New bass build- need some advice

[Jayson55Martin]

Hello everybody!

So short and simple story: I'm not really a trained bass player, but I'm looking for a high quality bass with specific specs. Rather than go out and buy something new or used and rip into the thing, I figured I just get something made custom.

Currently I have a 34" scale length P bass, Maple/ Maple Neck, Alder body, DiMarzio Model P split pickup, 1vol+ 1tone.

I'm looking for more brightness, more fret attack, and a slim tapered/ comfortably round neck profile.

Using warmoth parts here's what I'm thinking about:

Neck- Either 32" or 30" scale length, roasted maple neck w/ ebony fingerboard or roasted maple, fret size I'd like help with, i'm used to medium jumbo 6130's on my guitars.

Body- Either solid Roasted Ash, or chambered roasted maple

I'd keep my Model P but I also have a spare SMB4D that I'd put into it as well.

What does everyone think? What should I do for the neck and the body?

 

[TBurst Std]

Curious why short scale neck?
Maybe I miss-read, but you are opting for the same split
P pickup along with the MM? How about a J with the MM.  it’s a good combination leveraged heavily by Lakland.

 

[Jayson55Martin]

Curious why short scale neck?
Maybe I miss-read, but you are opting for the same split
P pickup along with the MM? How about a J with the MM.  it’s a good combination leveraged heavily by Lakland.

More comfortable length like I'm used to, also more probable to find a neck profile I'm into.

Yes I plan to re-use the P pickup and MM pickup I have laying around. I play punk, grunge, thrash, so those pickups have the output and punch I love

 

[AirCap]

You should know that shorter scale makes it harder to get brightness and attack with all things being equal.

 

[Jayson55Martin]

You should know that shorter scale makes it harder to get brightness and attack with all things being equal.

oh I'm very much aware. Similar to like playing a 25" 1/2 strat compared to a 24"" 3/4 les paul, added length does provide an extra snap. Which is why I aim to over compensate by using such bright woods like the roasted maple and ebony or R. Maple again.
Even thinking of using a string thru bridge and super slinky gauged strings.

I'm looking for people whom have either similar built basses and would like to share their pros and cons.

 

[TBurst Std]

And you know a split P pickup is the least towards that sonic. 
My Lakland is set up for the tone you describe.  The MM and J pups with SS Rotosounds get the most done.  A properly applied compressor and EQ the rest.  All much stronger contributions than body wood.

 

[ghotiphry]

The build in my signature is a 30" mooncaster with TV Jones thundertron pickups and classic LP wiring.  It has snap a plenty. I think it's the 500k pots and the fact that reverse wiring on j basses changes the tone warmer.  The Pau ferro neck has SS6100 frets. I'm a big fan of the 30" scale, although I don't play the kinds of music you do.

 

[DaveT]

If you are looking for more brightness I can highly recommend the Babicz bass bridge (it costs how much!!???) and also Lace Sensor bass pickups (they cost how much??!!!???)

Deeply happy with them on a Precision Bass and an old Aluminium neck Kramer bass.
Happy as in - THAT is the sound I have been trying to get for the past 30 years.

 

[Cagey]

...I can highly recommend the Babicz bass bridge (it costs how much!!???)

I know. I love my Babicz bridge, but it pisses me off that they're made in Taiwan and priced like they're made in San Francisco.