Dark Star(s) in an Asat hollow?

[Bass Ghost]

Anybody know of or heard this application?Sound clips and pictures would be great...

Thanks

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Bass Ghost

Anybody know of or heard this application?Sound clips and pictures would be great...

Thanks

I know of no one who took MFDs out of a G&L. Ya just don't buy one unless you like MFDs.

I have compared a Dark Star to my old wunkay in single coil and they were comparable.

Rewire your ASAT for single coil.

Dark Stars will not fit without routing and you better marry that bass because you toss any resale value out the window.

Jim

[earlgray]

Originally Posted by Bass Ghost

Anybody know of or heard this application?Sound clips and pictures would be great...

Thanks

Just my opinion, but it sounds like a waste of both an ASAT & a set of Dark Stars.

What are you trying to achieve by making this swap? there may be a better route to your goal.

fwiw.

[Bass Ghost]

I don't own either but have plans to build something similar...

Thanks

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

I know of no one who took MFDs out of a G&L. Ya just don't buy one unless you like MFDs.

I have compared a Dark Star to my old wunkay in single coil and they were comparable.

Rewire your ASAT for single coil.

Dark Stars will not fit without routing and you better marry that bass because you toss any resale value out the window.

Jim

As much as I love G&Ls and A) would never do this to one and B) would probably prefer it stock, I have also seen a couple G&Ls with the pickups switched out, and if I were going to do something like that (again- I wouldn't!), Darkstars would probably be one of my first choices....

I wouldn't really say that Darkstars are comparable to MFDs in any form either- the way the Darkstar is constructed gives it a really unique attack, very touch responsive and almost "tubey" with crazy dynamics, while the MFD in single coil is more straight punchy and aggressive. The Darkstar also seems to have a much less midrange-oriented tone than the MFD in single-coil, and a deeper low end to my ears. You can coax a MFD-ish single coil tone from a Darkstar, but you can't really touch alot of the Darkstar tones with an MFD. The downside (and what makes my L2000 my go to bass over my Darkstar'd Jazz) is that Darkstars are almost TOO touch responsive- you have to be really, really consistent in your playing or it will be painfully obvious! I've never played another pickup that was as sensitve as a Darkstar in that regard- and in a lot of ways thats probably not a bad thing!

I also disagree somewhat with the resale aspect- I think there is still enough of a "mystique" around Darkstars (+ they cost so damn much!), and still a (relatively) low enough resale value on used G&Ls that you could probably sell it for around as much if not more than a stock used G&L as long as the mod was done extremely cleanly (especially on this forum)...although the semi-hollow ASAT is a little more rare and sought after in its stock form, so that may not be the case...

Anyway, as a tinkerer myself, I hate to see someone get discouraged from experimentation- a musical instrument is just a tool, after all. Although it certainly doesn't hurt to point out the possible folly in anothers actions

Karl

[Fred Hammon]

Here are some photos and an emailed testimonial from a one customer (the photos being from two different customers):







"What's becoming more apparent to me the more I play it is, how even each
string sounds with that pickup. You can hear every note on every string
perfectly. There is also a 100% improvement in the way the tone control on the bass functions. Stock, you couldn't hear hardly any difference when you turned the tone knob from full bass to full treble, now there's a noticeable difference No dead spots on the bass either. No noise or hum in the pickup."

To Karl (sunbeast).
Your assessment is accurate, honest and understood by me but I suggest that you lower the poles pieces just a bit. You'll be amazed how just a little more distance between the strings and pole pieces can lower the perceived sensitivity. 3/16" clearance is a good place to start.
If you inherently have minimal clearance between the underside of the strings and the top of the pickup you can either:
A. Raise your strings just a bit - you'll be surprised what you can get used to as being normal. There are other benefits to this as well. It depends on your style of course.
B. Lower the pole pieces slightly below the bobbin's face (black surface) if necessary.

Fred

[Nedmundo]

If you want a Dark Star experiment at a lower cost, try to find a used DiPinto Belvedere semi-hollow. It has a fast J-type neck, and its pickups are located similarly to the MFD's on the ASAT. Heck, you'll even have the same long reach to first position when using a strap!

I think the DiPinto's semi-hollow mahogany body would be a great Dark Star platform, but it comes stock with hot single coils that sound amazing, so you might not feel the need to swap them out.

[Fred Hammon]

Originally Posted by Bass Ghost

Anybody know of or heard this application?Sound clips and pictures would be great...

Thanks

Looks like I blew it big time.
I see now that you said "Asat" and I read "Artcore".

My apologies - it was very late....

Fred

[Bass Ghost]

'beast,

Thanks for that detailed review...as a finger player ,I love "the touch" details!

Fred,

Like Reverend ,it's always great to hear from "the man" himself.I recently viewed an Artcore with a Star application.It's tempting not to follow "the star" this time of the season...Nice techno info,thanks!

Ned,

You nailed it about Dipinto's Belvedere...I've been looking into both them and various Artcores ,but have come to the conclussion that I'd prefer the flexability of a ,(similarily fast ,j-neck) bolt-on for both a fretted and fretless...

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by Bass Ghost

You nailed it about Dipinto's Belvedere...I've been looking into both them and various Artcores ,but have come to the conclussion that I'd prefer the flexability of a ,(similarily fast ,j-neck) bolt-on for both a fretted and fretless...

The DiPinto actually IS a bolt-on, with a maple neck. I understand why you'd assume otherwise though. Check out the specs:

http://www.dipintoguitars.com/product.php?id=11

Whatever you decide, I'm eager to learn how it works out.

[Bass Ghost]

Ned,

I've heard great things about the Belvedere pups...probably wouldn't change 'em.With a full 24 fret neck and 17th fret joint on a 34" scale ,that'll be a fair reach...Love to hear a fretless with flats on that one!

I know it's almost blasphamous to many bassists ,but as a recent guitar convert ,I love the ease and feel of a short scale.This is another reason why I'll most likely start with a Warmoth ,(guitar body)thinline/hollow,(the hollow would be nicer with the forearm/body contours) with a custom neck pocket + a fretted and fretless neck.I love tele thinline bodies!I want to experiment with a combo string thru/top load bridge.Shouldn't be any string length issues with a short scale.

I'll keep you posted...

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by Bass Ghost

I've heard great things about the Belvedere pups...probably wouldn't change 'em.With a full 24 fret neck and 17th fret joint on a 34" scale ,that'll be a fair reach...Love to hear a fretless with flats on that one!

Yes, that "fair reach" you mention is a big reason I haven't played the DiPinto on stage in a long time. I don't have long arms, and my Fenders and G&L's are easier to manage. The other is that, for some reason, I can't get a drop tuner to work consistently with it, and I've needed that low D in my last two bands. Even so, I've strung it up with rounds again, and I'm planning to play it on stage soon.

I think Chris D. should make a fretless version, because it would sound fantastic.

Good luck with your project.

[Bass Ghost]

At 6'4" the reach isn't as much of a factor...bring on the fretless!