{"id":12888,"date":"2019-06-18T20:07:17","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T01:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/?p=12888"},"modified":"2019-06-19T16:12:50","modified_gmt":"2019-06-19T21:12:50","slug":"bass-of-the-week-diy-bass-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/bass-of-the-week\/bass-of-the-week-diy-bass-kit.html","title":{"rendered":"[Bass of the Week] DIY Bass Kit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This week’s selection is from Anthony DiMauro. He’s been a bass player for quite a while and decided to share his experiences constructing his own custom jazz bass. Here’s his story:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have been playing six string basses for the last twenty years and currently have two. I just joined a Motown\/R&B group and the band leader asked if I would consider using a Fender bass. He is going for an authentic image and sound. I was agreeable but didn’t really have it in the budget right now to purchase another instrument. I heard about people having success with do it yourself kits so I purchased a Jazz bass style kit. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This was made from a $70 DIY kit. I cut the headstock. I drilled and mocked up the instrument, then disassembled it, sanded it and painted it in the auto shop. I installed EMG active pickups. The bass looks, plays and sounds amazing. Total cost $250. I am pretty handy and manage an Auto Collision Center so I figured I had the resources to build one for myself. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The kit comes with a blank headstock that can be cut into whatever shape you want (I went with a Jazz bass template). The neck and bridge required drilling and mounting. I did some research and watched YouTube videos for the correct procedure. The tuner pegs, switch control plate, nut, pickups and strap pins required mounting. I cut, drilled, and assembled the entire bass, then disassembled it for paint. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There was a lot of sanding and coats of urethane clear coat to seal the wood. I showed my painter a photo of a Stratocaster with honey burst paint and asked if he could go a little darker with more of a gradual fade. He nailed it. I upgraded the electronics to active EMG pickups, etc. The bass turned out really well. It looks, plays and sounds awesome.<\/em> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Here are the specs on this custom guitar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body: Basswood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neck: Maple<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fingerboard: Rosewood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electronics: EMG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bass was built by Anthony DiMauro and painted by Michael Bourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Pictures here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n