Kahler bass trem install w/ pics

McSpunckle · #1 09-01-2009, 01:37 AM

First, I drew up a template.

And here it is:

Then, I cut the template out with a jigsaw:

Intonation marks:

All drawn up on the guitar (note: That is not the real center line):

Before routing, I did a trial run on some other wood:

Dry fit after routing:

The masking tape tore up pretty bad during routing. That's why the shape's off, but it works great:

Mounted:

Proof that it all lines up:

zagralin_arf · #2 09-01-2009, 02:20 AM

Nice Job! I payed $215 for my installation! Your way looks cheaper....

Chowderboots · #3 09-01-2009, 02:28 AM

Awesome! I got mine installed professionally as well.

That's the beauty of these things. The routing doesn't have to be perfect or even tidy and it still functions perfectly and looks sharp.

What kinda bass is that on? Is it one of those Squiers? How do you like the trem?

Darkstrike · #4 09-01-2009, 02:43 AM

Nice work, much neater than my dig a hole with a chisel approach...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

What kinda bass is that on? Is it one of those Squiers? How do you like the trem?

That would be a Squier Vintage Modified(now extra

) Precision Bass TB.

Chowderboots · #5 09-01-2009, 02:46 AM

I figured as much! But From those photos, it could be a parts bass or something...I'm JUST SAYING...

Darkstrike · #6 09-01-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

I figured as much! But From those photos, it could be a parts bass or something...I'm JUST SAYING...

Nah, can't get them pickups seperate, though I wish you could, they're awesome!

Chowderboots · #7 09-01-2009, 02:55 AM

Really? I've been wondering how they are. Why do you like it so much? I'd pick up that bass just for that pickup! The pickguard is pretty neat, too.

McSpunckle · #8 09-01-2009, 03:00 AM

Thanks for the complements, everyone! He's right, it's a VM P bass TB. Great bass, once you get it setup real nice. The wood's harder than Basswood normally is (Ok, honestly, the listen wood on cheaper imports is just a guidline to what it might be made of). Made routing go a bit slow. Couldn't go too deep in any given pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

Awesome! I got mine installed professionally as well.

That's the beauty of these things. The routing doesn't have to be perfect or even tidy and it still functions perfectly and looks sharp.

What kinda bass is that on? Is it one of those Squiers? How do you like the trem?

If Kahler would offer good, plastic templates, someone with just a little experience would be able to make perfect routs. I could have used the template I made like that, but it wouldn't make the rout more functional, and the bit is 30 bucks. But I'm gonna need it when I install the bridge pickup anyhow... so maybe I should have.

The trem... still gotta get it set up. This isn't my first Kahler. I love the things, but the new ones are really stiff. Might have to remove the center spring. Overall, I like the design on the Hybrids a bit more than the Pros.

Darkstrike · #9 09-01-2009, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

Really? I've been wondering how they are. Why do you like it so much? I'd pick up that bass just for that pickup! The pickguard is pretty neat, too.

Sheer power. That and I put a three way coil switch in mine, versatility! Series/Parallel/singe.

The neck is also awesome,

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

But I'm gonna need it when I install the bridge pickup anyhow... so maybe I should have.

.

Bridge pickup, eh?

What you going for?

Chowderboots · #10 09-01-2009, 03:15 AM

Yeah...Kahler does offer the paper ones in the booklets that come with the trems, but a plastic one--that you have to make yourself.

What kind of bridge pickup are you going to put in there?

What do you like more about the 7410 than the 2410? Is it the adjustable claws? I love those things.

Yeah, take out the center spring and you'll have completely different action. I've got both a 2410 (2 spring) and a 7410 (3 spring) and with .45s, I really prefer the three springs. With the 7410, at least you have the decision between having two and three springs. I know of a guy who uses two bass springs on the outside two with a lighter guitar trem spring in the center. I'd like to try that one day.

I don't have a problem with the tension as much as I just have a problem with how damn short the tremolo arms now. And I don't just mean the modern wimpy arms, either, but the vintage ones (which are definitely better) still don't make me feel like I have enough leverage. If only they made an arm to suit the amount of tension on the bass trems...

Chowderboots · #11 09-01-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Sheer power. That and I put a three way coil switch in mine, versatility! Series/Parallel/singe.

The neck is also awesome

I want one...very bad.

Power is my middle name.

Darkstrike · #12 09-01-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

I want one...very bad.

Power is my middle name.

I thought you might, the thing is just big! 30k+ in Series, yes please!

McSpunckle · #13 09-01-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

Yeah...Kahler does offer the paper ones in the booklets that come with the trems, but a plastic one--that you have to make yourself.

What kind of bridge pickup are you going to put in there?

What do you like more about the 7410 than the 2410? Is it the adjustable claws? I love those things.

Yeah, take out the center spring and you'll have completely different action. I've got both a 2410 (2 spring) and a 7410 (3 spring) and with .45s, I really prefer the three springs. With the 7410, at least you have the decision between having two and three springs. I know of a guy who uses two bass springs on the outside two with a lighter guitar trem spring in the center. I'd like to try that one day.

I don't have a problem with the tension as much as I just have a problem with how damn short the tremolo arms now. And I don't just mean the modern wimpy arms, either, but the vintage ones (which are definitely better) still don't make me feel like I have enough leverage. If only they made an arm to suit the amount of tension on the bass trems...

