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What DIY Bass Kit Should I Buy Off Ebay?
- Thread starter brodyplaysbass
- Start date
Welcome to TalkBass.
Maybe you could use some of that father son bonding time to learn how to search ebay.
bass kit | eBay
Maybe you could use some of that father son bonding time to learn how to search ebay.
bass kit | eBay
I’d buy one on Amazon, at least you can sort by review. The quality of the hardware varies a lot, try to find something with good reviews so you don’t end up having to upgrade it later.
Amazon.com: bass guitar kit
If you want to add your own aesthetic to a kit, get one with a “paddle” headstock, you can cut it to whatever shape you like with a hand scroll saw, or bandsaw if you have access.
Another option is Pitbull Guitars. They have a builders Forum where people share their build experiences on the kits sold, which is kind of like a real-time review process.
Bass Guitar Kits - Pit Bull Guitars
These kits are mostly easy to assemble, where they differ is quality of fretwork, which you don’t want to get into on a first build. Look for reviews that describe good fretwork right out of the box. Finish work is usually the most difficult part of these builds, luckily there are thousands of tutorial videos on finish work. Also check out the Rattlecan Refinish Thread here on TB, lots of great advice.
Rattle Can Refinish Club
There is a company called Reranch that makes high quality nitrocellulose spray cans, even if you don’t use their paint, they have some good tutorials on painting.
Guitar ReRanch ~ Guitar Refinishing Products
A TB poster named @TundraMan has an excellent painting tutorial as well:
Spraying A Finish
Surprisingly, I don’t think there is a dedicated Kit Build thread on TB, but if you get stuck and need advice, go to Luthiers Corner here on TB, and we will help you out. Lots of insanely talented amateur and pro Luthiers dispense free advice. Good luck! You will have a blast, nothing like building your own instrument.
Luthier's Corner
One big advantage to a Fender style kit, either P or J, is that there are thousands of aftermarket upgrade parts that are a drop-in fit if you decide to upgrade later. The kits usually have cheap but serviceable tuners, inexpensive electronics with mini-pots and thin wire. This one has the advantage of quick connect wiring harness, so no solder involved:
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Gui...783PZ2VGJM5WA&qid=1567511811&s=gateway&sr=8-4
Amazon.com: bass guitar kit
If you want to add your own aesthetic to a kit, get one with a “paddle” headstock, you can cut it to whatever shape you like with a hand scroll saw, or bandsaw if you have access.
Another option is Pitbull Guitars. They have a builders Forum where people share their build experiences on the kits sold, which is kind of like a real-time review process.
Bass Guitar Kits - Pit Bull Guitars
These kits are mostly easy to assemble, where they differ is quality of fretwork, which you don’t want to get into on a first build. Look for reviews that describe good fretwork right out of the box. Finish work is usually the most difficult part of these builds, luckily there are thousands of tutorial videos on finish work. Also check out the Rattlecan Refinish Thread here on TB, lots of great advice.
Rattle Can Refinish Club
There is a company called Reranch that makes high quality nitrocellulose spray cans, even if you don’t use their paint, they have some good tutorials on painting.
Guitar ReRanch ~ Guitar Refinishing Products
A TB poster named @TundraMan has an excellent painting tutorial as well:
Spraying A Finish
Surprisingly, I don’t think there is a dedicated Kit Build thread on TB, but if you get stuck and need advice, go to Luthiers Corner here on TB, and we will help you out. Lots of insanely talented amateur and pro Luthiers dispense free advice. Good luck! You will have a blast, nothing like building your own instrument.
Luthier's Corner
One big advantage to a Fender style kit, either P or J, is that there are thousands of aftermarket upgrade parts that are a drop-in fit if you decide to upgrade later. The kits usually have cheap but serviceable tuners, inexpensive electronics with mini-pots and thin wire. This one has the advantage of quick connect wiring harness, so no solder involved:
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Gui...783PZ2VGJM5WA&qid=1567511811&s=gateway&sr=8-4
Last edited:
great idea! be sure to post pics of the project and say something about the experience (no matter which kit you decide to go for!). good luck with your project!
