SX Ursa 6-string Jazz bass

[thlayli]

Okay, talked my wife into ordering one for me for christmas. Thanks to this thread, I already know what else to order and what mods to make to turn it fully awesome. I won't post pictures until I'm done, but I'm psyched.

[DD_Nick]

Originally Posted by thlayli

Okay, talked my wife into ordering one for me for christmas. Thanks to this thread, I already know what else to order and what mods to make to turn it fully awesome. I won't post pictures until I'm done, but I'm psyched.

Yea I wasn't planning on posting pics until mine was done either...but I've just been so psyched.

Have you read the ENTIRE thread like I have? Haha.

[thlayli]

Originally Posted by DD_Nick

Yea I wasn't planning on posting pics until mine was done either...but I've just been so psyched.

Have you read the ENTIRE thread like I have? Haha.

Absolutely read the whole thread, plus some others. I've already received the new string retainers, blend pot for rewiring it V/B/T, and the shielding paint for the electronics cavities, so now I'm just waiting for the nut, magnets (for pickup hot-rodding), strings, and bass. I'm anticipating all sorts of awesome; I'm even looking forward to the work part, though I'm hoping the frets are already level when it shows up.

[DD_Nick]

Originally Posted by thlayli

Absolutely read the whole thread, plus some others. I've already received the new string retainers, blend pot for rewiring it V/B/T, and the shielding paint for the electronics cavities, so now I'm just waiting for the nut, magnets (for pickup hot-rodding), strings, and bass. I'm anticipating all sorts of awesome; I'm even looking forward to the work part, though I'm hoping the frets are already level when it shows up.

I was considering the pup magnet thing...but I've heard good things about those Hippo pickups. Plus I love the look of them. I'm gonna be getting one of those Ming preamps mentioned a couple pages back. Gonna have a buddy put the whole thing together for me. Also, this may be a dumb question, but would shielding still be necessary with an active preamp? Would the active preamp reduce hiss or enhance it? Honestly I usually have both pups equally balanced when I play so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be an issue anyway.

Also, what are the other threads you were reading? Links?

[thlayli]

Originally Posted by DD_Nick

I was considering the pup magnet thing...but I've heard good things about those Hippo pickups. Plus I love the look of them. I'm gonna be getting one of those Ming preamps mentioned a couple pages back. Gonna have a buddy put the whole thing together for me. Also, this may be a dumb question, but would shielding still be necessary with an active preamp? Would the active preamp reduce hiss or enhance it? Honestly I usually have both pups equally balanced when I play so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be an issue anyway.

Also, what are the other threads you were reading? Links?

Heh, I just did a forum search for Ursa 2 6 string and checked out what came up.

I just kinda figure that, no matter what, it really can't hurt to add shielding to the electronics cavities. I'm trying to talk my band's rhythm guitar player into using it in his Tele, as well, because that thing is noisy as hell. But that depends on whether or not I run out from shielding my other instruments.

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by DD_Nick

I was considering the pup magnet thing...but I've heard good things about those Hippo pickups. Plus I love the look of them. I'm gonna be getting one of those Ming preamps mentioned a couple pages back. Gonna have a buddy put the whole thing together for me. Also, this may be a dumb question, but would shielding still be necessary with an active preamp? Would the active preamp reduce hiss or enhance it? Honestly I usually have both pups equally balanced when I play so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be an issue anyway.

Also, what are the other threads you were reading? Links?

Originally Posted by thlayli

Heh, I just did a forum search for Ursa 2 6 string and checked out what came up.

I just kinda figure that, no matter what, it really can't hurt to add shielding to the electronics cavities. I'm trying to talk my band's rhythm guitar player into using it in his Tele, as well, because that thing is noisy as hell. But that depends on whether or not I run out from shielding my other instruments.

