A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

Coma

Coma

Well-known member
Dear Bass.

How much do you suck? Let me me count the ways...
I bought this sucker dirt cheap a few years back, since I just needed something for one-off jam sessions and such. It's a no-name axe, no manufacturer's name on any parts. It has the word "Hawk" factory-painted on the body, but I haven't been able to find any information about it anywhere. Turns out, I got less than I bargained for...

As you can see from the pictures:

The body is comprised of laminate wood, rather than solid.
The nut is made of wood, as opposed to the usual materials (which I guess finally solves the mystery of why it ALWAYS sounded muddy). Someone did, however - at some point in time - attempt to cover taht up by painting (!) the nut black...
The frets are uneven. For example, the difference in fret-to-fret distance between the 12th and 13th fret is a full mm (0,039'') off from the left to the right side of the fretboard.
The bridge isn't flush mounted to the mody. Mind you, this is a slab-body guitar, so my conclusion is that the bridge is actually BENT. There is a similar gap on the right side where the neck joint attaches to the body.
Also - which you can't see in the pics - is the beyond shoddy wiring job. The thing hums like a bee in mating season unless you touch any metal part on it.

The neck is, OTOH, pretty damn nice to play, and I'd like to get new hardware and pickups, and re-wire the whole thing, but honestly, it's hardly worth it, considering the subpar wood and ****ty neck joint. Might just get that nut replaced, that is, if the damn thing doesn't electrocute me first :fingersx:

EDIT: OMFG... I just discovered that you can't actually adjust the pickups, since the screws on the side just hold them in place on the body at a fixated point. The height is in fact regulated by a small block of hardened foam, placed between the pickup and pickup cavity. I've added some pics for your viewing pleasure.
 
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Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

Hmmmm.....so what are you gonna do? I would get a new bass, I don't think there is really any hope for that bass from what you have said.
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

While it may be crappy, it has potential. Here's my take on it.

The body is comprised of laminate wood, rather than solid.

- Most "cheap" bass guitars, and guitars in general, are made of such wood.

The nut is made of wood, as opposed to the usual materials (which I guess finally solves the mystery of why it ALWAYS sounded muddy). Someone did, however - at some point in time - attempt to cover taht up by painting (!) the nut black...

- Easily fixed by replacing the nut with one made of bone or tusq.

The frets are uneven. For example, the difference in fret-to-fret distance between the 12th and 13th fret is a full mm (0,039'') off from the left to the right side of the fretboard.

- While that may not be acceptable, how often do you play that high on the neck? I know on a 6-string it's definitely more often than on a 4-string bass. Are all the frets this way? If so, a fret leveling and polish may help and the tech can probably compensate for the difference.

The bridge isn't flush mounted to the mody. Mind you, this is a slab-body guitar, so my conclusion is that the bridge is actually BENT.

- Chances are it's the wood the body is made from that is not perfectly flat -OR- the gap is from the ground wire to the bridge.

There is a similar gap on the right side where the neck joint attaches to the body.

- I've seen gaps on bolt-on guitars that were pretty wide but didn't affect playability much. Shim it with a thick guitar pick. Problem solved.

Also - which you can't see in the pics - is the beyond shoddy wiring job. The thing hums like a bee in mating season unless you touch any metal part on it.

- Easily fixed by rewiring or fixing the problem in the existing wiring. A rewire would be better.

The neck is, OTOH, pretty damn nice to play, and I'd like to get new hardware and pickups, and re-wire the whole thing, but honestly, it's hardly worth it, considering the subpar wood and ****ty neck joint. Might just get that nut replaced, that is, if the damn thing doesn't electrocute me first :fingersx:

- Totally worth it if even for the learning experience of fixing something up. Sometimes the cheapest ones can turn out to be good players.

EDIT: OMFG... I just discovered that you can't actually adjust the pickups, since the screws on the side just hold them in place on the body at a fixated point. The height is in fact regulated by a small block of hardened foam, placed between the pickup and pickup cavity.

- Very common method of mounting bass pickups, even on more expensive makes and models. You can put springs around the screws to make the height more adjustable though, if you want to be able to do that. I find on a bass that getting them set and solidly mounted benefits the sound.

I've added some pics for your viewing pleasure.

