Projekt In Progress: "Jazz-Ray" Build

[Petebass]

Firstly, thanks for that! Now that's what I call solid "iron sights".

Secondly, deduct ½-a-thanks for making my head spin like a top! But then, I was too busy taking art classes in high school to bother with physics and chemistry. However, I think I can just barely wrap my head around the figures. I mean, I understand the differences between high and low frequencies. (Never go headphone shopping with me…I am an Unholy Terror! It usually goes something like, "Hey clerk! Why the fizzity-uck don't these $150 earbuds even have the dynamic range printed on the box?! What kinda rube do you take me for?!?")

Ha, fair enough. I didn't want to do a written analysis because people tend to jump down my throat arguing against what is very clear in the graphs (go figure). Basically, the main difference between the MM preamp and the others is the lows fall away at those super low frequencies. The others have much more going on way down low, and add even more when you start playing with the bass eq control.

This is significant because for a few different reasons. Firstly, those sub sonic frequencies are very hard to reproduce. They put enormous demands on your amplification. Also by putting the centre frequency higher up at 60Hz instead of way down at 40Hz, it's in a much more usable part of frequent spectrum. Together with the string treble presence these basses are famous for, it ensues these bases cut through the mix better than most.

PS- if that Blacktop came in a 5 string, I would have bought one.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Honestly, Malak, that bass is definitely looking less and less appealing to me, and I'm certain you'll absolutely hate it. I can definitely arrange for that bass to be disposed of immediately, free of charge, at a place conveniently located close to my house.

Given where you live, I might bring it there personally! However, I'd probably be seriously tuckered out from such a long trip. I'd probably need…hmmm…I dunno, a week to recover. You know anyplace that would put up a 20-year veteran massage/neuromuscular therapist for a spell in exchange for goods and services?

Ha, fair enough. I didn't want to do a written analysis because people tend to jump down my throat arguing against what is very clear in the graphs (go figure). Basically, the main difference between the MM preamp and the others is the lows fall away at those super low frequencies. The others have much more going on way down low, and add even more when you start playing with the bass eq control.

This is significant because for a few different reasons. Firstly, those sub sonic frequencies are very hard to reproduce. They put enormous demands on your amplification. Also by putting the centre frequency higher up at 60Hz instead of way down at 40Hz, it's in a much more usable part of frequent spectrum. Together with the string treble presence these basses are famous for, it ensues these bases cut through the mix better than most.

PS- if that Blacktop came in a 5 string, I would have bought one.

Thanks, Pete! That not only clarifies a lot, but gives me a primer on what to look for in the future.

P.S.: WOW! A five-stringer Blacktop? That would probably kill a few hapless individuals in the front rows! Adding a B-string to a bass I've often called "…easily THE MOST aggressive, passive bass I've ever had the pleasure of trying out, let alone owning." would be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I think if i had to pick id go with the ghs boomers only because the only basses that need new strings are the stingrays. Oh and you have to post sound clips of the completed bass when its all done...

Done and done! You okay with them being medium lights? Oh, and just to clarify…do you mean one set or two?

Speaking of strings, I can hardly wait to hear what this project will sound like with a set of Ernie Ball Cobalts. It should be downright bombastic! \m/

 

[spaz21387]

Just 1 set is cool with me. Im ok with mediums. I like 105s but i recently tried 9s on guitar and loved them. I usually use the heaviest guitar strings i could find. So the mediums might be a nice change.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Just 1 set is cool with me. Im ok with mediums. I like 105s but i recently tried 9s on guitar and loved them. I usually use the heaviest guitar strings i could find. So the mediums might be a nice change.

Done! PM me your shipping address. I'll get them out first thing Monday. Gran merci beaucoup, Spaz!

 

[spaz21387]

Im glad i can help. The pickup was never used i got it for a build that never happened.

 

[99Z3]

May I suggest to you the John East MMSR preamp.. it either the 4 knob 3 band or 3 knob 2 band.. I would go with the first over the latter, so that you have control over your mids.

 

[Malak the Mad]

May I suggest to you the John East MMSR preamp.. it either the 4 knob 3 band or 3 knob 2 band.. I would go with the first over the latter, so that you have control over your mids.

Much appreciated, but I think I'm going to pass on that particular preamp. One reason is the cost, which I'm trying to keep down at first. If this project is successful, I can always upgrade later. The other reason is actually stated by themselves in that preamp's technical specifications.

"The design of the 2 band EQ in the early Stingray© basses is unusual in that it does not follow the types of topologies around which the majority of equalisers are designed. It would seem that Leo Fender designed it to create a particular sound rather than follow any conventions, such as symmetrical EQ curves."​

As I stated earlier, it's that "particular sound" that I'm pursuing. I also mentioned how I'd like to take my first, true plunge into active basses with a simple EQ configuration. I'd gotten so used to passives that the one-and-only active I (very briefly) had left me more baffled than empowered.

