The bitsa thread

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I think I've probably posted about my 'Bass of Theseus' elsewhere, but I don't think it has graced this 'bitsa' thread.

 

This started out about 25 years ago as a fretless I put together using a neck & body from brandoni guitars. It wasn't getting played, so last year I bought a bunch of bits & bobs and rebuilt it.

 

The parts used in this incarnation:

• Brandoni Japanese body (identical to the MIJ '62 reissue I used to own)
• AliExpress aged pearl pickguard
• Fender pickguard screws
• Fender thumbrest
• EMJ 'Geezer Butler' P bass pickup & loom
• Puretone output socket to replace the one that came with the EMG
• Amazon anti-slug tape
• Fender P to J conversion neck — The neck came fitted with a nut which was subsequently slotted & shaped to perfection by John at the Gallery
• Hipshot lollipop HB10 tuners & bushings
• Fender 'Badass style' HiMass bridge with brass saddles
• Gotoh nickel plated string tree & strap buttons
• Callaghan heavy knurled machined knobs
• Ernie Ball  40-95 Cobalt flatwounds

Its almost a shame that I love gigging with my JMJ mustangs so much as this really should be getting some action.

 

 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:33 by Jean-Luc Pickguard

[JazzyJ]

Ok, update on my bitsa.

Fender '64 vintage pickups & Monty's J loom setup fitted. Just need to get the soldering iron fired up.

A little hefty at 4.6kg but hey ho, see how it goes 😏 

 

[miles'tone]

On 21/01/2026 at 20:41, JazzyJ said:

Ok, update on my bitsa.

Fender '64 vintage pickups & Monty's J loom setup fitted. Just need to get the soldering iron fired up.

A little hefty at 4.6kg but hey ho, see how it goes 😏 

 

Very nice, love this 👌

[Rexel Matador]

Here's my current go-to. When my graphite neck arrives I'll be putting it on this one to make it fully monochrome, and this Fender neck will go on another bitsa.

It has EMGs and an LHZ preamp as it was originally going to be a back-up for my Spector, but this one's so much more comfortable and easy to play that it's my no.1 for the time being.

The body is from All Parts I think. It's very white indeed - I expected it to be a bit more cream/off-white, but I'm kind of digging the 80s Robert Palmer vibe - not what one expects to see in a death metal band.