P bass concept.

[tubby.twins]

OK, here's my latest concept.  It's a bit of a departure from my usual bass builds, in that it would have 4 strings and frets.  All my Warmoth builds so far have been 5-string fretless Gecko basses.

Neck:  Padouk J-bass neck with Macassar Ebony fingerboard.  (showcase BN2705)

Body:  Alder P-bass body with Inca Silver finish.  (showcase BP643)

Black pickguard, black tuners, all other hardware in chrome.

I'm not totally fond of P-bass "split coil" pickups, so I was considering routing this body to hold a Bartolini "BB" shape humbucker in the neck position.  This would fit either a Bartolini or Delano pickup that I am considering.  I would need to have the pickguard routed to match the shape.

Alternately, I could move this humbucker to the near-bridge position, just barely outside the border of the pickguard, and use a typical P-bass "split coil" pickup at the neck position.

As another idea, I've been thinking about an all-Bloodwood neck.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?

 

[whyachi]

Put the humbucker in the bridge and leave out the middle P pickup so you can still run with the P standard of two knobs. And I really love the neck you posted. This thing is just covered in tubby.touches.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Sorry, I don't think the Padouk neck matches the silver finish...

 

[bagman67]

Sorry, I don't think the Padouk neck matches the silver finish...

Who says red and silver don't go together?

Better not let Ultraman hear you sayin' that!

 

[bagman67]

Although, in seriousness, I think the red and silver would go better together without the black pickguard.  Although I've never seen a fake tortoise pickguard on a silver guitar, this might be the time to check it out... mebbe with an all-padouk neck?  You could even get an Ultraman neckplate milled for yerself...

 

[line6man]

I think the Padouk would look really awesome on the silver.
OTOH though, I'm not so fond of the Macassar Ebony on the silver. :dontknow:

Tubby, I've been looking at that neck in the showcase for months, so sexy! If only it were an unlined fretless neck.
Why did they ruin that nice piece of wood with training wheels! WHY!  :sad:

 

[tubby.twins]

Why did they ruin that nice piece of wood with training wheels! WHY!  :sad:

Wait, I thought we were supposed to refer to the frets as "speed bumps". 

I'm not sure about the Macassar Ebony either.  It looks nice on other necks (including one of my Geckos) but that's attached to a more natural looking body (not a solid finish).

Maybe an all-Bloodwood neck would be better.  :toothy11:

 

[line6man]

Maybe an all-Bloodwood neck would be better.   :toothy11:

But I thought you were really wanting a Padouk neck?
Or at least you said you really wanted a Padouk Gecko neck.

I don't know, either wood looks nice, and supposedly sounds relatively similar to the other.

I'm not real big on all-whatever wood necks. I like a fingerboard distinctly different from the neckback. Essentially, two cool pieces of wood to look at instead of just one.
That's just me though.

How about Padouk/Jet Black Ebony?
I'm not usually into plain-figured woods, I like me some grain!, but Ebony pretty much goes with anything, and it would look great on the silver.

 

[baskruit]

I like the colour combination. Let's just hope the padouk won't turn brown too fast.
But if you're thinking about using soapbars rather than a split P, I'd consider a jazz bass body. Visually that would work better IMHO.

 

[AprioriMark]

With a few style upgrades, it could be a cousin to my main bass (the one on the right).

-Mark