WalNUTS! '54 Bass (Warning No Warmoth Content)

[amigarobbo]

Well, I've asked them, and they asked me what these are made of, Aluminium? I though they were stainless steel, but any ideas?

Maybe I need to actually buy them first?

 

[Fat Pete]

They're usually (chrome) plated so not likely to be stainless, just steel afaik.

 

[amigarobbo]

I believe you're right, chrome plated steel.

https://www.musicstore.de/en_ZA/ZAR/Fender-Pickup-Cover-51-P-Bass-Chrome-/art-GIT0006407-000

Or at least the official Fender ones anyway.

 

[Tweed]

I got a pair of those plates from Musiciansfriend and they were slightly warped, not quite flush on the body. Luckily I don’t care, but other people might.

 

[amigarobbo]

No problem, just bend em back..

just a quick tap with a hammer.

[youtube]8mdwAkWvWMw[/youtube]

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I helped a friend with his All walnut Carvin 5string Bass build a few years ago and we did true oil on it.  You're gonna love how it pops when you buff it out, and it sounds quite nice too, good sustain, nice and deep but a round low end.

 

[amigarobbo]

It's looking nice, I think it's 4 coats so far,

Only one on the headstock, I'm waiting on finding how much gold electroplating will cost, before I decide to go with either gold or silver decal, and only after that's fitted can I oil up the headstock.

 

[rgand]

That walnut sure has a nice luster. Looking good already.

 

[amigarobbo]

Well, I've asked them, and they asked me what these are made of, Aluminium? I though they were stainless steel, but any ideas?

Maybe I need to actually buy them first?

They got back to me, for those two, and the control plate (Which I've since found out you can get in gold) the quote was for £115 plus VAT.

Chrome looks nice with Walnut I suppose...

 

[Logrinn]

Walnut looks great with chrome! :icon_thumright:

 

[rgand]

I agree. You shouldn't be disappointed.

 

[amigarobbo]

I've ordered the decal from Rothko and Frost

http://www.rothkoandfrost.com/custom-waterslide-bass-headstock-decal-50s-style/

I've gone for black outline with silver fill for the main writing, and silver writing for the writing under, never tried Rothko and Frost (I'd put money on that being two names they choose for the coolness factor) before, but it shall be interesting to see how they differ from eBay decal makers.

Also, have a view of the back of the geetar

 

[Fat Pete]

I've always used Rothko and Frost for waterslides - no disappointments so far.

 

[amigarobbo]

Almost forgot, you can get phenolic/bakerlite/plastic replica 2 string saddles for authentic '51 Precision bass sound now, not dirt cheap, but there you go,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BASS-SADDLES-P-STYLE-PHENOLIC-BAKELITE-1951-1954-REPLICAS/292321622651

they also do big brass slanted one, I'll probably get some of those next year when I've saved up a bit.

 

[amigarobbo]

They got back to me, for those two, and the control plate (Which I've since found out you can get in gold) the quote was for £115 plus VAT.

Chrome looks nice with Walnut I suppose...

Little update:

They got back to me, and they can do it cheaper, but it might need varnish to protect the thinner gold layer. Too late now as I've silver decal on order.  Chrome/nickle will be fine.

I've noticed it takes the notably larger String ferrules, I've got a bit ahead of myself, and have ordered 'Fender Japan 5/8" Body String Ferrules' I'm hoping that the right ones, it's historically correct, and all the other ferrules I've looked at are far too small.
Probably should have asked the makers of the body about that one.

The tuner holes are GB7 Tuner Holes well, it's 14mm at the front, and 10mm at the back, the Gotoh GB350 look like a perfect fit, so I might go for them, or something similar, it is amazing how the costs mount up, but that's going for very good quality parts, after all what's the point skimping on yourself?  :icon_thumright:

But to put into perspective:

Fender Custom shop

€ 4,470.30

:laughing7:

 

[Cagey]

I've noticed it takes the notably larger String ferrules, I've got a bit ahead of myself, and have ordered 'Fender Japan 5/8" Body String Ferrules' I'm hoping that the right ones, it's historically correct, and all the other ferrules I've looked at are far too small. Probably should have asked the makers of the body about that one.

Research is important. But, at the same time, this is how you end up with a "Drawer of Misfit Parts" that force you to build more instruments  :laughing7:

The tuner holes are GB7 Tuner Holes well, it's 14mm at the front, and 10mm at the back, the Gotoh GB350 look like a perfect fit, so I might go for them, or something similar, it is amazing how the costs mount up, but that's going for very good quality parts, after all what's the point skimping on yourself? 

There's an old saying: "It usually only costs a little bit more to go first class, and you're rarely sorry". Another one is "The bitter taste of low quality persists long after the sweet taste of a low price is gone". I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea.

 

[amigarobbo]

I've noticed it takes the notably larger String ferrules, I've got a bit ahead of myself, and have ordered 'Fender Japan 5/8" Body String Ferrules' I'm hoping that the right ones, it's historically correct, and all the other ferrules I've looked at are far too small. Probably should have asked the makers of the body about that one.

Research is important. But, at the same time, this is how you end up with a "Drawer of Misfit Parts" that force you to build more instruments  :laughing7:

I bought the pots on a black friday sale, I went for 250k audio taper for volume and tone with a noload for the tone, I took the opportunity to get a another pair for the Fender XII style guitar I'm thinking of building next year...

I should have got a push pull so I can put the two pickups on the 12 string out of phase, on both series and parallel settings :doh:

I'll have to build something after that one now!  :headbang5

 

[Cagey]

Pots are cheap and usually a pain in the ass to get locally, so I tend to over-order them. Among other things. Once you're committed to a shipping charge, with lightweight parts there often isn't a difference between 2 and 6 parts, so why not bump the inventory? It's not like they won't get used. Even if you don't plan on another instrument, there's always maintenance.

 

[ghotiphry]

That's one of the coolest bass bridges I've ever seen.  Damn.

 

[mayfly]

There's an old saying: "It usually only costs a little bit more to go first class, and you're rarely sorry". Another one is "The bitter taste of low quality persists long after the sweet taste of a low price is gone". I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea.

That reminds me of something that Henry Royce (of Rolls-Royce) said:  "The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.".  That statement works both ways