Routing the pickup channel???

portaflexer · #1 07-25-2007, 10:53 AM

Hey fellas. I did a quick search for this and couldn't find a matching topic, but I'm sure someone's already asked this.

Anyway... I have a CIJ Fender Jazz and I replace the stock pickups with DiMarzio Model J's. The model J's and much deeper and they actually hit the bottom of the pickup channel. For most things the depth is fine, but when you get up high on the G string... it bottoms out on the pickup. I need to make the channel about 1/8" deeper but I have no idea what tool to use or how to do it.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

62bass · #2 07-25-2007, 04:17 PM

Usually a router with the correct bit and a template to guide it is used. However, if you have no experience using a router it's not something to try yourself. You might be able to do it by working slowly and carefully with a Dremel by hand, but then again, you need to actually own one.

Your best bet is to take it to a local tech who does this kind of work. He'll have experience, a router with the proper bits and a template to do a nice neat job. I would imagine you could bet it done for $50 to $75.

If you're familiar with using hand tools it could be done by hand with very sharp chisels, but then again, you need chisels and they're not cheap.

portaflexer · #3 07-25-2007, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the response 62bass. I might just have to get this done professionally, I do want it to look nice.

62bass · #4 07-26-2007, 06:31 AM

Good idea. I've got the tools to do all this and the initial investment wasn't cheap. Then you have to practice using these things until you can do the work without mistakes. A good tech will be able to do the work. It's a pretty common request.

portaflexer · #5 07-26-2007, 03:25 PM

I just talked to a local shop that does this type of work. They asked me to bring it by tomorrow for an estimate. I'll get the estimate and post here to let you know what I decide.

portaflexer · #6 08-17-2007, 02:49 PM

I guess I forgot to follow up here... but better late than never.

I went to a local Luthier and had him look at it. His answer was extremely strange. He said I had 2 choices:

1. leave the bass overnight and he'd do it for me for $80
2. come back the next day and do it with him for $30

I opted for option 2 and showed up the next day. It was really cool. We took the bass apart piece by piece and deepened the pickup channels with a router bit. Then I use a set of chisels to smooth everything out and make it look nice. After that I put the bass back together and was out the door in a couple hours. cool experience, great price, and now the setup is much better. Good suggestion 62Bass.

62bass · #7 08-17-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by portaflexer

I guess I forgot to follow up here... but better late than never.

I went to a local Luthier and had him look at it. His answer was extremely strange. He said I had 2 choices:

1. leave the bass overnight and he'd do it for me for $80
2. come back the next day and do it with him for $30

I opted for option 2 and showed up the next day. It was really cool. We took the bass apart piece by piece and deepened the pickup channels with a router bit. Then I use a set of chisels to smooth everything out and make it look nice. After that I put the bass back together and was out the door in a couple hours. cool experience, great price, and now the setup is much better. Good suggestion 62Bass.

Glad it worked out and you got a chance to contribute. It makes the bass more familiar to you when you can do work on it yourself and it always seems to play a little better because of it.

bassmanrocke · #8 08-17-2007, 03:55 PM

It is nice when professional is not only to willing to help you, but also willing to teach you. I have seen repairmen who will charge more if you want to watch them, as if they have some secrets to hide. Your guy has not only taught you about your instrument, but he has probably ensured that you will be back in the future. It was not only a nice thing to do, but in the end it was probably beneficial to both of you.

**Rodent** · #9 08-18-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanrocke

It is nice when professional is not only to willing to help you, but also willing to teach you. I have seen repairmen who will charge more if you want to watch them, as if they have some secrets to hide. Your guy has not only taught you about your instrument, but he has probably ensured that you will be back in the future. It was not only a nice thing to do, but in the end it was probably beneficial to both of you.

charging more for someone to watch comes about because of simple time investment. If I do a set-up alone, I know how long it will take and have priced my work accordingly. If someone accompanies their bass, their intent is to learn what needs to be done. I usually end up taking three times (or more) the amount of time on their instrument because I take the time to explain the wahts and whys.

no secrets to hide - in fact it's quite the opposite. the extra cost covers my extra time, the knowledge transfer is free

all the best,

R