Essex Bass Club - Part 14

[Rip Topaz]

I did some work on the frets today, I'm thinking I may end up needing to shim this one.

I can get a decent action on the lower frets but its ridiculously high on the upper frets.

[Rip Topaz]

Is it just me, or does this fretboard look like ash?

It look to have a more open pore structure than any maple I've ever worked with. Or maybe it's just the way it was cut.

The neck on my Ursa 2 has this really cool almost quilted look over the whole neck. It's hard to photograph because it changes depending on the angle, but this shows it pretty well. I may strip it at some point and Tru-Oil it, to see if I can pop the figure a bit more.

[Scott in Dallas]

Looks like maple to me, but it's not nearly as pretty as the rest of the neck. That's an incredible piece of wood.

[Rip Topaz]

Seriously debating the concept of turning it into a Dennis Dunaway tribute, with all the mirrors and flash.

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Seriously debating the concept of turning it into a Dennis Dunaway tribute, with all the mirrors and flash.

Would you also do a PJ thing to it?

[Rip Topaz]

I doubt it. I've already got two P-basses. Kinda goes against my reasoning for buying this.

This morning I noticed some moisture on the headstock (uh oh). Upon closer examination it turned out to be oil seeping out of the back of the tuners. They must've put a little too much oil on the gears when they did the setup. No matter, these tuners are only temporary. They aren't the smoothest feeling tuners, kinda feels like grinding metal when you turn them. I'll probably replace then the next time I change strings. I'll probably also add a mirror or clear pickguard by then as well.

[Rip Topaz]

Well, the wife shot down the Dennis Dunaway idea, too much she says. Maybe the next one!!

So I've been toying with different ideas to kinda personalize my Ursa 2 a little.

My main P-bass has a really cool strap (not modding that one), my backup SCPB has a tolexed pickguard. This one needs something to make it more "me".

I've got the fretwork situated. Adjusted the truss rod last night and let it sit, this morning it plays great, no nastiness from high frets.

I'm still thinking a shim might be needed to get the action where I want it, but it's very much playable now.

Maybe I'll make a new pickguard out of an old record or something. Being sunburst it's gonna be real easy to go overboard.

Any ideas?

[Dondabass]

I have always wanted to do that with one of my SX's...how do you plan on cutting and shaping?

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Well, the wife shot down the Dennis Dunaway idea, too much she says. Maybe the next one!!

So I've been toying with different ideas to kinda personalize my Ursa 2 a little.

...

Any ideas?

Some '70s themed ideas would be to swap black for creme pickup covers and/or add a BadA$$ II style bridge.

[Rip Topaz]

I'm gonna say no chance to the Badass, however I HAVE been looking into the creme pickup covers.

I still may dull the finish and wear a spot or two, but the finish on this is so nice I'm not sure I want to spoil it.

I'm definitely adding a pickup cover to the neck pickup, and I may change the bridge to something a little more friendly to palm muting.

[CBNJ]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

I'm gonna say no chance to the Badass, however I HAVE been looking into the creme pickup covers.

I still may dull the finish and wear a spot or two, but the finish on this is so nice I'm not sure I want to spoil it.

I'm definitely adding a pickup cover to the neck pickup, and I may change the bridge to something a little more friendly to palm muting.

Waiting patiently for clips!

[Rip Topaz]

I gotta get the string retainer on there first. The A string can't be played open right now without nasty rattling. I've got a feeling the nut is gonna need redone as well.

[rfslick]

Not to be troublesome, but, I went many years without knowing this. You do wind your strings from the top of the post down toward the headstock, right? I put a string retainer on my Danelectro Long Horn back in the '70's which I didn't need and didn't know till the early '90's. I'm sure you already know that, but, if not, it might save you some work.

[Rip Topaz]

Yup. Fully aware. I'm pretty sure I need to fix the nut, I can tell without even measuring that it's high on the E string, I'll probably just make a new one.

The A really needs the string tree.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Yup. Fully aware. I'm pretty sure I need to fix the nut, I can tell without even measuring that it's high on the E string, I'll probably just make a new one.

The A really needs the string tree.

I really think SX "mushroom" string trees are crap and I always replace them. They are VERY prone to sticking and chewing strings as well.

My usual tree replacement is a simply stainless steel bar that the higher strings go under. But also great are the StewMac roller trees (cheap and very effective) or the hipshot top loaders.

As for a new nut, I'd HIGHLY recommend a graphtech nut. These things not only much reduce the sticking of strings when tuning, but (I swear this is true and not my imagination) also seem to improve tone as well! If you are lucky you can find a model in the graphtech catalog that fits SX with minimal sanding and is already cut for strings.

As for "personalization" I usually get a new custom pickguard. It costs some coin, but what with the nice SX wood really ends up with a killer looking bass. I just haul the SX pickguard over to Pickguardian and tell him to duplicate it in whatever I picked out. Costs more but eliminates all the "custom fit" hassles with SX pickguards.

[Scott in Dallas]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

I really think SX "mushroom" string trees are crap and I always replace them. They are VERY prone to sticking and chewing strings as well.

My usual tree replacement is a simply stainless steel bar that the higher strings go under. But also great are the StewMac roller trees (cheap and very effective) or the hipshot top loaders.

A good trick for trees like that is to put a longer screw in it. Why some guitar manufacturers insist on smashing the strings down so far is beyond me.

If it's one of those trees that isn't smooth underneath, I put a washer under it as well so the strings don't catch on anything.

The last set of Stewmac trees I bought for a sixer had really soft screws. Drilling that out of a headstock was not fun.

[Rip Topaz]

Do you have a pic that shows the washer trick?

[Scott in Dallas]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Do you have a pic that shows the washer trick?

Sure. Here's my SX with the stock retainer. You can see that it's flush against the headstock, and you can see the notches that the strings are supposed to ride in on the underside. Note, also, that I'm not even using it. The bass plays fine without it, so I typically only use them if there's an issue.



Now here's a shot of my SX P with the longer screw and washer. You can see it's a crappy, dull washer. You can also see that it's about 3/16" further out from the headstock. I think the chewed up parts of the fabric on the strings is from the way the retainer was, but it's hard to tell, since the strings on it are several years old. All four strings are at about the same angle to the nut, and I don't live in fear every time I re-tune.

[Rip Topaz]

That's a cool mod, very well improvised.

I'm considering swapping pickups. Every time I dig in, especially on the lower notes, everything just farts out. I play in a semi-heavy rock band so this really isn't acceptable.

What has everyone swapped out for? I want to retain the Jazz tone as much as possible, and want to stay passive.

[Diesel Kilgore]

Have you tried lowering your pickups to see if that helps?