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Wishbass Club pt. 2

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#222
49sfine said:
Gentlemen: By Friday of this week, I will be the proud, but confused owner of 2 short scale (30") bass guitars (Banana & Fantasy) made by Wish. The fingerboards and necks are completely unmarked and I have no clue as to how to set up the 'fret' positions and such. Is this something I can do myself or do I really have to take them to a luthier and 'admit defeat' in this way? I am sure this has been discussed in this forum before (somewhere), but if it is something I could tackle at home, it will need to be explained in very simple "gee, you're not really a bass player yet are you?" terms. Is that a possibility? - Any help, advice, solice, etc. would be mucho appreciated!
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I bought the 2nd banana bass wish made. like yours, there were no markers. After installing a soundhole pickup, I plugged in to a tuner, and using 12th fret harmonic, marked a spot on the side of the neck with liquid paper. I then fretted a note at the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th "fret" position on the fret board, and marked the side of the neck with same. I used liquid paper, as it pretty much stays there until you take it off, but doesn't leave a permanent mark in case I change strings and it affects intonation.

Check all four strings using the tuner at the different fret positions and extrapolate the "best" position for your mark, it's an easy project, and readily undoable if you mess up.
 
#223
I think BassDudeSA used a pencil on some of his that had markers in incorrect positions.

I have to do this as well as I requested no markers on my shortscale. It's far from needing that yet though. I'm still sanding and shaping it!
 
#224
49sfine said:
Rollerberg2000: Yeah, I think Wish outdid himself on this one. Very heavy bass, but I like 'em that way.

Can you go into more detail about your strings? Brand, weight, length, tone? Thanks!
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I lied, the B is .125. Here's the link, I could probably find them cheaper, but I get free shipping with Amazon Prime.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009FC928
 
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#226
Rollerberg2000; Thank you very much for the explaination about fret location. I am a little ways off from doing that, but will refer back to your post when I get closer!

Gubna, let's keep in touch about this since we are both in the same boat.

I guess I hoped there was a scale tool I could buy that would lay out the basic positions on the fingerboard that you used as a basic starting point before intonation adjustments. I know I have seen something like that for fretted necks in StewMac or LMI - hmmmm ...
 
#227
rollerberg2000 said:
I bought the 2nd banana bass wish made. like yours, there were no markers. After installing a soundhole pickup, I plugged in to a tuner, and using 12th fret harmonic, marked a spot on the side of the neck with liquid paper. I then fretted a note at the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th "fret" position on the fret board, and marked the side of the neck with same. I used liquid paper, as it pretty much stays there until you take it off, but doesn't leave a permanent mark in case I change strings and it affects intonation.

Check all four strings using the tuner at the different fret positions and extrapolate the "best" position for your mark, it's an easy project, and readily undoable if you mess up.
Click to expand...

I agree with Rollerberg2000. That's really the easiest way to do it. I had a banana bass that happened to have a 29.75" scale. The corian "saddle" was too close to the bridge (and holes) to make it a true 30" scale. Finding the 12 fret position is the best way to start (half way between the nut and the saddle). Then use an accurate tuner to locate the other positions.

Also, I find that some players get overly concerned about proper bridge/saddle position on unlined fretless bass guitars. The size, angle, pressure, etc. of your fretting fingers will cause variations in intonation. The side position markers should only be used as a guide (doesn't have to be perfect). Proper intonation on a fretless bass really depends on your ears (hearing proper pitch).
 
#228
rollerberg2000 said:
I bought the 2nd banana bass wish made. like yours, there were no markers. After installing a soundhole pickup, I plugged in to a tuner, and using 12th fret harmonic, marked a spot on the side of the neck with liquid paper. I then fretted a note at the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th "fret" position on the fret board, and marked the side of the neck with same. I used liquid paper, as it pretty much stays there until you take it off, but doesn't leave a permanent mark in case I change strings and it affects intonation.

Check all four strings using the tuner at the different fret positions and extrapolate the "best" position for your mark, it's an easy project, and readily undoable if you mess up.
Click to expand...

Here's a pic of mine. I never needed the markers just noodling around the house, 3stringpete is correct, it's best to train your ears. I had the need to use it at a show a couple of months ago, and at rehearsal I wasn't pleased with the monitor and couldn't tell if I was "on" the notes or not. This took me literally five minutes to do, I scrounged backstage and found liquid paper and marked it out as described above.

On your E string, use an accurate tuner, tune to open E. Start fretting up the neck on the E string until you get G in tune, this is your first fret mark. Continue up the neck for A this is your second fret mark, B will be your third, C# your fourth, and when you find E again, that is your fifth mark, or "twelfth" fret position, which is halfway between nut and bridge.

Again, this is a guide, your other strings may or may not be intonated the same as the E. With a Wishbass's corian bridge, the best advice I heard was on a four string average the E and G and that's the best you will get. 100_2690.5.jpg
 
#231
49sfine said:
That zebrawood is going to really pop with some finish. Congratulations and enjoy the process. I'll be very curious to see how flat you can get the fingerboard.


