Warmoth SCPB Build

[Matt R.]

I have been getting parts together since December (or January I think) to get this one together. It’s finally done, except for a couple minor tweaks. It has a Fralin split coil pickup, and I snagged an early 70s Fender tele bass control plate on Reverb. We know how hard those can be to find. It’s fun to do builds this way, buying parts over time. It’s such an economical way to end up with a stellar instrument.

[Matt R.]

Jeez. I’ll upload better quality pix later. Doing this from me phone.

[tim]

Clicking the pix goes to hi-res images

[Matt R.]

Ok cool, thanks!

[ch willie]

Wow, Matt. That's really something.

I appreciate how you always have basses I want to buy! haha

I can't buy anything--I just ordered a Vox AC30.

[tim]

It's a gorgeous bass. I really enjoyed Paulo's '51-style P when I borrowed it (also with a split Fralin). I could see myself putting one together someday.

[bobjones2260]

Just Amazing! Every Detail is Perfect! Congrats and Enjoy.

[paulo]

Looks great, congrats man!

[Matt R.]

Thanks everyone. I had to have the nut touched up. It was a little high. Today I’m going to do the final setup tweaks, and hopefully in the coming days I’ll do one of my dopey play-along videos.

[NoXX]

Looks great Matt! Can’t wait to see what you play for us.....thinking of Tele-style P bass players, several Police songs come to mind

[Matt R.]

I was thinking Police as well. I already know a shitload of their material.

[NoXX]

I was thinking Police as well. I already know a shitload of their material.

Nice!!! Looking forward to it!

[Matt R.]

I was thinking Police as well. I already know a shitload of their material.

Nice!!! Looking forward to it!

I think i want to learn one I’ve never played. I have every note they recorded, so I’ll go through the catalogue. Suggestions also welcome!

[pjmuck]

That is spectacular. Great job, Matt. Did you say the control plate is an actual lefty 70's control plate?

Big Police fan here as well. Di Sting ever actually use his Tele/single coil P bass while he was in The Police? I thought he picked it up later as a solo artist? Of course he used it for their reunion gigs, and that is the bass everyone recognizes as the Sting bass, so I'll shut up now.

Other famous players? Kenny Rogers most definitely played a Tele/single coil P bass. And John Paul Jones used one from time to time. You can see it here in a live performance of The Immigrant Song, though this appears to be two different performances splice together, since he's also seen using his J bass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66ChMPV0LTg

[Matt R.]

Thanks man! Yep it’s a 70s plate. Good question on Sting’s use of it. When I saw them in 2007, the sunburst single coil was the only bass he used the entire show. Not sure how much he used it back in the day, but I assume significantly, hence the Fender signature model.

[superheavydeathmetal]

So awesome! That will definitely turn heads when on stage!

[Matt R.]

Here’s a quick clip. Started a sights & sounds thread.

http://www.leftybassist.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10325

[tim]

Here's my favorite SCPB tune:

Wilton Felder -- I Want You Back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91l_lPz1oc


And another I heard recently that I found surprisingly catchy:

Sting & Shaggy -- Englishman in New York (courtesy of NPR Tiny Desk): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdneye4pzMw

[Matt R.]

YES. All good stuff.

[Jeroen]

That looks absolutely stunning! Awesome finish.

Not sure how much he used it back in the day, but I assume significantly, hence the Fender signature model.

I've never seen old Police footage of Sting playing an SCPB or Telecaster. I've seen him with various Ibanez basses (defretted MC900 and factory fretless MC940), Roadster, RB888 Bean bass), Steinberger, Spector, several Hamers (Cruisebass, 8-string Explorer) and several Fenders, most famously a fretless maple board Precision but also a 60s Jazz. I associate his 50s SCPB with his solo work mostly.