A preamp is more of a reason to shield, the preamp will amplify any noise that the picups pick up

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by DD_Nick

I was considering the pup magnet thing...but I've heard good things about those Hippo pickups. Plus I love the look of them. I'm gonna be getting one of those Ming preamps mentioned a couple pages back. Gonna have a buddy put the whole thing together for me. Also, this may be a dumb question, but would shielding still be necessary with an active preamp? Would the active preamp reduce hiss or enhance it? Honestly I usually have both pups equally balanced when I play so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be an issue anyway.

Also, what are the other threads you were reading? Links?

Shielding is always important on an SX and with a preamp even more important!

I heard good things about the Hippos too and tried to buy them. Couldn't get paypal to work so evenutally sent them a check. They sent it back saying it cost them too much to cash it! So that's how the magneti thing started. Playing with both pickups matched does solve the single coil hum but does not solve the electric hum (goes away when you touch strings or ground). Hence need for shielding.

[DD_Nick]

Nice! Thanks for the info dudes! I've got a guy who's gonna put my bass together when I have all the right pieces. Asked him if he could do some shielding too. Said it wouldn't be a problem. I'm so damn excited. The only things keeping me back are money, and my friend giving the thing a total makeover. Hopefully it'll be ready not long after my tax return. Maybe sooner if I get a better job soon!

[GrandLowBass]

Hey guys, I know SX four string P's have an atypical/non-Fender pickguard so I'm assuming this bass also has a guard with strange dimensions. Has anyone replaced their 6er Jazz pickguard and if so how did they go about it? Might a standard jazz guard work with mods?

[DD_Nick]

I know someone PAGES back posted a link to a place that makes custom pickguards. You'd send yours in and they'd replicate it with whatever color/material you want. Can't remember the link though. It's in here somewhere.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by GrandLowBass

Hey guys, I know SX four string P's have an atypical/non-Fender pickguard so I'm assuming this bass also has a guard with strange dimensions. Has anyone replaced their 6er Jazz pickguard and if so how did they go about it? Might a standard jazz guard work with mods?

Yes, even the ones that are normal aren't. SX seems to drill the holes by hand and then (with neck off) routs the pickguard around the neckpocket so it's an exact fit. Each is different.

I replaced all mine. (Burst 6ers HAD to be changed to tort, natch! )

I used Pickguardian.com (because they are local) but most any custom pickguard place will do it. Key, however is to send the old pickguard in for copying. Drawings just never seem quite accurate enough.

Adjustements can be made, however. Like you put a note on that says "copy this but move pickup hole 1/8" this way" etc. Tony does a great job and will send you samples of different materials to hold up to your bass and ponder...

SXes look positively boutique with new pickguards! By the way, Tony does not get someone putting a custom pickguard on an SX bass. He just shakes his head. Lots of people don't get SX.

[ghostly]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

Yes, even the ones that are normal aren't. SX seems to drill the holes by hand and then (with neck off) routs the pickguard around the neckpocket so it's an exact fit. Each is different.

I replaced all mine. (Burst 6ers HAD to be changed to tort, natch! )

I used Pickguardian.com (because they are local) but most any custom pickguard place will do it. Key, however is to send the old pickguard in for copying. Drawings just never seem quite accurate enough.

Adjustements can be made, however. Like you put a note on that says "copy this but move pickup hole 1/8" this way" etc. Tony does a great job and will send you samples of different materials to hold up to your bass and ponder...

SXes look positively boutique with new pickguards! By the way, Tony does not get someone putting a custom pickguard on an SX bass. He just shakes his head. Lots of people don't get SX.

I didn't "get SX" at first, either! TOTALLY glad I did though! My bass is holding up incredibly well, and I can barely put it down! Right comfortable on a strap, also! I will be buying a 2nd SX 6er from Rondo sometime soon! I was thinking of tricking out a CAR, and putting flatwounds on it ^_^

[PrietoBass]

Something is happening to me... I am spending more and more time with my Ursa 6...

[heb9_28]

Originally Posted by PrietoBass

Something is happening to me... I am spending more and more time with my Ursa 6...

