Custom Grabber - 1st A to Z build

[ThaCoast]

That it was an option to raise the bridge height on whatever bass it would be installed on. A Peavey bass, a Fender bass, a Gibson bass - all different platforms with potentially different bridge height needs.

Oh i see now. Thanks for the clear up

 

[ThaCoast]

This morning i broke out the router I dug into the pocket. Was missing 1/32" inch to shave off & now i'm dealing with electrical problems. Gonna start back up again. Pictures to follow later today

 

[ThaCoast]

So good news & bad news: good news is that i got it set up properly (had to shim the bridge & the neck a bit to get the string height just right) But now, the strings are way high above the pickup's response & i gotta max out my 15 watt combo's volume to have just a little bit of sound from the bass. Neck pocket is routed 5/8" deep, so i'm guessing i can go a bit more & rid of the bridge shim & maybe the neck shim & have everything including the output perfect.

How much deeper do you think i should go? Or how much do i take off first?

 

[JIO]

So good news & bad news: good news is that i got it set up properly (had to shim the bridge & the neck a bit to get the string height just right) But now, the strings are way high above the pickup's response & i gotta max out my 15 watt combo's volume to have just a little bit of sound from the bass. Neck pocket is routed 5/8" deep, so i'm guessing i can go a bit more & rid of the bridge shim & maybe the neck shim & have everything including the output perfect.

How much deeper do you think i should go? Or how much do i take off first?

I made this (roasted ash) J body which is 1.5" thick instead of the standard J 1-3/4". I should have made my pocket a bit deeper but was able to get everything correctly spaced using the bridge spacer and having the pu's raised on the high-side.

For a different example, here's my A/S J with the same bridge w/o spacer, lower pu's and standard body/bridge interface. The pg adds a bit of body height, but you can see the difference. Both work, so if your pu's are nearly out of the routes, you'll need to rout the neck pocket more to lower the overall string height to bridge relationship.

 

[ThaCoast]

Thanks, well i got around to routing it to the correct depth. 21/32". But still the pickup response isn't there. + my pickup isn't a jazz or precision or anything that can be raised or lowered. It's a Mudbucker EB-O pickup. most likely gotoh or artec branded & i can't do anything with it really in regards of height. + if i keep routing, i'll need new neck bolt screws cause as it sits now w/the current screws, they're almost to the bottom of the fretboard :O I'll probably route some more off the neck pocket & get shorter screws to hold it in place.

The body is 1.5 thick, the neck pocket is routed 21/32" deep. The string height over the fretboard is good, But they're 1/4" off the pickup pole piece. I've calculated that i gotta bring the strings down by 1/8" but that shouldn't mean i need to route 1/8" in the pocket. & my bridge saddles at lowest point is 13/32"

EDIT 2: I've routed the pocket another 1/8th & i've got the magic #. Yes the neck is fairly low now into the body, after calculating & doing the math, it did turn out if i shaved that much, i'd have clearance over the pickup & close to it & have the desired output response & good minimum buzzing fretboard. Bass will be done tonight, & i've still got to do some school work.

 

[ThaCoast]

So it's all cleaned up. No need for the bridge shim nor one under the neck. But i'm still having issues with string response even though it's now a my theoretical 1/8 distance. Could it be the wire i'm using? I bought 4 small rolls of 24 awg solid wire (red, black, blue & yellow to colour code my things) Is it possible that the solid wire is too "thin" & restricting the overall tone the pickup can do? What Gauge wire does anyone use when re-wiring or building?

 

[Beej]

The most likely explanation is that the pickup itself is not a great pickup - and if that is the case, not too much you can do to improve it. For such a cool bass, probably worth locating a good pickup that gives the tone you like...

 

[ThaCoast]

The most likely explanation is that the pickup itself is not a great pickup - and if that is the case, not too much you can do to improve it. For such a cool bass, probably worth locating a good pickup that gives the tone you like...

WEll it's cause the pickup does give me good tones (at least it did the first time i built this bass) But now, there's something wonky about the wiring i'm sure of it cause i like the pickup. It's different from what i normally play (precision & thunderbird) That's really why i asked what wire gauge people use cause if mine is flimsy & wtvr then i'd go out & get the proper gauge.

 

[ThaCoast]

I should learn to browse before i ask anything here cause i figured out why my sound was so weak: My wires were too long (the ones between the volume & tone pots). THe longer the wire, the more resistance it creates, the less output volume it has (+ i figured some of them might be damaged inside the plastic shield). So i cut those wires & replaced them with proper length ones & OMG what a difference. Volume on my amp at 3 & i could blast my house away! I really can't wait to see the look on my dad's face, & like i said i'll miss this bass but i've got my other projects to keep me satisfied (plus a future ripper bass build for myself ). Well enough teasing here's a shot!

She's a beauty of a beast Much better than my first attempt. I learnt a lot from that "demo" build if you will. But this is just the beginning for me in a long run of builds.

Thank you all for the support, & knowledge, helping me build what is the first in a line of great & unique builds.

 

[wraub]

Groovy.

 

[JIO]

 

[ThaCoast]

To those curious to know what parts make up this beast really, here's some specs about it.

