Danimalz's First Build Diary

[Danimalz]

This summer I decided to finally pursue my interest of playing Bass. I searched around for a good left handed bass kit and came across this one: PIT BULL GUITARS PB-4L ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR KIT (LEFT HANDED). I have just received it today and I thought I would follow its suggestion to do a build diary. It seems like everything is there and there are no major scuffs or anything like that. The only thing is a tiny drilled hole on the front of the body that is at an angle, I think it might be an intentional hole and not an impurity though. My plan is to give the wood and neck a shiny black paint job and paint the pick-guard a cherry red. Other than cosmetics, the only change I'm making is installing (DiMarzio Model P DP122 Replacement Pickup for Fender P Bass) pickups instead of the ones that come with the kit.

Hopefully that's enough info, and let me know if there's anything I can do before I start building that will make it easier or prevent unnecessary screw ups. Thanks

[blinddrew]

The angled hole is for the earth wire that connects to the bridge. Have a read of the threads in the building your guitar section first. Read twice, work once, and have fun.

[Andyxlh]

Read twice, work once, and have fun.

Absolutely, there's lots of info here. It's worth doing a mock up with all the bits too.
Don't forget the shielding tape for the body cavity.
Painting the pick guard is probably not going to work well in the long term as it is hard to get paint to stick to that stuff, might be worth buying a replacement in the colour you want which is really cheap.

[wazkelly]

Welcome to the forum.
Have to agree about paint on pick guards. So many aftermarket P Bass ones out there, maybe not so many for a leftie but sure you would have lots to choose from. If not, one of our forum members can do custom jobs.....Pablopepper is his forum ID
Cheers,waz

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[fender3x]

I like both the idea of a red. Clearly you are a man of taste! I agree about not painting the other advantage to buying one is pearloid ;-)


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[JohnH]

Welcome aboard! Look forward to seeing what you do with the build

[FrankenWashie]

Welcome to the Forum!

I have painted a scratch plate one one of mine, It is a GIANT pain in the proverbial, if you can find, or have made for you, a pick guard in the required colour you will save yourself some massive frustration.

Look forward to seeing your build progress!

[Danimalz]

It took a lot longer than expected to get my pickups, but now that I got them I felt confident enough to start. I did a mock build and I think the bridge sent with my kit is right handed. Also my new pickups are smaller than the originals so there is a gap between the pickup and pick guard big enough to see into the cavity. Is there any way to fix this or make it less obvious without compromising the instrument's sound?

Here is a pic of the bridge

[Fretworn]

That bridge is ambidextrous. You will have ago adjust the bridge pieces when you intonate the bass.

[wazkelly]

It took a lot longer than expected to get my pickups, but now that I got them I felt confident enough to start. I did a mock build and I think the bridge sent with my kit is right handed. Also my new pickups are smaller than the originals so there is a gap between the pickup and pick guard big enough to see into the cavity. Is there any way to fix this or make it less obvious without compromising the instrument's sound?

Here is a pic of the bridge

New Pick guard perhaps or maybe PM Pablopepper to make you a custom one.