New "retro" Bass Day!!!

[kimgee]

I just received this lovely retro-modded '98 Fortress 1. Looks like somebody wanted a Flasback, but didn't want to wait to find one, or pay the price. I haven't tried it out yet, but the mods, the re-fret, and the re-finish look to be professionally done. The hardware really adds to the vintage vibe, as there is lots of "patina", as the vintage collectors call it. I call it corrosion. I may change it to black hardware and install a brass JAN3. I haven't decided yet, but it looks like a real keeper at this point.

 

[jester]

So you did get it after all? Amazing, I am sure it will be a fine instrument. I 'd vote for the chrome hardware as it is!

 

[kimgee]

So you did get it after all? Amazing, I am sure it will be a fine instrument. I 'd vote for the chrome hardware as it is!

Yeah, I just received it at work today. I can't wait to try it out tonight. It even has thin stainless frets to add to it's retroishness. I think I am going to stick with the "vintage" hardware like you suggest.........especially after looking at new hardware prices. Ouch!

 

[kimgee]

Buying used basses is quite the adventure! I tested this baby out last night and had another truss-rod scare. After verifying the electronics worked, I strung it E-C with some flats. There was already more relief in the neck than I prefer, and the re-stringing seemed to increase the relief even more. So, I pop off the truss-rod cover and YIKES!, no sign of an adjustment screw. At first glance it looked like the adjustment screw recess had been filled in and painted over. Out came the bright lights and magnifier. Now I take a closer look and think " Ummmm, is that tape?" And yes, it was the tape the painter covered the screw recess with to keep off the over spray. Mind you, this paint job does not appear to be recently done, at all. I guess a lot of players just don't mess with the truss-rod........ever. After removing the tape, I was able to adjust the neck flatter and was quite relieved, no pun intended. With the flats, it sounds as retro as it looks, with a nice muted thump. The pickups are Nordstram single coils I think. At least they hum like single coils anyway. The springs or foam under them are tired, as they won't adjust up to the strings properly, and the controls are kinda crusty and crunchy, but that's no biggie. It adds to the retro feel. After a bit of cleaning and tweaking, I think it will be a very nice looking, sounding, and playing bass.

 

[jester]

I just logged in to check how your bass turned out. I was about to suggest Nordstrands as an upgrade instead of hardware, lol.