So to set the scene, a good friend of mine leant me his bass back in 2009 ish. Just a squier standard jazz bass. I used it a lot, went on tour, did a lot of gigs and recording. Between then and now we’ve both moved away and both got married and grown up.
At his wedding a few years ago I told him I still had his bass, I need to get it back to him! And he hasn’t been involved in music for 10+ years. Said don’t be silly, it’s yours. Asked can I look after it for him forever.
So that was cool, it’s not worth much if anything and not particularly special in any way other than he’s entrusted it to me and I’ve done a lot of cool stuff with it.
I got it out just before Christmas to do some recording and the headstock had pulled forward, presumably by the tension of the strings? It’s mad I’ve never seen anything like it. Up till now there had been a bit of a bend but it’s gotten a lot worse to the point that the A string is almost lifting out of the nut slot.
So a new neck is needed, I toyed with the idea of making one but I like the easy life. If I could get one for less than £100 I’d be happy to save the time and wear on my blades and cutters.
I kept an eye on eBay for a neck, or a bass to buy and part out, keeping the neck.
Last week a squier vintage modified precision bass PJ popped up with a proper fender molded hardcase for £300.
It showed up yesterday at around 2pm, and by 8pm the case and loaded body were sold.
The neck ended up costing me £60. Way better than I’d expected. I am fully aware that any normal person would’ve kept the new bass and just sold what was left of the original squier standard… but I feel as I’d been tasked with looking after it (even though, let’s face it he will probably never even see it again) I should keep the idea of his bass alive. Bit like triggers broom, 14 new handles and all that.
But I’m chuffed, new neck is great, got more than I expected for what I was selling and my (cals) bass is back in action.
And a 6 hour turn around is my new PB. 24 hours was probably my last record.
This is the bend on the headstock
And here’s the bass and bits I sold
At his wedding a few years ago I told him I still had his bass, I need to get it back to him! And he hasn’t been involved in music for 10+ years. Said don’t be silly, it’s yours. Asked can I look after it for him forever.
So that was cool, it’s not worth much if anything and not particularly special in any way other than he’s entrusted it to me and I’ve done a lot of cool stuff with it.
I got it out just before Christmas to do some recording and the headstock had pulled forward, presumably by the tension of the strings? It’s mad I’ve never seen anything like it. Up till now there had been a bit of a bend but it’s gotten a lot worse to the point that the A string is almost lifting out of the nut slot.
So a new neck is needed, I toyed with the idea of making one but I like the easy life. If I could get one for less than £100 I’d be happy to save the time and wear on my blades and cutters.
I kept an eye on eBay for a neck, or a bass to buy and part out, keeping the neck.
Last week a squier vintage modified precision bass PJ popped up with a proper fender molded hardcase for £300.
It showed up yesterday at around 2pm, and by 8pm the case and loaded body were sold.
The neck ended up costing me £60. Way better than I’d expected. I am fully aware that any normal person would’ve kept the new bass and just sold what was left of the original squier standard… but I feel as I’d been tasked with looking after it (even though, let’s face it he will probably never even see it again) I should keep the idea of his bass alive. Bit like triggers broom, 14 new handles and all that.
But I’m chuffed, new neck is great, got more than I expected for what I was selling and my (cals) bass is back in action.
And a 6 hour turn around is my new PB. 24 hours was probably my last record.
This is the bend on the headstock
And here’s the bass and bits I sold
