How Hard Will This Be To Pull Off?

KingRazor · #1 09-06-2011, 02:41 PM

I've had a lot of crazy ideas for this bass but I think I may have decided on exactly what I want to do.

I want to try to take this bass:

And do the following to it:

Pull out the pickups and electronics
Connect (route out) the space between the two pickups
Place one pickup directly between the end of the neck heel and the bridge (P bass position)
Fill all but two of the knob holes with mahogany plugs
Fill the old pickup cavities
Refinish the bass
???
Profit!!!

(((ok, I've been on reddit too much...)))

Okay, right now you might be asking "KingRazor, are you stupid? Why the hell would you do all that, just play the stupid thing!" Well sir, your question is a valid one.

I prefer having one pickup over two. It's simpler. You don't have to worry about some of the problems with two-pickup basses. Just do a quick search about all the threads discussing different control layouts for Jazz basses and the complaints some people have of not being able to blend both pickups smoothly or changes in output level.

There's also the factor that when both pickups are up full, there's a bit of a mid scoop that occurs and you get a tone that can easily get lost in the mix.

With just one pickup, I eliminate those issues. Plus, I get a bass that will likely sound more like my favorite bass, the P bass.

"Alright KingRazor, why not just get a P bass?"

Another valid question, my good sir. You see, I already own a P bass. I like it, but I want something else. Ibanez basses are my favorite when it comes to looks and playability. The slim necks, the comfortable contours on the body, I just like them. Plus, I want a 5-string, and I really like Sound Gears for 5-strings.

So my question is, how hard would this be to do? I obviously need a router, what other tools do I need? Does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to have this done professionally?

JSK5String · #2 09-06-2011, 02:46 PM

While everything you say makes enough sense to me, have you thought about just wiring the pickups together into one volume pot? If you have the mid scoop problem at full volume, just play it on nine instead of 10. Either that or EQ the mids back in. Just a thought...

jmbjandfam · #3 09-06-2011, 02:50 PM

Why not just buy one of these, you can still find them for 250.00 or less and it already has the single pick up config you want and its an Ibby?

Ibanez SDGR SRX 400 Bass Guitar SRX400 Single Humbucker | eBay

KingRazor · #4 09-06-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSK5String

While everything you say makes enough sense to me, have you thought about just wiring the pickups together into one volume pot? If you have the mid scoop problem at full volume, just play it on nine instead of 10. Either that or EQ the mids back in. Just a thought...

That's certainly possible. And I would have more tonal options (even though I usually just use one tone all the time...)

@jmbjandfam: The SRX feels and sounds a lot different from the Sound Gear (doesn't look as appealing either) so that would defeat the point for me.

mikezimmerman · #5 09-06-2011, 03:02 PM

Why would you need to route out the space between the pickups? The neck pickup is already pretty close to P-bass position--just pan all the way to neck pickup, and leave it there. Problem solved...

KingRazor · #6 09-06-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikezimmerman

Why would you need to route out the space between the pickups? The neck pickup is already pretty close to P-bass position--just pan all the way to neck pickup, and leave it there. Problem solved...

Well, almost. It still doesn't quite nail the tone I want, it's a little muddier than I like. I suppose I could compensate by using a brighter pickup, though.

mg.audio · #7 09-06-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikezimmerman

Why would you need to route out the space between the pickups? The neck pickup is already pretty close to P-bass position--just pan all the way to neck pickup, and leave it there. Problem solved...

+1

I used to have a 5-string soundgear and I almost always had the neck pickup on by itself, beeecaaaauuuse..... I wanted the P bass sound with a 24 fret 5 string!

junkfoodisgood · #8 09-06-2011, 03:16 PM

I play mine on full neck pickup and it sounds super close to a P.

KingRazor · #9 09-06-2011, 03:24 PM

Yeah...

I don't know why, but I feel this need to remove things that I don't think I'll ever use.

But really I could just, you know, not use them...

