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Post by keithambridge on Feb 11, 2015 19:45:16 GMT
Hi folks, after selling my renovated Hofner Violin Bass last summer I decided I wanted another bass (just a cheap one)! I decided rather than buying a cheap one I'd get a kit and see what could be made of it. I bought the "Harley Benton" P-Bass kit from Thomann, this cost €88 (only about €10 less than the equivalent coplete one)! However, I thought that spending a bit more time over assembly than the folk on the Chinese production line have should produce a superior instrument. So, this is more a review of the kit rather than a build thread! The parcel arrived, 3 boxes within 1. The neck was in one box, the body in another and the hardware in the other, all parts protected well!  The body is 3 piece basswood, sanded and finished with a sealer coat. The wood is not nice enough for a natural finish but perfectly good for paint! The neck is one piece maple with a rosewood fretted fingerboard and fitted truss rod, the head is drilled for tuners but left oversize so you cut your own head shape. Hardware, well let's see!! |
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 11, 2015 20:39:56 GMT
It's gonna be blue, ain't it, Keith?  |
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 12, 2015 0:39:29 GMT
Good to see you've put this up here, Keith, thanks - I've often wondered about giving something like that a go.
Are you going to use the supplied pickups or put something whizzier in there?
Keith
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Post by Martin on Feb 12, 2015 3:47:50 GMT
Hope you're going to do something snazzy with the headstock shape, Keith!
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Post by keithambridge on Feb 12, 2015 7:28:37 GMT
Not blue Leo, I thought I'd do it red with a couple of gold garden tools on it! Keith, I decided I'd use all the stock hardware and see what my bassist friends think of it. Maybe change in the future! Martin, call me boring but you can't beat a "Tele" headstock!   |
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 12, 2015 11:16:17 GMT
Nice headstock - the "usual" one always looks too large to my eyes. I'm glad you're building the kit as supplied, and will be interested to hear how it sounds/performs. Shouldn't be too long to wait!!
Keith
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Post by Martin on Feb 12, 2015 11:29:27 GMT
I thought I'd do it red with a couple of gold garden tools on it! I'm intrigued! Red....yes of course, it's by far the best guitar colour. Gold garden tools, though?   |
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 12, 2015 11:39:12 GMT
Oh yes, a rake might help with plectrum technique, and some tunes might benefit from a hoe (down) at some point. Maybe Robin Trowell needs a bass player? And, if you fork up your playing, stick to something easy, like Wild Thing by the Trugs. I'd give Ace of Spades a miss though.
Can't see where a lawnmower or hedgetrimmer would fit though.
Keith
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Post by Martin on Feb 12, 2015 12:08:16 GMT
Oh yes, a rake might help with plectrum technique, and some tunes might benefit from a hoe (down) at some point. Maybe Robin Trowell needs a bass player? And, if you fork up your playing, stick to something easy, like Wild Thing by the Trugs. I'd give Ace of Spades a miss though. Can't see where a lawnmower or hedgetrimmer would fit though. Keith  |
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Post by keithambridge on Feb 12, 2015 13:37:29 GMT
I was thinking Hammer and Sickle to show my solidarity with the new Greek government!
Seriously though it will either be orange or off white, not sure yet!
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Post by keithambridge on Feb 12, 2015 13:58:28 GMT
So I put it all together to see what needed attention! The pre drilled holes for the machine head screws were all over the place and it would have looked awfull left as is.  Plug the holes and re drill, much better! I'd have liked to have seen brass gears and black screws on the machine heads though!  The neck fitted the pocket well and lined up nicely central over the pickup routs and the bridge holes.  Just a small wedge to fit in the bottom of the pocket.  Nice chunky bridge, like the machine heads though, too much chrome!  Only 3 of the scratch plate holes lined up but a few pegs and a drill will sort that!  Looks quite cool. Paint next! |
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Post by grayn on Feb 12, 2015 18:12:57 GMT
Looking good already. Like the headstock, more like a tele bass. After a violin bass, that neck is going to feel pretty chunky. Look forward to the next stages.  |
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bluesboytoby
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Post by bluesboytoby on Feb 14, 2015 8:14:41 GMT
its a shame you say the body is not up to having a natural finish i like the look of it with the tele headstock.
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Post by vikingblues on Feb 14, 2015 11:32:17 GMT
Very interested to see how this goes. Shame the body is not up to being a natural finish, but at that price it's no surprise. Very good that the neck fitted the pocket well and lined up nicely.  Mark |
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Post by keithambridge on Feb 14, 2015 12:34:50 GMT
I couldn't go natural so I went classic!   |
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