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Custom Hanewinckel Bass Progress Pics

#43
I should also mention that I just setup the bass for string height and intonation, and it was a joy. In fact, I didn't need to move the bridge saddles at all for intonation. Plus, the oil finish on the bass is extremely fast and smooth. Very nice. I also like the leather strap Pete includes with his basses. Very comfy.

I'll keep you all posted about how things unfold regarding the pickup issues.
 
#44
Okay, I drove to Pete Skjold's workshop yesterday, and he disconnected the pickups for me to send back to Pete H. Looking at the pickups, we couldn't see how anything could have shifted inside, but Pete wrapped them up for me. I also tried out a finished Skjold while I was there. It was awesome as always.

Within a mile of returning home, I get a call from Pete S. He says he has good news and bad news.

The Good News

He finally talked to Pete H. on the phone and talked about everything. He said Pete H. was very cool and was genuinely sorry for my issues. Pete H. is also 100% confident in Pete S. to do the work.

The Bad News

While talking with Pete H., Pete S. started realizing my issues may have been due to the springs somehow making their way under the pickups to cause the microphonics (or something along that line). Not a pickup issue. I can't recall all the details about how that happens, but I did notice that the neck pickup was nearly against the pickup on the B-string side when I received it, so the bottom of the spring may have somehow shifted under the pickup. Pete S. says he's 90% certain he knows the problem, and he can fix it without sending the pickups back (I guess that qualifies as good news). He has had this same problem on one of his basses before as well. The springs also caused the lack of adjustability.

So, I'll be taking my bass back to Pete S. on Monday after work, and he will work on it during the day sometime next week.
 
#45
There was something wrong (microphonics) particularly with the neck pickup, so I sent the bass back to Pete H. He agrees there's something wrong, so he's going to inspect the pickup and see what's wrong. I'm also going to have him add a Villex Passive Rotary Tone Booster, so that will help with the low output issues. I'm looking forward to getting my bass back...
 
#47
Ugh, the pickups just sound too dark to my ears. The lower strings just seem to lack definition and fundamental. I mostly seem to hear some higher harmonics. When comparing with my Yamaha 4-string, the Yammy has much better clarity with plenty of punch. As for the PRTB, I mostly play it in the "natural" setting, but +4db isn't too bad either. The other settings seem to roll off too much high end.

BTW, the two basses are setup very similarly. I really think it just comes down to me not liking the handwound pickups. I kinda wish I had gone with Nordstrand Dual Coils instead...

To add to my issues, the handle above the shoulder strap on my gigbag also broke on Friday as I was putting my bass into my van.:crying:
 
#50
Basso Gruvitas said:
I've been admiring your bass - beautiful!

If the tone is too dark, what about just putting in an Aguilar OBP-3 in the thing? BIG bass, pearcing treble, you and use the switch as a mid-shift.

Problem solved.:D
Click to expand...

I have options running through my mind. Given that I don't seem to care for the tone of the handwound dual-coil pickups, I think it might be best to consider other options. Maybe the Bart P2s Pete uses standard, but I think maybe Nordstrand Big Singles would make me happier (and they're the same size). Then maybe I could add the OBP-3 for good measure.

At this point, I'm still waiting to hear back from Pete...

EDIT: Two adjectives I'd use to describe the tone of the handwound dual-coils are "dark" and "nasally".
 
#52
I've talked to Phil Maneri (Fifth Avenue Fret Shop) who also does bass reviews for Bass Gear Mag. He loves the Nordstrand Big Singles, and he suggests using a 2-band pre with an active/passive switch. He also says boosting treble with the Big Singles is not recommended. :D In short, the current electronics would be gutted, and I think I'd be much happier with the tone, so that's where I'm leaning...

Now I'm just waiting to hear back from Pete...
 
#53
bassplayer7770 said:
Or I could also consider the Nordstrand Dual-Coils using the current controls. Anybody know how those pickups sound passive? How's the output?
Click to expand...

I had a custom fretless with Nordstrand dual-coils and an Aguilar OBP-3. It was a great combo.

I guess what YOU need to reconcile is how bright you want this bass to sound. Dual coils have a broader darker tone and the singles are more slicin' but a bit thinner.

Hey, how about getting Nordstrand dual coils and use the switch as a dual/single coil switch??:eek: :D
 
#54
Basso Gruvitas said:
I had a custom fretless with Nordstrand dual-coils and an Aguilar OBP-3. It was a great combo.

I guess what YOU need to reconcile is how bright you want this bass to sound. Dual coils have a broader darker tone and the singles are more slicin' but a bit thinner.

Hey, how about getting Nordstrand dual coils and use the switch as a dual/single coil switch??:eek: :D
Click to expand...

When I was "designing" this bass, I basically wanted a 5-string with similar tone as my 4-string. My Yammy 4-string has P/J pickups, and they're single-coil (well, the P cancels hum as usual, but you know what I mean). I don't mind the brightness/clarity as long as I can dial it out when needed.

I had also considered Pete's handwound single coils, but he kinda talked me into the dual-coils, and I'm really not happy with the tone. I think the Big Singles sound like a winner.

As for a preamp, an active/passive switch will be used. I'm really considering just pairing the Nordy pickups with a Nordy 3-band preamp. Phil from Fifth Avenue Fret Shop hasn't heard the Nordy yet, and his fave 2-band pre is the Sadowsky, but it's boost only. Plus, I need to fill 5 holes, and it seems like the Sadowsky would only take up 4 holes...
 

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