Dood Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Hey all! Here's a project I have been meaning to finish for ages and have finally gotten round to it! A couple of years ago (I think) I imported a brand new non-export 70's P bass from Ishibashi as I always fancied a PBass like good ole John deacon from Queen. John's two main P basses were a TV script 68 P in sunburst and a 67 P bass with the silver logo and i think came with a natural finish (as I haven't seen it in any other state!). Around the eighties he stripped the sunburst finish off and used the TV script P for "Live at the Bowl" and I think "Live Aid" too. Sometime prior to the subsequent 'Magic' tours the TV script P bass was professionally refinished in black with new gold hardware - and this is the version I wanted to copy most. My bass arrived with what I would call the 'Phil Lynott' look. Black, with a mirrored guard and chrome hardware. It also features US Vintage pickups along with elephant ear keys with longer stalks than a standard P. I actually prefer that, as I like the keys to stand higher away from the headstock. I always though the musicman keys always looked a bit on the short side! But that's another story!! Unfortunately, that did lead to a bit of a problem locating a set of gold keys that were an exact replacement. Originally I used Schaller BMFL keys - but I didn't like them as they were shorter than the CIJ stock. After a long internet search with the ruler out - I found these fantastic Wilkinson keys that - well - lets say, they look pretty much the same as my bass AND my Fender Jazz Bass Special! - So who knows - Could Wilkinson have made OEMs for these basses?? no idea - anyway, I digress! The eagle eyed JD geek will notice that my bridge is not the same as his. If you really *must* know - his is a Schaller 3D - mine is a Gotoh clone - and a really rather good one, I am so impressed. I only planned to do all the hardware you can see, but Nigel 'BumNote' very kindly sent me a gold neck plate as well, which looks great and really finshes the look off. Ok, pictures then? The aim: Stock CIJ with mirrored guard:- I managed to get a perfect fitting black guard in a swap with a fellow BCer:- Before and after on the tuning key swap. You can see the the CIJ keys have a longer stalk generally and the gold key I added to compare matches exactly:- [attachment=49230:1.jpg] [attachment=49231:2.jpg] [attachment=49232:3.jpg] Well lookie here! That's a substantial bridge! There's a difference in tone and it was immediately noticeable acoustically. [attachment=49233:4.jpg] And finally - all together a big thank you to everyone who helped and offered advice. [attachment=49234:5.JPG] [attachment=49235:6.JPG] [attachment=49236:7.JPG] [attachment=49237:8.JPG] Job to do: The gold ferulles for the tuning keys were far larger than the holes in the headstock - and it's not a job I fancied undertaking myself to make them fit - so I'll have that sorted out later. I bet if I didn't mention no one would have noticed in the pic?! ) See ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Nice one! Seeing John playing that bass on 'Another One Bites the Dust' at Wembley '86 is probably the reason I play bass... What a tone! Jono Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 8, 2010 Author Share Posted May 8, 2010 [quote name='Jono' post='831749' date='May 8 2010, 08:50 PM']Nice one! Seeing John playing that bass on 'Another One Bites the Dust' at Wembley '86 is probably the reason I play bass... What a tone! Jono[/quote] Snap! It was the first *proper* Bass Line I ever learnt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Nice job, Dood - Lovely bass with a nice story attached as well. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 (edited) Nice Are you going to get the hair & jacket as well? Edited May 9, 2010 by Jean-Luc Pickguard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='831803' date='May 8 2010, 10:28 PM']Are you going to get the hair & jacket as well?[/quote] Nah, Leo Sayer bought those On topic, thats a great job you've done there, Dood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stag Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Can I play it now please mate? ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 I think you've improved the look. Not a Queen fan personally but the bass looks great and I admire the attention to detail. I think Fenders are made to be modded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauster Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 [quote name='dood' post='831592' date='May 8 2010, 05:11 PM']Job to do: The gold ferulles for the tuning keys were far larger than the holes in the headstock - and it's not a job I fancied undertaking myself to make them fit - so I'll have that sorted out later. I bet if I didn't mention no one would have noticed in the pic?! )[/quote] And the jack-socket Seriously though, that is a nice job you've done there Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share Posted May 9, 2010 Awwww! Guys! Thank you for the kind words. I'm really pleased with the look. Black and gold just looks so good! - I'm going to treat you to a little video when I can get a camera sorted properly. oh and yes, the Jack socket! I'll go find a gold one he he - well spotted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Here's my own Deacy tribute: [b]Ingredients[/b] 1 Squier Affinity Black P-Bass - £99 from Big Deal (RIP) in Sheffield. Secondhand but in as new condition. 1 chrome Schaller 3D Bridge - £30 from a fellow BC'er. 1 black scratchplate bought from the internet - approx £10. 1 set of Rotosound jazz bass flatwounds as per the man - approx £25. Total cost approx £165. Sounds surprisingly good. Couldn't justify the extra cost of going for gold hardware but I reckon the average punter wouldn't notice. The bridge was worth every penny of the £30. The piece of tin that was originally on there was 'weight saving' to say the least. Close up showing the Schaller bridge (excellent bridge - 'nice action...very nice action' as Alan Partridge would say): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 dammit - just remembered the 2 blue picks slipped under the scratchplate at Wembley - should have added those in my pic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Seems like I unwittingly have one as well! My A series (SQ spec.) 1985 Japanese Squier: [url="http://img249.imageshack.us/i/fullfront.jpg/"][/url] Which I noticed last night is a slab board......which is nice lol Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share Posted May 9, 2010 Wow guys! Fantastic! bring on the JD love! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Liking Sibob's 80s Squier too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 15, 2010 Author Share Posted May 15, 2010 [quote name='Jono' post='832217' date='May 9 2010, 02:23 PM']dammit - just remembered the 2 blue picks slipped under the scratchplate at Wembley - should have added those in my pic![/quote] Good point! I have blue pics - just not the same ones as JD's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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