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Leafenbacker

#463
Thanks for the suggestions. It turns out, as usual, I rush into things without doing all the research. I watched the setup video, linked for me at the Bass Tremolo Fanatics thread, and saw that I needed to adjust the spring tension screw. Made the adjustments, and now it's working correctly.
 
#464
mapleglo said:
Thanks for the suggestions. It turns out, as usual, I rush into things without doing all the research. I watched the setup video, linked for me at the Bass Tremolo Fanatics thread, and saw that I needed to adjust the spring tension screw. Made the adjustments, and now it's working correctly.
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Ehh, we don't need no stinkin instructions :D
 
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#465
Status picture, tuned to standard tuning, with the tremolo working.

2807ba.jpg


Hopkins said:
Ehh, we don't need no stinkin instructions :D
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That's typical for me, thinking I know better than the designers. When all else fails, read the directions :P
 
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#466
mapleglo said:
Thanks for the suggestions. It turns out, as usual, I rush into things without doing all the research. I watched the setup video, linked for me at the Bass Tremolo Fanatics thread, and saw that I needed to adjust the spring tension screw. Made the adjustments, and now it's working correctly.
Click to expand...

Don't mess with my head. I've been assuming this whole time you know what you're doing. :whistle:
 
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#468
mapleglo said:
I know just enough to be a danger to myself :p

It also appears, according to the setup video, that I should align the saddles and string "hook", as Mr. Kahler calls it. Tomorrow is another day. I've had enough excitement for today...
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I'm just excited to see that sucker once the finish sets in. I have a feeling it will be among the nicest things on the planet.
 
#472
mellowinman said:
I'm just excited to see that sucker once the finish sets in. I have a feeling it will be among the nicest things on the planet.
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Thanks!

Diamond_Dave said:
Don't take this the wrong way, but you'd make a great man. ;)
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I've always been a bit of a tomboy, and sometimes think life would be easier as a man. I guess we need to be true to ourselves.

lowsideonacurve said:
I doubt there would be so much difference in string tension from light to heavy gauge strings to correct the arm position. The tremolo spring tension might be the problem. In case you haven't seen it already, Kahler shows how to adjust it in this video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj_8FtMJyes

The bass is looking fantastic BTW.
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Thanks. It was exactly the spring tension adjustment that solved the issue.

gmjhowe said:
Sweet, now thats sorted, whats the next step? Because this feels so close. I hate the stage where you can play it, but it still needs work.
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Yes, it's pretty close. All that's left is to finalize the pickup mounting, install the strap buttons and output jack plate, and lots of sanding before I start applying the Formby's. There's a few other odds and ends, like I want to use a leaf for the truss rod cover, so I'll have to sand one thinner, and maybe add another to the rear of the headstock, per JIO's suggestion. The fret markers could use an improvement as well, but I haven't found any that speak to me. I'll likely do a little of this work over this week, and tackle some of the sanding this weekend. And of course, once the finish is applied, I'll have to wire it up. I'm still playing with ideas for wiring, but will either go with the 3 volumes, or perhaps 2 switches, 3-way on-on-on, which will allow any pickup combo, and master volume and tone.
 
#478
Did the headstock design change a little from the pics earlier in the thread? The upper wave looks little fatter. Either way fantastic job.

It also looks to me like the pickups landed approximately in the same positions (relative to scale) of the Jazz neck, Ric bridge and Jazz bridge. A good palette for sure.
 
#480
gmjhowe said:
:(

Sanding, the one step that takes longer than all the other steps combined.
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Yes, and the most physically demanding. And sawdust gets everywhere. I should get some dust masks before I start.

Diamond_Dave said:
I just mean your willingness to trudge forward without reading the directions. Nothing to do with gender, really...other than we men put our egos before the manual!
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Kaa said:
As is dictated by all that is right and just in the world.
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Lol! For most of my life, I've been a bit impetuous. I don't know that it has to do with ego in my case. Perhaps impatience, arrogance or ignorance, or a little of each.

thiocyclist said:
It is looking so great!!! Glad you got the trem bridge figured out.
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joselorellano said:
I'm glad you found the solution. Easy fix...
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Yeah, I know I should read the directions first, but my impatience usually gets the best of me.

thiocyclist said:
Did the headstock design change a little from the pics earlier in the thread? The upper wave looks little fatter. Either way fantastic job.

It also looks to me like the pickups landed approximately in the same positions (relative to scale) of the Jazz neck, Ric bridge and Jazz bridge. A good palette for sure.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The headstock did change slightly, when I saw that the string slots in the nut were in slightly different positions that the previous neck I bought from Carvin. The upper wave might have changed slightly as I didn't use the template I made from wood, but instead, just printed out the adjusted drawing, taped it on, and cut it to shape. I don't like using a router for shaping the body or headstock, base on my previous experience with my last build. It didn't go well, either time. I have better results just cutting the shape with the jig saw, and shaping it with the spindle sander bit on my drill press.

I wish I could say that I chose the pickup locations based on some kind of science or known spacing from other basses. In fact, I took the available space between the neck and bridge, spaced the neck pickup a 1/2" from the neck, because I was afraid of hitting the truss rod if it was right up against it, and eye-balled the distance from the bridge to the bridge pickup. The middle pickup is, naturally enough, exactly in-between them. I figure since there's three of them, at least one should be in a sweet spot. I know, it's a hell of a way to place pickups, but as I said earlier, I can be a little impetuous. Also, symmetry and spacing are important to me, perhaps even above function, depending on the specific application.

Most likely will not get anything done today. Just too many things going on.
 

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