Gardenerben Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Taken the plunge on my first bitsa build! Was torn between selling a 70's Camel P bass or using the body as a base for a build as I thought it looked a bit special under the trans finish. Starting point was I probably have enough P-bass parts accumulated over the years to knock something together one way or another. I'd decide what level of refinement to take it too as it became clearer the level of finish time/patience meant I could achieve. First thoughts if things feel/look good are Natural body and a Status neck. Stripped it down and had a sand of the body to see what we have, just taken to 120 grit at the moment and more work to do but not unhappy with it as a starting point. Pretty sure it's ash from the grain. Crazy how ideas then start to build! I do like the open pore finish on a couple of Sandberg's I've seen, also tempted with ebonizing. All good fun having a dream and play about. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Really nice grain and it looks like a one piece body, similar to my Sandberg 🙂 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Luverly pattern on that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerben Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Reggaebass said: Really nice grain and it looks like a one piece body, similar to my Sandberg 🙂 Yes I was pleased with it being one piece. Although I guess there are pro's and con's either way. Making this up as I go along but trying to apply a little logic! I'd think that with multiple pieces in a body you get to eliminate any weakness with grain direction/pattern particularly around horns and obviously cherry picking smaller pieces of wood. I can't help think a single piece of wood would transfer vibrations & resonate more 'true' though. I've seen luthiers charge more for single piece bodies but don't know if this just because one large piece of suitable wood is harder to source. Happy to be corrected and listen to others views on this? When I've asked around this area in the past I kind of get the general answer everything effects the sound but with so many variables seldom are two things the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 1 minute ago, Gardenerben said: Yes I was pleased with it being one piece. Although I guess there are pro's and con's either way. I always like to see a one piece myself, being a carpenter and joiner, I don’t like to see the join, I wouldn’t know if it affects the sound, there’s been many discussions on that 😁, here’s my Sandberg , which has a satin finish 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 That looks like a lovely lump 👌🏼 Good luck with the transformation 👍🏼 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Followed it needs tort though 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerben Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 Body taken to 600 grit, cavity painted with conductive shielding paint, first layer of tru oil applied. Have read many different accounts on how many coats of tru oil people use. I'll try and be patient and see how far I get. Latest plans looking like chrome hardware, hopefully a roasted maple neck and then pickguard dilemma's!!! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 That’s looking superb ☝️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Very nice grain! I think you’re on to a winner there, what ever you put on it! Chrome would definitely be my choice. What scratch plate are you going with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 That's real purty. I think a dark scratchplate would suit, not necessarily black though that's an easy starting point. Get some different colour paper cut outs and see what works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 (edited) Wow!... Wood grain looks stunning! what a transformation! I'll be watching with interest. Just about to start a P Bass build. I'm gonna go Danish oil... Chrome won the hardware toss... Body and all the associated odds n sods ordered... Just got to finalise the neck... Thinking of a J 38mm Nut. Keep us informed of progress... ... and anything but tort... Edited July 17, 2021 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Did somebody say tort? I think a yellower tort might look nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 32 minutes ago, PlungerModerno said: I think a yellower tort might look nice Or brown 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 (edited) Lots of 'Basschat Love' for 'earlpilanz' over on the bay-of-dreams... From previouse threads he has done a few custom plates, particularly for non standard P's ala Harley Benton, by return of post using your original as a template, he then adds the new shape to his list for the furure... Also deals direct, worth mentioning Basschat. I find tort to busy... I am colourblind, so probably don't see the complex of colours the same as others. Real nice colour and patern on that body... Brown Pearl or Anodised Brush Gold? I would go for something plain and subtle to complement, and not to detract... Single Ply Cream would be my choice... But I'd be on to em to radius, bevel the top edge...rather than leaving it square (cept the neck pocket) Depends on what's your playing vibe... Edited July 18, 2021 by PaulThePlug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 3 hours ago, PlungerModerno said: It's as if he's going to take a bite out of an enormous chocolate and caramel biscuit! Dang! Munchies now. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 (edited) Tannocks P Bass Wafer... with a single layer of cream... 😉 Edited July 18, 2021 by PaulThePlug 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 4 hours ago, PaulThePlug said: ...Anodised Brush Gold... Now that is a suggestion I like the sound of... It's usually a butterscotch '57 style P, but it definately can work with a natural wood finish... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 ^ but might end up down the gold hardware route, which clashes with the frets n strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerben Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) More coats of Tru oil to go but had a play with some guards. Parchment would probably be better than mint but it gives me a sort of idea. Not a particularly nice example of tort either! Funny how I can admire others basses and think they look cracking for example with a perloid guard but know it's just not something I want. Same goes for gold hardware, can look killer but I just don't dig bling. Edited July 20, 2021 by Gardenerben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) I have some better tort in celluloid (but for a P) Suit? Thus is just an example Edited July 20, 2021 by Geek99 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerben Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 37 minutes ago, Geek99 said: I have some better tort in celluloid (but for a P) Suit? Thus is just an example Much nicer tort that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 I have a p plate in same style for sale - I’ll take some pics for you later if you might want it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Gardenerben said: I like it, but I think it would look great with clear or a plain or pearloid, as long as it's not a neon/highlighter colour, that woodgrain will be the star and shine just fine. 25 minutes ago, Gardenerben said: Much nicer tort that.. I agree, but the shade could be partly due to different lighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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