I recently traded my Ibanez ATK 300 (it played and sounded great!) because I just couldn't imagine a situation where I was playing and I would ever choose to play it over my Ursa 6.

I expect once I get my Audere JZ Pro preamp in there it will be even more so. I am actually at a point where I'm thinking "it's almost silly to be looking at or GASing over other basses, because I know how much I love this one."

Weird.

[heb9_28]

Well, I did it.

For Christmas I got an Audere Pro JZ preamp.

Tonight I installed it AND shielded my Ursa 6. Here is the crazy part...

I shielded it with Aluminum Foil. From my kitchen. That's right, I said it.

Here's the story:

I have been super pumped to get and install the Audere. As the time got closer, I started to get worried about the buzzzzzzzzing that my bass does. Even with the pickups balanced, if I took my hands off the strings it was noisy. Solo a pickup? Forget about it. So, as I was reading the posts in this thread above ^^^^ regarding shielding and how putting a preamp in an unshielded bass can just make it worse, I got nervous. Money is extremely tight for us right now (I know, I'm saying this as I install a $150 preamp in the bass... it was a gift) and I really wasn't sure if I'd even be able to spend the $10-$20 for shielding tape or paint or whatever. Plus, I know nothing about shielding.

Anyways, I had a random thought that maybe Aluminum Foil might accomplish the same purpose. Quick Google search led me here:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-c...inum-foil.html

Based on this information I decided to give it a whirl. If it didn't work out or was a disaster, I'd just take the foil out and run with the Audere unshielded until I had the chance to invest the time and money. So, armed with my Elmer's glue stick and the Reynold's Wrap from my kitchen I went to work, the whole time reminding myself how stupid this was and preparing myself for it to be a disaster. About an hour and a half later, done. Run to my amp, plug it in, silent. Everything works beautifully. The sound is INCREDIBLE. The Audere brought this bass to LIFE. Now with pickups balanced, with my hands nowhere near the bass I can turn my amp to "11" and still not hear any buzz. The only time I get buzz is if I am at a relatively high volume with one pickup completely solo'ed. Anywhere in between is super quiet.

So, there it is. I give all the props to the man upstairs, not my own skill. I'm chalking this up to dumb luck and I am totally ok with that.

I have a brand new bass.

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by heb9_28

Well, I did it.

For Christmas I got an Audere Pro JZ preamp.

Tonight I installed it AND shielded my Ursa 6. Here is the crazy part...

I shielded it with Aluminum Foil. From my kitchen. That's right, I said it.

Here's the story:

I have been super pumped to get and install the Audere. As the time got closer, I started to get worried about the buzzzzzzzzing that my bass does. Even with the pickups balanced, if I took my hands off the strings it was noisy. Solo a pickup? Forget about it. So, as I was reading the posts in this thread above ^^^^ regarding shielding and how putting a preamp in an unshielded bass can just make it worse, I got nervous. Money is extremely tight for us right now (I know, I'm saying this as I install a $150 preamp in the bass... it was a gift) and I really wasn't sure if I'd even be able to spend the $10-$20 for shielding tape or paint or whatever. Plus, I know nothing about shielding.

Anyways, I had a random thought that maybe Aluminum Foil might accomplish the same purpose. Quick Google search led me here:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-c...inum-foil.html

Based on this information I decided to give it a whirl. If it didn't work out or was a disaster, I'd just take the foil out and run with the Audere unshielded until I had the chance to invest the time and money. So, armed with my Elmer's glue stick and the Reynold's Wrap from my kitchen I went to work, the whole time reminding myself how stupid this was and preparing myself for it to be a disaster. About an hour and a half later, done. Run to my amp, plug it in, silent. Everything works beautifully. The sound is INCREDIBLE. The Audere brought this bass to LIFE. Now with pickups balanced, with my hands nowhere near the bass I can turn my amp to "11" and still not hear any buzz. The only time I get buzz is if I am at a relatively high volume with one pickup completely solo'ed. Anywhere in between is super quiet.

