Leafenbacker

[Spectrum]

I don't see anything on your post except a picture of soundcloud, but I went to soundcloud directly and searched on your username to find it (see, I knew those google-stalking skills would come in handy some day!) and it sounds pretty cool. Wierd to hear a wammy bar on a bass, too. It's got a nice Ric-ish clank to it.

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Sweet! Sounds good. I need to do this too.

 

[MIMike]

Thanks. That's easy to do. Perhaps I'll tackle that next.



I'm trying to keep down the weight, but chrome knobs may be an option. Do you know any sources for press-on chrome knobs? Or can I just use the set screw type and add a collar for the existing pots?



Thanks. I though about acorn or leaf knobs, but haven't found any.

Here's another status picture:

This should also serve as my "hair pic", unless that's only needed for the first build thread

OK, on to disassembly and lots of sanding, and other assorted odds and ends. It's starting to get hot here in Phoenix, so I may have about an hour or two of sanding time before the temps hit the 90's.

 

[MIMike]

I was trying to reference your pic in post 500. While the finished product is awesome, my favorite of all is the picture of you with the bass strapped on. It fits perfectly...like it was made for you!

Congratulations.

 

[mapleglo]

I don't see anything on your post except a picture of soundcloud, but I went to soundcloud directly and searched on your username to find it (see, I knew those google-stalking skills would come in handy some day!) and it sounds pretty cool. Wierd to hear a wammy bar on a bass, too. It's got a nice Ric-ish clank to it.

Thanks! Yeah, I have no idea how to use a wammy bar on bass, but I guess one is never too old to learn. It definitely has a Ric tone to it.

Sweet! Sounds good. I need to do this too.

Thanks!

I was trying to reference your pic in post 500. While the finished product is awesome, my favorite of all is the picture of you with the bass strapped on. It fits perfectly...like it was made for you!

Congratulations.

Thanks, I was planning on taking a few pics yesterday, but forgot my camera

 

[Hopkins]

Sounds great. How did you record it? What was the pickup combination used on that recording?

 

[mapleglo]

Sounds great. How did you record it? What was the pickup combination used on that recording?

Thanks! I have one of those PreSonus Audiobox USB boxes, and I just plugged the bass directly into it. I used the supplied software, Studio One v2.0. And I had all three pickups on, max volume.

I should try plugging into my Micro VR, and mic'ing that. It sounds great through that little combo.

 

[thiocyclist]

Sounds nice. Closer to a Jazz than a Ric -- what pickups were you using?

EDIT: All 3 pickups, okay. Actually that makes sense. The tone was very scooped, I have noticed this on any bass with 3 pickups when all are on.

 

[Hopkins]

Thanks! I have one of those PreSonus Audiobox USB boxes, and I just plugged the bass directly into it. I used the supplied software, Studio One v2.0. And I had all three pickups on, max volume.

I should try plugging into my Micro VR, and mic'ing that. It sounds great through that little combo.

Yeah I imagine it would sound great through an amp if it sounded that good through just your instrument level signal going straight into your interface.

I bought a cheap 4 channel mixer from Guitar center that made my interface work much better. The interface is used as my sound device on my computer. The audio outs of the interface go to one channel of the mixer. The main outs of the mixer go a set of M-Audio studio monitors. The AUX outs of the mixer go to the inputs of the interface. The line level volume on my computer, and the channel my interface is on are turned all the way up, so my computer volume is controlled by the main volume of the mixer. This allows me to run a mic to my cabs, or just take an XLR out of the DI on my amp.

 

[mapleglo]

Yeah I imagine it would sound great through an amp if it sounded that good through just your instrument level signal going straight into your interface.

I bought a cheap 4 channel mixer from Guitar center that made my interface work much better. The interface is used as my sound device on my computer. The audio outs of the interface go to one channel of the mixer. The main outs of the mixer go a set of M-Audio studio monitors. The AUX outs of the mixer go to the inputs of the interface. The line level volume on my computer, and the channel my interface is on are turned all the way up, so my computer volume is controlled by the main volume of the mixer. This allows me to run a mic to my cabs, or just take an XLR out of the DI on my amp.

