FrankenBass

[Yrag]

Here’s the backstory.
I’ve tinkered with basses and guitars since I began playing, more out of lack of funds than anything.
I recently took a pro set up course to actually learn what I was doing. l’ e always enjoyed modding instruments, especially basses.
recently I picked up a 2009 Aria Jazz Bass on Facebook for £20! I didn’t need it or want it particularly, but for the price of a takeaway pizza I thought why not.
So it’s been sat around for a couple of weeks and I decided I’m Frankensteining this thing for as LITTLE cost as possible.
So far I’ve bought a tin of plasticoat Cameo Pink paint I bought for £9 from the local hardware shop, I’m £29 in.
As of today I’ve reshaped the head to Mike dirnt 51 p bass, stripped the body down and rubbed the paint down. I want it to be a relic type bass with the original sunburst popping through the new paint In places.
I Will do a matching headstock and I’ve ordered a custom decal from eBay(£32.25 grand total now)
All the original metal work was really tarnished so I’m leaving that as is for the look. I may upgrade it all at some point but I’m not sure if I want black or gold metal work.
Pictures will follow this post.

 

[Yrag]

This was it on collection day. I’ve never seen such a grubby fretboard!! It was thick grime.

 

[Yrag]

Cleaned up and hanging next to the Hofner. Waiting to decide what to do with it. Loads of ideas running about in my head at this point. Could have flipped it for a lot more than I paid.

 

[Yrag]

 

[Yrag]

It’s a 51 Mike Dirnt shape head now. always preferred the jazz necks after owning a few p basses. I loved my Mark hoppus. But the neck wasn’t quite right for me.
still got work to do ok the headstock. Run out of time that evening.
Full sand tonight and probably a primer coat on the headstock.

 

[Yrag]

So people don’t think I’m trying to sell a fake fender from my professional work

 

[Sharko]

Love the decal!

 

[Yrag]

It’s a bit late so the pictures were taken under lighting rather than natural light. I will take a few in natural light tomorrow.
its “Cameo Pink”, sort of looking like a dark shell pink. maybe between burgundy mist and shell pink. I’m very happy with the colour. Top coats will go on tomorrow. I will likely do 3 or 4 coats of gloss lacquer before I take pictures. Then see how I feel if I need 3 or 4 more coats. The paint is a satin finish, it’s by no
Means perfect but it’s going to suit the overall look and end aesthetic I’m going for. I’ve also ordered (because I couldn’t buy one) a small strip of copper to look like a bridge earthing plate. I did see an old ad on reverb but it was like £30 all in. I got this copper strip on eBay for £3.45! more than capable of shaping it.
Bought a load of wet n dry paper too but I’m not counting that in the overall total.

 

[Yrag]

I’m aiming for this look
I’ve ordered a pick guard in a similar colour and a bridge cover, and pickup cover. I will add both of them when I “relic” the bass. Then remove after.
Pick guard-£9.64
Covers-£9.99
Copper-£3.85 (more than I stated it was earlier)

 

[Yrag]

Bought a can of clear coat too £9!

total so far
£64.73

 

[Yrag]

The colour in Natural light.

 

[definenredefine]

I like that pink, and I don't usually care for pink. Looks like this is coming together pretty well. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

 

[Polfuste]

The decal is just awesome. And the bass already starts to have a character !

 

[Yrag]

Decal is on!! Looks great. I’m now doing the clear coats. I’m on coat number 2. Coat three later on today. And coat 4 this evening. Coat 5 tomorrow morning, 6 at lunchtime, 7 and 8 in the evening. Then repeat for another day. Should end up with 12 clear coats then I will leave it for a week before wet sanding/ polish.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Nice work on the headstock. I love the Bronco necks I've put on my parts-basses because they're slim and comfortable but wish I had the nerve to carve the oversized headstock down.

I'm also not a fan of pink but looks good. That custom decal is great, love to see stuff personalized like that.

 

[Yrag]

Nice work on the headstock. I love the Bronco necks I've put on my parts-basses because they're slim and comfortable but wish I had the nerve to carve the oversized headstock down.

I'm also not a fan of pink but looks good. That custom decal is great, love to see stuff personalized like that.

Thank you. Appreciate it. I figure I only spent £20 on it so not much to loose.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Thank you. Appreciate it. I figure I only spent £20 on it so not much to loose.

Well it's not about the $$ after all. Making a bass you want to play and enjoy is the point. Too many plain old 'bursts out in the wild.

I did the custom decals too, so definitely noticed that.

 

[definenredefine]

Well it's not about the $$ after all. Making a bass you want to play and enjoy is the point. Too many plain old 'bursts out in the wild.

I did the custom decals too, so definitely noticed that.
View attachment 4805996

How does one go about getting one of these custom decals?

 

[WI Short Scaler]

How does one go about getting one of these custom decals?

My daughter made the custom decals on her cricut. She has also used it to make car decals and iron on's with the band logo.

It's like a fancy printer that will make stickers. Lots of people have them and do tons of "crafty" things with them. Not sure how you find people in those craft circles though.

 

[Yrag]

I wanted to add a vintage bridge earth strap but I couldn’t find much online. I found one seller on reverb (sold out) that had aftermarket ones made up to shape. £20+ delivery (something like that) so I decided to buy a strip of copper for £3.45, I’m making my own!