Symmetrical Basses

[ch willie]

I really love symmetrical or almost-symmetrical basses. I'm not in the market for anything right now, but boy do I love those old Alembics. Don't think I'll ever be able to afford one. My big music purchase days are ending--I'm getting older and probably won't gig regularly: it doesn't make sense to invest huge amounts. I record, and I can just about cover any tone I want for a tune.

But I rarely ever see anything symmetrical. Not really into the short scale LP Jr DC bass by Gibson.

Would love to see photos of your symmetrical basses.

[bpa11]

Symmetrical basses are not just cool looking, but can open the door to many right-handed models being convertible to left-handed. A yearlong restoration project has just culminated with this beautiful 1980 right-handed Vantage VA-900B "Devil Bass" that I had converted to left-handed. It started as a stripped out bass with only the tuners remaining. I sourced two pair of the same late 70s PAF DiMarzio pickups, a period Ken Smith bridge, a custom made left-handed brass nut, stacked knobs, and Audere 4-band preamp. Unfortunately, the prior owner routed out the pick-up areas, ostensibly to fit in soap bars. We had to fill in with similar density wood to get it back to P-bass pickup shapes.

This bass plays beautifully, and the reverse double P configuration works very well. Including both Before and After pics.

[ch willie]

Love it!