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Time to complete some old projects

#21
Beej said:
I'm a limited setting guy too, but I've enjoyed wiring two humbuckers such that you have the original layout, plus hit a switch and the north coil pairs with the south in the opposite pickup. I've found this to give no real drop in output (like a series/parallel or coil tap) but gives a little tonal variety.

Regular:
(NN+NS) + (BN+BS)

Switched:
(NN+BS) + (BN+NS)

Hope that makes sense, just a thought. :thumbsup:
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I am starting to think coil tapping for each may be the way to go. Be able to have single coil(s), humbucker and a half and one coil from each to spread out the available sounds. I can do that with what I have available. Like @dwizum said I too have not found too much use for series/parallel.
 
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#22
Slidlow said:
They were purchased about 12 years ago for the other Ziracote topped five in the opening picture but yes I do have other strings (Rotosound) from back then. I actually have been clearing out some stuff. Know anyone interested in a cute short scale bass?
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I always wondered how long those strings could last in the shelf without issues, guess you just answered that questions.

Also potential buyers is essentially half of the Talkbass forum ;)
 
#23
JeroB666 said:
I always wondered how long those strings could last in the shelf without issues, guess you just answered that questions.

Also potential buyers is essentially half of the Talkbass forum ;)
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I haven't noticed any appreciable degradation in the strings no matter how long I've had them.
This exercise is mostly to assemble these old projects and since I don't need them (thought I did years ago) I will probably see if anyone else wants. Likely sell off for a fraction of what I would have wanted to build them for someone else. We will see how they turn out first.
 
#24
Got the truss rod cover today. Almost completed the chrome theme on this bass. Started wiring the controls for a blend/volume/tone and push pull on the volume/tome for coil taps. I figure having either or both pickups tapped can give me several options. I'll arrange to have the north of the neck and south coil of the bridge so when both are tapped it will still be humbucking. Three chrome knobs and a chrome output jack plate will fulfill the chrome fetish on this one.
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#25
Just about there on this one. Wired and plugged in. With both pickups coil tapped it operates like having two single coils that you can pan and they are still humbucking. Either pickup can be tapped and mixed with the other whilst its still a humbucker. I have been playing it through a guitar amp and need to bring it upstairs and run it through my Vox V125 bass amp. Overall a very bright piano like tone. Wish I had a way to make a sound clip of it to post. Still waiting on a new jack plate (used one installed temporarily), strap buttons (on the way) and I have to make a cover for the controls.
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#26
Back to the Teak 5 string. I boo-booed on the routing template. I made the openings exact size for the pickup and forgot I am using a guide on the router that needs the opening to be larger to compensate for the guide offset to the bit. Easy fix. I have to start with a very light cut first as this is already finished and drop a little at a time so I don't mar the top edges. Pretty much like adding pickups to any finished instrument except I didn't have to dismantle it.
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#27
On the lacewood short scale I am thinking of listing it for sale. It was originally intended for myself but I have two many personal instruments and play mostly long scale and fretless. I also could use the funds to put into other equipment. Once I get the strap buttons on I will consider it. Anyway back to the teak fiver.
 
#28
I'd take it almost totally on looks alone, but all funds are on lockdown atm... ;)



Slidlow said:
On the lacewood short scale I am thinking of listing it for sale. It was originally intended for myself but I have two many personal instruments and play mostly long scale and fretless. I also could use the funds to put into other equipment. Once I get the strap buttons on I will consider it. Anyway back to the teak fiver.
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#33
There are now two pickup holes where once there were none. I opened up into some of the chambering I did on this back in 87 so I'll add a couple of blocks to hold the pickup height screws. I also had the foresight to have wire channels run inside when I built this just in case the piezo idea did not work and I had to later add pickups as I am now doing. Seal the fresh cut wood and start assembling. If I ever do want to add piezos later, the body is chambered and drilled for it.
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#36
Haven't really looked at this in a while. Measuring the neck at 0.790" thick at the first fret and 0.912" at the 12th. I made it 1.75 wide at the nut so this is a little narrow and really thin. Looks like it will hit just over 9 pounds and that's with the chambering done many years ago. Probably would benefit from some Lace Alumitones to lighten it up as these pickups do weigh a bit. Off to find some pots.
 
#38
Here is a simple setup for nut slotting. Using a cheap fret protector to give an initial depth for this fretless and cut a slot down to it with a fine saw and then use my triangle file to remove bulk and before I get too far down switch to a tapered round needle file to bring the slot down to the protector and make it round so the string sits nicely in. Once I finish all 5 slots I'll take the strings out and file down the top of the nut. This nut is made from a graphite composite that was for a slide for a 5000 pound piece of industrial equipment. It's tough and takes some time to file.
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#40
I am thinking why not 4, 5, 4 then 5 again so looking at the lefty 4 string. Trying to decide on fretboard. I narrowed down to these three. Ipe on the left, Macassar ebony in the middle and a dark piece of Indian rosewood on the right. My first instinct is for the Ipe to work with the walnut and nogal used. Second would be the ebony for its striping. Last the rosewood as a catch all. Hmmmmm?
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