The John East preamp sounds like it would serve very well, but I don't think I'm ready for it quite yet…both in proficiency and cost.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Yeesh! Has it really been seven months since I started this thread?! That being said, this project has never been too far from my mind. I've made a few decisions along the way which I'd like to share.

1. Electronics: I'm going to stick with the vintage-style, single-pickup and 2-band EQ for starters, but I'll keep the possibility of installing a 3-band in mind. I'll start off with the pickup I traded with @spaz21387, but I might get another Guitar Fetish alnico pup just to see if there's any considerable difference. (thanks again, spaz!)
2. Body: I'm seriously considering a customized Warmoth build over modding an existing body. It all depends on what they will and won't do for me. I'd like to have a three-hole configuration for the control knobs (volume/treble/bass) and an Aerodyne-inspired, Stratocaster-style output jack. If Warmoth can't/won't do that, I'll have the jack installed by my local guitar-tech. (see example-pic below)
3. Finish: Partly to keep costs down, partly to make it a bit more "MINE", I'm thinking of finishing it myself using a number of Minwax products. Chief among them would be their Bombay Mahogany PolyShade, then possibly some Wipe-On Poly to add an extra layer of protection. I miss having a red-ish bass in my collection. Also, it's similar to Fender's discontinued Transparent Midnight Wine, a particularly kick-ass color, in my opinion.
4. Neck & Hardware: I feel black hardware would best complement the darker red finish. Also, I just bought a Fender-Japan Jazz Bass Special neck (black hardware and painted headstock) from a fellow TB'er, so that will go nicely with the overall "groove".

Here's a little quick & dirty Photoshoppery I did earlier today to illustrate what I will propose to Warmoth. Apologies to the nitpickers about the size and placement of the pickup. This is not to any exact scale, just an illustration of my current idea.

 

[Freightshaker]

I remember this thread. That would look sweet in transparent wine. I ended up cutting into a MIM alder P Body. This is as far as I've made it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I remember this thread. That would look sweet in transparent wine. I ended up cutting into a MIM alder P Body. This is as far as I've made it.View attachment 820507

Cool! I could easily see you mounting a customized pickguard with no route for the split-coil, but instead a notch opened up at the bridge-side to accommodate the MM pup.

 

[spaz21387]

I cant wait to see the finished bass. Id like to see a stingray style oval pickguard on it too for some reason.

 

[Freightshaker]

Malak's bass will have the opportunity to show off some grain. Mine, because of the top control route, will need a P style guard.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Malak's bass will have the opportunity to show off some grain. Mine, because of the top control route, will need a P style guard.

That's the plan! Or at least, for now it is. If this idea is the one that "sticks to the wall", I'll probably go with a swamp ash body to get a nice grain peeking through. If I decide on a solid finish, and there's a significant difference in price, alder will do just as well.

I cant wait to see the finished bass. Id like to see a stingray style oval pickguard on it too for some reason.

Thanks spaz! But as far as Stingray guards go…sorry, but no eggy-weggies for me.

What's funny is although I'm not a fan of the Ray guards, I rather like the look of their five-stringer guards. When I was planning on modding a pre-routed and finished body, I was giving serious consideration to having a five-string-style guard fabricated, only resizing it for a four string Jazz body. I think it could be done, but the offset shape of the Jazz body isn't very conducive to that shape. That's a big reason why I decided to go pickguard-less.

 

[spaz21387]

It might look odd with a pickguard with the ofset j body.

 

[LightForce104]

Looking back at your original post, you wanted 2 pickups. Still going for that?

 

[Malak the Mad]

Looking back at your original post, you wanted 2 pickups. Still going for that?

Nah, I want to start with a single pickup in the classic, 70's "sweet spot". I could always add another somewhere down the road, even if that's not quite in-line with the HH pickup spacing.

 

[LightForce104]

Nah, I want to start with a single pickup in the classic, 70's "sweet spot". I could always add another somewhere down the road, even if that's not quite in-line with the HH pickup spacing.

I see. Well, of the things you said you want to do, I think the only thing you'll have to figure out is the Strat jack. I don't think Warmoth is willing to do that one.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I see. Well, of the things you said you want to do, I think the only thing you'll have to figure out is the Strat jack. I don't think Warmoth is willing to do that one.

Funny you should mention that. I'm discussing that with someone via PM right now. If I ask them, the worst they can do is say "No", anyway. And if that answer is "No", then I could probably have it done by my local guitar tech. He's done some minor routing for me already. I could even bring in my Aerodyne to act as a guide for the job. (I used the image from an Aerodyne service manual to do my most-recent bit o' photoshoppery)

 

[LightForce104]

Funny you should mention that. I'm discussing that with someone via PM right now. If I ask them, the worst they can do is say "No", anyway. And if that answer is "No", then I could probably have it done by my local guitar tech. He's done some minor routing for me already. I could even bring in my Aerodyne to act as a guide for the job. (I used the image from an Aerodyne service manual to do my most-recent bit o' photoshoppery)

Well, best of luck to you. Your basses never fail to impress.