OK... time for another project... This will be my fourth Warmoth bass :icon_smile:
This 5 string Gecko is making it's way over the pond after I bought it from a nice guy on TB. The price was right, I would like to learn if I can get used to a 5 string bass, and there is just something unique about the way the pick guard is implemented. I could not pass on it..!
Apparently the bass has changed hands several times, and several mods was done. The main modification was a change from two soap-bar pick up's to a single Nordstrand MM. The mod was a bit rustic (to be nice), but the guy I bought it from made a great save. He did not do the modification, but he cleaned it up beautifully after he bought it. I really like what he did with the pick guard..! The neck should be in excellent condition, but the body has a few battle scars, see the close up of the installation of the ferrules. There should be a few scratches around the body also. To be honest I'm not sure if I like the sunset orange finish, but I will give it a chance when it arrives.
Here is the two scenarios I'm considering and I would love your opinions on this:
1. Leave it as it is...
2. Do some more work on the body... If I do some work on the body, here is my idea:
I don't like the diamond layout of the knobs, it's not right for this design with the pick guard, so I would glue plugs in all the holes and rearrange the knobs to go in an arc that follows the edge of the pick guard.
Since I really like the idea with the pick guard I would keep the pick guard, but do a new one in wenge. I would make it ''integrated'' into the top of the bass. Imagine a 5mm thick solid wenge pick guard, that fit's into a 3-4mm deep routing. This way the pick guard would be raised just 1-2 mm above the top. I would glue it in place to make an installation without screws.
The body would be painted vintage white, with a satin clear coat finish.
The knobs would be wenge, and as mentioned above I would arrange them in an arc that follows the edge of the integrated pick guard. The two switches would stay on the pick guard.
What do you think if this second scenario..? Any other ideas or advise to continue the save of the Gecko..? And finally: Do you know of a source of solid wenge in dimensions that fit's whats needed to make the pick guard..??
Here are some pics of the Gecko as it looks now
This 5 string Gecko is making it's way over the pond after I bought it from a nice guy on TB. The price was right, I would like to learn if I can get used to a 5 string bass, and there is just something unique about the way the pick guard is implemented. I could not pass on it..!
Apparently the bass has changed hands several times, and several mods was done. The main modification was a change from two soap-bar pick up's to a single Nordstrand MM. The mod was a bit rustic (to be nice), but the guy I bought it from made a great save. He did not do the modification, but he cleaned it up beautifully after he bought it. I really like what he did with the pick guard..! The neck should be in excellent condition, but the body has a few battle scars, see the close up of the installation of the ferrules. There should be a few scratches around the body also. To be honest I'm not sure if I like the sunset orange finish, but I will give it a chance when it arrives.
Here is the two scenarios I'm considering and I would love your opinions on this:
1. Leave it as it is...
2. Do some more work on the body... If I do some work on the body, here is my idea:
I don't like the diamond layout of the knobs, it's not right for this design with the pick guard, so I would glue plugs in all the holes and rearrange the knobs to go in an arc that follows the edge of the pick guard.
Since I really like the idea with the pick guard I would keep the pick guard, but do a new one in wenge. I would make it ''integrated'' into the top of the bass. Imagine a 5mm thick solid wenge pick guard, that fit's into a 3-4mm deep routing. This way the pick guard would be raised just 1-2 mm above the top. I would glue it in place to make an installation without screws.
The body would be painted vintage white, with a satin clear coat finish.
The knobs would be wenge, and as mentioned above I would arrange them in an arc that follows the edge of the integrated pick guard. The two switches would stay on the pick guard.
What do you think if this second scenario..? Any other ideas or advise to continue the save of the Gecko..? And finally: Do you know of a source of solid wenge in dimensions that fit's whats needed to make the pick guard..??
Here are some pics of the Gecko as it looks now