LukeFRC

now I got really fed up of trying to saw straight lines inside a hole with a coping saw for the edges of a neckpocket/pickup - so I ended up just nailing a bit of straight wood to the template and using the guided bit to rout it stright. A bit ghetto cos I had to root around in my scraps to find bits with a straight edge on it but it works and as the story goes... if the pickup fits... close enough for me. Measure, measure again, measure a third time. Think about it a bit and then measure again. Then draw loads of lines, and measure to check they are in the right place... tape then clamp in place....

So I'm supposed to be building a window cill. Or should it be Sill, I'm not sure. But I got bored, and took photos. First job is the er holes (?) to put the pickups in. I made about 4 templates that didn't work until I made one that did. Then for some reason the 6mm MDF that I was copying onto the 12mm MDF decided to destroy itself and I was back to square one. This time I was a bit more organised/methodical. first the radius of the screw lugs I can work out and then use a hole in a bit of wood to rout out with the brushing. two down - one to go! and then the corner radii - one corner (top left) wasn't quite bang on which is the problem when using a crappy almost pillar drill rather than a real pillar drill.

I'm willing to bet that the Eich t1000 amp isn't to much different to the tecamp puma 1000 I used to have - in which case the we and compressor are just perfect

1) strings sound different. 2) rough rule of thumb as you wind the pickup away from the strings you get more bass and less mids. Also less volume. So on a two pickup bass you can balance both volume and tone with pickup height. Rereading: Obviously you're taking about low output AND low low end... so ignore me and check your wiring like's been said

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1499594738' post='3332364'] Gig went well (phew) I really like this Osmo Polyx. Just got to do the final tidying up in one or two places, but the finish is pretty much all on and sorted. It's held the colour of the sanded wood to a remarkable degree: [/quote] I really like the way it's highlighted the difference between the neck wood and the body wood - I think it's kept the lightness you wanted but really really emphasised the beauty of the wood compared to the unfinished photos you stuck up

Deeper neckpocket done. Tried first template for the pups- pretty close but not great for the corner radii ... £4 on a guided router bit - ah go on then! No photo updates for a bit - I need to sort a new window cill in our bedroom first before I pick this up again. Lots of sanding to come (on both projects)

If you use a blend make sure it's an 'MN' blend. That way at the centre each pickup is at 100% Other blend pots may give you each pickup at 50% at the midway position

Also found out last night when starting to fit mine.... Schaller 3D metric tools needed Hipshot A imperial tools needed What is your set of Allen keys - buy a bridge to match?

[quote name='Danuman' timestamp='1499083826' post='3329003'] I know. It's awfully petty. The Kickass is a nice bridge, but to me it just looks off on a P. Do any of you happen to know if there's any difference in the relative height of the A style vs the Kickass? [/quote] they have scale drawing on their website

So. Tuners on bridge Measured and drilled holes for bridge all ok - think it's in the right place. Strung it up to check, just on two strings - seems ok. Think the neck pocket could probably be 2mm deeper as the bridge saddles are set quite high... but without a setup who knows. Hard to check intonation without an amplified signal!

Main thing is don't use toghten it under pressure cos then it's only the threads of the screw that is pushing it down. Slackening the strings, or physically pulling the neck back does the same thing - it lets you tighten the nut without it being under pressure - lessening the chance of stripping anything.

Is it a uv blocking finish to stop sunlight changing the wood colour over time?

[quote name='stoo' timestamp='1498948124' post='3328231'] I take it the holes that are oversized are the ones in the neck? Would it not be worth getting some dowels glued in the holes and then redrilling at the right size? It's easy to sort now, but it'd be a nightmare if it all let go once it was up to tension.... [/quote] that's a good idea! Probably would have been - as it was only 1 of the 6 insets stripped - the superglue will have both hardened the wood and er stuck it in so I think it should be ok.

I picked up a hipshot A for my current build. It's nice. I think the Schaller 3d is amazing though.

And then made the holes and bits for the things the bolts go in. It's attached now without the thingies as they won't come out easily when the go in - but knowing exactly where the neck is will let me put the bridge in the right place.

then made that little cut out bit for the truss rod wheel thingy

Thanks for the advice JPJ - I'll follow that! This week mostly involved learning how to repair the inside of an iPhone... Anyway this morning... drillin holes for inserts in the neck! Daft inserts I got didn't just say "drill a hole this size" but gave a range. I rounded up which was a mistake as they were only just held in by the wood. I got grumpy and didn't take any photos at that point. Running superglue down into the outside of the inserts should keep them in one place I think...?

Can not wait for next batch of photos - oh the anticipation

There's a video here about why Taylor decided to switch the market to stripy ebony - worth a watch - I think I can support them on the move I think it's this one but wife is asleep so can't make noise https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=anCGvfsBoFY

[quote name='FarFromTheTrees' timestamp='1498580256' post='3325674'] We dont, no. But we haven't started gigging yet either. We dont even know if we're going to gig. At the minute we just play music together for the sheer enjoyment of it. The band doesnt even have a name. At the moment though, gigging isn't high on our agenda. [/quote] Make it! It heightens the enjoyment as much as new gear. More actually. [quote name='FarFromTheTrees' timestamp='1498584050' post='3325705'] What sound am I after...well thats a tough question really. Ultimately somewhere between Spector EuroLX/Rebop/Stingray HH/Wal territory. I absolutely love the tonal capabilities of these instruments. A Wal Mk 3 is the ultimate though way out of my price range so thats never going to happen. Stingray HH is quite pricy too but i'm not so much a fan of the styling either. The Rebop/EuroLX I love the tone of both, the NS syle is great and the price isnt out of the ballpark either....so thats why i'm going spector...or at least trying. [/quote] Two thoughts - I know it's not exactly a Spector - but secondhand Warwick go for silly low money and kinda borrowed/stole that NS style. Different eras are different so ask for advice - but more affordable than Spector. Streamer LX or $$ would do you? Also - unless you're loaded enjoy saving up - unless your income depends on it I would advise against any kinda loan or interest free setup. I worked my asre off over a summer as a student to afford my first Precision bass and then played that loads. Later I realised if I sold my starter bass and saved up (minimum wage in a cafe about 10 years back, earning about £8k p.a. in expensive edinburgh) I could just about buy the blue Warwick that Warwickhunt was selling on Basschat.... amazing

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1498556037' post='3325434'] Save for the custom moulds... it's night and day and you'll wonder how you ever gigged without them. I keep saying it.. but consider your IEMs as a replacement for your cab... less than 500 quid for a cab doesn't seem that unreasonable does it? [/quote] that's how I justified the cost of the IEM in the first place. When you consider that folk will have no problem shelling out £1k for some boutique cab ...

Question for you all... I got a set of UE 900s for christmas - they are amazing. I'm currently using the foam tips, and while not perfect they are pretty good. I currently play at church - My problem is that having a few practice sessions, then a few sets in a meeting... that one ear at least is going in and out a lot. Last weekend I played at a wedding on the sat then morning and evening meetings - by the end of sunday the foam tip had been destroyed. Question: what foam tips would folk recommend. How long should I expect them to last? (and just so I can do my sums, how much does custom moulds and shelling cost?)