Buzzard Superfly 4-String Fretted P-Bass at Buzzard's Bass Guitar Shop

Buzzard Superfly 4-String Fretted P-Bass

>> Workshop >> Project: Buzzard Superfly 4-String Fretted P-Bass

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Body - Ultra Light - View: Front - Rear

I haven't the slightest clue what brand this body originated. Do you know~?
I bought this unfinished bass body on Ebay back in January, 2009 from a company called National Music. They couldn't tell me what it was or where it originated, so I'm dubbing this on a Buzzard Superfly because I'm building it and it's super light~!
Here are a couple of the photos from the Ebay auction: Front - Rear

Update: 5-13-09 - I just saw a bass on Talkbass.com that resembles the body very closely. It has Baltimore on its headstock which doesn't really mean a thing actually because, from the chatter in the forum about this bass, there are a number of companies with their name on this model. Baltimore 4-String Bass

Body Material: Feels like Balsa to me, it is that light~! Some would say Basswood but I've not held one even close to this. It's also soft and fragile. With so many people moaning about the weight of their bass here's their chance to play probably the lightest bass on the planet.

Body Layout: Pattern: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11

Body Finish: Even though the wood grain looks like sh!t I layed a layer of light stain on it to see what it'd look like: See, the freakin' grain is all over the place, but I did match the body to the headstock~! Second coat: Front - Rear

Pickguard: Pattern - Material - PG Routing: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
PG Finishing: 1 - 2 - 3 - completed and installed.

Finger/Thumb Rests: I don't like 'em . . .

Bridge: SX chrome 7-hole Vintage Style - Swapped with Black OEM Deluxe
I think the Black OEM Deluxe Bridge looks and will work much better

Bridge/Pickup Covers: Nope

Strap Buttons: Black large headed buttons.
I attached the top horn button on the backside.
If I were to keep this bass I would put on a set of black Schaller Strap Locks.

Neck - Austin - Before: Front - Rear After: Front - Rear

I picked up this neck at TalkBass because I saw the headstock shape was more fitting the style and shape of the body. It was also listed stating the neck was slightly slimmer in the heel and I already knew the pocket on the body was smaller than standard 2-1/2". It fits perfectly into the body, as you can see in this photo.

Fretboard: Rosewood
The frets and fingerboard were skunked up from use but nothing a little fretwork won't cure, but it'll be estimated at about its half-life. This is what it looks like after simply cleaning it, something eveyone should do on a regular basis~!

Headstock: Austin logo. If I decide to paint the body I'll most likely paint it.

Truss Rod Cover: Naw . . .

Strings: Rotosound RS66 Roundwounds: .045, .065, .085, .105

String Nut: Plastique. Let's just see if it's serviceable.

Tuning Machines: Squier vintage style chromies. (Same as Fender MIMs)
Pressed tuner bushings into headstock. The backing plate holes didn't align with the existing holes in the back of the headstock so I glued plugs to fill, squared to align tuner plates and marked headstock with Sharpie for new screw holes while each tuner was sitting square. All ready to install, I use my trusty cheapass compass to center prick the first hole of each tuner. Once each tuner is installed with the one screw I just use the drill in each tuner hole until all are installed. . . . piece of cake~!

Update: Swapped the chromes for a new set of Black Vintage Style Tuners. They fit better, look better, and work better. The Chrome Tuners were cramped.

Electronics: Passive

Pickups: SX Split-P

Cavities: Shielded with Copper Foil

Control Plate: Shielded Pickguard - Attached the Control Assembly.

Controls: Volume-Tone. I could always use SX controls. Where's that bucket~!
Decided to go with CGE 250K audio taper short solid shaft pots, Sprague Orange Drop .047 cap, Switchcraft jack, WBE PTFE Teflon High Temperature Silver Plated Copper Wire. Tested through my 400 watt SWR amp just fine. Sounds great~!

Control Knobs: 2 of 'em. As of Wednesday, 5-13-09 I'm still waiting for a delivery of more knobs. As you probably saw in the top photo, there are none~!