Mikey R

[quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='513274' date='Jun 14 2009, 01:09 PM'](aka one at Jazz position + one at Ray position = too close)[/quote] Not necessarily - but its all what you want. If you want a scooped sound then I would experiment with putting the neck pickup as far forward as you can. [quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='513281' date='Jun 14 2009, 01:21 PM'][*]substantial Fender replica 5string bridge from aforementioned custom bass, set further back to give it a better scale length[/quote] Is it a fretless? If its fretted, then you cant just move the bridge - if you do you wont be able to intonate it properly. Sounds like you'll have fun with this one! I love project basses!

[quote name='Merton' post='512410' date='Jun 12 2009, 08:11 PM']Liking that - you building me one of these too? [/quote] Taking orders for 2017 delivery - Im a fast worker.

[quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='512294' date='Jun 12 2009, 05:02 PM']How do I find the 'sweet spots' for the p'ups? I'm looking for a jazz pup (or similar) to be placed to get the great honky cut-thru-the-mix tones, and probably a big 'bucker for some big deep low-end, but as I've got a single pup musicman I don't know how to go about working out which pup i need, or where it needs to go![/quote] I just get pictures of basses I like the look and sound of, then measure the plecement of the pickups and scale up based on the scale lenght. I think the whole sweet spot thing is a bit of a myth, its really more to do with their placement relative to each other that causes phase cancellations. A Jazz sounds scooped because the pickups are quite far apart, put them closer together and you'll start to get more mids and less highs, more like a Ray. I think - you might want to get someone else to check that. [quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='512294' date='Jun 12 2009, 05:02 PM']Also, whats the easiest way to fill in the old routings so i can re-cut for the new pups?[/quote] I would guess, just plug them with wood Maybe a strategically placed scratch / control plate or pickup surrounds will hide most of the damage.

[quote name='sifi2112' post='510472' date='Jun 10 2009, 06:18 PM']also I'd consider the Nordstrand Big Singles (got them in EMG 35 size) ....[/quote] That would be cool! I had a play on a Nordy at the 2008 BassDay, it had either Big Splits or Fat Stacks, and the tone was awesome. I specially liked the huge sounds with the bridge pickup solod.

The results are in: P pickguard got 4 votes, Tele control plate got 3 votes, No pickguard got 1 vote. So, Ive modified the design a little to keep the offset waist but to make it look more like a P and less like a J:

[quote name='Sibob' post='511877' date='Jun 12 2009, 10:04 AM']You're going for a more sweeping organic body, and the original precision pickguard compliments it I think, the tele plate is a bit to straight and stark compared to the modified body![/quote] Cheers Si, I think I agree. I'm going to have another sketch of the option 2 this evening, and see if I can make the tale end of the bass a bit more square and Tele-like, whilst keeping the slated Jazz style waist.

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='511668' date='Jun 11 2009, 10:39 PM']Never bought anything from Stewmac, my meagre salary does not support such extravagence. I got my binding from Touchstone tonewoods when I was buying the fingerboard and some fretwire.[/quote] Cheers Al! I'll see what they've got...

Hey everyone, Ive updated the first post with two possible designs. I like them both, so I'd appreciate what everyone else thinks! EDIT: Heres what Ive come up with for the design. Theres two options, both with 24 frets and a Jazz style offset waist on a basic Precision shape. Sorry about the fuzziness of the pictures, I'll draw them up full size at the weekend. Option 1: The classic P type pickguard: Option 2: A Tele style control plate: Whatcha think?

Hi Al, where did you buy the binding from? Stewmac? Cheers!

Is that a big split and a humbucker? Good choice - which way round are you gonna use them?

[quote name='ateyercheese' post='509900' date='Jun 10 2009, 09:16 AM']Hey, just posted on your build design thread. I'm one of the other two, a relative Noob on here. I'm based in Sheffield, so I'll be commuting out to Hathersage. Getting excited now![/quote] Hey Chris, Will be good to meet you! Ive commented on your build thread too.

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='509687' date='Jun 9 2009, 10:46 PM']hey Mikey, that is cool, what a great way to spend July! I prefer blondes over blue stained maple, a nice figured maple top - leave it blonde and go for black accents, possibly a maple fingerboard with black binding , would look really cool with black hardware. Classic and understated. Also I could not resist shoving a neck puppy in it for versatility. Look forward to seeing it. Have fun[/quote] Hi Al, for this bass Im choosing all of the things that I wouldnt have the guts to do myself - like applying a stain and doing a drop top. For the pickup, I've really become a fan of the split P by itsself - I love the simplicity, and it can do a range of tones all by itsself. If I was to go with multiple pickups, I think Id go with Nordstrand split singles. Maybe on another bass... I can see this building lark getting expensive!