I have an old Teac mixer lying around somewhere. I think it's 8 in/4out, I used to use it with my old 4 track. I should try something similar. Thanks for the tip!

 

[mellowinman]

I was trying to reference your pic in post 500. While the finished product is awesome, my favorite of all is the picture of you with the bass strapped on. It fits perfectly...like it was made for you!

Congratulations.

Voting for a pic of Mapleglo with the finished bass strapped on. I suggest evening wear, including tall shoes.

 

[callofcthulhu]

Doesn't sound terribly Ric like to me, but it does sound really nice. Definitely in the same trebbly vintage family as a Ric.

I bet it would be MONSTER with some overdrive...

 

[dmac1961]

Looks great, sounds sweet, if it plays nice....you're golden. I'm not a Rick guy, nor a big Lemmy fan, but damn, you did a magnificent job. Congrats.

 

[JIO]

Thanks! Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of the Thunderbird design. It's a nice looking bass, but I can't get over the neck dive issue. Same with the SG/EB3 style. I gassed over those in my youth forever. Until I played one. It just doesn't fit my body type.

In other news, I brought the Leaf to band practice today. We were auditioning a new guitarist. I brought my Jetglo Ric as a back up, and never even took it out of the case. Played the Leaf all day, and I love it! Of course, I forgot my camera - I should have taken a video. Next time.

I hear you. The T-bird survives purely on it's meaty sound and R&R looks. As far as ergonomics and function - it falls well short. And before T-birders start hurling knives, I am a huge supporter owning a '63 (super rare) and a '64. They are not for everyone. (kinda' like Ric's) Found this example on a random tb link - some related interest here...

 

[mapleglo]

Thanks again for all the comments and support. I'll try to remember to bring the camera to practice. We're still auditioning for a guitarist and keyboard player, and hoping to set something up for this weekend.

Evening wear? Like the kind of clothes people wear when they are not using power tools? Hmm, there may be something stored behind my table saw

 

[thiocyclist]

Evening wear? Like the kind of clothes people wear when they are not using power tools? Hmm, there may be something stored behind my table saw

lol!!!

 

[Corey Y]

Well, I finally figured out how to make a sound file on my computer, and converted it to an MP3, and uploaded to SoundCloud here:


Anyway, if you do get it to play, don't expect miracles. It's early, I'm still asleep, and the bass is out of tune - still working on the intonation settings...

It sounds pretty good to me! It looks great, sounding good is a nice bonus too right?

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Evening wear? Like the kind of clothes people wear when they are not using power tools? Hmm, there may be something stored behind my table saw

That's where I keep my evening wear. Lol.

 

[mellowinman]

Thanks again for all the comments and support. I'll try to remember to bring the camera to practice. We're still auditioning for a guitarist and keyboard player, and hoping to set something up for this weekend.

Evening wear? Like the kind of clothes people wear when they are not using power tools? Hmm, there may be something stored behind my table saw

I was going to say bikini, but I thought it might sound creepy. The tall shoes would still be a necessity though.

 

[mapleglo]

You guys are too much

So, while I was practicing yesterday, the output started cutting out. Upon inspection, it looks like I should have positioned the potentiometer legs facing the other way. Here's an assembly pic that shows the issue:

The legs are pointing right toward the output jack, which apparently are either shorting to the jack (even though it is covered with electrical tape), or it's also possible they are shorting to the shielding. So I wrapped the positives on the pot with tape, and it seems to be working for now. I may have to come up with a more permanent solution, like encasing the pot legs in epoxy resin or something.

Another issue is when I play, I like to rest the meat of my hand on the bridge, and the tremolo bar gets in the way. Right now, I have it removed. I'm thinking of cutting a piece of aluminum that would fit over the two threaded holes in the bridge for the bar (for left or right handed tremolo bar positioning) and use those to fasten the aluminum strip in place, with an extended piece toward the control panel. I could drill and thread a hole there to screw in the bar, moving it away from where I rest my hand.

And here I thought I was done with this build