Epiphone Jack Cassidy pup

[mbw82]

I want to replace this humbucker with a darkstar. Does anyone know if it will require any routing? thanks.

[Surprise Panda!]

Yes, it will require routing.

I think you can get a routing template from Fred.

[Rodent]

yes it does ... I wrote a beginning to end thread on a project I did. I'll see if I posted it here or on the old DudePit (Pit v2)

R

[Rodent]

bummer ... looks like it was on DP2 (which got wiped before I could capture all that I had documented)

here's a few images of what you'll encounter when you open er up

the bass as it originally came into my shop


the original pickup hole before any mods. as you can see, a Cassady is a true hollow-body (unlike an Artcore which has a solid shaft running down the center core)


for your reference, this is an Artcore cavity routed for Darkstar


homemade routing template firmly in place (shimmed to accommodate the top contour)


the bass as it left my shop



I should note that you'll also need to make a minor modification to the pickguard since the Darkstar is longer (nut to bridge) than the original pickup

I'll also note that you'll need a mounting plate that is flat against the pickup and contoured to match the body. for this Cassady mod, I made one from a scrap piece of Cocobolo I had from a fretboard I made several months earlier. Fred also offers a contoured plate made of plastic - ask him about it if you don't have the tools/skill to make one yourself




all the best,

R

[Barkless Dog]

how did it sound?

Do you still have the bass?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by mbw82

I want to replace this humbucker with a darkstar. Does anyone know if it will require any routing? thanks.

I wouldn't do it myself, simply because you'll lose the unique sound the Cassady has which I particularly like and is a nice contrast to my other more usual sounding basses. I don't own a Cassady however but I really liked the ones I've tried. If I had one I'd concentrate on finding the right strings for it and use it as is.

The Darkstar, judging by the sound clips I've heard, also has a unique sound and you might like that better.

[Rodent]

Originally Posted by Barkless Dog

how did it sound?

Do you still have the bass?

This was a customer's bass, and it resides in the Mid-west. I used to have sound clips posted. e-mail me and I can forward you a rather large audio file

all the best,

R

[whoatherechunk]

that looks amazing. great work!