FBD - Free Bass Day!

[Razman]

Now don't get too excited or jealous - seems this Vinci Signature VB5 is very inexpensive even when new, but I'm not turning down a free bass.

That said, what pickups should I put in it? I'm thinking dual coils so I don't have humming issues, and I'll probably just go passive out the gate to keep it simple and inexpensive (but a Tone Monster preamp is about the same price as two good 500k pots, hmmm...)

So what say ye? Recommendations?

Cheers,

Raz

 

[kodiakblair]

(but a Tone Monster preamp is about the same price as two good 500k pots, hmmm...)

If that's the case, you to look elsewhere for pots
Bourns and CTS 500k pots are $4.50 to $5 each

 

[Ekajimmy]

If that's the case, you to look elsewhere for pots
Bourns and CTS 500k pots are $4.50 to $5 each

+1
Link Removed

 

[garp]

Throw a set of DiMarzio Split P blades in there and call it a day.

Guitarist: "Yo, what bass you gonna play tonight?"
Bassist: "I dunno, probably da Vinci."

 

[tubatodd]

Never seen one of these before. Love the headstock design. It has some Vallenti vibe going on. I'd refinish it, get a decent bridge and throw in a EMG Geezer P pickup.

 

[Razman]

I have some pots coming, all wired up and ready for pickups. I ordered some DiMarzio DP122 Model P's from another TB'er, and now I need a barrel jack to complete that circuit.

@tubatodd, I thought about another bridge as I can't stand through-hole (or through anything) bridges but I want to keep my investment low, and this one is counter-sunk into the body slightly already. Since it's only a four string, I can tolerate it for now.

The drummer in my band pained a six string Douglas I have (see link in sig) so maybe this is the next candidate for some hydro-dip experiment or something else. Hmmm, going to ponder that one and see; first, to get it working and see if it sounds good.

Raz

Edit: I've got one gold tuner to replace the one that's missing it's post, so maybe it will be featured in the "Janky Rigs of Doom" thread.

 

[JRA]

also: might make a great fretless!

congrats on your new, free instrument!

 

[zontar]

Hmm, whatever you choose--have fun with the project & enjoy playing it

 

[mexicanyella]

Wire it back up P-style and plug into something with the gain and volume up and rock out. Blast away.

 

[Razman]

Wire it back up P-style and plug into something with the gain and volume up and rock out. Blast away.

Oh I know just what to do...

 

[Killed_by_Death]

don't get too excited or jealous

I'd never be jealous, but maybe a little envious.

 

[Razman]

Cleanup is moving along nicely. The body seems to be made of solid wood and not laminate aka plywood:

And I hope the tuner I had laying around works:

But the frets are pristine and the neck is straight...

The body is black and seems to have a little overspray on it. If it comes together alright I'll talk to my drummer about refinishing options.

 

[Razman]

Latest update: Thanks to @paco facile I have a set of DiMarzio P bass pickups to install, and that was a breeze. I ordered a pre-wired set of pots from Guitar Fuel (he sells Tone Monster preamps - great stuff!) on eBay, but I'm still waiting for the jack to arrive. Until then, the one it came with is left to hang unsecured. Oh, I upgraded the tuners on my six string so I had a few leftover (including two of the knobs) so they went on this one.

To complete it's jankyness, I found some strings laying in a drawer until I order new ones (but from the sound I may not need to - jury still out there). The "E" string is a .125 "B" string from a set of DR High Beams I scavanged the other four from for another bass in the past; the "G" string is a misc. .050 SS string I had as a spare; the A and D strings were used on another bass. The jack I'm going to pull from the sixer when the new one arrives. The new one is black so all the sixer hardware matches - the chrome barrel jack I'll put in this one since it works fine.

That all said it's tuned to drop-D as that's really the only use I have for a four string right now, so that thick E string should serve that purpose well. I have yet to play it through my combo (currently in the garage) or the 'real' rigs I use (aforementioned tower of doom above) so that will be the real test.

I got it tuned, intonated, and neck relief set; will have to give it a day or two and see if further adjustment is required. I'm getting a buzz at the second fret so it may be a tad high, otherwise it plays great! Hope you enjoyed...

Raz

Edit: Where can I get a cover for the back? Hmm, might have to use some gaffers tape for now...

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Never seen one of these before. Love the headstock design. It has some Vallenti vibe going on. I'd refinish it, get a decent bridge and throw in a EMG Geezer P pickup.

Agreed, that's exactly what I was going to say.

 

[Razman]

Had a good friend work on the frets for me so now it plays great. And wow those pickups are hot! It sounds good too, our first band practice will be the true test of how it sounds in a mix. At least it doesn't sound like a toy through the main rig as other basses I've tried. It's a keeper.

 

[AbluvasxSTROEJA]

Now don't get too excited or jealous - seems this Vinci Signature VB5 is very inexpensive even when new, but I'm not turning down a free bass.

That said, what pickups should I put in it? I'm thinking dual coils so I don't have humming issues, and I'll probably just go passive out the gate to keep it simple and inexpensive (but a Tone Monster preamp is about the same price as two good 500k pots, hmmm...)

So what say ye? Recommendations?

Cheers,

Raz
View attachment 3830538

Darn I just got this bass off goodwills bidding auction site and it came with a really loose jack! Do you know what size nut they usually run on the jack looking at a 1/2 nut or 11mm nut? Looking at the tool now on Internet for purchase

 

[Razman]

This same bass? Wow, cool, wonder how it got there. My best friend in NC knew someone who needed a bass to start learning on so I sent it up there gratis so he could give it to him. Oh well. When I replace those jacks I just use a needle-nose pliers to tighten the barrel jack nuts. I think that's what was on it. Otherwise, how is it working for you?

Welcome to Talkbass!

Eric