Dipping my toe into the modding pool

[SICbass]

I've been doing a 50s Rock'n'Roll show and decided I wanted a 50s type p bass for the look. Obviously, the most afforable option is a Harley Benton PB50.

I love it, very basic, but does exactly what it says on the can. Only snag is, of course, the headstock. So, having never done more than setting up the neck on a bass, I decided this might be the opportunity to pop my modding cherry.

 

I had an extraordinary bit of luck when I discovered that my landlady had a scroll saw in her basement. So, here's a pic of the bass as is, the saw and my dry run attempts at cutting the headstock shape. Many thanks to @PaulThePlug for tips and the template of the headstock.

 

Any tips before I jump in with the real thing would be much appreciated.

 

 

 

 

[ezbass]

They look like quality efforts to my eyes, good work! IIRC, there was a downloadable template for this procedure somewhere on BC.

[SICbass]

5 minutes ago, ezbass said:

They look like quality efforts to my eyes, good work! IIRC, there was a downloadable template for this procedure somewhere on BC.

 

Thanks for the tip. I got the template here....  

 

[PaulThePlug]

Can't think of a better way to start!

 

Basement? Bass Meant!

 

Get a nice fitting screw driver for the machine head screws, and a wipe of candle wax or bar of soap on the threads when refitting.

 

Run a couple of practice cuts outside the area, as different wood will cut different, don't force it, let the tool do the work. Minimal sanding with one of those i think.

 

Steady as she goes...

Edited Wednesday at 20:39 by PaulThePlug

[SICbass]

8 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

Can't think of a better way to start!

 

Basement? Bass Meant!

 

Get a nice fitting screw driver for the machine head screws, and a wipe of candle wax or bar of soap on the threads when refitting.

 

Run a couple of practice cuts outside the area, as different wood will cut different, don't force it, let the tool do the work. Minimal sanding with one of those i think.

 

Steady as she goes...

I was thinking of marking with a fairly chunky Sharpie and cutting to the outside edge?

[SICbass]

Well, after some fairly ropey cutting with the scroll saw - thanks again @PaulThePlug for recommending a wide berth, scaring the crap out of myself electrical sanders and finally resorting to a rasp and sandpaper, here’s the first great leap…

 

 

So, a couple of coats of clear lacquer before bedtime and tomorrow’s the decal 🤘🤞

Edited 3 hours ago by SICbass

[SICbass]

I noticed that @PaulThePlug ‘s HB50 had a Fender style string tree. Indeed so does the stock picture on Thomann’s website. 
Mine looks like this.

 

 

[PaulThePlug]

Yours is a newer one, takes care of the A..

I put one on an Arai Jazz

And Similar...

[Doctor J]

I'd go for string-tree functionality over adhering to aesthetic tradition any day. On the 54 style I built, there was never a doubt I would use a 3-string tree to have continuity over the break angle across all the strings. The only people who would notice are a moniority of bassists and they're the ones you wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with 😉

 

[SICbass]

1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said:

Yours is a newer one, takes care of the A..

I put one on an Arai Jazz

And Similar...

Correct.
I need to use the bass tomorrow evening, so I won’t faff about with Fender jobby. I’ve put two coats of lacquer on this evening. It’s decal in the morning, drying time plus 2 more coats of lacquer and then remount the lot. Boooooom!

[SICbass]

47 minutes ago, Doctor J said:

I'd go for string-tree functionality over adhering to aesthetic tradition any day. On the 54 style I built, there was never a doubt I would use a 3-string tree to have continuity over the break angle across all the strings. The only people who would notice are a moniority of bassists and they're the ones you wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with 😉

 

Ooohhhh, that finish looks rather lush. Back of the net!

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, Doctor J said:

I'd go for string-tree functionality over adhering to aesthetic tradition any day. On the 54 style I built, there was never a doubt I would use a 3-string tree to have continuity over the break angle across all the strings. The only people who would notice are a moniority of bassists and they're the ones you wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with 😉

 

Quality work 👏👏👏.

 

With regard to string trees, unless you’re going for a slavish recreation of Leo’s original design, those 3 string affairs are the way to go.

[SICbass]

Yeah, I’ll stick with the A-D-G tree.