Tele Bass Build

[EsquireOK]

Hi,

Anyone here done an early P-Bass ("Pre-Bass") or Tele Bass build? I'm about to start two of them, and I'm just curious how others' builds have gone and what they looked like in the end.

One of my builds will be an original style build, probably closet classic'd blonde underneath a fresh and shiny custom color, to simulate a factory refin. The other will be a bit "souped up," with a Duncan Quarter Pounder pickup, a modern bridge (maybe G&L or Music Man), a custom-made short-scale neck, a metal flake paint job, and gold hardware. Both will be non-contoured models. I already have both bodies.

My first question in the builds will be: Any sources for custom made lacquered phenolite pickguards? Or is there a Pre-Bass one that someone makes?

[Frontier9]

You know, that big Seth Lover style pickup on the Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass TB is pretty awesome. I have that bass and love the old-school sounds I can get from it. They are on eBay all the time for around $60-70. I think I've seen it combined with the original style pickup or a standard P-Bass pickup on some custom builds. Just an idea...

[EsquireOK]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion. But I am gonna keep to the original pickup type on both of them. One of 'em will be getting a regular reissue/repro pickup, and the other will be getting a Quarter Pounder.

[Muddslide]

I wish I could help you with info. I play as much bass as guitar and the pre-'57 single coil P-bass is about my favorite model. I prefer the slab-bodied ones, but I love the old single coils they used to use.

Please keep us posted with progress and pics!

PS--are you in Oklahoma? I spent most of my life there.

[kmt232]

Yeah, post pics! Would love to see it

[spook777]

Here's a '51 type I'm building. So far I haven't decided if I want to do a back or top route. I might save the top-route (with the pickguard) for a true 51 clone (ash body). I'll probably put a belly cut on this one but I'll leave the forearm as is. They make a Duncan Quarter Pounder in that shape which I'll probably put in this one (since it's for my brother) but I might opt for the split Fralin 51 in the one I build for myself.

Walnut over alder. Has strat edge radius.

[EsquireOK]

Cool bass.

No, I'm not in Oklahoma.