Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Bass build kits/UK body and neck suppliers?


morson93
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hey guys,

So basically, ive always wanted to get my hands on a Daphne blue jazz bass with a maple neck, but these things are near impossible to come across, and on the rare occasions that they do, they're always ridiculously priced!

So the logical route seems to be to build one from parts, which is also something I've always wanted to do myself.

I've found plenty of places that sell jazz bodies, guitarbuild seems to be the best bet, but none that are finished in Daphne blue, is there anywhere out there that sells this as standard in the UK? Or is there anywhere in the UK that doesn't charge extortionate prices for finishing?

Also, is there anywhere in the UK that sells maple necks with block inlays and binding? I can't seem to find any!!

Thanks for looking, hope someone can help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You could have a word with the Bass Centre.

I don't think they sell seperate necks/bodies, but their bespoke Bass Collection service might be able to knock up something close to your dream colour combo.

http://www.basscentre.com/bass-collection.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try:

[url]https://www.guitarbuild.co.uk/[/url]
Or
[url]http://www.kitbuiltguitars.co.uk/bass-guitar-kits.html[/url]

There's plenty of kits on eBay, or through Thomann / Gear4Music etc. The Pit Bull kits are supposed to be decent too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1509371514' post='3398373']
My longest-serving/suffering bass is a Precision copy that I bought as a kit from Brandoni about 16 years ago: http://www.brandoniguitars.co.uk/

They shipped the kits as bare wood - if you're prepared to hunt down a can of nitro in Daphne Blue then spraying the body yourself could always be an option!
[/quote]
They don’t list the necks anymore sadly but do list the kits
What did you get in the kit and what did you need to replace ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1509456887' post='3399042']
They don't list the necks anymore sadly but do list the kits
What did you get in the kit and what did you need to replace ?
[/quote]

The kit I bought back in 2001 (Jesus wept...) contained everything to assemble a functioning Precision bass. Bare neck and body, four tuners, BBOT bridge, neck plate and screws, set of strings, and a scratchplate with the pickup and pots all wired up and ready to go. I finished the wood on mine with wood stain and shellac.

Other than strings, I didn't replace any of the parts until around 2012, when I decided some nicer pots might breathe some new life into the tone. I gave it more of a complete overhaul a couple of years later, when I re-did the French-polished finish, replaced the pickup with a Fender '62 CS-RI, and decided a black scratchplate would look better.

(Though I have since put the stock pickup into another project, and I must admit it still sounds pretty good!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[url="https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_bass_guitar_kit_j_style.htm?glp=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Na-hIKc1wIVBuAbCh3oIw5sEAQYASABEgJ_e_D_BwE"]https://www.thomann....ASABEgJ_e_D_BwE[/url]


Looks like a 3 piece body on the photo but who knows what you will get...? If the Bass is only £85 delivered why not pay to have it sprayed?

Edited by yorks5stringer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1509470009' post='3399223']
thank you
Contemplating a jazz bass kit
What's the word good enough for natural finish?
How realistic was the febder haead stock?
[/quote]

The body wood is quite light - both in mass and colour. My guess is ash, but in any case I decided to stain it a darker shade of brown before I finished it. It's still wearing the original coat of Ronseal from 16 years ago, and that was perfect for building up a natural finish (shellac is great for this, though I'm sure some more durable and less labour-intensive options would do the job similarly well).

The headstock is a standard Fender bass shape, though there's no decal - I'm sure you could add your own easily enough!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1509533811' post='3399633']
ok - they say they are alder but could be wrong.

I assume you could just put sanding sealer on it and you're good to go ? I'm thinking of transparent blonde in nitro with some celluloid tort
[/quote]

I'll happily hold up my hands and admit to being no good at identifying wood types - if they say alder, I'd defer to them!

Re sanding sealer: almost certainly. Probably a lot less faff than sealing the grain with pumice and alcohol as per the early steps in a French polish / shellac job!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys thanks for all the replies!!

After doing some more research, I managed to get my hands on a Squier vintage modified jazz bass for £140!! Although the natural finish looks great, I'm going to send it off to Retro169 to refinish and give the neck a clearcoat. After that, it'll be loaded with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound PJ set, however I'm still unsure on whether I'll put a preamp in with it...

Thanks again guys

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...