- Would like to see a pic of the whole thing, and even the gap and the neck/body joint.

I know this was most likely just a rant about your bass, but it sounds like knee-jerk reactions that most can be easily fixed by yourself. Fix it up and enjoy the heck out of it.
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

ErikH said:
While it may be crappy, it has potential. Here's my take on it.

- Easily fixed by replacing the nut with one made of bone or tusq.
Click to expand...

Already planning to do that, will get my ass over to the shop next week.

ErikH said:
The frets are uneven. For example, the difference in fret-to-fret distance between the 12th and 13th fret is a full mm (0,039'') off from the left to the right side of the fretboard.

- While that may not be acceptable, how often do you play that high on the neck? I know on a 6-string it's definitely more often than on a 4-string bass. Are all the frets this way? If so, a fret leveling and polish may help and the tech can probably compensate for the difference.
Click to expand...

I would, but don't really think it's worth it. Getting that job done would cost more than just buying another low-end instrument. Esp since I think you'd actually need to replace them with new fret wire (there's a whole heap of 'em that's crooked).

ErikH said:
The bridge isn't flush mounted to the body. Mind you, this is a slab-body guitar, so my conclusion is that the bridge is actually BENT.

- Chances are it's the wood the body is made from that is not perfectly flat -OR- the gap is from the ground wire to the bridge.
Click to expand...

I took the bridge off and checked it, and yes, it's actually the bridge plate that's bent. BTW, I've taken a few shots of the body and grounding underneath it. Does anyone know if this might be what causes the massive hum?

ErikH said:
There is a similar gap on the right side where the neck joint attaches to the body.

- I've seen gaps on bolt-on guitars that were pretty wide but didn't affect playability much. Shim it with a thick guitar pick. Problem solved.
Click to expand...

Yep, you're prolly right. If I do decide to give it an overhaul, this would probably be first on my list, esp since it's very easy to deal with. Just thought I'd point it out, since it makes the check-list for what's wrong with this baby just that little bit longer ;)

ErikH said:
Also - which you can't see in the pics - is the beyond shoddy wiring job. The thing hums like a bee in mating season unless you touch any metal part on it.

- Easily fixed by rewiring or fixing the problem in the existing wiring. A rewire would be better.
Click to expand...

Again, thou speaketh the truth. Will deal with this once I've gotten a reply on the grounding issue.

ErikH said:
The neck is, OTOH, pretty damn nice to play, and I'd like to get new hardware and pickups, and re-wire the whole thing, but honestly, it's hardly worth it, considering the subpar wood and ****ty neck joint. Might just get that nut replaced, that is, if the damn thing doesn't electrocute me first :fingersx:

- Totally worth it if even for the learning experience of fixing something up. Sometimes the cheapest ones can turn out to be good players.
Click to expand...

I've actually been thinking about getting something like a used Squier and replacing the pickups and hardware. If anyone have any experience with that (I mean, if it's actually worth it) feel free to comment. From what I've heard, they're quite good sounding once you replace the bridge, nut, tuners and pickups.


ErikH said:
- Would like to see a pic of the whole thing, and even the gap and the neck/body joint.
Click to expand...

astrozombie said:
FULL BODY PIC do it
Click to expand...

I'll upload one once I've screwed the beast back together
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

Well at least you won't have to ruin a good bass if you ever decide to go fretless?
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

+1 Frets out for da boys. :naughty:

Those low budget SE Asian bridges often take on that "curling up at the edges" look.

Four wood screws and two foam/rubber blocks is the conventional pickup height setting method on the majority of Fender-derived bass guitars.

IMO, the smartest move would be to dismantle the whole instrument for parts. Put 'em on Craigslist or Heebie Gee-Bay.
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

Actually, that de-fretting idea ain't half-bad. I've always wanted a fretless bass. Prolly wait til I got myself another bass though. And I'll need a new bridge as well.

What's funny though is the paint job is remarkably well done, seems to be the one thing they actually spent any money on.
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

You should just throw that thing out and play it as a bassless bass.
 
Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

I'd throw it away except for the neck and even that doesn't seem too good. Just love the pic of the frets at 12 and 13. It's visibly obvious.

 
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Re: A contender for worst instrument ever, methinks

Build new body and defret the neck, perhaps. Would give me something to do this summer too.
 
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