A Number Of Questions For A First Build

[drozzy]

Okay, i've tried to search these but it has been of little fruition.

I'm starting my first neck-thru bass build, and have found these issues ot be of a bit of conjecture around these parts.

I'm making a 34" fretless with a single EMG 35hz passive pickup. Using a BadAss 2 bridge.

Question 1)

Do i need to angle the neck (/plane the body) on a neck-thru, i'm unsure as to this, there wouldnt be any fret buzz because it is a fretless, but am unsure if it is necessary.

Question 2) Where should i place the pickup? The most convenient place would be dead in the middle of the bass body, will that effect the sound too much? Ive read things about Harmonics and strings but theres not too much detail in there, so i need a little bit of help.

All help is greatly appreciated, i'm using a number of australian woods such as Jarrah, Myrtle and Tasmanian Oak.

Thankyou in advance,

Droz

[drozzy]

Please? Need some help urgently!

[Rodent]

take a look in the new builder sticky for the recommendations on building books.

I highly recommend you purchase at least one reference book before beginning, and that you study it from end-to-end a couple of times. it's important to not only know how to perform the step at hand, but that you also know what to plan ahead for so that you don't bring yourself a heap of problems by nature of innocent ignorance

all the best,

R

p.s. for your questions

1) most people do. the method is discussed in most of the referenced building books

2) that's a subjective question. look at several basses you like the sound of that also utilize a pickup similar to what you'll be using. this is a good location to start investigating further

[DigthemLows]

I'm with Rodent here on the books. For pickup position search the internet for different manufacturer and review sites. If you're going to do just a single pickup think of the different extremes and the sounds you get.
More towards the bridge (Stingray)
More towards Center (P-bass)
More towards Neck (Gibson EBO)

I'm sure there are others, but read the reviews of tone on the above basses or read about "neck pickup soloed" or "bridge pickup only" and then go for it.......I don't think you could put that pickup in a horrible place that will make you unhappy with your build if you take a little time to figure out what you want.
Enjoy your first build! Have fun! and DONT HURRY, you'll just want to strip the finish and improve in the future............