Billy Sheehan "wife" build

[godofthunder59]

A work in progress in my shop. Not a exact replica but it has all the important elements Gibson EB0/Precision pickups, Telecaster bass neck, Ash Precision body. The bass will be wired V/V/T with one output as I split my signal into two amps where Billy uses two independent outputs one for each pickup into two amps.
Time for disassembly and finishing.View attachment 3020339 View attachment 3020348

 

[rufus.K]

Sweet

 

[Axstar]

Very nice! Is that a stereo output jack? If not, how are you dealing with the mismatching impedences of the two pickups?

 

[charlie monroe]

That's a nice piece of ash.

Can we see the reverse?

 

[godofthunder59]

Very nice! Is that a stereo output jack? If not, how are you dealing with the mismatching impedences of the two pickups?

That's a nice piece of ash.

Can we see the reverse?

 

[godofthunder59]

Nice two piece body off ebay a shop in Livonia NY makes them. Very reasonable.

 

[godofthunder59]

Very nice! Is that a stereo output jack? If not, how are you dealing with the mismatching impedences of the two pickups?

Mono output. Billy splits his signal at the bass. Each pickup has its own amp. I split my signal at the amps using a A/B box. The bass will be wired V/V/T I will control the mighty mudbucker with the volume control.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Scalloped FB?

 

[godofthunder59]

Scalloped FB?

Maybe, maybe not. I remember when Billy did it to his bass. Not sure if it is for me.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I don’t really see a big advantage on scalloped boards, you can always bend the strings. I’d skip it, I can’t really remember any great examples of Sheehan using it anyway. Cool build project.

 

[JIO]

 

[saltydude]

This is my friend Jon’s (who happens to be a close friend of Billy) exact replica he built in conjunction with the help of a bunch of folks.

 

[Axstar]

This is my friend Jon’s (who happens to be a close friend of Billy) exact replica he built in conjunction with the help of a bunch of folks.

Is that the Bluesman Vintage copy?

I saw an all black P bass copy in a pawnshop window today. I'm tempted to make a budget 'Wife' with an Artec X2N copy in the neck and a scalloped fretboard.

I've scalloped a bass fretboard before today, and it does make a nice difference for soloing down at that end of the neck.

 

[godofthunder59]

This is my friend Jon’s (who happens to be a close friend of Billy) exact replica he built in conjunction with the help of a bunch of folks.

I have seen this before and it is amazing!

 

[saltydude]

Is that the Bluesman Vintage copy?

I saw an all black P bass copy in a pawnshop window today. I'm tempted to make a budget 'Wife' with an Artec X2N copy in the neck and a scalloped fretboard.

I've scalloped a bass fretboard before today, and it does make a nice difference for soloing down at that end of the neck.

Indeed it is.

Bass of the Week: Jon Willis’ Billy Sheehan “Wife” Bass Replica