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hardcore telecaster bass

I'm subbed to this post. Very cool build. I am a big fan of Tele basses & have always like the idea of 3 p/u's (Mudbucker/P/J). When you mentioned the Fender Elite push-button switching, it reminded me that I had a couple of push button swithes that I had aquired over ten years ago:
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Sounds to me like this may be what you're looking for.
Let me know, I would be willing to part with one.
Again; Nice Bass.

Moonshine :bassist:
 
I'm not sure about using switches for the pickups. All three pickups you are installing have vastly different output levels. You will not get be able to adjust relative levels well enough when pairing pickups. If it were me I would go with passive stack-knobs with three individual pickup volumes and a master tone. Angela Music usually has the old stack-knob jazz parts if you consider this.
 
I'm not sure about using switches for the pickups. All three pickups you are installing have vastly different output levels. You will not get be able to adjust relative levels well enough when pairing pickups. If it were me I would go with passive stack-knobs with three individual pickup volumes and a master tone. Angela Music usually has the old stack-knob jazz parts if you consider this.

After building guitars/basses for 25+ years I have come to the conclusion that simple is better. Do you really want three volume controls to deal with while playing live? There are ways to deal with the output levels of the different p/u's (if that is really a problem). When I was younger, I built basses with "mission control" electronics...I finally realized that I ended up leaving all the settings in one position...Simple is better. Just my opinion.

Moonshine :bassist:
 
After building guitars/basses for 25+ years I have come to the conclusion that simple is better. Do you really want three volume controls to deal with while playing live? There are ways to deal with the output levels of the different p/u's (if that is really a problem). When I was younger, I built basses with "mission control" electronics...I finally realized that I ended up leaving all the settings in one position...Simple is better. Just my opinion.

Moonshine :bassist:

I agree that simpler is better. I tend to prefer p or j wiring schemes. But putting three pickups in a bass is a bit complicated by nature. I think using 2 stacked knobs with three volumes and a master tone(effectively a jazz setup with one additional volume) is probably the simplest and most elegant solution. I would also have to say that the OP probably has different ideas about simplicity. Putting 3 pickups in the bass seems to indicate he wants a great deal of flexibility. I truly think putting on-off switches limits that flexibility.


I also recall that the first bass I owned was a 70's jazz copy. I found a deal on a NOS Tele bass pickup and installed it right by the neck. I installed an additional volume pot and wired it in the jazz chain. I don't recall it being particularly complicated to deal with, but I do remember that the Tele pickup could easily dominate the jazz pickups. Without the volume control they would have been nearly impossible to blend
 
I agree that simpler is better. I tend to prefer p or j wiring schemes. But putting three pickups in a bass is a bit complicated by nature. I think using 2 stacked knobs with three volumes and a master tone(effectively a jazz setup with one additional volume) is probably the simplest and most elegant solution. I would also have to say that the OP probably has different ideas about simplicity. Putting 3 pickups in the bass seems to indicate he wants a great deal of flexibility. I truly think putting on-off switches limits that flexibility.


I also recall that the first bass I owned was a 70's jazz copy. I found a deal on a NOS Tele bass pickup and installed it right by the neck. I installed an additional volume pot and wired it in the jazz chain. I don't recall it being particularly complicated to deal with, but I do remember that the Tele pickup could easily dominate the jazz pickups. Without the volume control they would have been nearly impossible to blend

Like I said; Just my opinion. Killcram187 mentioned that he liked the idea of push-button switches and I offered a solution.

I have built a couple of basses with the same p/u configuration as he wants to use; one used toggle switches and the other had a push/pull pot. I never had any problems with either bass (both sounded pretty cool as a matter of fact!). I did use a Gibson mudbucker on one & a Dimarzio Model one on the other. Both customers were happy with the way the basses turned out.

I didn't mean to insinuate that there is anything wrong with putting three volume controls on your instrument, I just don't personally care for it. If a client requested it, I wouldn't hesitate to do it.

In the long run, it boils down to what ever makes your ears happy.

Moonshine :bassist:
 
damn i already ordered the on-on jaguar switches

but yeah to resolve some stuff. i originally wanted 3 volume/ treble/ bass/ mids
then eventually i realized i dont like multiple volumes as much as i like master volume.
and thanks moonshine, but like i said i allready ordered the switches, but if i dont like em ill shoot you a pm
 
damn i already ordered the on-on jaguar switches

but yeah to resolve some stuff. i originally wanted 3 volume/ treble/ bass/ mids
then eventually i realized i dont like multiple volumes as much as i like master volume.
and thanks moonshine, but like i said i allready ordered the switches, but if i dont like em ill shoot you a pm

No problem. Anyway you do it, It will be a killer bass.

Moonshine :bassist:
 
After building guitars/basses for 25+ years I have come to the conclusion that simple is better. Do you really want three volume controls to deal with while playing live? There are ways to deal with the output levels of the different p/u's (if that is really a problem). When I was younger, I built basses with "mission control" electronics...I finally realized that I ended up leaving all the settings in one position...Simple is better. Just my opinion.

Moonshine :bassist:
+1

I don't even put a tone knob on my basses. Some coil tapping switches and a master volume and fade. My biggest complaint about the standard J or P/J setup was 2 volume controls.
 
No pictures this time, but I have an update. I dropped my bass off with a guy named Barry Martin, he is supposedly a really really great for this kind of stuff.
Apparantly he knew leo. Either way he is some sort of god with building instruments and fixing them his shop is full of stuff!!! I saw an old Gibson acoustic older than my grandpa!
Anyways he said he would start working on it today but that it would take a while to complete.
Anytime I get an update from him I'll give you guys and update.

Now this thing is moving! Can't wait.