how do I go about gutting my bass?

[lovernotfighter]

I’ve got a little Ibanez GAXB and I love the size of it, and the woods are nice, but the electronics are crap. I want to gut it this summer and replace al the electronics. I’ve never tried doing anything like this to one of my basses before and want to know where to start. I’m still deciding on pick-ups right now, so suggestions on that are welcome (but I want to keep it passive). And one more question. How hard would it be to turn it into a string through body? I’m new to this so any help is welcome.

Here is the bass:
http://www.ibanez.com/bass/series.aspx?s=gaxb

[4StringTheorist]

One pickup, space for two knobs or a knob and a switch, eh?

You've got plenty of options, especially if the pickup you get allows series/parallel/single wiring. You could have one knob for tone and a push-pull knob for volume and coil switching. etc.

Turning the bass to string-through-body would require buying a new bridge, some ferrules and drilling some decent sized holes in the bass. Not anything you won't be able to handle if you are careful with measurements and good with a drill.

[lovernotfighter]

Originally Posted by 4StringTheorist

One pickup, space for two knobs or a knob and a switch, eh?

You've got plenty of options, especially if the pickup you get allows series/parallel/single wiring. You could have one knob for tone and a push-pull knob for volume and coil switching. etc.

Turning the bass to string-through-body would require buying a new bridge, some ferrules and drilling some decent sized holes in the bass. Not anything you won't be able to handle if you are careful with measurements and good with a drill.

I was hoping the string through body would be that easy. Just carefull that there wernt any catches.

[NoGraveConcern]

String through body is best done with a drill press. A hand drill isn't going to drill the holes for the ferrules evenly. You will also need a fostering (sp) bit if you want the ferrules recessed into the body, but at that puts so little wood between the holes that chipped paint--if not chipped wood--between the ferrules is almost a guarantee.

Edit...the chipping wouldn't be so bad on a bass. I had trouble recessing the ferrules on a guitar.

[JustOpenYourMind]

Do you have a bass that is string through body? It doesn't really make a difference in tone. If string my fender through bridge or through body it doesn't really interfere with the tone, The contact point is at the saddle anything after that won't have much impact.

It certaintly is not worth the hassle to drill holes in your bass and install ferrules for something like that.

[lovernotfighter]

Originally Posted by JustOpenYourMind

Do you have a bass that is string through body? It doesn't really make a difference in tone. If string my fender through bridge or through body it doesn't really interfere with the tone, The contact point is at the saddle anything after that won't have much impact.

It certaintly is not worth the hassle to drill holes in your bass and install ferrules for something like that.

I already have a string through bass and I love the low action. I realize there isnt a tone differance, but I can tell the differance when I play.

[TrevorOfDoom]

i doubt that the low action has anything to do with how you string the bass. as was said, whether through body, or through bridge, the string makes contact with all the same points of the saddle and nut.
even with the through body, it still hits the saddle in the same place and in the same way as a through bridge.
if you want lower action, set it up with lower action. doesn't matter how it's strung.

[lovernotfighter]

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

i doubt that the low action has anything to do with how you string the bass. as was said, whether through body, or through bridge, the string makes contact with all the same points of the saddle and nut.
even with the through body, it still hits the saddle in the same place and in the same way as a through bridge.
if you want lower action, set it up with lower action. doesn't matter how it's strung.

Dooley noted

[TrevorOfDoom]

and if it's a higher tension you're after, just use higher tension strings. that could be the main difference in how your basses play.

[staindbass]

no sweat. no drill press needed. when u first drill the stringthrubody ferrule holes, drill thru the face of the bass with a small 1/8" drill bit. then, flip the bass over, and drill thru those holes with the correct size bit. that way there will be no chips on the back around the holes. dont forget to paint with a qtip ect inside those holes to seal it. otherwise moisture/sweat will easily migrate in and out of the body wood. even clear nailpolish would work to seal it. johnny a.