I put it down there gently, it's not gonna hurt anything. Besides, it is not final sanded yet.
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Gonna start a new 5 string build ...Ziricote and Spanish Cedar
- Thread starter Dark Horse
- Start date
I put it down there gently, it's not gonna hurt anything. Besides, it is not final sanded yet.
Here's what I used to drill my wiring channels. I made some blocks like this. Basically what you do is you drill a straight hole through a 2 x 4, and then you cut across that hole on the bottom and a 15° angle, and cut the top at a 15° angle. That way you can clamp or hold it down and it keeps your drill bit at a constant 15° angle inward. It's really easy to make, and keeps you from drilling through the back of your guitar! I hadn't seen this done, though I'm sure somebody else has done this before...... Seems too simple not to have been done.
You can also make one for a 10° angle for shallow channels .....Though I find a 15° is just about right for pickup wires and bridge grounds. I only use the 10° one if I have a pick up that's really close to the neck and it needs to make a long trip to their control cavity.
You can also make one for a 10° angle for shallow channels .....Though I find a 15° is just about right for pickup wires and bridge grounds. I only use the 10° one if I have a pick up that's really close to the neck and it needs to make a long trip to their control cavity.
Why don't you route wiring channels before gluing the top on?
It's looking great!
It's looking great!
Because at that time I wasn't sure of what pickups were going to go in and what position they were going to be.
And also, honestly with this little block it's super easy. Way easier and less time-consuming than routing extra and keeping glue out of the channels....
I've done that when I've done Dano style builds before, and it works just great. This is just more efficient for my working style now.
I've used Bartolini and John East active preamp / EQ's over the years. The Barts are cleaner and impart a little of the Bart sound to the tone. I particularly like the 2 band for it's simplicity and that it don't change the tone of the bass much (ie the mids). It's easily switchable and doesn't use an active mixer, so it works great passive. It's easy to add this to a passive bass. Especially if you use a stack knob for the bass / treble.
The John East 3 band is a complex circuit, it cuts and boosts at different frequency centers and it's not so good in passive mode (allowing only the rear or both pickups). Drilling wise, it's got three stack knobs and 2 switches and makes for a busy control cavity and top plate.
Having made all my basses active over the years...I seem to be coming around to passive for my next few basses. They seem to work better with my effects board.
Beautiful build DH.
I'm not a fan of the Aguilar preamps (although I love Aguilar everything else), however I do love the Aguilar preamps with those classic bass pickups. It's a pairing that just works incredibly well.
Bart pre will sound great as well, just more compressed and less aggressive.
Have you considered the Nordstrand preamp? Very natural sounding with more range than the Aguilar and more dynamic than the Bart. I don't care for the Nord pres with the darker Barts, but with the classic bass series they pair really well.
At this point I only have the bass control mounted as I never boost treble. My personal favorite pre of theirs is the 2 band boost only preamp. It sounds soooo good. That's the one that Carey prefers, and I can certainly understand why.
Also, if you haven't already, be sure to try the Nordstrand Big Rig pickups and the Big Blade pickups. (I am an endorser for what it's worth.....). I played Bartolini pickups for years. I still absolutely love them. I've really fallen in love with the Big Rig pickups from Carey though. I don't have Big Blades, but they are incredible. Two of the best pickups I've heard in many years.
edit: Ooh....I almost forgot...if you ask they'll custom make you '51P style pickups that are humbucking. Oh baby are those incredible!!!! That might be my favorite!!
Back on track...can't wait to see this finished!
