dazza14 Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 I'm torn between working on a bass body I bought (right here on BC!) or saving my pennies and hopefully picking a second hand bass. I'll explain... I bought this 1975 red Columbus bass from here a few months ago, been stripping the paint away to reveal a rather 'nice' ply body with the intentions to either sell on or leave until the impulse to do something with it came along. Anyway in the meantime I've played a Squier Jaguar HB bass which I really liked and it started me thinking maybe I could fit a humbucker to this jazz body, get a new scratchplate made - to cover the neck pickup cavity of the jazz - wait for a neck to appear by magic on here or E-Bay and hey presto I've got my own version of the HB Jag/Jazz! [attachment=149887:jazz red.gif] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza14 Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 [attachment=149888:DSCN9860.JPG]Update; I've done a quick mock-up of how the bass would/could look with a modified scratch plate and Humbucker fitted... I think I would also consider going thru-body with the bridge and string feed so add to this a new bridge and possibly a new loom from Kiogon for the 'lectrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 I'd say have a go yourself. There's a nice Mighty Mite® Jazz neck going on here for £67. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/222496-mighty-mite-jazz-neck-vintage-tint-fender-decal/ I've got one on my HH fretless Jazz and it's lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 There's something special about a bass you've made yourself, for yourself. Even if it's only fitting a collection of pre bought parts together it will always be nicer than a complete second hand one you've bought because it will be exactly what you want from a bass rather than someone else's ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza14 Posted December 6, 2013 Author Share Posted December 6, 2013 I think i'm going to let fate decide, by this I mean i'll finish sanding the body and chuck it on e-bay for a 7 day listing, if it sells, great, decision made and i'll put the money towards the Squier, but if it doesn't - i'll go into my shed and dig out the router to make the cavity for the HB and go from there. I think whatever happens it's going to take some time to either save the money for the Squier or get the money for the parts i'll need... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 I would do it the other way around. Get the neck, put it together, see if it's a keeper, if not, sell the body and the neck (you won't lose much on a MM or All parts neck if you buy S/H off the bay... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Check your inbox dazza! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza14 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 [size=3]Well I've decided to put a few things on a shopping list and see what comes up first on here or e-bay, Gumtree etc. 1. A neck (63mm pocket) preferably a Fender type headstock. 2. A humbucker, second hand if possible although the Wilkinson ones are pretty cheap brand new. 3. Neck plate, cheap on ebay. 4. Typical hardwear like knobs and electrics. 5. If it all sounds nice and lovely, a new scratchplate minus the neck pup 'gap'.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 A finish product of a part build bass is fun to play. My P/J bass is a parts bass with my chosen neck, pickup, knob style, color, scratch plate etc. Is my go to bass these days now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randythoades Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I have 2 self built / parts basses and 2 self build guitars. Great fun to do the project, and a little frustrating at times, but you are able to choose things just the way you want them. Go the self build route, you can always sell the parts off at a later date if you don't like it. Be warned though. Self building is quite addictive. There is always somethig not quite right and needing changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 [quote name='randythoades' timestamp='1389886390' post='2339134'] I have 2 self built / parts basses and 2 self build guitars. Great fun to do the project, and a little frustrating at times, but you are able to choose things just the way you want them. Go the self build route, you can always sell the parts off at a later date if you don't like it. Be warned though. Self building is quite addictive. There is always somethig not quite right and needing changing. [/quote] Tell me about it. I originally build a P bass with maple jazz neck on. Love it. The next thing i got hooked up is adding a J pickup near the bridge. Now I'm aftering a new bridge, tuner and 2x stack pots to adjust the volume/tone for each pickup lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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