Aussiephoenix Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 In the beginning, there was GAS, a Sadowsky was bought and the GAS ceased. Now, I have a diferent kind of burn. A friend gave me an old precision body, that got way altered, parts were bought, and slowly but surely my first Frankenstein was built. I honestly didnt expect much, but I was honestly blown away by the results. It wasnt perfect at first, it took another neck than the one I'd bought for it initially, it'll take yet another pickup to replace a sub-par one that's on it, but, over all, I think I did a pretty decent job. is a P+MM with an aguilar obp3 and a Dr Parts Jazz Neck. So, there's only the MM pup that needs replacing at the moment to get that bass to God-like status, ... So, I find myself looking for new challenges. now THIS was unexpected... its like Im GASsing for my next Frankenstein project... Not really for just having a "new" bass, but because I enjoyed getting such a kick*ss result from my first one, all for the price of a Squier VM... So, there's a new one in the making, the base being a Squier jazz 5 Deluxe. This one is one of those rare Sqiers that had quite a decent build, and amazingly enough, the 5th is tight There are drawbacks of course, as Selling Frankenstein basses is almost as hard as selling sh*tty low rung basses... What are your thoughts on this? Quote
lowdown Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 [quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='560049' date='Aug 4 2009, 11:33 AM']In the beginning, there was GAS, a Sadowsky was bought and the GAS ceased. Now, I have a diferent kind of burn. A friend gave me an old precision body, that got way altered, parts were bought, and slowly but surely my first Frankenstein was built. I honestly didnt expect much, but I was honestly blown away by the results. It wasnt perfect at first, it took another neck than the one I'd bought for it initially, it'll take yet another pickup to replace a sub-par one that's on it, but, over all, I think I did a pretty decent job. is a P+MM with an aguilar obp3 and a Dr Parts Jazz Neck. So, there's only the MM pup that needs replacing at the moment to get that bass to God-like status, ... So, I find myself looking for new challenges. now THIS was unexpected... its like Im GASsing for my next Frankenstein project... Not really for just having a "new" bass, but because I enjoyed getting such a kick*ss result from my first one, all for the price of a Squier VM... So, there's a new one in the making, the base being a Squier jazz 5 Deluxe. This one is one of those rare Sqiers that had quite a decent build, and amazingly enough, the 5th is tight There are drawbacks of course, as Selling Frankenstein basses is almost as hard as selling sh*tty low rung basses... What are your thoughts on this?[/quote] This sounds like 'Trigger Broom Syndrome' to me, not Gas.... Garry Quote
Kiwi Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 Accept them as player grade instruments, ie. tools for tone and you can get really good value for money. Quote
gafbass02 Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 Im utterly bitten this expensive and frustrating bug. But I've had some great sucess notably the relic p bass I made and a graphite necked early 80's fender thing. A few expensive aborted efforts too though at the mo I'm skint but torn with what direction to take a vmj 70's. Either sort of vintagey although not reliced and not esp historically accurate (at all) or to just beef it up a tad in some way. And then do I go chrome or gold hardware. Ec etc etc it never ends. Quote
Dr.Dave Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 There's so much Fender style retrofit out there it seems a shame not to - I'm in total agreement too re. the satisfaction of 'building' your own instrument without needing a wealth of skills and experience and a pro workshop/tools. True - the value of the instrument IN MONEY TERMS may be less than the sum of the parts - but so what? Quote
alexclaber Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 I frankedsteined my black Hohner Jack into a bare wood, Bartolini'd fretless. Sounds so much better than before - excessive paint thickness is such a resonance and thus tone killer! Alex Quote
skankdelvar Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 I picked up an encore neck and body from the tip for £2. Spent another £70 doing it up. Net worth now - £40? Fun value - priceless. Playability - h'mmm Quote
Aussiephoenix Posted August 4, 2009 Author Posted August 4, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='560266' date='Aug 4 2009, 03:15 PM']I picked up an encore neck and body from the tip for £2. Spent another £70 doing it up. Net worth now - £40? Fun value - priceless. Playability - h'mmm [/quote] Well, yeah, I meant to say that you should chose your parts carefully, just like Dr. Frankenstein When a cheap instrument that you've put together completely overshadows your mate's 700€ bass, and you see the look on his face, now, THAT is priceless. Quote
NancyJohnson Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 I built something from parts about a month ago. To be honest it was a lot of fun sourcing stuff from here and the US, but on the downside, the sourcing of parts kind of preoccupied me a little too much...it was rather like an addiction. That said, it plays really nicely (with a minimum of tweaking), although I'm waiting for the control plate to come back to me so I can really fire it up. There's a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=53575"]thread[/url] over on the build area of the site. It cost about £120.00 all in. I'd like to do another, but my good lady says five basses is enough. On the upside, I've had two requests to build others. One from a mate and another from a student I teach. I might. P Quote
beerdragon Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 I have a Frankensteinsteiny bass, i dare not let out of its case. it could scare samall children Quote
Mr. Foxen Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 Pretty much all of mine are carved up. I was once very pleased to sell one of my assembled basses for slightly more than the parts cost me. Can't be dealing with standard stuff. Quote
Aussiephoenix Posted August 4, 2009 Author Posted August 4, 2009 [quote name='NancyJohnson' post='560683' date='Aug 4 2009, 10:05 PM']...but on the downside, the sourcing of parts kind of preoccupied me a little too much...it was rather like an addiction.[/quote] That's one of my worries too... it is starting to be an addiction. In all honesty, I dont have need for more than 3 basses... heck dont even have need for more than 2, but the ideas keep comming, and like Mr Foxen said, cant be dealing with standard stuff, so I find myself getting ready to load the squier up with nordstrands and either an AudereZ or an OBP3 (anyone got any thoughts on that choice BTW?) which added up cost more than the bass itself. Quote
xgsjx Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 This is something I'm seriously considering. Been looking at Warmoth & WD music for parts and also looking on ebay. Quote
allighatt0r Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 The great Mr. Entwhistle loved a particular frankenstein... The fabled Fenderbird! Custom extra thick body with a fender precision neck. Quote
Aussiephoenix Posted August 5, 2009 Author Posted August 5, 2009 [quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='560803' date='Aug 5 2009, 12:17 AM']That's one of my worries too... it is starting to be an addiction. In all honesty, I dont have need for more than 3 basses... heck dont even have need for more than 2, but the ideas keep comming, and like Mr Foxen said, cant be dealing with standard stuff, so I find myself getting ready to load the squier up with nordstrands and either an AudereZ or an OBP3 (anyone got any thoughts on that choice BTW?) which added up cost more than the bass itself.[/quote] And on that note, They've Arrived!!! God, I dont know which preamp to put in... might try both out. Quote
Lfalex v1.1 Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 [quote name='allighatt0r' post='561293' date='Aug 5 2009, 05:09 PM']The great Mr. Entwhistle loved a particular frankenstein... The fabled Fenderbird! Custom extra thick body with a fender precision neck. [/quote] Not to mention the pick-ups being in a different place to your usual, too! Quote
Aussiephoenix Posted August 5, 2009 Author Posted August 5, 2009 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='561358' date='Aug 5 2009, 06:49 PM']Not to mention the pick-ups being in a different place to your usual, too![/quote] i wonder how he got that factory like finish (on top of that HORRIBLE color ) Quote
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