Dread Bass

Thanks all. Im finishing up a couple of guitar builds then starting on this. It has some really interesting features. I am going to try and get a plan of what needs done together.

Yeah they certainly have a distinct aesthetic

I have no idea. I would assume so but there seems to be a few kicking about.

Well this can be a good reason to get it back into rotation. I seem to remember you replying on the talk bass thread about one of these.

Thanks Cato. I really am quite taken with it.

For anyone who doesn’t visit the builds diary section. I recently picked up a 60’s WEM rapier at auction that is in need of some tlc. It arrived today. The logic for buying it was that it looks really cool and quirky, I wanted a shortscale, I wanted to try a bass with a zero nut and I wanted a bass with pickups that weren’t fender style or soapbars. I also really like the idea of keeping something going at has already done it’s job for 50+ years. I bought it online without playing it so it was always a risk. I am happy to say it appears the risk has paid off! It’s currently strung upside down and needs a new nut but it all works. The only thing I haven't tested is the truss rod. Initial reaction is that sounds really good but it’s hard to tell as the current strings are ancient. It’s very comfortable to play. I am not a fan of the neck profile as it feels deeper at the first fret than needed. Possibly deeper than the 12th fret. The headstock also seems very thick. I won’t be getting to work on it for a while as there is other projects to deal with first.

Thanks Richard Yeah the plan is to not mess with it too much. I want to keep the original finish on the body as I think it looks great but I fear the neck finish will need to come off. Nut blank and strings are ordered so when it arrives I will try and get it playable and see where we go from there.

I wanted to post to gauge interest in a project I will be starting soon. I have a few projects on the go so the progress is likely to be slow. I also don’t have the bass in my hands yet. I was thinking about doing a YouTube video or Instagram series about it but I have enjoyed reading lots of projects on Basschat so thought a build diary could be interesting. I have successfully bid on a WEM Rapier bass via an auction. I don’t have the bass yet but thought I would document my reasons for buying and my plans for restoration. As you can see here I have bought a 1967ish Rapier bass. From the reading I have done I think it was made around 1967 but dating Watkins instruments seems quite complex. My understanding is that they had been re branded as Wilson by 1968 and the bridge design changed also. I went for this as I think it’s a really cool design. I love these old British made basses and think they are under rated compared to the American counterparts. I really like the colour and the aged finish. I really want to try a short scale and I am intrigued about the bridge mute. I also think it doesn’t look like it needs too much work. Most of the original parts appear to be included with the exception of the truss rod cover. It wasn’t too expensive and I am hoping that if I can get it restored and I don’t love it I can move it on without financial loss. The pictures from the auction indicate several issues. To start with there appears to be a string alignment issue. There could be several causes for this. Firstly it’s strung as a righty and the nut is broken. The neck might also have shifted in the pocket. Worst case scenario is that the bridge is out of alignment. I won’t know until I have it in my hands. In the photo of the headstock you can see it needs a new nut and there is gaffer tape over the zero fret so not sure what difficulties are under there. There is also a crack in the front of the headstock which I suspect is only in the finish. The reading I have done would indicate that finish cracking is not unusual. Which brings me to the back of the neck where there is extensive cracking. Again my suspicion is that it’s the finish not the wood but will have to wait and see. I suspect a refinish of the neck is in order. There is more cracking evident on the side of the neck and the action looks very high. I wonder it the neck is bolted on properly as it looks like there may be a gap at the front of the neck pocket. At the very least it’s going to need a significant set up and full fretwork. Now there is a lot of stuff I don’t know which could change the trajectory significantly. For example of the truss rod is out of commission or the pickups are kaput. Have i bought an old gem or something beyond repair. Only time will tell. If anyone has any experience with these I would be interested to hear it. I read a really great restoration on talk bass that was very detailed.

I was one of the lucky ones as well. I bought a 6 string fretless from Jon when he did a Basschat offer. The bass was Ok and was ready on time but had issues. It had a fixed bridge that was fiddly to get the intonation right, it lacked bridge grounding and the pickups were not up to much. As someone aspiring to build guitars as a living in the future I re-read stories like this to remind me of how things can go wrong.

And it’s finished. I will get some better pictures at some point but you get the idea. I will also do a post in gear gallery section I think. Now I need to work out what to do with it as I’m left handed.

I did do another coat nod now I’ve got two coats of oil on it. Gone for a satin finish. I will do one more coat then I will leave it a week to harden. Pretty happy overall with the look of this. Will do more photos soon.

Ok this is where we are. I am pretty happy with the blackened yew. Looking forward to applying some finish to see the grain pop. This is one coat of stain. I will probably do another.

I’ve been working on another project but got some progress on this. As you can see I’ve taken a controversial step. I really liked how the maple worked with the yew but I think the black looks cool too. I’ve tried to add a pin stripe which was successful on one side but not the other. I think the flame in the sycamore will pop when I add oil. Any thoughts?

Thanks guys. I appreciate the positive vibes. I think I’m finding my style.

Not much to report here. A bunch of sanding done. I’ve made the cavity cover and routed for it to fit the body. Removed the excess wood from the neck joint as well. That still needs tidied up and I should have done this prior to gluing the neck on. I’ve also increased the bevel in the back of the lower horn. I forgot to take a picture with the router burn removed but it is gone.