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Double Czech - Jolana DiscoBass & Kolorbass -

#141
JIO said:
nice! :thumbsup:


I always like to get a DIY'd bass back to as close as original as I can, so I'll see about returning it as the schematic shows w/caps and a resistor. It may sound pretty much the same but will work as it was meant to.
Click to expand...
It might be cool if it works, as apparently the original concept was to give you a “Bass Volume” and “Treble Volume.”
Kind of like a biamped bass rig.
I think if it were mine I’d be tempted to do stacked master V/T and a 4-way rotary pickup switch.
 
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#142
JIO said:
If you have a pic of your electronic harness, it would be interesting to see how it's different.
Click to expand...
Opened it up this morning......here's an overall shot. (I added the new jack)
IMG_2209.JPG

And here's a closeup where I attempted to show the labels on both capacitors.
IMG_2208.JPG

It's a bit of a tangle, but hopefully this helps!
 
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#144
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#146
I love this pic of a young Czech bass-player playing a DiscoBass I found on Pinterest - it reminds me of my good friend Konstantine playing in a band in the late '80s in Moscow. A kind of seriousness that is expressed in his stance and expression. (or lack of expression) Konstantine is an awesome guitarist/musician that I own much to as a friend and teacher.

upload_2021-9-12_12-43-34.jpeg


KB is the center-stage guitarist w/glasses


another cool Nikolai Kopernik vid - Konstantine in the plaid shirt
 
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#150
Here's a cool Tele-style Jolana (on eBay) - like I did on my DiscoBass, it was restored. Most likely the neon-green is a refin, maybe a new pg and it has Grover tuners in place of originals. What I like about it is the "Restored by Nick Lyapunso" on the hs back. As I've done a few restorations myself - I like having that officially noted. I could have a decal made, or simply write it on the back of the hs w/a Sharpie.

upload_2021-9-13_9-24-10.jpeg
upload_2021-9-13_9-28-50.jpeg

upload_2021-9-13_9-26-13.jpeg
upload_2021-9-13_9-26-29.jpeg
 
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#151
JIO said:
Here's a cool Tele-style Jolana (on eBay) - like I did on my DiscoBass, it was restored. Most likely the neon-green is a refin, maybe a new pg and it has Grover tuners in place of originals. What I like about it is the "Restored by Nick Lyapunso" on the hs back. As I've done a few restorations myself - I like having that officially noted. I could have a decal made, or simply write it on the back of the hs w/a Sharpie.

View attachment 4404481 View attachment 4404492
View attachment 4404486 View attachment 4404488
Click to expand...

First I've seen in that color. Very cool.
Here's a stock one for sale in the typical red/black burst:
Jolana gitara baeowa Police Stare Miasto • OLX.pl
 
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#152
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#154
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#158
Taking a brief break from playing the DiscoBass to writing about it! (it's hard!) Had some hiccups getting the electronics sorted but fixed-it-to-day! The problem was a resistor that looked original but was another DIY "fix"~

This is the way it is now EXCEPT the incorrect skinny orange resistor is out and a correct 10k resistor is in.
upload_2021-9-18_20-32-21.jpeg


So after buttoning up that - I installed new strings (D'Addario EXLBT's) and instead of hearing through my small (but real good sounding) Acoustic B20, I'm going though my '76 Ampeg B-15N with a late '60s JBL driver. (can you say, bass nirvana?) The Discobass lives here. Massive bottom with a bit of dialed in grit... I mean, it sounds good up the neck.., but it has big booty! :thumbsup: :bassist:Can't wait to hear it at next rehearsal! (I play through an 18" Carvin cab there!)

New strings...new strings are so great! So much dynamics! Yah,I know, worn in strings etc, etc - for sure, each individual player shapes their sound by how they play the strings... and how they break them in. Like a drummers' cymbals - how and where they are hit (a million + times!) will "shape" those cymbals' sound/tone specifically to the drummer's ears. So new strings on this revamped vamp of a Disco-diva bass... it's deep - it's bass... it's glam! (back when bass was felt!)

Here's what transpired since Aug 22nd -

* crappy DIY finish removed from body, and factory gloss on the neck/hs removed

* hs "Discbass/Jolana" graphic hand-applied to hs face

* body (repaired) and neck (nut/string guide repaired) refinished

* (non-original) bridge and tuners replaced

* wiring harness re-wired to original specs

* added 1/8" aluminum side position fb markers

* specific 6-point star white vinyl strap secured

* new strings

* proper set-up and intonation


The Art Kolorbas should be here soon - (next week) and I'll goose it from there. I had a dream the other night about it showing up - very Tim Burton*.

-pics of the DB tomorrow... w/strap! :) (now back to playing it!)

*It was propped on my entry stairway (where UPS/FedEx leaves things) looking like a brown-paper corn husk ... very odd. :cautious:

upload_2021-9-19_0-23-38.jpeg


​
 
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