See the business listing for this bass builder here
The feature bass this week shows how much you can save when you do it yourself!
Builder Alan Gruskoff writes:
I bought an unfinished bass guitar body made of solid mahogany with a spalted & flamed top. After much sanding, I applied two coats of Behlen vinyl sealer for stringed instruments. Next, after some light sanding / steel wool, I applied 6 coats of Behlen stringed instrument lacquer, a little steel wool polishing – it’s done.
The wood is quite spectacular as vinyl sealer really brought out the grains. After lacquer, it’s a very smooth, natural matte finish that feels like the fine wood it is. It’s just what I was hoping for. I am thrilled at being able to do this myself. Local shops wanted $400-500 for what I did on this job for about $50 in supplies.
I had been playing a 2002 MIM Jazz Bass for a while. I basically replaced the body with this fine woods body, after I did the finishing. It has an AllParts (Japan) neck with solid ebony fingerboard, Hipshot tuners & KickAss bridge, Nordstrand pickups and Richter JB Control Plate. I really like the sound of LaBella 750N (Black Nylon) strings. The black on black look is so appropriate for a fretless, to me.
Well done!
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Beautiful job ! Well done.
That’s a smokin’ looking bass… OMG! How do you like the Nordstrands? I’ve been eyeing those up for a while…
I can report this bass sounding as good as it looks. That largely due to the Nordstrand pickups which are a full step up in tone over the factory pickups.
Here is what the bass sounded like in March with the stock MIM Agave Blue body:
https://vimeo.com/alangruskoff/highbank
Unique and beautiful!
Very nice job!
Very nice! Something to be proud of & I bet it sounds woderful.
Very nice and reasonable build!!
Can you provide us a sound sample now that it’s done? Looks great!
Gorgeous. Where did you find that body?
Wow, I’m planning on building a Jazz bass as well. Im also interested in hearing whare you picked up the body.
To answer questions:
The un-finished body was bought by a guy on Facebook who had it for 2 years. Warmouth could build a similar body for $300-400(?)
Here is what the bass sounded like in March with the stock MIM Agave Blue body:
https://vimeo.com/alangruskoff/highbank
Stunning! That is a bass that dreams are made of!
WOW, it is a master piece, a true work of art! You are a very talented artist!
Great Job!!! You may have inspired me to follow in your footsteps. I have been seriously considering starting a fretless J-bass. It seems your efforts turned out A+. I would love to hear how it sounds!