James: I am curious as well, about the wenge issue. I wish now that I had not asked for wenge on the original build order, because Wish is forgettful about changes made after-the-fact, so my bad. ...
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Actually, he is just as likely to get the original order wrong too :-) So it was a crap shoot either way......

And just because the Wenge may sound/feel different from other woods, doesn't mean you won't like it. It may provide a nice variation in your sonic pallette.

you gotta get on a photo sharing site so you can link to BIG pix. Photobucket was easy.

Peace, JBY
 
#232
Gubna said:
#1000?

well probably not. But I'd love to know what it's going to be. Wish should advertise about, especially, if it's really going to be the last Wishbass (I doubt).
I have six basses right now, which is four more than I really need (I'm not even in a band!).
Click to expand...

Don't be silly, there is no such thing as too many instruments!

JBY
 
#234
BassDudeSA said:
I haven't brought one of my Wishbasses to a gig in a long time but I did the other day. One of my Scarabs, the one in my avatar actually. Bass sure got a lot of looks, not sure if they were positive or negative, more like "what the ..... is that?". I love playing the bass at home, sounds cool, probably great to record with, but live, I could barely hear the thing. I had to turn my amp up probably double the amount of with my other basses, even the passive ones. Then I remembered why I hadn't brought one to a gig in a while. I had the same problem with a couple other Wishes I had brought a year or two ago. Just can't hear the dang things. Low output, sounds great, just really low output. Have you guys had this problem? I am starting to think that at least for mine, they will remain as art, not a bass for any kind of practical use. A little disappointed. I'm sure they can be modified to have more output but I am really not into modding. I'd probably have to though if I really wanted to use one of these live.
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Forgive me if you have already considered this, but it sounds like you need to adjust your pups. From what you describe, you need to get the pickups closer to the strings. I know Wish is not very exacting in how he places the pups. He routes it out and screws the pickup flush against the bottom. If you have never experimented with pickup height you will be surprised at how much the output changes with just very small adjustments. You will need to find some foam, and cut it to match the route of the pup, vary the thickness of the foam unitl you find the right gap between the strings and the pickup. You could also use springs, but finding the right springs and getting them installed under the pickup is a b#*@h.

With passive, high impedence pickups, that have stronger magnets than low impedance, (Alembic or EMG actives), you have to be careful not to get too close, or the magnet will have too strong a pull on the string, impeding it's freedom to vibrate. But if you get it closer than you currently are, your output will increase.

Good luck, James
 
#237
wave rider said:
How do the banana basses do acoustically? Very loud?

How about comfort while playing?

They look way fun!
=wr=
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WaveRider; My Banana is not very loud, especially now that I put nylons on it. (I have not finished it yet because I keep getting sidetracked with the other Wishbasses I bought.) All I lack to finish this one is to install the K&K pup and drill the holes for the jack plate I made. I never really intended to use it without the K&K (acoustically only), so the other owners would be better equipped to comment on that aspect. Plus the K&K makes it so much nicer to tune.

As far as comfort goes, it sits in your lap very nicely and I enjoy handling it. I am not going to put strap buttons on mine as I don't forsee playing it in a standing position. Now that I have smoothed out the neck and fingerboard, I look forward to touching it - before that work, no. Mine is quite light in weight and just so darn funky/kool you can't help but grin when you look at it. I leave it hanging on the wall instead of on a stand, in fact. So yes, they are great fun ...

The biggest challenge I think will be a case. I am about to decide to just make my own custom case for it (someday) and have it be odd-shaped as well. I own a small construction company so I think I will turn one of my carpenters on to this little project. Anyway, until I get my pup installed and my FB marked, mine isn't doing much right now other than looking kool - and the Fantasy arrives tomorrow! Ack - too little time!

I recommend them though, certainly - there's a nice one on Ebay right now too ...
 
#238
rollerberg2000 said:
The banana bass is in the top of the first picture. I think I found an uglier backdrop than the one Steve uses on his ebay pics:hiding:
View attachment 99432

View attachment 99433
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rollerberg2000; Great pictures, awesome axes. I especially like the other (maple?) Hyper - I think this is my favorite shape actually, (but it is hard to decide) can you tell us more about it?

Your banana has some very interesting features which I guess he changed as he went along. My soundholes are in different spots for one thing. - Thanks.
 
#239
49sfine said:
rollerberg2000; Great pictures, awesome axes. I especially like the other (maple?) Hyper - I think this is my favorite shape actually, (but it is hard to decide) can you tell us more about it?

Your banana has some very interesting features which I guess he changed as he went along. My soundholes are in different spots for one thing. - Thanks.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the maple #521 hyper was my first wishbass. I'm working on getting all these posted to a photo sharing site, maybe by this weekend, so I'll post a link when finished.
 
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