This week’s selection is a bass creation from David “Stew” Stewart. He built this beauty himself. Here’s the story in his own words:
Much of today’s basses are dark brooding masculine instruments touting dark natural wood finishes or primary colors. I wanted to create a more sporty sexier bass that was still in charge of a powerful low end.
I have always loved American car colors of the 1960’s, especially metallics. The 1963 Corvette had a light blue metallic that was gorgeous and highlighted every sexy curve of that vehicle. Fender’s custom color Ice Blue Metallic is remeniscent of that Chevy color. But that color choice was not enough for me. I up’d the sex appeal by adding gold hardware and pickguard, and roasted flame maple neck with dark chocolate Indian rosewood fingerboard.
But don’t be swayed by it’s attractive looks, there’s some serious power underneath that pickguard. There is a calibrated set of Nordstrand NPVJ4-SE pickups powered by 18 volts of Aguilar OBP-2 pre-amp with an active/passive switch (in case of an emergency.) To fit the vintage control option, I opted for a stacked dual pickup volume pot and stacked treble/bass control pot.
USA Custom Guitars cut the alder body & neck to specs (.830” C, 21 frets, 6125 frets, 7.25” radius) and I sent out the body to be finished by Pat Wilkins at Wilkins Guitars in Van Nuys, CA. I don’t shoot urethane so I wanted the finish to be more durable than nitro. For the icing on the cake, I ordered a matching custom colored vinyl strap from Couch.
Once you start playing this bass, it’s hard to put it down. The tone is so solid and full bodied. There’s barely a need to increase the tone pots from detent. The P/J pickup configuration allows for a “best of both worlds” tone flexibility that offers a cool “both pickups on 10” tone that’s unique in itself. Kind of a blend that’s not quite J bass, not quite P bass. This might be my new favorite pickup configuration.
I’m very pleased with this build and I can’t stop playing or looking at it.
So, what do you think for Stew’s build? BTW – If you’re going to comment, whether it be positive or negative, please keep it constructive! We don’t approve of haters. [Comment below]
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It’s fun to build a parts bass
My first bass was a parts bass in 1980. Even though I have “gathered” a bunch of basses since then, I still have it and use it!
Wow! Really beautiful! And great sound. My studio computer is hooked to my monitors and I get all that low end!
That neck is beautiful! I refinished a ’65 Gibson EB-2D (that someone had done horrible things to) in Ice Blue Metallic and Inca Silver.
That’s a great color! Love the matching strap, too.
4king gorgeous!!!!
beautiful work, design/style!
There’s a lot to like about this bass! The color really pops, and the gold hardware keeps the look understated. It really seems to come alive up the neck, which is awesome. Can I have it?
Really a beautiful, classic instrument. Great job! I have a gorgeous dark piece of wood that I’ve had for so many years I can’t remember what it is (lol) that I bought for a body “someday.” I’m inspired by your build and that you used outside vendors to build exactly what you want. I’m keeping this article and may do the same. I’ve been dying to make a fretless 5-string, and the hybrid format would be perfect. I also love the roasted maple neck, and I may steal that idea!
May I ask, where did you acquire the neck wood?
Thanks for this beauty!
Purchased with Sound Guitar Works to my specs.
are selling this bass?
I love your bass. I’m building an ultra hibrid, too.
I have a 7.25 Jazz neck with a TeleBass head on. 60’s Guild solid body Pilot. Neck pu is off a Gibson EB
2. Mid pu is Seymour/Duncan split P- Bass style. Both are simple two wire types.
I only want two pots. What would you suggest for wiring so I can run the neck only, nid only, or both while maintaining independent tone and vol control for all configurations.
A diagram or schematic, or site to find one would be more than greatly appreciated.
I’ll send you inside and out pics of my end product when the solder cools.
I truly thank you, very much!
Very sincerly yours,
Ric Winter
Appleton, WI
Beautiful bass
Nice bass! Looks great and I love the tone.
UGLY!!!
…is certainly NOT a word I would use for this gorgeous bass. It is a fantastic example of a high grade instrument. Parts are out there for a reason, and building one using them is not “easy as” there are still many variables. and this is right up there with the best! Because you chose well.
Although the example of tone was a bit quiet, I just played it through my DAC out of my Event Studio monitors and it has the LOVELY Beefy but Clear as a bomb.. A bit like a “Hyper 1980’s” sound – but NOT old fashioned.
Thank you for sharing and for the inspiration and motivation.
Gathering wood for a p bass now. The neck is gorgeous!! Beautiful bass! Hope mine turns out as good..