Harryburke14

Add me and the mystery bass to the list.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1483392494' post='3206848'] I think the red is gorgeous. Having seen some of the other outcomes I think this will be another killer. [/quote] Ive barked a lot of orders at Andy so far but I know for sure this will turn out gorgeous. Its going to look like a completely new bass from what Ive seen so far.

If i wasnt following this keenly before, I definitely am now. Looking good, I must say.

I quite like hip hop but I feel the general quality of it has taken a nosedive since the days of Dr Dre and maybe Kanye.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1483348684' post='3206312'] The veneer has no real structural strength at all. If you chambered from the top, you would need to cover it - a bit like a control chamber cover - and then veneer over that. It is probably how we will tackle this one. I'll be doing a thread on the progress so you'll be able to see how it all pans out. Quite often, on projects like this, decisions need to be made on the hoof, so it will be interesting how close the final method is to the present thoughts. [/quote] A full build diary just for me? I feel all VIP

Loving that. Very nice mate.

Sorted. Mr Andyjr1515 is taking it to be lightened and veneered. Have a feeling its going to look superb.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1483294102' post='3205983'] You could bring your newly-veneered Harley Benton! [/quote] my thoughts exactly

Im going to make a serious effort to be there this year, seeing as i can now drive and all. Exciting ...

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1483283341' post='3205890'] To be honest, the veneer would add a few ounces at the most - it's only 0.6mm thick. Wow, though, 11.5 lb is VERY heavy. Is it a visible all-round natural finish? ie, can you actually see that it's solid wood at the sides? The good news is that if the wood, ply ash or solid ash, is that heavy, then a decent amount of weight comes out with each chamber cut. [/quote] Yeah its solid natural all over, couldnt say how many pieces make up the body but probably a fair few. Ive sent you a PM btw.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1483278737' post='3205836'] Hi, Harry Guitar and bass builds and mods is my hobby and I like doing veneer jobs because of the sheer transformation you can get for not much outlay. I'm presently doing some trials with different varnishes, etc so more than happy to quote you on a veneer job if you are happy to be a 'guinea pig'. If you are OK with some of the veneers I have in the loft, we can probably do a deal that gets close to your budget. Ref the weight, I suspect the body is plywood - it tends to be very heavy! Very feasible to get some wood out of it - and the tone is not likely to be affected at all (there are a lot of myths around on the topic). Drop me a PM if that's of any interest. Andy p.s. - these are a few of the veneer jobs I've done: This recent one is plywood (there's a thread in the Build Diaries)...nothing wrong with plywood: ...and this is also plywood (but probably couldn't do a deal on this type of thing ): This is my own Squier VM bass: [/quote] I believe the body is ash (according to Thomann listing) but it is heavy as anything. Weighed today to be about 11.5lbs, which in my opinion is heavy.

I personally like the look of it.

If it was more local Id be all over this.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1483275879' post='3205788'] Strip the finish, thin the body, refinish in oil? [/quote] I will have a look into this actually. Sand down, try and bring in all the edges by a quarter of an inch or so (or as much as i can get away with), maybe make it a bit thinner front to back, and refinish. I had looked into chambering and capping but that seems like far too much effort and i didnt want to lose too much sustain.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1483231887' post='3205613'] Something to consider is if the whole bass is weighty, if you get a new light weight body, will the heavy neck give it neck dive? FWIW my take would be to grin and bear it while you save up for a better bass. Cheap basses are a,good starter but they are cheap for a reason. Good luck with the search and the sale. [/quote] True. For now I'll probably stick to it. Maybe treat meself to a specced out J bass when I turn a certain age later in the year. Maybe my first real Fender or that Sandberg PMT Birmingham have that i promised Id buy myself one day...

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1483230808' post='3205608'] If you are looking to spend up to a ton, I would just buy a new Harley Benton and sell the old one ! [/quote] Very tempted at the minute but the weight of them is a real killer

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1483230438' post='3205604'] Just how bad is the body? Maybe we can suggest ways to fix it up and there could be ways to fix the weight issues. [/quote] theres no structural damage, just chips in the lacquer but now I know theyre there my OCD dislikes it. Weight reduction sounds like a good idea though, would love to hear ideas.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1483222975' post='3205574'] I think the budget has been added in the edit, but at £60 it will be tight. 2nd hand perhaps? [/quote] £60 isnt the budget maybe i didnt make that clear. Up to £100 ish is what Im looking to pay. Ive been scouring the second hand pages and havent found any joy thus far.

Solid advice already in here. From my experience, if its cheaper ones you want, then Entwistle make great pickups for the money. If not, give Martin a bell.

So, in the week I had a wee bit of an accident. One of my basses (a Harley Benton Jazz Bass) fell off of its wall hook -my fault for not clipping the thing over- and onto a set of drawers and now its dinged up, mostly on the body. I also find the body to be on the heavy side. So it rarely leaves the house, which is a shame for how good it sounds. I have been toying for a while with getting an aftermarket body thats a bit lighter and the few scratches now just further that idea. So, without splashing too much cash, who in the UK sell decent, pre-routed jazz bass bodies, and does anybody have any experience with any UK body companies? Also, a side note, the bass cost me £80 secondhand from this site, and the upgrades i had done to it cost another £60, so Id rather not shell out loads of cash on what is otherwise a cheap instrument.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1483203494' post='3205409'] What....wife?? [/quote] Sound advice

On a sidenote whats considered heavy for a bass body? like whats the actual weight of a Fender JB body?

So Im looking for a lightweight jazz body thats already routed and painted and such and my internet quest seems to have led me to Guitarfetish which are selling bass bodies weighing in at 2.8kgs for under $80. Problem is postage is another $70 on top so before splashing for delivery does anybody know of any UK based parts companoes that sell similar? Otherwise it looks like the pay postage and wait game...

No worries guys a few Fender Custom Shop cables came into my possession today "as a gift" from someone at a certain local guitat shop. Great day shopping. Went in to buy a few sets of flats, man in the shop put in a set of Elixirs, some picks and 2 Fender cables for an extra fiver and said Merry Christmas.