Parts Assemblies

This parts Precision Bass was started in early July 2009 when it was worth assembling a parts bass with an alder/rock maple combination. I hadn't finished the bass, but have recently added it to the agenda.

The plan at time was to make a 50's style PB with Fender original hardware (eg. large plate reverse tuners, stock bridge with the threaded bridge saddles). The initial test assembly and fitting is shown in the images below.

After playing this bass as is for several years, I decided on a change of plan. I originally planned for either a sunburst or clear body finish with a red tort or black scratch plate, but finally decided on a black body with a red tort scratch plate. The Fender reverse machines will remain, but the bridge has been replaced with an Omega Bass bridge since Badass II bridges are no longer made. The Badass II and Omega 4 string bass bridges are similar and look almost identical, but do have some differences between them (eg. weight, thickness of the back lip, slight design change to the back of the saddles).

Precision Bass

Specifications

Scale length: 34"

Wood

• Body: 3 piece Alder
• Neck: 1 piece Rock Maple

Electronics

• Pickups: MK custom Precision Bass prototypes
• Pots: 2 x CTS 250K
• Cap: .1mF PIO
• Wiring: Cloth insulated wire
• Jack: Switchcraft mono

Hardware

• Tuners: Fender reverse with large back plate
• Bridge: Omega Bass bridge (Original plan was Fender 50s bridge)
• Pickguard: Fender Red Tort
• Knobs: barrel
• Strap buttons: Fender
• String retainer: Fender
• Nut: Bone

Finish

• Black body, clear neck, custom decals on headstock.

MK Custom Precision Bass Assembly

The one piece Rock Maple neck is a nice and straight.

The glue joints on the body are well done, large wire holes from the pickup cavity and bridge to the control cavity. I reshaped and smoothened the forearm contour, which was too sharp, to resemble a standard Fender PB contour.