Hey Everyone,
I just had to share. I know the photos aren't pro quality but I'm over then moon about this refurbish/repair I've just had done to an old Eko bass I've had kicking around. A good friend gave me this bass a couple of years ago. It was in bad shape and - of course - right handed. I reversed the strings and actually managed to use it a few times for some recordings. It sounded good enough for me to feel it was worth it to give it some TLC. I know it's just a plywood bass but it really does sound awesome and I've always wanted a short scale plunker that wasn't a Hofner.
Luckily, I have a very cool relationship with a luthier here near Toronto who will give me a deal if I'm not in a hurry and let him take his time. For a grand total - cash money - of $475 CAD he fixed it up real purdy. There were tons of finishing cracks and on the back the plywood was actually starting to delaminate in a couple of spots. He smoothed all of that out, filled the cracking which will put a stop to any further degradation as long as I take care of it properly. Then, he completely fixed up the neck - which was overbowed - and reshaped the heel slightly so that it fits way better into the pocket and at the right angle. After that, all new frets! Awesome job on those. He completely disassembled the tuners as well and they actually work now and hold the tuning bang on. He even "remagnetized" the pickups.
The ultimate repair he did though, was to "leftify" it. We moved all of the controls to the other side of the body so I can now play it comfortably without adjusting the volume by accident. We talked about this and he just did a sort of cursory plugging of the holes on the right handed side because we may to a complete refinish if in a year or two if it becomes a real popular bass in my stable. The plugs look fine now but they will be almost invisible if he does a refinish. And it saved me a bunch of money on this go round.
Alright, that's my ramble. I hope this inspires someone to look in their buddy's closet and find a diamond in the rough. This thing is incredible to play now.
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