Ash Jbass in J/P combo, first project, any hints?

[Tibblth]

Hey, im kinda new here, so i guess i should intro myself,  ive been playin bass for a couple of years now and currently i have a mexican series fender pbass which im kinda getting sick of, it just feels to "vanilla", cause everyone has one  :tard:
so to solve this vanillaness im lookin at building a bass from scratch, just wonderin what people thing, and as this will be my first project if there are any hints or tips.

This is basically what im looking at building, its kinda vanilla with sprinkles

Body: Solid Body J Bass from Ash in Alpine White
Routed for a P/J combo
Standard Gotoh 201 bridge
Standard Neck Routing

Neck: P Bass Style maple neck with a rosewood Fretboard in a satin finish

Pick Guard: Brown Shell P/J combo

Pickups: Dimarzio Split P
Fender custom noiseless J Bass Bridge pickup

so what do people think?  any advice or constructive criticism is much appreciated

 

[manndreas]

The 50/50 Jazz and P combo is an exelent choice! The best of both worlds been thinking of swapping the neck on my jazz for something beefier myself.

As for the neck, I'd go for a P style maple/maple (preferably birdseye) neck with big black block inlays and binding. That looks über-sexy on a white/tort body IMHO

 

[JamesL]

Sounds good!!  :icon_thumright:

Just one thing though.... You say it's too "Vanilla" because everyone has one... So you switch to a white Jazz bass? I'm confuzzled.... Why not go with a gecko, a G4, or a thunderbird or something??? Jazz basses are just as generic as P basses... especially with the white and tortoise shell...

 

[Mor Paul]

How about something exotic?

 

[willyk]

Vanilla with sprinkles  :icon_thumright: I like it.

I think your choices are excellent Tibbith. If it was me, I'd go with tortoise for the pickguard because I don't care for brown shell, and a canary neck/fingerboard with abalone dots would set the whole thing off. (sprinkles with sparkle?)  ......Oh and tele style dome knobs for a sneaky little retro vibe. I might build one myself. :laughing7: :help:

 

[tfcreative]

I dunno, I think my vanilla with sprinkles would be an all Goncalo neck.

PJ is a great pickup setup. Take a look at Nordstrand and Fralin Pickups before you settle all the way in.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I have to say, if you are going to build your own have some fun with it.  There is no real rush if you currently have a rig and want to upgrade it.  It sure FEELS like there is a rush, but...  My suggestions would be to look at the unfinished raw wood necks.  That will set you apart while keeping the same general design of an instrument.  Also on a finished neck you have to add in the cost finishing it, so it is sort of comparable in price.  If you want a white body, and you are getting Ash, look into getting a Swamp ash with the Mary Kay finish.  Still white, but few folks have them, and you get the fun of the ash grain showing through.  As for a neck, I am a sucker for Pau Ferro and/or Wenge.  They are both wicked slick and dark, but that looks good contrasting with the white body.  I also personally like the mother of pearl dots the best on a dark neck.  Finally, I agree with the comment about the Fralins or the Nordstrand pickups.  Both are stellar choices and will do a large amount for your bass sounding incredible through your rig.  The finishing options will make you go nuts for it and then it is a win win situation.  Best of luck
Patrick

 

[Jorundr]

Welcome!

My first reaction is  :icon_thumright: I recently pulled a vanilla with sprinkles myself. Highly recomended.

+1 on Mk finish and tortoise, also wenge!!!

I've never tried the nordstrands or fralins, but with the praise they are getting... I want. What i have tried is the 60's custom shop fender pups, sounds just great in my jazz. I've had a P/J qarter pounder combo for 2 weeks now, already considering swapping them. I say go classic.

oh, enjoy!

J

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I'd opt for the 1 1/2" J-bass nut width as opposed to the wider P-Bass neck.  But, that's what feels good to me.  You might consider going hollow with the body.  I can't comment if it effects the sound much, but it's lighter for sure.

 

[Tibblth]

Sounds good!!  :icon_thumright:

Just one thing though.... You say it's too "Vanilla" because everyone has one... So you switch to a white Jazz bass? I'm confuzzled.... Why not go with a gecko, a G4, or a thunderbird or something??? Jazz basses are just as generic as P basses... especially with the white and tortoise shell...

haha yeh like i said im going for vanilla with sprinkles

i did consider going for one of the more original shapes, but in the end i still really like fender, and i find it much more comfy to play then some of the other more abstract shaped bodies out there
also im was thinkin goin for the wider p bass neck, mainly cause thats what im familiar with, ill keep on trying out different neck styles to see if i find any others that i feel more comfy with.
with the body wood i was thinking ash or alder, cause i kinda prefer the bright "poppy" sound,
was considering hollow body, how much tone does that actually make?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The hot-rodded Fenders like the P-bass Deluxe, with P-Bass and humbucking J-bass pickups, have P-bass bodies and.......J-bass necks.  It improves the P-bass by adding a J-bass's bridge pickup and nut width.  Something to consider.

 

[koshersteel]

one recommendation I would make is to include an active preamp with the passive pickups. EMG and Duncan make some good ones and if you wanted to go boutique then you could check out CAE. if you go this way then don't forget to include a battery compartment in the body.