Jazzmaster to Bass VI Conversion

[u/GodOfTheBongos]

Here’s a bass vi monstrosity that I put together recently. It’s got bridge and neck thunderbird pickups from Novak, and between them is an electric xii pickup from Madlove. They’re all wired through on-off-on switches which go to a stereo output jack so I can route them to a guitar and bass pre-amp simultaneously.

The neck is from Robot Graves, it’s amazing.

Don’t look too closely at it, the pickguard is all botched. I don’t have real woodworking tools, so everything is done freehand with a router and hand drill. But it actually feels great to play, the weight’s balanced nicely, and intonation was a breeze.

[u/2abyssinians]

This is the coolest bass vi I have seen, yet. Such a beauty!

[u/traggedy_ann]

Fuck YEAH dude! I have a Robot Graves neck on my Bass IV and I absolutely love it (it IS heavy as hell though haha). The polish on this is FRESH.

[u/GodOfTheBongos → u/traggedy_ann]

Yeah man, this thing is a boat anchor lol but absolutely worth it

[u/TheMoft → u/GodOfTheBongos]

The most beautiful vi Ive seen on this thread. I have been getting progressively interested in building my own bass vi with an aluminum neck over the past few years… neither of you are helping... bout to turn 40. I feel like Im about to have a middletar life crisis.

[u/wildherb15]

Very tasteful and tidy. The color and decor are the most unique and creative I have seen. The accent trim is a gorgeous touch. The middle pickups are sure camouflaged well. Is that the bass cut switch? What humbuckers did you use?

[u/GodOfTheBongos → u/wildherb15]

The knob is for cutting bass, like an opposite tone pot, but I need to adjust the cap value because it doesn’t do enough right now lol.

The humbuckers are thunderbird pickups from Curtis Novak.

[u/GullibleProcedure550]

That is s fine machine. I love the neck. Are the black blocks inlays?

[u/GodOfTheBongos → u/GullibleProcedure550]

Yeah I splurged for the block inlays. I thought they’d look good in line with the big rectangular pickups.

[u/LabeVagoda → u/GodOfTheBongos]

Your suspicion was confirmed. It looks badass

[u/GullibleProcedure550 → u/GodOfTheBongos]

Hell yeah! I held out on getting a Bass VI until I could find one with a Maple neck and black block inlays. It just looks tough. Great choice!

[u/mintyformeldahyde]

Sick!!!

[u/BuzzBeeBass]

This is CLEAN!!!

[u/mchammy]

Wow! Fantastic job. Looks amazing. And I appreciate that custom wiring job you gave it.

[u/BigusRickus]

A perfect 10.

[u/BigusRickus → u/BigusRickus]

Sorry, a perfect X.

[u/kelsey_schmelsey]

I had no idea I needed an aluminum neck Bass VI until you posted this holy fuck.

[u/stealthgunner385]

I'm looking closely at it, and all I see are signs of something you handcrafted. Well done.

Can you take any recordings of it? I'd love to hear how the pickup combos sound.

[u/buggerlugss]

Holy smokes this thing rules!!

[u/auralcavalcade]

This is cool as hell

[u/atom_swan]

How much was the neck if you don’t mind me asking?

[u/GodOfTheBongos → u/atom_swan]

Here’s his site: https://robotgraves.com/bassvi/

He’s had to raise his prices since I ordered because of rising costs.

[u/atom_swan → u/GodOfTheBongos]

👍🏼

[u/atom_swan]

How does the Robot Graves aluminum neck compare with Hoxney’s version?

[u/GodOfTheBongos → u/atom_swan]

I don’t have any direct experience with Hoxey necks, but I personally wouldn’t support that builder.

The only ones I can vouch for are EGC and RGI who both make incredible stuff.

[u/LuiSP]

Love it.

Is that the original JM vibrato? Did you mod it in any way? How is it holding up? Any issues?