So, there it is. I give all the props to the man upstairs, not my own skill. I'm chalking this up to dumb luck and I am totally ok with that.

I have a brand new bass.

There you go, man
Keep as cool as you can
Face piles of trials with smiles
It riles them to believe
That you perceive
The web they weave...
And keep on thinking free

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by heb9_28

Well, I did it.

For Christmas I got an Audere Pro JZ preamp.

Tonight I installed it AND shielded my Ursa 6. Here is the crazy part...

I shielded it with Aluminum Foil. From my kitchen. That's right, I said it.
...

So, there it is. I give all the props to the man upstairs, not my own skill. I'm chalking this up to dumb luck and I am totally ok with that.

I have a brand new bass.

Nothing especially wrong with aluminum foil instead of copper EXCEPT that you can't easily solder it and connect it to ground. So when you use aluminum you have to make a MECHANICAL electrical connection to the foil. Usual is a wood screw with a lockwasher with teeth that bite into the foil. Just find a good spot and screw through the foil into the wood and run a wire from the screw and washer to jack ground.

Same problem shows up when you want to connect several pieces of foil together. Happily aluminum foil comes in big sheets so usually you can just use one big sheet and form it into cavities with only a single ground connection needed. And obviously, it's very cheap and easily available and even better doesn't tarnish and get a lot of oxide on it like some old copper foil does. And electrically, aluminum works everybit as well as copper.

[heb9_28]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

Nothing especially wrong with aluminum foil instead of copper EXCEPT that you can't easily solder it and connect it to ground. So when you use aluminum you have to make a MECHANICAL electrical connection to the foil. Usual is a wood screw with a lockwasher with teeth that bite into the foil. Just find a good spot and screw through the foil into the wood and run a wire from the screw and washer to jack ground.

Same problem shows up when you want to connect several pieces of foil together. Happily aluminum foil comes in big sheets so usually you can just use one big sheet and form it into cavities with only a single ground connection needed. And obviously, it's very cheap and easily available and even better doesn't tarnish and get a lot of oxide on it like some old copper foil does. And electrically, aluminum works everybit as well as copper.

Yeah that's the thing, I didn't do any of that. I did run a few strips from the cavity to a pickguard screw and jack plate, but the only grounding connection I did from the jack was the ground wire on the jack to the bridge. As for connecting the sheets of foil, like I said, I used Elmer's glue stick.

So again, I'm assuming that I inadvertently did something that is making this work but I was playing again this morning and it's beautiful.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by heb9_28

Yeah that's the thing, I didn't do any of that. I did run a few strips from the cavity to a pickguard screw and jack plate, but the only grounding connection I did from the jack was the ground wire on the jack to the bridge. As for connecting the sheets of foil, like I said, I used Elmer's glue stick.

So again, I'm assuming that I inadvertently did something that is making this work but I was playing again this morning and it's beautiful.

Yes, you inadvertently did good! If you used several sheets of foil you really MUST connect them. A glue stick won't do that! But a small wood screw through both sheets where they overlap will! Presumably the main sheet in the cavity is doing most of the job right now.

And again you did good by running the foil up over the lip and letting the (grounded) control plate mash down on it. THAT is your mechanical ground connection and is what is making the whole thing work. If you wanted to make it optimum, you could put one of those lock washers with the teeth between the foil and control plate on one of the mounting screws, although as you note, that probably isn't necessary so long as the control plate is screwed down tight.

Since a shield job is one of the mods an SX always needs first, your Aluminum foil approach is good in that it puts it in range of any SX owner even if they can't (or don't want to) spend for a pro-type job.

[thlayli]

I haven't done any of my mods yet, but it actually plays beautifully as is. In the three days since I opened it, the low E string has died, but the bass is surprisingly set up very well. Haven't amplified it either, as my amp is packed away in the band van right now. Gonna piss off a soundman on NYE in Clarksburg.