All the parts are in, and the build began today. Here’s the recipe:
Warmoth P-Bass Body in Surf Green
Fender MIM P-Bass Standard (not Player) Neck
Hipshot HB7 Tuners
Hipshot High Mass KickAss Bridge
Fender String Tree
Fender White Pickguard
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder PJ Set
(3) Fender Pots (CTS)
Switch Craft Signal Jack
Schaller Strap Buttons / Locks
Copper Tape (for shielding)
Fender Neck Plate ( with the big “F”)
4 string set of D’Addario NYXL .045 / .065 / .085 / .105
Interestingly enough, when I went to Guitar Center last winter to buy my first set of strings for the start of Beginner to Badass, they sold me the same strings, but for a 5 string-- I discovered that on the 5 string set that the E string is .040 instead of .045 with the 4 string set. Same string composition. I wondered, why the difference?
I am working on the body right now, being very deliberate and careful with it. Strap buttons and the bridge are installed. Warmoth has a good video on the strap button install (you have to drill your own holes for these).
Laying next to my Squier I was reminded that the Fender body is often thicker than the Squier. I also remembered that Nut on the factory Fender neck isn’t filed, so I’ll have to tackle that as well.
This has been very satisfying fun so far. The next steps are to install the 1/4" signal jack and shielding. I hope she sounds as good as she looks.