I built a custom bass for my youngest daughter for Christmas in 2024, the delivery was actually not until 2025...it took longer than I thought! It worked out great though, it has a bright punchy tone. It is her regular bass that she does all her performances and recording with. This was my thoughts when getting parts:
- 4 string Precision Bass (P-Bass) style - ie old school Fender with the single split pickup
- I was really happy with the Custom Neck I had made in China so I got onto them to make the neck
- I just wanted a bare body that I would paint myself. Note: Don't ever get a bare body. Get them to at least primer it if not paint it, you can lightly sand it and repaint it later. It is more effort to prepare bare wood for painting than it is worth.
- The best possible pickup that money can buy. This ended up being a SD SPB-3.
- The best possible high mass bridge, tuners and various hardware that you can get on Aliexpress.
- Custom paint and pickguard to my daughters specification. Purple and black/white checkerplate.
I recorded a video of lots and lots of the construction. I have yet to assemble it into a coherent video. I will do one day. But that day is not today and I've had this post sitting here in draft for more than a year, I want to post it! Most importantly, for the records, here is the parts list with the supplier and cost in $AUD2024:
| Item | Store | Cost |
| Bass Guitar | ||
| P-bass maple neck/ebony fretboard/pearl inlays | Qing Ping Aliexpress | $243.23 |
| Mahogany P-bass body no paint | Qing Ping Aliexpress | $225.16 |
| Seymour Duncan SPB-3 1/4 Pound P-Bass 4-String | Mannys | $199.00 |
| Guyker Tuners | AliExpress | $49.28 |
| BB404 Bass Bridge | AliExpress | $38.05 |
| Checkerboard pick guard | Dopro Aliexpress | $22.77 |
| Primer Paint | Bunnings | $11.95 |
| Purple Paint | Bunnings | $11.95 |
| Clear Paint | Bunnings | $11.95 |
| Guyker Strap Buttons | AliExpress | $5.62 |
| Neck Joiner Plate | AliExpress | $5.25 |
| Potentiometers | AliExpress | $3.98 |
| 0.047uF Capacitor | AliExpress | $2.90 |
| Input Jack | AliExpress | $1.70 |
| Sub Total | $832.79 | |
| Accessories | ||
| SKB Hardcase | Mega Music | $189.00 |
| Zoom B1 Four Bass Multi Effects Pedal | Mannys | $179.00 |
| Guitar Strap | Aliexpress | $6.85 |
| Sub Total | $374.85 | |
| Grand Total | $1,207.64 |
Finished enough! Paint is not great up close but looks fine from a distance! Here it is out and about!
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