Restoring a Lake Placid Blue '63 Bass VI

[JVG]

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Yep, lining up the ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots, I can definitely spot some subtle improvements you’ve made - the most obvious of course being that the control plate is shinier after your work



Just don’t go putting a hideous Mastery on it, or i’ll have to report you back to the “why did you do this thing to me” thread

Seriously though - bravo!

[MattK]

Now that you point it out, I *can* see a difference in the before and after shots. highnumbers - did you paint it, or something?

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Very impressive! Top drawer stuff, from start to finish!

[Highnumbers]

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Yep, lining up the ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots, I can definitely spot some subtle improvements you’ve made - the most obvious of course being that the control plate is shinier after your work

Just don’t go putting a hideous Mastery on it, or i’ll have to report you back to the “why did you do this thing to me” thread

Seriously though - bravo!

Ha! Yeah there have been a few minor improvements since I got it....

I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but the stock bridge on this Bass VI is awful (look at the homemade hardware I had to put on there just to get it functional), and I happen to have a Mastery M1 sitting right here on my bench.... it's going on this week.

[GilmourD]

I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but the stock bridge on this Bass VI is awful (look at the homemade hardware I had to put on there just to get it functional), and I happen to have a Mastery M1 sitting right here on my bench.... it's going on this week.

Besides the lever being lopped off on the mute, is anything else cut on it or is it intact? I'm wondering if, in combintation with a Jaguar mute for the missing portions, a reproduction stamp could be made to make BVI mutes.

[Dr Tony Balls]

I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but the stock bridge on this Bass VI is awful (look at the homemade hardware I had to put on there just to get it functional), and I happen to have a Mastery M1 sitting right here on my bench.... it's going on this week.

I think, especially with the collective help of the forum, you could rebuild the original bridge appropriately. Use the Mastery as a stop-gap, but rebuild the the OG one proper, imo.

[Highnumbers]

I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but the stock bridge on this Bass VI is awful (look at the homemade hardware I had to put on there just to get it functional), and I happen to have a Mastery M1 sitting right here on my bench.... it's going on this week.

I think, especially with the collective help of the forum, you could rebuild the original bridge appropriately. Use the Mastery as a stop-gap, but rebuild the the OG one proper, imo.

Thanks I’ll certainly keep rebuilding the original bridge, but it’ll get tucked in the case while I own it.

I can’t overlook the functional benefits of the Mastery bridge and I put one on every offset I own. These guitars are meant to be played, no need to force myself to use the stock bridge just because.

Yes, they can be set up to work well, but even Leo Fender would take a look at the Mastery M1 and agree that it’s better engineered and improves greatly on the original offset bridge design. It’s not a permanent mod, anyway.

Since the mute plate was already cut/modified I’ll have no issue slightly widening the holes to fit the Mastery through the mute as well. Best of both worlds, unlike a Jaguar the mute is really useful on the Bass VI, in my opinion.

[Dr Tony Balls]

but even Leo Fender would take a look at the Mastery M1 and agree that it’s better engineered and improves greatly on the original offset bridge design.

It would certainly hold his attention until someone showed him a Staytrem

[Highnumbers]

but even Leo Fender would take a look at the Mastery M1 and agree that it’s better engineered and improves greatly on the original offset bridge design.

It would certainly hold his attention until someone showed him a Staytrem

LOL.

One is a brilliant piece of engineering, the other is an improved Mustang bridge. Both great, but Leo would probably sue the latter.

[OffYourFace]

I never cared for the bridge on the '63 I had. I prefer the 64-75 bridge with the mustang-like saddles. They just sound and play better IMO.

I once took delivery of a '64 LPB VI for member eggwheat and it had the mustang-like bridge (the saddles are a bit different than the Mustang ones).
That LPB VI just played and sounded amazing. My '63 threaded saddles had just the right amount of rust so they never rattled but the sound was just a little wonky with the occasional unpleasant overtones. I had put a mustang bridge and then a Mastery. The Mastery wouldn't intonate perfectly but it sounded amazing, especially on the Low E string. I put the Staytrem VI bridge on the Squier I had and it was really nice.

I'd suggest you try to get your hands on the new VI bridge that's on the Vintera II model and save the original for investment.

[Nudger]

.
Yep, lining up the ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots, I can definitely spot some subtle improvements you’ve made - the most obvious of course being that the control plate is shinier after your work



Just don’t go putting a hideous Mastery on it

Its a Christmas miracle
highnumbers knocked it outa the park again!!

Needs a staytrem tho

[Pacafeliz]

Ooooh yeah
Baby Jesus loves it. And you.

I love it too.

U live u all

[tqi]

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[BTL]

Amazing work, congratulations!

[ryandennis]

Killer work, this guitar couldn't have ended up in better hands!!!
The checking looks really similar to my 64 musicmaster and he did amazing on the color. Congrats on the new guitar!