Andyjr1515 Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hi All I will drop a few more details about this latest project in the next day or so but first - an urgent question. Do you prefer this with: [list] [*]No pickguard [*]The shape of pickguard in the photos [*]A pickguard but a bit slimmer [/list] [attachment=85832:IMG_1654.JPG] [attachment=85833:IMG_1655.JPG] [attachment=85834:IMG_1650.JPG] [attachment=85836:IMG_1658.JPG] This one might be for sale soon - which do you think would appeal (if any ) to most folk? Thanks Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Got to be without, although the one with isn't as bad as I was expecting on such a strong (and lovely) top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Leave the pickguard well alone! Looks gorgeous without it. Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Without, says I. But if you do put one on, don't use that one. The shape is so-so, but the colour and pattern are awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Looks terrible with, looks great without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badass Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Without ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 I get the distinct impression so far that the consensus is without! Now I can stand back from it a little, I think I agree that the pickguard is pants. My only remaining concern, I suppose, is that the Jazz metal control plate design seems to beg for a pick-guard of some sort. Round off the corners or leave it be? Thanks for the feedback so far Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 WITHOUT! BTW inspired by your work, I'm 3/4 of the way through veneering the top of my current project. I'll get some photos up at the weekend but in the meantime, thanks for the inspiration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hi JPJ Fantastic! I'm really pleased & looking forward to seeing your pics Any Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Hi there Thanks for the feedback. Like all these things, you get so close to something for so long that you cease to be able to see the wood from the trees (if you excuse the pun ). I did the full set-up this morning, played it and looked at it afresh and I think it is now in the category of 'leave it alone - it's done' I'll post some proper shots in Gear Porn later today but in terms of where this has come from: I bought the bass as a 'Custom Fretless Bass' from a helpful chap called David. He does the fretless conversion and set-ups himself and I was very pleased with what came through the post. The fretless conversion has been very well done and the set-up was spot on The pickups are probably basic but didn't warrant changing - but more about later I did the same stripdown and veneering job as described in my other recent post [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=142149"]Veneering an Ibanez Bass - Tips and Techniques[/url] The great thing when you do that job is that you really see the quality of the body and type of wood. I don't know what the wood is, but it is light but VERY hard compared with the usual Alder / Basswood, etc. The veneer is a Burl Walnut supplied by Freed Veneers - great effect and looks much better in real life than the photos - the central feature is a deep yew-like colour and not at all yellow as appears in the quick shots above. It's like playing a Bentley Continental Dashboard I added a series pull switch to one of the volume pots so it now has two options - absolutely standard vol vol tone with the neck vol in the down position (standard parallel configuration) then, with the neck vol in the up position, it switches to the two coils in series, with the neck vol becoming master volume and the tone as normal. I'm delighted with the result The series option doesn't significantly increase the volume (an oft-quoted criticism of this configuration) but gives a very modern deep boom bass sound. The tone control is very responsive and the tone options cover all my bases and many more. Whereas the Jaguar I did is a definite keeper, this one will probably be sold. If anyone is interested prior to me putting it on the Basses for Sale section, feel free to send me a PM Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Bit late now, but convert it to rear routed and ditch the plate What about a clear, regular Jazz shaped pickguard? That way you protect your veneer and get to see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I'd give it a normal J pickguard to cover the gap around the neck pickup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 [quote name='Andyjr1515' post='1319912' date='Jul 29 2011, 12:00 AM']Hi JPJ Fantastic! I'm really pleased & looking forward to seeing your pics Any[/quote] Thanks Andy, I've added a few iPhone photos to my build thread. I'll get some better quality ones up at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 [quote name='lobematt' post='1320156' date='Jul 29 2011, 10:30 AM']I'd give it a normal J pickguard to cover the gap around the neck pickup[/quote] Yeah - that was a bit of a surprise when I took off the pickguard . The bridge routing is fine. I might alternatively pop a trim on (a la Gibson humbuckers) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 [quote name='Andyjr1515' post='1320237' date='Jul 29 2011, 11:28 AM']Yeah - that was a bit of a surprise when I took off the pickguard . The bridge routing is fine. I might alternatively pop a trim on (a la Gibson humbuckers)[/quote] There's always the chrome trim that Yamaha used on the BB series basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 [quote name='neepheid' post='1320132' date='Jul 29 2011, 10:15 AM']Bit late now, but convert it to rear routed and ditch the plate What about a clear, regular Jazz shaped pickguard? That way you protect your veneer and get to see it [/quote] Hi Yes - rear routed is best but this was the best fretless I could get on my budget. The Ibanez I did was rear-routed and that takes all the issues away! Ref damaging the veneer, it is - agreed - a much softer finish than poly or nitro, but it is also very easy to polish and repair. I use the Birchwood Casey Wax finish to keep the shine and, if there is a bad scratch, just rub a little more tru oil across with my thumb . Nevertheless, a clear guard's a great idea for anyone wanging it about more than I do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 Hi Folks Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I've taken up JPJ's suggestion of using pickup rings - really pleased with the result [attachment=86042:IMG_1686.JPG] Thanks again Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batfastard Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 The pickup surrounds really set it off alongside the control plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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