Modded my Matt Freeman P!

[parsons]

Picked up a white Freeman sig model from the classifieds. I couldn't put it down for days(and I own a lot if nice, expensive basses). After a few days though, I decided to do the inevitable, change the pickups. The stock P pickup is fantastic, I do have to say but I like working in my own stuff. I've never tried Dimarzio pickups other than the factory PJs that came with my Ibanez Roadstar, so I ordered the DP126.

First I had to route the body. I did this freehand with a dremel multi tool. Then after drilling thru to the control cavity, I changed the wiring to Vol/Vol. tone knobs are useless! Then I painted the new routed cavity and soldered it all up. I love the P. haven't gotten the J where I want it set at yet. Pics to follow.

[joeyl]

freehand, dremel, awaiting pics

[Chaser1]

I am getting ready to mod my Freeman P as well, but I am going a little more drastic as I am planning a full repaint too. Should be starting closer to summer as I gotta wait till the weather is better to do the painting, but I am planning on going with a MM pickup in the sweet spot. I attached a pic of what I am planning to do. I am looking forward to seeing pics of how your mod went. I think I would be a little scared to rock a dremel for the job!

[parsons]

Originally Posted by joeyl

freehand, dremel, awaiting pics

I have skills. You'll see.

[parsons]

Laying it out


No turning back now. After the first rough in.


Almost there.



Back together with strings and two volumes wired straight to the jack.

[bass4me]

looks good dude! Bet it sounds good too!

[parsons]

Originally Posted by Chaser1

I am getting ready to mod my Freeman P as well, but I am going a little more drastic as I am planning a full repaint too. Should be starting closer to summer as I gotta wait till the weather is better to do the painting, but I am planning on going with a MM pickup in the sweet spot. I attached a pic of what I am planning to do. I am looking forward to seeing pics of how your mod went. I think I would be a little scared to rock a dremel for the job!

Thats gonna look pretty sick, just make sure you use a four string MM pickup instead of the 5 string you have in the chop!

The dremel I used is called a Trio. It can sand, cut and rout depending on how its setup. Here is a link.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pa...spx?catid=2085

[parsons]

Originally Posted by bass4me

looks good dude! Bet it sounds good too!

Thanks man! Sorry to cut up your bass, but it had to be done!

[mattbass6945]

very nice!

[Gasman]

How did you decide where to put the J pup in relation to the bridge? Just curious. I've owned several P/J's with varying distances, and I was wondering how much of a difference it makes in terms of tone.

[bass4me]

Originally Posted by parsons

Thanks man! Sorry to cut up your bass, but it had to be done!

lol...no biggie, it's your bass now

[parsons]

Originally Posted by Gasman

How did you decide where to put the J pup in relation to the bridge? Just curious. I've owned several P/J's with varying distances, and I was wondering how much of a difference it makes in terms of tone.

I duplicated the dimensions on my Squier Jaguar PJ. Measuring from the Precision pickup to the J in the bridge.

[Chaser1]

That looks great, nicely done! Good spotting, I am planning on using a 4 string MM Pickup, the pic is the first one I could find of a MM pickup that wasn't on an angle in a google image search. Pretty impressed it looks good using the dremel, you got some skills.

[PWRL]

Nice work on that route.

[5StringThunder]

Props on the cutting. It's cool to see more people with the skills to use tools well.

[joeyl]

yes that's pretty clean.

[pudge]

Nice job! That trio is a great tool for someone afraid to take a router to thier guitar.It sits flat and can do alot of things.It's one handy mf'r