Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) My very first bass, owned for 40 + years, has basically been sitting unused for a long time. It took one too many knocks years ago and ended up with a nasty crack in the headstock that knocked the tuning stability off. I did glue it but unfortunately didn't clamp it tight enough so the repair looks pretty bad. It worked OK but I was a little ashamed to take it out. My mate was round last week and I plugged it in for nostalgia's sake: I could not believe the tone that came out of it. So I decided to do something with it. Over the following few posts I will show you what I did to the poor bugger. The work isn't complete yet because I'm waiting for some parts but I'll post what I've got so far and update as and when. I hope you enjoy. This is the guitar in question, a Westone Concorde 2, bought second hand in 1982 I think. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13072906_1073905369314529_559035090561846018_o_zpsdrdlrvwy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13072906_1073905369314529_559035090561846018_o_zpsdrdlrvwy.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Edited April 25, 2016 by Rubbersoul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Next, dismantled and stickers removed [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13063374_1073934682644931_1096801927312152028_o_zpsgi7yk0dd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13063374_1073934682644931_1096801927312152028_o_zpsgi7yk0dd.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 So, then I set it on fire! [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13041267_1074007935970939_7582190866638163217_o_zpsmeghncvv.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13041267_1074007935970939_7582190866638163217_o_zpsmeghncvv.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Slightly more controlled burn on the rear [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13047806_1074007959304270_5302338985861700193_o_zpsdvrxnnit.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13047806_1074007959304270_5302338985861700193_o_zpsdvrxnnit.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Really didn't know what to do with the pickguard, so I covered it with duct tape [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015098_1074113329293733_3854808374266576544_n_zps2uphfn3k.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015098_1074113329293733_3854808374266576544_n_zps2uphfn3k.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Pickguard set on the body just to see if it works. I think it does. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015537_1074113349293731_5741171228994432497_n_zpsifuqd2b4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015537_1074113349293731_5741171228994432497_n_zpsifuqd2b4.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 My new band is called Plague Doctors so I had to stick this little lad on. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055824_1074576499247416_6057306955076967591_o_zpsyrqeafym.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055824_1074576499247416_6057306955076967591_o_zpsyrqeafym.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) All varnished ready to put back together. Note the ubiquitous Anarchy symbol on the headstock. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055507_1075361202502279_4247964673133226842_n_zpsfoooghjw.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055507_1075361202502279_4247964673133226842_n_zpsfoooghjw.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Edited April 25, 2016 by Rubbersoul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Neck reattached and pickguard sitting loosely. I can no more for now because I need a couple of small parts. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055687_1075699165801816_2599428511257396786_o_zpsfdxo0t5j.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055687_1075699165801816_2599428511257396786_o_zpsfdxo0t5j.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Neck reattached and pickguard sitting loosely. I can no more for now because I need a couple of small parts. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055687_1075699165801816_2599428511257396786_o_zpsfdxo0t5j.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13055687_1075699165801816_2599428511257396786_o_zpsfdxo0t5j.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Sorry for the double post. I don't know how to remove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Is it a Concord 2? Can't really see on my phone screen. I thought only the Concord 1 (short scale, made from 82-84-ish) had the painted headstock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 It's a 2. I bought it second hand so don't know much of its history except it was made in Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 I quite like the burned look but the gaffa tape is really not for me. Also, when you start using it, if you play with a pick you'll muck up the tape and it'll become very sticky and nasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 I think you need an "extreme relic" award or something Not to my personal taste but very brave all the same. I personally prefer natural wear & tear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 I was a bit worried about the tape as well. so I varnished it. I needed to put something over the picture of the good doctor and varnish seemed the logical solution as I was using it anyway. If it goes badly I'll take it off again and think of something else. Here it is, all back together and restrung. It actually plays better than it ever did as I gave it a good old setup at the same time. It'll never replace the Ibanez but it's got a nice vintagey tone to it. It actually turned out better than I expected - I thought it was only going to be fit for hanging on the wall at the end LOL. Anyway, the picture: [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/2016-04-28%2017.24.56_zpsj9wnnhvr.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/2016-04-28%2017.24.56_zpsj9wnnhvr.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 Here's a close up of the body and, yes, I know the tape job isn't perfect but I sorta like it like that. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/c43a59ad-3747-47e9-aa4e-688b26a61324_zpsraahml1z.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/c43a59ad-3747-47e9-aa4e-688b26a61324_zpsraahml1z.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Some info on 'em at http://www.westone.info/concord1bass.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 I think you might be right actually and it is a 1, although I could've sworn it was a 2. It is definitely not a shorty though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 I'm confused now. When I put the serial number in it takes me to the 2 page. But reading the explanations it makes no sense. The SN is 2864041. If anyone can shed light that'd be cool. As you can see from the state of the headstock now it's been sanded off but I honestly thought it used to say 11 (can't really do roman numerals here but you get the idea). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 (edited) Where did you put the "serial" number? It's not really a serial number, it's more of a date of manufacture/production run/batch number. The 'serial' numbers aren't always unique to a single instrument, and the 2 at the start suggests it was made in 1982. The painted headstock, plastic nut, 21 fret neck and chrome hardware all suggests a 2 to me (corrections welcome) Are you sure it's not a shortie - what's the distance from nut to 12th fret? Edited April 29, 2016 by barkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 It's a 32 inch scale with nut to 12 fret 16 inches. Does that qualify as short scale? I thought they were usually 30 inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 My bad. I wrote: "painted headstock, plastic nut, 21 fret neck and chrome hardware all suggests a 2 to me (corrections welcome)" ...I meant 1, not 2. Yup, 32's a shortie. Well, shorter than regular 34 inch anyway... You have a 1982 Concord 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 Cheers, you live and learn eh? My Ibby's a 34 right enough but there's surprisingly no real difference in feel when swapping between the 2. Don't suppose it really matters now I've burnt the sh*t out of it LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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