Heres the full spec & some build pictures so far 

 

Overwater Contemporary J

 

5 String

 

35” Scale Length

 

Neck -

 

Standard Bolt On

 

One Piece Maple

 

Straight Headstock with Walnut Veneer

 

Fretless (24 fret neck)

 

46mm Nut Width

18mm Bridge Spacing

Plain Unlined Ebony Fingerboard

Luminlay Side Dots

 

Body -

 

Swamp Ash

 

Walnut Top

 

Electronics -

 

Active Overwater 3 Band + Passive Tone Control

 

Pickups -

 

Overwater Jazz Single Coil + Musicman Humbucker

 

Locking Jack

 

Hardware -

 

Overwater Bridge

Hipshot Hardware in Black

 

Satin Natural Lacquer Finish

 

 

Man alive, that is lovely!

[mrbacco]

On 04/10/2023 at 17:51, TheGreek said:

I loved my "Green machine" Overwater - so much so that I was scared to take it out.

 

Pointless having it really.

 

I eventually sold it back to the fella who commissioned it in the first place.

 

Yours is looking fine already.

 

this is a thing of beauty !! congratulations to the builder/luthier!

[Phill]

Latest picture from Overwater of the build! Nearly there now! 

[Richard R]

Looking good!  What's the tour?

[Phill]

On 06/01/2024 at 10:13, Richard R said:

Looking good!  What's the tour?

Thank you! Liza Baker from The Voice UK. Some tasty basslines 

[Richard R]

Should be fun. She can really sing.

Let us know how it goes in the "how was your gig " thread.

[itu]

That bass looks wonderful. I love dark, unlined necks. The top is also very neat.

 

Is the body chambered, do you have any hint of the weight? 10 or 8 lbs.?

[Phill]

13 hours ago, itu said:

That bass looks wonderful. I love dark, unlined necks. The top is also very neat.

 

Is the body chambered, do you have any hint of the weight? 10 or 8 lbs.?

Thank you!! No chambering and weighs around 9lbs 

[Phill]

All set up and assembled by Chris! Looks the part with all the hardware & electronics in now. Expecting delivery later next week just letting it all settle then! 

[itu]

Specs, we need specs of that machine! That looks so good.

[JPJ]

10 hours ago, itu said:

Specs, we need specs of that machine! That looks so good.

Scroll to the first post 😉 #heretohelp

[JPJ]

Truly beautiful. Please record a few sound clips for us when you can, for us fellow Overwater nuts. 

[itu]

Total weight of the finished bass would be one wonderful detail. And first impressions, naturally. (I still remember the feel, when I received my custom fretless 4. And the feel is still the same.)

[squire5]

That,to me, is the epitome of perfection in a bass.

[Phill]

53 minutes ago, itu said:

Total weight of the finished bass would be one wonderful detail. And first impressions, naturally. (I still remember the feel, when I received my custom fretless 4. And the feel is still the same.)

Once I get it I’ll give it a weigh for you 👍

[SpondonBassed]

44 minutes ago, Phill said:

Once I get it I’ll give it a weigh for you 👍