[quote name='ateyercheese' post='509908' date='Jun 10 2009, 09:23 AM']5 string Jazz in satin red stain with black Gotoh hardware all over and thinking about an East J-retro Preamp. The trouble is I can't decide whether to have a black scrtach plate and the black control board or go au-naturale and have neither? I love the straight line of descending size pots look, and the East has a three-band mid-sweepable EQ on stacked pots in chrome or black. Other than that, 34 inch scale, 22/24 frets, 3 up, 2 down tuners and Seymour Duncan Vintage PUPs. Any recommendations?[/quote] Hey Chris, Looking forward to the course too! Dont know how I'll manage to wait next the 6 weeks... Whether you go for the clean look without scratch plate, or with the scratch plate and control plate, either would look nice. My preference is for a traditional Jazz with scratchplate, as I think the body is a bit big without one to break it up visually, but thats just me. I really like the idea of black control plate! I agree with the smaller tuners, I think they always look better on a 5 string, the elephant ears take up way too much room. Good choice!

Question #2 - You can get a whole load of hardware very cheap off of ebay, if you dont mind not using branded parts.

This July Im doing the bass building course with Jon Shuker in the Peaks. As well as being a kickass holiday, I also get learn the basics of how to put a bass together from one of the UKs best luthiers. Plus, I get to walk out of it with a custom bass! Doesnt get better than this! Ive been looking for a good solid P type bass, since Ive started using just the P pickup on the Bass Collection PJ, but I wanted to make the body a wee bit smaller than the traditional shape and make it a bit more comfortable to get around. EDIT: Heres the final spec: [b]Neck[/b] 4 string modified P 42mm nut 19mm string spacing at the bridge 34" scale 24 frets 5 piece laminated maple/purpleheart Maple f/board (black veneer beneath) Two way truss rod Satin polyurethan topcoat Medium fretwire Bone nut Offset black face dots Black side dots [b]Body[/b] 3 piece white ash body Flamed maple top (black veneer beneath) Dark blue stain Satin polyurethan topcoat Three ply black / white / black scratchguard [b]Hardware[/b] Gotoh mini tuners Shaller 2000 bridge [b]Electrics[/b] Wizzard Thumper with covered pole pieces Passive vol, 250k pot EDIT: Heres the final(ish) design:

[quote name='Paul Cooke' post='508399' date='Jun 8 2009, 06:08 PM']there's not enough turns on the posts for a start and [b]it just ruins the look of an expensive bass[/b] having bits of wire going off in all directions...[/quote] Hey Mert, did you hear that?

[quote name='sshorepunk' post='508248' date='Jun 8 2009, 02:49 PM']I always thought, Black pudding, Tea and Brocolli were the devils spawn![/quote] Lets not forget sprouts

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='507696' date='Jun 7 2009, 07:51 PM']I couldn't agree more, such ugly creations: Devil's spawn indeed [/quote] Ugly as hell! Get a load of this toad: Yuk!

Al, when I finally get round to prototyping something I might have to give you a call! [quote name='Al Heeley' post='487823' date='May 14 2009, 12:57 PM']JPG, PDF, PSD, GIF, BMP, etc. please[/quote] do you know of any free software for laying out circuit boards? In the past, Ive always done it the analogue way using OHP film, a permanant marker and some transfers for the IC pins, but maybe its time to go a bit more digital.

Hi Al, I was just reading back this thread and this post made me laugh: [quote name='Al Heeley' post='379174' date='Jan 13 2009, 04:31 PM']...then I build a guitar in my garage or in the kitchen (if the wife's out)...[/quote] So true!

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='506620' date='Jun 5 2009, 08:37 PM']Seem's to be working at the moment, it's quite different to the others.[/quote] Yep its working now - really nice tone! Good tune too...

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='500216' date='May 28 2009, 08:21 PM']Hear me out, forgot to post that, good point, haha.[/quote] MySpace says "Song is not currently available" Like the other songs though!

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='506450' date='Jun 5 2009, 03:58 PM']Looking sweet! Good work sir.[/quote] Cheers Al! Coming from you, thats a real complement!

[quote name='JackLondon' post='505261' date='Jun 4 2009, 09:07 AM']And a mock-up of the bass (there's no neck pocket yet) [attachment=26519:Mock_up.jpg][/quote] Hey Jack, excuse the dumb question - is this going to be a set neck or bolt on? And is that central route for a ramp? Looking good! Mikey

Kev, I remember hearing some of your playing at the Harrogate bash, I'd forgotten the kinds of sounds you can get. Ive got to say the look of the bass matches your playing style perfectly! Really like it!