-Bolt on Maple neck w/21 jumbo bass frets on rosewood fretboard
-"Maple" home depot body wood 1.5" thick
-Gotoh/Artec Gibson mudbucker pickup (not truly a mudbucker since it's bright, but it doesn't sound bad either)
-Schaller BM tuning keys (nickel) & schaller Roller bridge (chrome)
-3 ply black/white/black pickguard & Truss Rod Cover
-CTS 500K Volume & tone Potentiometers
-Black Speed knobs CTS
-Switchcraft Mono Tube jack output

It is an "Inspired by" Gibson Grabber Build. Since i didn't bother with every contour the original had, i opted for just the simplistic fender way of a tummy cut & arm rest cut. From far it'll probably seem like a modified gibson bass, but that's not what i would intend to sell it for if i were to sell it (but never in my life will i sell anything i ever have or build for myself ) The body is 1/4" thicker than the original, & the neck profile is reminiscent of a gibson thunderbird with added precision meat. It's got some weight to it (but nothing like my first attempt), no neck dive, & maybe after 2 hours of having it, i'd feel the weight, but it doesn't feel like it's pulling me down.

Overall, it's a good project with a total cost of: 450.18$ CAD with all the parts that went into the final version. This is not including all the previous parts la hipshot bridge, string through ferrules, etc. Not bad, Considering the price of a vintage one to be almost twice that on evilbay

 

[JIO]

To those curious to know what parts make up this beast really, here's some specs about it.

-Bolt on Maple neck w/21 jumbo bass frets on rosewood fretboard
-"Maple" home depot body wood 1.5" thick
-Gotoh/Artec Gibson mudbucker pickup (not truly a mudbucker since it's bright, but it doesn't sound bad either)
-Schaller BM tuning keys (nickel) & schaller Roller bridge (chrome)
-3 ply black/white/black pickguard & Truss Rod Cover
-CTS 500K Volume & tone Potentiometers
-Black Speed knobs CTS
-Switchcraft Mono Tube jack output

It is an "Inspired by" Gibson Grabber Build. Since i didn't bother with every contour the original had, i opted for just the simplistic fender way of a tummy cut & arm rest cut. From far it'll probably seem like a modified gibson bass, but that's not what i would intend to sell it for if i were to sell it (but never in my life will i sell anything i ever have or build for myself ) The body is 1/4" thicker than the original, & the neck profile is reminiscent of a gibson thunderbird with added precision meat. It's got some weight to it (but nothing like my first attempt), no neck dive, & maybe after 2 hours of having it, i'd feel the weight, but it doesn't feel like it's pulling me down.

Overall, it's a good project with a total cost of: 450.18$ CAD with all the parts that went into the final version. This is not including all the previous parts la hipshot bridge, string through ferrules, etc. Not bad, Considering the price of a vintage one to be almost twice that on evilbay

Good work! The original Grabber is only 1" thick?! That is thin! Are the Gibson's set-neck? At 1" you'ld have to use maple to get away with a bolt-on as mahogany (what I assume the Gibson is made of) is softer wood.

 

[ThaCoast]

Good work! The original Grabber is only 1" thick?! That is thin! Are the Gibson's set-neck? At 1" you'ld have to use maple to get away with a bolt-on as mahogany (what I assume the Gibson is made of) is softer wood.

the original Gibson Grabber (& possibly the Re-Issue from 09') were 1.25" thick. Never tried the RI, but had a chance to play an 80's model & wow the contrast between the baseball bat neck profile & the very thin body was un-appealing. Which is why i made it 1.5" thick. & only the RI is set neck, the originals were bolt on. Much easier process & they were maple neck, maple board & alder bodied. (maple as well, but i'm not sure on that)

& thank you! i actually just got home from band practice & decided to test drive it & i was blown away by it, My band mates loved it & said it was pretty sweet looking. i'm glad. But now it's time to relax & such. I'll be sure to post some soundclips (however i end up doing so) Before i go visit my dad & hand it to him

 

[ctmullins]

Very cool, congrats! Btw, the mudbucker pickup isn't height-adjustable, but its individual polepieces are. They're little screws, so you can twist them counter-clockwise to raise them closer to the string.

 

[wraub]

Please post pics/video of the handoff to your dad. That would be super cool.
Bonus points for vid of him playing it.

 

[ThaCoast]

Very cool, congrats! Btw, the mudbucker pickup isn't height-adjustable, but its individual polepieces are. They're little screws, so you can twist them counter-clockwise to raise them closer to the string.

Thank you! & yeh there's no need for it, as it is now, it's pretty loud xD

Please post pics/video of the handoff to your dad. That would be super cool.
Bonus points for vid of him playing it.

Don't worry, i'll be capturing everything I'll be sure to get the bonus too

 

[joseplluissans]

Nice to see "closure" on your project, mine is getting close after a year and a half of pause. Just missing the pickups that I'll wind next week Also had some problems with strings as mine is 34 ½" with over 1 ½" of through body anchoring

 

[ThaCoast]

Nice to see "closure" on your project, mine is getting close after a year and a half of pause. Just missing the pickups that I'll wind next week Also had some problems with strings as mine is 34 ½" with over 1 ½" of through body anchoring

Awesome!! I'd love to see pictures if you have any

 

[joseplluissans]

I'll try posting some during the WE...