Jean-Luc Pickguard

Here is my 'bitzer' precision. It was originally built from a sunburst alder Japanese body and maple/ebony fretless neck from Brandoni guitars about 20ish years ago. I have changed hardware over the years, and since a major rebuild where I replaced the neck a few weeks ago, the only parts that remain from my original build are the body, strap buttons, and the neckplate & gasket. The parts that make it up are: Brandoni MIJ sunburst body (suspiciously similar to the body on the 1990 CIJ '62 reissue precision I used to own) Fender maple/maple Jazz to Precision conversion neck (the fretwork was spot-on so no additional levelling/crowning etc was required) Hipshot HB7 lollipop tuners (The neck was pre-drilled for this size of tuners, and I had a spare set so I didn't use the HB2 set I had on the fretless neck) Nickel plated String retainer from Armstrong music 'AliExpress' 4-ply aged pearloid pickguard (Identical to guards costing several times as much and a perfect fit — I just needed to drill a second hole for the thumb rest) Fender HiMass bridge (with chrome plated brass saddles) Fender Thumb rest Fender Strap buttons (with 'Grolsch' strap blocks) Fender 'F' neckplate with black gasket EMG Geezer Butler pickup & loom Callaghan late 50's style heavy knurled nickel plated knobs (£40 & worth every penny!) Ernie Ball 2815 Cobalt Flatwounds 40-60-70-95 I am using a Levys brown suede strap with this bass. I lined cavities with copper tape to prevent hum & slug invasion. The neck came fitted with a nut which required the slots to be cut much deeper and shaped. I was originally going to attempt this myself, but as I have do not pocess the tools, expertise, or good eyesight needed, I took the bass to the Gallery in Camden where John did a fantastic job for just £40. I'm really pleased with this bass. The jazz-width neck and perfect setup makes it almost play itself, and the combination of the EMG GZR & the Cobalt flats make it sound absolutely huge.

I'd never heard of pirate before reading this thread. It makes me glad to be in a band where the guitarist has a studio in his home. The only hazard I encounter is the possibility of tripping over Ralph.

Lovely! Stacked controls are a nice touch and a great alternative to having more than two single controls. I would probably prefer a pickguard-mounted output socket though seeing as the usual position for one is free.

Nope not clicking a rumble link for the same reason I don't do twitter any more

Concrete and Claygate — Unit Four Plus Two

How about a cool halfords primer grey

The Number One Song In Heaven — Sparks

Cheap Sunglasses — ZZ Top

Baby Blue (Tac) — Badfinger

Readers Wives — Dave Edmunds

Thanks Al!

I built a sunburst bitzer fretless precision over twenty years ago, using decent parts. Over the years I have tweaked it slightly, changing the bridge, pickguard etc. As I don’t really need a fretless, I recently bought a Fender precision to jazz bass conversion neck for it, and already had a set of hipshot tuners to fit the neck in my bits box. whilst it was at the gallery having the nut cut, I ordered an EMG GZR pickup, aged pearl pickguard, a pair of lovely callaghan knobs, a fender thumb rest and a set of cobalt flats for it. I fitted these parts yesterday and now it is like having a new bass. I then realised the only parts that remained from the bass I built all those years ago were the body and ‘F’ neck plate. I quite fancy buying a black painted body for it, and it struck me that if I did I would be able to rebuild the fretless from all the spare parts I now have — I’d just have to find another neck plate in my bits box. Then I could start the cycle again. Is this the perfect way to bring a new bass into the house without alerting the other half?

Mass Of A Graviton — Izabella Khalo

Yes (no pun intended),I read Trev's autobiography. The Yes/buggles connection came through them having the same management.

Poor Old Steve Howe looks like he turned up for the wrong gig but they let him play anyway.

A Good Year For The Roses — Elvis Costello

The bit with no red under the pickguard isn't faded, the red never used to be sprayed in that area as it wouldn't be seen.

Whole Lottery Rosie — AC/DC

I was intending to add a vocal to my track, however on re-reading the lyrics I decided it was better left as an instrumental. Drums, percussion, electric piano, & twinkly sound are from Logic Pro as are all amps and FX, B3 is my Yamaha Reface YC, Bass is my Ric 4003 recorded onto two tracks via the ric-o-sound output.

I probably answered this already, but mine are First Bass: 'yamato' Jazz bass copy (£75 from Soho Soundhouse in 1979) Go to bass: Fender JMJ Mustang bass (I liked my first one so much I bought another two of 'em) 'Your' bass: At the moment my 2024 Rickenbacker 4003 — I've been having a lot of fun recording using the ric-o-sound output to put each pickup on a separate track.

I swear by Grolsch-type rubber washers and the various versions made in other colours by Fender, Ernie Ball etc.

No, just a stereo plug into the ric-o-sound output to a stereo socket into which I plug the transmitter of the Lekato WS Stereo wireless.

I've not used ground/pressure wounds as far as I remember, but Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats are way brighter than D'addario Chromes, and they stay bright. Maybe not as bright as fresh rounds, but certainly a lot more so than all the other flats I've used. I love 'em and so do my 4003 & thunderbirds. I have not tried them on a precision yet, but I have a set on order ready for when I get my bitzer back this week from the gallery where it is having some work done.

I have now fitted a nice chrome 'spaghetti' Fender logo which I made using my cricut machine.

Krafty Cheese — The Residents