There will eventually be more threads on this bass... it's getting a lot more as far as electronics mods. This is just step 1.

The adjustable claws are exactly what I think sets it over. And they seem more secure, even though a string would never come out of the other ones.

Know what I like most about the Hybrids? They're cheaper.

As far as bridge pickup... I'm putting a Dimarzio X2N (maybe a B, but I'm going for used) in about the same place as a Rickenbacker bridge pickup. The X2N has 3 magents, and I plan to remove the outer ones to calm the pickup down a bit. I'll put a chrome cover over it just to complete the look.

As for the TB's pickup... yeah, it's basically awesome. The bass having only one pickup that close to the neck is just too limited, though. I think the bridge pickup will make it perfect.

Darkstrike · #14 09-01-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

As far as bridge pickup... I'm putting a Dimarzio X2N (maybe a B, but I'm going for used) in about the same place as a Rickenbacker bridge pickup. The X2N has 3 magents, and I plan to remove the outer ones to calm the pickup down a bit. I'll put a chrome cover over it just to complete the look.

The 7 string X2N-7 will work better, if you can get one, the X2N-B has zero differences to a standard X2N, other than the package.

McSpunckle · #15 09-01-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

The 7 string X2N-7 will work better, if you can get one, the X2N-B has zero differences to a standard X2N, other than the package.

The 7 will certainly be easier to fit in... and I believe it's voiced slightly different (kinda has to be since it's shaped different).

I've installed an X2N in a bass before. It was fine. I've been intending to email Dimarzio and ask for specs on the X2N-B. I've heard they're basically the same (and I expect that).

I love the X2N in parallel for a bass pickup. Very clean and bright. Should mix well with the pickup in the TB, but that's a case for another thread.

I'm having a bit of a problem with this Kahler... it works fine and all, but I can't seem to get the springs tight enough so I can really divebomb with it. Not a huge deal... I usually only bend up or down about half a step.

Darkstrike · #16 09-01-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

The 7 will certainly be easier to fit in... and I believe it's voiced slightly different (kinda has to be since it's shaped different).

Its made to suit the low end a little more, DiMazio have said its actually a better option for bass than the X2N-B.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

I've installed an X2N in a bass before. It was fine. I've been intending to email Dimarzio and ask for specs on the X2N-B. I've heard they're basically the same (and I expect that).

I've not tried the regular ones yet, might have to sometime, I'm sure they work well too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

I love the X2N in parallel for a bass pickup. Very clean and bright. Should mix well with the pickup in the TB, but that's a case for another thread.

I had a series/parallel switch in mine, but since I mainly use it in series, the somewhat higher output of single coil suited me more, so now its a coil split instead. I'd do parallel/single, but I'm using the bass in a leadish style, driving pedals, amps and such, so I need series. I did much prefer parallel for normal bass usage, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

I'm having a bit of a problem with this Kahler... it works fine and all, but I can't seem to get the springs tight enough so I can really divebomb with it. Not a huge deal... I usually only bend up or down about half a step.

Odd, I've never come across that problem, could there be a bum spring, I wonder...

McSpunckle · #17 09-01-2009, 11:37 AM

I had to raise the spring tension until it wouldn't move anymore to get it where the cam is level. Weird. But it's working, so I won't complain too much. it's just that my other one (like 20 years old) wasn't like that. And I'm tuning standard with light guage strings... I don't really understand.

But, on the bright side, even with the stock Squier tuners and nut it holds tuning pretty well. : D

Chowderboots · #18 09-01-2009, 11:45 AM

I've A/B-ed the X2N and X2N 7 and I like the X2N-7 a hell of a lot more. It's gutsier and has better low end response, plus it can handle any string spread whereas I found the E and G strings sometimes dropping out with an X2N. I also found the X2N's sound to be really indistinct, except when it was in coil cut. Then I liked it a lot, but at that rate, I'd just as well have a P pickup. I'd prefer them if they had a more present midrange, but they don't. Still, the X2N-7 is an exceptional pickup. But how would you find a cover for it?

And as far as I know, the X2N-B is an X2N in different packaging.

Aah...that Fender pickup sounds like it'd be so tasty!

I want one...

Anyway, I, too, love the adjustable claws on the Hybrid trems. They look that much neater when it's all strung up. Yes, the price is good, too.

father of fires · #19 09-01-2009, 11:50 AM

This looks fantastic.

Do you have any full body or playing shots? I'd love to see the whole bass.

There is something super sexy about a tremelo on bass. I could never have one 'cause I'd use it on every song and get kicked out of the band.

Chowderboots · #20 09-01-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSpunckle

I had to raise the spring tension until it wouldn't move anymore to get it where the cam is level. Weird. But it's working, so I won't complain too much. it's just that my other one (like 20 years old) wasn't like that. And I'm tuning standard with light guage strings... I don't really understand.

But, on the bright side, even with the stock Squier tuners and nut it holds tuning pretty well. : D

Huh...I've never had that happen to me. Try taking out a spring. It might be because you're using such light strings? It's possible...

Oh! That's awesome. What kinda nut do you have? Did you take out the string tree or do the strings not mind it being there?

How much money are you planning on putting into this bass? The Kahler alone is probably worth more than that bass is!