KingRazor · #10 09-06-2011, 03:47 PM

You know what, I do think this is a stupid idea (maybe not stupid so much as completely unnecessary).

I'm just going to save up for one of these: Ibanez SR705

darkstorm · #11 09-06-2011, 03:51 PM

Sell the nice sr500 stock. Use the money from that to buy a nice used single pup passive Ibanez, some pizza and some beer.

KingRazor · #12 09-06-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Sell the nice sr500 stock. Use the money from that to buy a nice used single pup passive Ibanez, some pizza and some beer.

Actually, I hadn't actually bought the bass yet. If I had, that would be nice, because I would have something to sell.

Sadly, I do not.

KingRazor · #13 09-06-2011, 05:08 PM

Slightly off topic:

Does anyone know where I can find some black pieces of disk-shaped plastic that could fit a hole drilled for a control knob on a bass? (I never know how to search for things that specific)

EDIT: Basically these, but plastic: http://www.craftparts.com/buttons-an...5_162_165.html (I could also probably just use wood ones and paint them black.)

Infidelity · #14 09-06-2011, 05:23 PM

I think you should try changing your pups first than doing such a big job. If that doesn't happen with pups then do what it takes or change basses that suits your needs?

I'm not asking your ability but do you have the ability to perform such a task? Do you have the tools?

Pretty much if you're looking for somebody to do it it or buy the tools it would cost almost the bass that you're modding..

mg.audio · #15 09-06-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Slightly off topic:

Does anyone know where I can find some black pieces of disk-shaped plastic that could fit a hole drilled for a control knob on a bass? (I never know how to search for things that specific)

EDIT: Basically these, but plastic: Wholesale Round Head Wooden Plugs (I could also probably just use wood ones and paint them black.)

Just go to a Home Depot or similar place and find the wooden dowels. Get one the same size as the holes then just cut, glue, and sand them flush to the body (don't forget the inside of the control cavity). This is what the repair pros do to fill holes.

edit: I just realized you mentioned buying a black one in the first place. Might I suggest looking for one of any color and strip the paint. Then do your woodwork, and do a good quality refin with sealer and good paint. (metallic black looks phenomenal on ibbys.) And don't forget lots of clearcoat!

KingRazor · #16 09-06-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mg.audio

Just go to a Home Depot or similar place and find the wooden dowels. Get one the same size as the holes then just cut, glue, and sand them flush to the body (don't forget the inside of the control cavity). This is what the repair pros do to fill holes.

edit: I just realized you mentioned buying a black one in the first place. Might I suggest looking for one of any color and strip the paint. Then do your woodwork, and do a good quality refin with sealer and good paint. (metallic black looks phenomenal on ibbys.) And don't forget lots of clearcoat!

Thanks for the advice.

96tbird · #17 09-06-2011, 07:32 PM

Nice lookin bass, too many knobs, get in the way of just playing the bass. But aren't you looking for a passive sound being a P sound you want? Look at something else? (without a battery!)

KingRazor · #18 09-06-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Nice lookin bass, too many knobs, get in the way of just playing the bass. But aren't you looking for a passive sound being a P sound you want? Look at something else? (without a battery!)

It's what I want. I already have a P bass.

walterw · #19 09-06-2011, 08:04 PM

just be aware that even if you did rip everything out and jam in a passive P, that skinny flexible neck, lightweight body, and 24-fret neck joint all mean it will at most be sort-of P-bass sounding.

that thicker, meatier SRX neck and body might actually get you closer tone-wise.

dmusic148 · #20 09-06-2011, 08:21 PM

Tell ya what I think would be interesting: stick a set of Nordy Big Singles or Big Splits in there(if they fit- dimensions are 4.25" by 1.25"- measure your pups), lose the preamp and wire the pups like a Jazz, Vol/Vol/Tone. THAT'LL get some REAL tone going, in a big way. EDIT: looks like they no longer offer Big Splits. So I'd go with Big Singles, for maximum gnarlyness.