Where can I go to get electronics put in?

calebweyhrich · #1 04-22-2009, 09:07 PM

I am re-building a bass right now, that isn't that far from done. It was my first bass I ever had and it had very very poor pickups and faulty electronics, so i took them all out, i sanded the bass down, took off the frets. What I would like to do is finish the bass, by staining it, varnishing it, and then going to a shop and asking them if they can install all the electronics.

So, how should I go about doing this?

Do I go to a place like Casio or Guitar Center?

Beyer160 · #2 04-22-2009, 09:13 PM

How about buying a soldering iron and doing it yourself? Compared to what you're doing already, soldering is easy.

**line6man** · #3 04-22-2009, 09:36 PM

Do it yourself.
Soldering is not difficult at all if you learn how to do it properly.

Places like GC will charge you for their labor. It's just ridiculously expensive. A soldering iron kit will run you $15 at RadioShack, then you could do all the wiring you want for free.

I came from an electronics background before i played guitar/bass, so i was already well prepared for it, but when i did my first Warmoth/Squier frankenbass, i modified the wiring about 10 times before getting to the tonality i wanted from the controls.
If i had let GC do it for me, i am sure it would have cost me several hundred dollars.

calebweyhrich · #4 04-22-2009, 10:15 PM

so is there some guide i could look on what exactly is all needed, where to start, etc?

new to this, as you can tell

oh yea, and i do know how to solder pretty well, i just don't know the hardware all needed

**line6man** · #5 04-22-2009, 10:29 PM

Well, you will need a soldering iron and solder, as well as some de-soldering braid. Everything should come in a soldering iron kit.

As far as the electronic parts, can you describe the bass?

Beyer160 · #6 04-23-2009, 07:06 AM

Figure out what's in there now, and replace it all with better quality stuff. CTS pots are inexpensive, but you'll probably need new knobs because the shaft size will probably be different than the cheap stuff you have on there now. There are a billion choices for pickups out there, at all kinds of price levels.

Here are some wiring diagrams-
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/

What kind of bass is it?

calebweyhrich · #7 04-23-2009, 02:17 PM

I was 12 when i got it, I'm now 17, so all i really know is it was a $99 bass that fender built, it was used, so i didn't get it in a box, i got a soft case and a little 50 watt amp

Rocky McDougall · #8 04-23-2009, 11:06 PM

Does it have a name on the headstock? Maybe, Squier by Fender? Probably made in 2003 in Indonesia. (IC03)

**line6man** · #9 04-23-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calebweyhrich

I was 12 when i got it, I'm now 17, so all i really know is it was a $99 bass that fender built, it was used, so i didn't get it in a box, i got a soft case and a little 50 watt amp

No, what i meant was, can you describe the electronics.
Is this a Jazz bass, or a P bass, or what?

**TheMutt** · #10 04-24-2009, 04:26 AM

Personally I'd veer away from Guitar Center or Sam Ash for getting technician work done. I've had a lot of friends who have gotten back their gear with new dings, scratches, and in one case a warped metal pickup cover that Sam Ash refused to compensate for until legal action was taken. You're much better off trying yourself, finding a trustworthy and competent friend who knows how to solder, or taking it to the local mom and pop shop who will treat you right.