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Supernova Bass project : Ovular content

#341
JIO said:
Not out of the question - it's funny but I'm relatively ignorant when it comes to guitars, but luckily have guitarist friends who can help guide me.
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It's really quite fun once you get into it. I mean bass is leagues better, but there is some neat stuff you can do on guitar that can't be done on bass (and vice versa obviously)
I'd say use a strat (the perfect electric guitar) as a "guildline" and work from there. Sort of like how you used a J as the guideline for this one. I have confidence that if you do produce a guitar, you'll knock it out of the park!
 
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#342
Did some more detail work on the Supernova today. First, I had to enlarge the holes in the body, pg and knob skirts for the control pots. A step drill bit is perfect for this - I have a couple different sizes and they get used a lot. If you need a hole enlarged centered and clean - this is how it's done. Also had to notch a bit of control cavity wall so the 9v battery fit properly - pretty tricky stuff but got it snug, secure and re-shielded. Two small holes needed to be drilled in the body; one for the 3-way tone mini-toggle and a tiny one for the Audere's LED battery operations indicator. The position where the tiny light is located on the circuit board popped it out at the edge of the lower knob skirt - enough to see it clearly. (it flashes blue in a specific way once plugged in to confirm it's operational and also let's you know if the battery is low)

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Then, I realized the Audere jack was a 2 stem, 3 tab/pole unit and was a bit larger overall than the 1 stem 2 tab/pole unit that came on my Strat-jack cup. Used the step bit to open the cup hole one bit larger, installed the jack and then worked it's position so that once the cover was on and everything rested nicely together w/o touching. (it is a close tolerance affair)

Next up - wiring/soldering, nut slot filing, and 3-point harmonic tuning
 
#343
Long day… but ready to deliver the Supernova for it's Plek job tomorrow. The only hick-up in assembly was the tiny blue LED - jostling it while doing the fine tuning must have damaged it and it now fails to activate. It's unnecessary really, but I dig the 'trick' aspect of it. (will look into replacing it, if possible) Did the nut work, 3 point bridge adjustment, and played it a bit. Sounds good - will wait until it's Plek'd and strung up w/new strings to get to know it in depth. Also, will weigh it in the morning.

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I took this pic of it san pg & bridge cover - looks good and may be an option to leave it 'clean'.

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Also determined that a 90 degree jack works best for the rear interface - keeps it against the body/not protruding.

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#345
Jonny5bass said:
Looks good! Just my 2 cents here but I like it with the pick guard much better. Seems almost unfinished without it.
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thanks - I agree as that's the way I envisioned/designed it, but I was glad to see it also looked good w/o a pg. More like the other 22 fret USA Fender from the early 90's - the Plus Series.

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#349
Thanks everybody for weighing in on my gestalt! I must be doin' something right, (or my peeps are bein' nice to me! ;)) Well, the Supernova is at Real Guitars and may not get Plek'd till Wednesday. (no worries) Before I left it, I removed the clear-coat from the frets. There was substantial buildup on either side of each fret and it took a solid 3 hrs of concentrated effort to carefully remove. Will invest in a fret-file and fretboard guards from Stew Mac for next time - Dan said it usually takes him about 20 minutes! (hey, but he's a journeyman luthier who built John Entwistle's Buzzard prototype!) Some final cosmetic tweaking will be required once I get it back, but such is life if you want something correct. As this is my 1st maple neck, I've already learned much for the next time. They seem to be a bit more labor intensive, but sound great!

Speaking of sounding great - got a chance to play it some more this morning and the alder/maple, Delano/Audere/GHS Progressives combo mix is killer! Big fat rich tone with a nice growly snarl/bite if pushed. I didn't have much time w/it, but wow! The Supersonic (alder maple/ebony, EMG, flats) is much more refined and smooth/rich in its character (like a fine single malt scotch) - this one is comin' atcha! (you can imagine the liquor equivalent - but more like a shot of Jack w/a space-suit on!) This pic is pre fretwork.

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Fernandez, who works the counter at Gary Brawer's section of the shop was blown away by it. He said when it goes into production - he wants one! I weighed it and it is 8.7lbs - a bit more than I thought but still within my optimal/favored weight range. (under 9lbs)

Here's a pic of the Supernova with it's inspiration - my '93 A/S J. The 'boner' is quite a bit heavier at 9.4lbs, but I still love it!

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#350
JIO said:
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This is one of my favorite bass pics ever. Kinda shows an evolution in bass design over time while also showing the relationship of their kindred design sense (and the divergence of same.)

Damn, I really want to play a Supernova! Please let me know when a production run is planned, and if a rosewood or ebony board would be a possible option.
I would consider a sojourn to a location near you for a trial run of this one- who knows, it just might be the one to sway me to the maple side... ;)
 
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#351
wraub said:
This is one of my favorite bass pics ever. Kinda shows an evolution in bass design over time while also showing the relationship of their kindred design sense (and the divergence of same.)

Damn, I really want to play a Supernova! Please let me know when a production run is planned, and if a rosewood or ebony board would be a possible option.
I would consider a sojourn to a location near you for a trial run of this one- who knows, it just might be the one to sway me to the maple side... ;)
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Will do wraub - and either way you're always welcome to visit me in the Bay Area - "I'll leave the lights on!" I'm envisioning a certain amount of ala' carte when producing these basses; but within guidelines - especially colors/finishes. I mostly own ebony or RW but love my maple-necked basses. Hard to quantify/describe the tone, but it is very special/unique. It's funny, now that it's at Dan's, I'm missing it! (it sounds sooo good!)
 
#358
Finally got the Supernova back from being Plek'd - the machine was down for maintenance (it gets a lot of use!) Feels great! Low action, no buzzing, clear as a bell notes. I've said it before but if there is one thing you can do on your bass that has an instant noticeable and pleasurable result - a Plek job is money well spent. :thumbsup:
 
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#360
ICM said:
I wonder how that thing would sound with some TI flats, smooth but with plenty of presence.
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I have the same (Audere) pre in my mongrel J (alder body, maple/ebony neck) w/GHS Precision flats and it sounds plenty huge & smooth - this one has GHS Progressives (rounds) and w/the alder body, all maple neck it's a bolder, more aggressive tone. My Ashdown/Eden rig can dial in enough tube-y smoothness so it sounds all-around yummy!
 

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