Pau Ferro jazz bass

[ghotiphry]

Due to my impulsiveness, I've now got a new bass body on the way.  And, as is my custom, I've started playing with design options.  And, even though it's really early and I may change my mind, I thought I would share.  Here's my initial concept:

 

[ghotiphry]

Warmoth's photo here:  It's really a shame to cover up any of that woody goodness with a pickguard, but I tried the design several ways.  The parchment pickguard is the one that looks the best to me.

 

[ghotiphry]

The neck is a Warmoth quartersawn maple that I had earmarked for another project.  I toyed with the idea of "reallocating" a PF/PF neck (of which I have two), but it just wasn't quite right.  Too much going on.  The simplicity of the maple neck with black blocks really works for me.

 

[Logrinn]

Wouldn't it be possible to use a chrome Tele control plate for the controls and leave the body without a pickguard? Just throwing out ideas here ...

 

[T89Rex]

I love the body but I agree the parchment looks great on it. The grain is basically symmetric and you get most of one side with the pickguard one so it's not like you're losing data, so to speak.

 

[Cagey]

It's not obvious from the face shots, but if you go back to the original listing you see the back/side finish is either cream or antique white (don't remember which), so that Maple neck and cream pickguard fit the overall scheme like an old shoe. That's gonna be one badass bass.

 

[ghotiphry]

@cagey, good point, man.  I should show this.  It's vintage white.

 

[ghotiphry]

Wouldn't it be possible to use a chrome Tele control plate for the controls and leave the body without a pickguard? Just throwing out ideas here ...

I experimented with that.  It just didn't seem "right."  I think the pickguard balances things out, for lack of a better word.  Take a peek.  I'm always open to feedback.

 

[Cagey]

Looks unfinished. Like it's missing something. I think it needs a cream pickguard.

 

[ghotiphry]

Looks unfinished. Like it's missing something. I think it needs a cream pickguard.

:laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:

 

[BigSteve22]

Looks unfinished. Like it's missing something. I think it needs a cream pickguard.

Definitely with a pickguard, but I'm think'n Parchment. I looked up a Vintage White Strat body in the showcase, and it looks like Parchment is a pretty close match to the VW. Pulling the back color to the front would give it depth. Just MHO.....

 

[rgand]

I like where you're headed with this. The parchment PG will look gooood on it with that neck. Have you thought about a smaller PG much like a Thinline with the chrome control plate?

 

[Sovereign_13]

I like where you're headed with this. The parchment PG will look gooood on it with that neck. Have you thought about a smaller PG much like a Thinline with the chrome control plate?

Or even Cabronita style?  Although I think the Thinline would fit the "curviness" of the jazz bass control plate better.

 

[ghotiphry]

Interesting idea.  Something like this?

 

[Jebberz]

I totally like this new design.

How golg hardware instead of chrome would look like, if it wout fit well with the parchment pickguard or would it be too much?

 

[ghotiphry]

IMO hardware should be chrome or black.  I don't even have any gold or brass hardware in my selections for crafting a design image.  I'm not dead set against it, it's just not me.  Good suggestion, though, and thank you for the feedback!

 

[ghotiphry]

I like it too, at least in theory.  The great thing is I know I'm going to want a pickguard.  If I go with the reduced one (last photo) I've intentionally left the screw holes in the same location as a full size jazz bass pickguard.  There's just less of them!

 

[Logrinn]

I think the non pickguard version looks great. I'm not sure the traditional design of the control plate is the right one though.

You could always start with assembling it without a pickguard and then see how you like it. If you find after a while that it doesn't suit you, adding a pickguard wouldn't be a problem, now would it?

And speaking of no pickguard ...

 

[BigSteve22]

I like that cut down J-Bass guard.Save a lot of time and effort compared to scratch building a new one and looks awesome too!

 

[Sovereign_13]

Interesting idea.  Something like this?

That's more or less what I had in mind.  Enough for there to be a pickguard, but not so much that it covers all that beautiful pau ferro.  I have a pau ferro fretboard on my Bass VI neck and it's absolutely stunning.