The Headless Horseman AKA my project bass

Lu22

So I got hold of an Ibanez BTB 205 5-string body for dirt cheap (R600). Apart from slight damage to the one corner and a bad spray job it's brand spanking new - electronics aren't even connected yet.

I'm only gonna start working on it seriously come December/January, but if anyone could help me track down a neck I would greatly appreciate it.

I don't want to cheap out on it, but the prices on the online stores are insane with our glorious exchange rate - plus most only stock Fender shapes which I greatly dislike. Would it be better to have one made by a local luthier, bite the bullet and import one or try get a replacement neck from Ibanez themselves?

Thanks in advance.

V8

V8's Rule #1 : A guitar/bass project starts with a neck, the rest is incidental... ?

Actually I'm a cheeep-ass and necks are pricey - bodies are easy, parts can always be scrounged, but I've found sourcing a neck is usually the hard part.

I heard the Graham @ the gear junkie has a source for SX bits, mighty mite are also available locally. But I dunno if either would suit the btb? I'd be interested to hear what Ibanez would charge for a replacement neck. If you could get someone to build a neck locally for < 2k, I'd be impressed.

I'd think, that using the parts in a DIY kit from someone like blackbeards den would be the easiest.

Lu22

I've done some research in the meantime.

BlackBeardsDen is planning on adding bass necks to their catalogue, and I've only seen positive reviews so far so I'm pretty happy.
Considering the guitar necks are R850, I'm budgeting for R1200, maybe a little more.

Mercury Music has has a Mighty Mite 5 string machine head pack for like R650.

New Knobs I estimate around R300, but they're the most generic parts so I may get a cheap set and paint/mod them to look cool.

Then It's just the cost of paint and miscellaneous consumables.

This is gonna be great fun.

V8

Lu22 wrote: This is gonna be great fun.

I gotta love your positive attitude ?

Check out TerryD for cheep knobs/control bits. And trawl gumtree & SA Music group (facebook) for bits. There's always something popping up that is useful.

If I hear anything about the SX bits at gearjunkie I'll let ya know. The SX necks are impressive for the $ - I dug the one that was on my tele thinline.

I managed to finish up my Shergold bass last week (hooray!), fingers crossed to finish up a Cort guitar by end of the month and then I can move onto the one I really want to get playing, a ancient Hofner Bass!

Lu22

V8 wrote:
Lu22 wrote: This is gonna be great fun.
I gotta love your positive attitude ?

Check out TerryD for cheep knobs/control bits. And trawl gumtree & SA Music group (facebook) for bits. There's always something popping up that is useful.

If I hear anything about the SX bits at gearjunkie I'll let ya know. The SX necks are impressive for the $ - I dug the one that was on my tele thinline.

I managed to finish up my Shergold bass last week (hooray!), fingers crossed to finish up a Cort guitar by end of the month and then I can move onto the one I really want to get playing, a ancient Hofner Bass!

Thanks alot man. Been wanting do do a custom build for a while now, and I rate this is a great way to start.
The massive body gives me plenty of room to paint on. Think I'm gonna use automotive paint to do a metallic marble with a candy red finish - gonna be sexy.

Is there a thread for the Shergold?
Also looking forward to seeing the Hofner in all its glory.

V8

Lu22 wrote: Thanks alot man. Been wanting do do a custom build for a while now, and I rate this is a great way to start.
The massive body gives me plenty of room to paint on. Think I'm gonna use automotive paint to do a metallic marble with a candy red finish - gonna be sexy.

Errrr, having a neck you know is gonna work would be a lot easier...just my 2c. But I am incredibly lazzzy!

Ohh, a wikked spray job! Sounds like you've done this before? Refinishes are my kryptonite...lack of patience + lazy approach = poor results!

Lu22 wrote: Is there a thread for the Shergold?
Also looking forward to seeing the Hofner in all its glory.

No thread as yet, I'll take some pics soonish - been working on the setup. Very interesting instrument!

The Hofner will take a while, full refinish on a rather trashed body - ack!

Lu22

V8 wrote: Ohh, a wikked spray job! Sounds like you've done this before? Refinishes are my kryptonite...lack of patience + lazy approach = poor results!

Actually this will be my first, but I used to paint scale models and was keen on doing summing bigger, so guitars are definitely the next step. My dad has the painting equipment and know how to get me started. Also been doing a ton of research on spraying techniques.