Waddo Soqable

I've really tried to like the Jazz bass over the years, but just can't seem to fancy them at all.. I've had versions of them a few times Inc a pukka 70s one long ago ( which was horrible) also including various Squier permutations, I always rapidly think "Nah.." and get rid of them.. Tbh the only one I really did like was pretty much the first full size bass I had (and used in a 'proper' band) it was one of the better, tho not named, MIJ 70s copies.. black with a maple neck and black block markers, may be just romantic hindsight but that one was great! Unfortunately it didn't actually belong to me, and was a kind of long term loan from a mate... although he wasn't really a player as such, he ultimately wanted it back so that was the end of that one.

I'd completely forgotten about them, just listened to a couple of their things on YouTube... daft name, but they had some quite good tunes I suppose

The old hand brace is a very useful tool I've often found and I'm happy enough using it here ( this one I actually bought new back in the 80s! ) the drill bit has a lil' screw in the end that pulls the cutting part into the wood so as long as you start right it should go where you tell it. Like you say the holes aren't deep enough to go wonky really.

I have got a very small pillar type drill, the "table" part is only a few inches square and you wouldn't get anything like a guitar body under it unfortunately. I should be OK with the hand drill as I only need to go about 4 or 5 mm down and as long as I start the drill "on target" it shouldn't go adrift. As mentioned I did try an experimental version on the old discarded headstock in order to see how it'd work on the same type of wood, which seemed fairly encouraging anyway, we'll see.. 🤞

I had a look at a mate's router earlier ,which I have the offer to borrow ( I've also been offered loan of another from one of the generous folks on the forum too! ) This thing was a bit of a monster and tbh having seen one in action, in context, I don't fancy attempting the use of one here. I'm going to go back to the idea of doing the slots for the bridge/tuner units manually as demonstrated on the previous page, using a hand operated drill bit and chisel, file, sanding etc. I reckon this slowly slowly approach is going to give me more control and hopefully remove the risk of it all going horribly wrong at high speed ! I've scratch marked round the units as a guide for drilling and chiseling, plus I've plugged the old screw holes with cocktail sticks and glue so as not to have the drill bit go off course by following the holes. My weapon of choice for drilling is my olde hand brace with a suitably sized bit..this looks a bit dramatic but having tried it out ( on the spare chopped off bit of headstock) I reckon it'll work fine and allow me to go gently in stages, measuring as I go for depth etc. I can then trim the slots and file / sand to size, again as suggested earlier.

Most interesting, l like the simple tuning system, something I could probably copy (or at least a version of) and use on a project as I'm on a bit of a headless binge at the mo

Yep, "Jaco" at no. 8 is ridiculous.. He should be knocked back to no. 50 for that awful caterwauling "singing" or whatever its meant to be...

He's a Geezer isn't he 👍... (well OK Was..)

I got "mildly irritated" recently when the cat jumped up on the piano (I'd foolishly left the lid open) and "played" most of those notes late one evening as I was snoozing on a sofa a few feet away... In hindsight it sounded a bit like Gyorgi Ligeti..

Not exactly a tea chest bass but.. In a skip a few years ago I found, (and instantly grabbed obviously) a weird "thing" which appeared to be a cello neck fixed to a kind of odd wooden box affair.. Unfortunately I didn't get to mess with it as a mate pleaded with me to have it, to give his dad (who was into all kinds of odd historic and arcane instruments).. No idea what the outcome was, I'd completely forgotten about this until reading this thread. I must ask him next time I see him, whatever became of it..

At least I haven't got the little Charlie Chaplin moustache and the funny walk..

If you mean my one, it's 42mm

I was sure I'd seen more than one justifiably negative opinion on those type of bridge tuner mechs. The "straight pull" method is both simpler and more effective I'd say, good to see your old thread there 👍

I certainly wouldn't just plough away freehand with a tool like that without some kind of guide/fence/jig type thing to steer it!

I did recall reading about those, and mentioned was an issue with the strings jamming or blocking up the rollers, there were a few who weren't that impressed with the design.

Or read it...

Tbh I couldn't care less who's the no1. bassist ... I can think of a few who are a bit "no2" though..

Yep, the more basic approach is sometimes the best, I've got the offer of a couple of machine tool options anyway, I'll have a stab at a bit of scrap wood over the next few days or so before I think of going near the real thing.

I can borrow a router, but it's a big old heavy lump and it's not a tool I've ever used before,(I'm more a Metalwork than a wood bloke) I'd be a bit dubious & imagine the whole thing could go horrifically wrong!! Still nothing ventured nothing gained.. I'll check it out though and see what bits he's got for it.

They used to sell new on ebay for circa 140 up till a couple of years ago as I recall, however they don't sell them new in the UK anymore presumably due to the agro from the Hall character. I think they still do them from Germany tho don't know if they ship to UK 150 is a bit strong for a used one, generally you'd think about 100 give or take a tenner. That said if they're NLA the used price may go up a bit. Plus when you see them advertised, on ebay used anyway, they're always subject to the ad being pulled by ebay as above.

Certainly doable then! I've got one of those tiny pillar drills but you'd struggle to get a bass body under it so likely be the same approach as here if I go this way Thanks too for doing a good bit of R&D work there! 👍

Yes they're from Brazil I believe, they look to be a very nice quality set, there was a bit of talk on bassassin's thread about these..

I'd say they're fine for the price they are, that in mind I've certainly found them a usable bass as is..

I'd certainly prefer to do nice individual slots of course as it'd look very cool indeed. I'll check out the various options and vids that are around on the subject and take a view. I'd be doing some experiments with scrap for sure! Thanks again for all the ideas and encouragement 👍 ps I reckon this is going to be a pretty lightweight bass, I put it on the scales as it stands now and it came out at 2.9 k. I wouldn't think a pair of PUs, pickguard and a bit of wiring would add that much to it when complete.

Strewth... That'd make me dizzy to look at it...