What would an L2000 MFD sound like in a Telecaster Bass, or same position?

[Dave Campbell]

I've had this idea for a project in my head for a few years now... 70's Tele bass style.

There are a few pickups out there which would be direct drop-ins... like a Lakland Darkstar, for example.

But what about a MFD? Would it be over the top? What compensation would be needed in the electronics (I'm thinking passive).
Not sure when or if this project would ever see the light of day, but it's been on my mind for a while.

[Ken Baker]

Certainly isn't going to be a drop-in, but it would liven things up a bit if located where the stock pickup is. I don't think I'd expect a true G&L tone because of the old simple bridge.

Doubt that a preamp would be needed unless you wanted something advanced in the way of tone shaping. Maybe straight to the jack with nothing more than a 250K volume pot.

Ken...

[Dave Campbell]

It's a hypothetical build.

Just brushed up on the idea after participating in a thread on Harmony Central, the question being, "What's your dream build?"

It would be a Warmoth-type thing... slab swamp ash body in something like Ice Blue Metallic, with binding on both sides, maybe a Gotoh bridge, with the body holes.

But I'd love to somehow find a way to strap on an old SB-1 neck to something like that, even if it meant removing some wood from the body.

[fender3x]

Originally Posted by Dave Campbell

It's a hypothetical build.
It would be a Warmoth-type thing... slab swamp ash body in something like Ice Blue Metallic, with binding on both sides, maybe a Gotoh bridge, with the body holes.

I have thought about something like this too... I like your color choice, but I would probably get the hollow-J body for the weight reduction. Either way it would be very cool!

As to the bridge, I did a little experimenting with my p-bass. I a/b'd it using a metal c-clamp to "pinch" the saddles together. To my ear this gave it considerably more sustain. It also added to the mass...but I am not convinced that the mass matters that much for sustain (I know that's not the common wisdom, please don't shoot me). The bridge is so firmly mounted to the body, that I don't think it's mass matters. The saddles on the other hand vibrate vertically and laterally, so if you clamp them they should have less vibration of their own, leaving more of the vibration in the string, where it belongs. This explanation makes such good sense to me that it just about has to be wrong ;-)

If not wrong, tho, the standard 4 saddle fender bridge is an amazingly simple and effective design. The only thing missing is the simple set-screw that LF added to the G&L bridge to clamp the saddles That's genius of the G&L bridge, I think.

So I have been thinking of designing a sort of c-clamp for my Fender style bridges that won't be as ugly as what I use for woodworking. Just a thought...

[chunkstyle]

"Maybe straight to the jack with nothing more than a 250K volume pot."


now you're cooking with fire...

[Chef]

fwiw: a darkstar will mount to the stock tele p/g, fit in the stock route, and require nothing more than four new lil mounting screw holes because they're located in different spots than the stock tele pickup.

i've done it, it works really, really well.

i think an mfd would also likely work really well; but, i'd be inclined to use another bit of g-n-l tech and wire it like an L1k so that you had bass cut and coil taps. you won't need the bass boost function

[El Tookay]

Originally Posted by Chef

i think an mfd would also likely work really well; but, i'd be inclined to use another bit of g-n-l tech and wire it like an L1k so that you had bass cut and coil taps. you won't need the bass boost function

Oooh, I like it! A mix of '70's Tele bass and SCPB in one package. I'd need an arm cut and a belly cut (the older i get, the more I appreciate belly cuts).
Hey Dave, everything ok on Saltspring? Crazy Wet-coast weather, if it isn't snowing, it a monsoon .

[earlgray]

Originally Posted by Chef

fwiw: a darkstar will mount to the stock tele p/g, fit in the stock route, and require nothing more than four new lil mounting screw holes because they're located in different spots than the stock tele pickup.

i've done it, it works really, really well.

i think an mfd would also likely work really well; but, i'd be inclined to use another bit of g-n-l tech and wire it like an L1k so that you had bass cut and coil taps. you won't need the bass boost function

Agree with Chef here, although weren't the original tele basses single coil/j-size? A DS would be great there -- I'd love to get a bass that will work with one someday -- I've been tempted by the darkstar-equipped Laklands & have purposely stayed away from the factory when I'm passing thru Chicago.

I love MFDs, but if nothing else, I want a DS just because I really like what Fred is doing with that.

[Dave Campbell]

Originally Posted by El Tookay

Oooh, I like it! A mix of '70's Tele bass and SCPB in one package. I'd need an arm cut and a belly cut (the older i get, the more I appreciate belly cuts).
Hey Dave, everything ok on Saltspring? Crazy Wet-coast weather, if it isn't snowing, it a monsoon .

Heeeeey, man.

Yeah, it was a doozie this time. Just now the driveway is melting. We got three feet.
A boxing Day gig was cancelled, and the New Year's gig was almost not even worth it. Talk about cabin fever.

I was in Van on the 23rd/24th, and I couldn't believe another 10cm came down. I was driving back on the 24th, and the roads were shite... but on the SSI side... perfect. Like, ***?

Anyway, all is good now.

Hey... you ever get an L1000? Sorry again you couldn't have swiped that '81 of mine. I actually miss her now.