57 P bass build from parts or buy

[ariff]

So we are in the process of starting an INXS tribute band and we are going for the really authentic look. And it appears Garry Gary Beers plays mostly a 57 P Bass on the 91 Wembley Live Baby Live show (which is the concert we will model our show after) Of course I am always on a budget as I suspect most of us are. I have a few pieces needed for the build like neck plate, CTS 250K pots, 60's Squire CV pickups or SD quarter pounders, Jack, strap locks.. Ya know little stuff.. If you were in my shoes would you try sourcing parts from a place like Guitar Parts, Bodies, Necks, Pickups, Fender, Gibson and more | The STRATosphere which has just about everything for around 450 or buy a RI or used one which are going from anywhere from 650-900-ish.. Just looking for opinions and stuff I may have over looked.. Where would the best bang for the buck be? Thanks

 

[mdogs]

At one time, Gruhn Guitars was selling some of his basses, not sure if any are left. Probably out of your price range, but if you are going to do a tribute band, best to do it right!!

But seriously, I would get a Fender Roadworn in the burst finish, problem solved.

 

[lowendblues]

This.

Fender Road Worn '50s Precision Bass - 2-Color Sunburst

 

[ariff]

Yeah these recommendations are s bit on the expensive side. Hope to maybe find a used one. I have heard good things about the crafted in Japan 57s from the 90s..

 

[Jim C]

Buy something that is built, affordable, and that plays well for you
Too many crap shoots with parts basses IMO
If factories with CNC machines and good QC can't always get them right, I say mixing a bunch of different brand parts is going to lead to big sloppy tolerances

 

[ariff]

Buy something that is built, affordable, and that plays well for you
Too many crap shoots with parts basses IMO
If factories with CNC machines and good QC can't always get them right, I say mixing a bunch of different brand parts is going to lead to big sloppy tolerances

I was thinking of getting official licensed fender parts.. which are made in Mexico parts. Might have better luck with them fitting together better that way?

 

[BAG]

Yeah these recommendations are s bit on the expensive side. Hope to maybe find a used one. I have heard good things about the crafted in Japan 57s from the 90s..

To be honest..... i can't recall ever playing a bad bass that was made in Japan from the 80's or later.

 

[crlujan]

I pieced together a 62/70 from mostly Fender Japan parts thru places like Stratosphere. Lollar pickups. Some parts from eBay. That’s the way I’d go.

 

[maplenecked]

Support the great MIM classics line and get a new one, they’re fantastic instruments

 

[buldog5151bass]

For 99.9999932% of the people who are watching you, as long as you get a sunburst precision with a maple neck and a correct color pickguard, no one will know (or care). MIM is fine.

 

[nonohmic]

There' a 50s classic mim for $550 in the classifieds. Ticks all the boxes

 

[bikeplate]

Used MIM roadworn Fender

 

[pbassnut]

You could just get yourself a used 3 color sunburst w/maple neck American Standard P and replace the pickguard with a gold anodized aluminum one and be done with it. It probably wouldn't cost any more than amassing parts from the Stratosphere, would have a better resale value and would be a lot less trouble all the way around. I see basses like the above for sale on TalkBass, Craigslist, Reverb and eBay all the time.

BTW ... INXS tribute band ... very cool. Love those guys.

 

[maplenecked]

You could just get yourself a used 3 color sunburst w/maple neck American Standard P and replace the pickguard with a gold anodized aluminum one and be done with it. It probably wouldn't cost any more than amassing parts from the Stratosphere, would have a better resale value and would be a lot less trouble all the way around. I see basses like the above for sale on TalkBass, Craigslist, Reverb and eBay all the time.

BTW ... INXS tribute band ... very cool. Love those guys.

That’s a good idea, some like the 1.65” nut better than 1.75 too. I’m trying to figure out about these though, I’ve heard recently the newer pickups are ceramic instead of alnico

 

[ariff]

There' a 50s classic mim for $550 in the classifieds. Ticks all the boxes

Do you have a link.. I am not seeing it for some reason.. thanks

 

[nonohmic]

Do you have a link.. I am not seeing it for some reason.. thanks

It is hidden in a multi bass for sale thread.

Buy it so my gas subsides ha.

For Sale/Trade - Bass PURGE Fender Warwick Ibanez Squier

 

[ariff]

Awesome thanks for the link I would have never seen that one. I have sent a pm. This would be perfect and in my price range

 

[nonohmic]

Sweet, best of luck!

 

[nonohmic]

You could just get yourself a used 3 color sunburst w/maple neck American Standard P and replace the pickguard with a gold anodized aluminum one and be done with it. It probably wouldn't cost any more than amassing parts from the Stratosphere, would have a better resale value and would be a lot less trouble all the way around. I see basses like the above for sale on TalkBass, Craigslist, Reverb and eBay all the time.

BTW ... INXS tribute band ... very cool. Love those guys.

Good luck finding a 13 hole gold anodized guard.

 

[micguy]

I was thinking of getting official licensed fender parts.. which are made in Mexico parts. Might have better luck with them fitting together better that way?

If I wanted to get parts that fit together well, the name that comes to mind isn't Fender. Especially body/neck joints. Warmoth does that well day in day out.