Rumple

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1424441943' post='2696347'] Clarky had a run in with them recently. Think he did get a refund. they had some excuse about moving office and things being a bit hectic. Hope you get sorted. [/quote] Thanks for the info, it's not a major problem, I just hate poor service, there's certainly no excuse not to answer e-mails, I kinda assumed they had gone bust.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1424440639' post='2696333'] No one EVER studies machine heads from the back! They will be fine. I have a bitsa tele with some really car crash machine head placement on the back. I have never even given them a second look. [/quote] Thank you for the reassurance

I placed a small online order with the above named company but received no goods from them, my e-mails to 2 different addresses go unanswered and the phone just rings, so I'm assuming the worst, luckily I paid with PayPal so if I don't here from them by Monday I'll file a report. Anyone know anything about them? Probably best avoided! [url="http://www.estuarybasscompany.co.uk"]http://www.estuarybasscompany.co.uk[/url]

Work was a bit slow this morning so I decided I had to make a decision about the tuners, with that in mind I headed out to the garden with the Dremel and some small files to slightly reshape the tuners so they fit the headstock, well I say slightly, the G string tuner had to have one corner adjusted quite a bit, not idea I know but for me it was worth doing even if they look a little odd if you study them from the back. Pics of the back and front with everything held in place with masking tape or gravity. [attachment=184408:After Grinding 2.jpg] [attachment=184409:After Grinding.jpg]

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1424400258' post='2695991'] Here is an article to see which strings you will need, because it depends on the type of bridge and the length from the anchor to the saddle, not just scale length: [url="http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Finding-the-correct-string-length-for-your-electric-bass_ep_46-1.html"]http://www.bassstrin...ss_ep_46-1.html[/url] For example, a Hofner 501 is a short scale bass, but needs medium scale strings because of the extra length from the tailpiece to the bridge. Once you have determined the critical length, you can find which manufactures strings to fit your bass here. If a manufacturer is not listed, contact the manufacturer to directly to see if they manufacture a string to fit: [url="http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Bass-String-Lengths-by-Manufacturer_ep_47-1.html"]http://www.bassstrin...er_ep_47-1.html[/url] [/quote] Wow! that information is great and the specifications given on the web site will be very useful - Thank You

Blimey! I guess it wouldn't be too hard for a handy sort of person to knock up a new body for all the parts.

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1424336322' post='2695174'] Cheers, will check this out later. I would imagine billy Sheehan and tony mac alpine may be on there. [/quote] They aren't in the doc but may well be on the album.

A drummer friend just sent me this link, it's not really my cup of tea but the musicianship is amazing, it's well worth a watch for the bass players alone if you have 15 minutes spare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEMp1BW-YGs

I did a little online shopping today, I've ordered very cheap cream P bass pick-up covers, I can't decide if they will look cool or naff but for the sake of £3 it was worth getting them and seeing, I also ordered a roll of Aluminium tape to finish the shielding and a Dremel! the postman brought stickers and a PIO capacitor today. [attachment=184226:IMAG0694.jpg]

You have me hooked, I'm enjoying your detailed descriptions of the processes involved.

[quote name='nugget' timestamp='1424211492' post='2693976'] I've used those connecters for work with sensitive measuring equipment and they work great. Really like this build, that body looks lovely, its going to be a cracking bass [/quote] [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1424211814' post='2693984'] This is moving in the right direction . . . The awesome direction! Enjoy the build, and all the best with the bass. I am subbin'! [/quote] Thank you

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1424175431' post='2693415'] [attachment=184136:clip.JPG] [/quote] I've just tried one of these with a couple of thin solid core cables and a multimeter and it worked fine I thought the wire might be too skinny for the plugs to grip but it's OK.

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1424183255' post='2693553'] Yes indeed - a great idea! Let us know how well this works - could be really useful If you haven't started grinding out the holes on the headstock, or grinding the tuners I'd defo look around for some smaller tuners You can pick up Squier tuners quite cheap on ebay - or maybe someone on here? If you have oval holes in the headstock, I think you could end up with all sorts of tuning problems when the strings are under full tension Keep us posted on your progress I really must find time for my bitsa P bass project..... EDIT: Any holes left in the back of your headstock, due to the current tuners can be filled - by simply using PVA glue, and the end of toothpicks - as illustrated in the Haynes Fender Bass Manual (nice book that, if you haven't seen it) Best Marc [/quote] Thanks Marc, I'm really keen to make the aged lollipop style tuners work some how, I have shiny Squier one's, Hipshot Ultralites, Wilkinsons etc but they aren't really the look I'm after on this build. The Fender book sounds interesting.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1424175886' post='2693427'] Cracking idea if that works! Looks good so far mate. Always wanted to do something like this, so will be good to see how you fare! [/quote] Thanks

I bought a few of these electrical clips, they are meant for mains electricity but I'm hoping I can use them temporarily between the pick-up and the volume pot so I can easily test out different pick-ups without having to resolder each time. [attachment=184136:clip.JPG]

Today I did a bit of cavity shielding as I realised there wasn't any at all when I removed the scratchplate. I might get a roll of cheap Aluminium tape to do the underside of the scratchplates with as that doesn't really need to have conductive glue, if I need to join any I can use a little copper tape or fold the corner over on one bit to make a connection. After a tiny bit of sanding of the neck pocket I put the neck in place, then ran some strings through the bridge and over the nut to see how it all lines up, looks like it's going to be spot on [attachment=183965:Shielding.jpg]

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1424011866' post='2691484'] I've built a few basses and have found that changing tuners for another brand can help cos there's a multitude of different sizes available. I was always swapping them around. [/quote] I have done that in the past, in fact I had to do it to the Jazz bass I'm also doing at the moment, the Wilkinson tuners I had for it were way to big for the J&D headstock so I bought some more smaller Squier ones and they fit nicely. Before starting messing about with bitsa basses again I'd assumed almost all tuners would fit a Fender style headstock. With this build I really want the Lollipop tuners, I think they go really well with the dot and bound neck, they were the most expensive parts to purchase.

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1424011613' post='2691477'] Depending on how much you need to remove, you could use a file and this would reduce the chance of the chrome flaking. That said, if the chrome is applied properly then it shouldn't flake and as the tuners are aged, a little bit of flaking shouldn't look out of place. [/quote] It's an excuse to buy a Dremel

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1423943689' post='2690760'] If it was me, I'd grind a little bit off the long side of the tuner bass plates until they fitted snug with either a file or preferably a Dremel or similar. The pro alternative would involve plugging and re drilling the tuner peg holes. [/quote] Thank you for the advice, would grinding the base plates be OK as they are chrome plated? admittedly it aged so may not matter, I just wondered if it might flake? I don't have a Dremel but it something I probably should get.

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1423929085' post='2690482'] Picato does a medium (for 32" ) set if you ask them. G. [/quote] Thanks for the info

It's not going well today If the tuner holes were equidistant apart the tuners might have fitted but as the D hole is closer to the A hole (not being rude there!) I can't get all 4 tuner to fit. I'm not sure what to do to remedy the issue, do I drill slightly bigger holes for all the tuners so I have some wiggle room then glue the ferrules in as they will be loose or maybe fit the tuners without the ferrules in place then sand the holes to take the ferrules? Any help tips? Here's the tuners with Ferrules in place. [attachment=183871:With Ferrules Back.jpg] Without Ferrules [attachment=183872:No Ferrules Back.jpg] Front without Ferrules [attachment=183873:No Ferrules.jpg] Also he G string tuner is borderline hanging over the edge of the back of the neck.

Soaking the scratchplate in tea and coffee overnight didn't work