Steff Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Hi guys, I've recently bought a cheap Yamaha BBN5 which I intend to transform into a bass monster . I got a nice Audere 3zb for it, the problem is the Yamaha only has 3 knobs and the Audere comes with 5 plus a switch and a LED. Now the cavity of the BBN is very small, but I am pretty sure I'd be able to fit everything there. Intending to install the battery in a flat box on the cavity lid. So here's a few photos (please excuse the quality), which configuration you like more? Original .............................................................Cavity [attachment=152512:109235592_lg.jpg] [attachment=152513:Cavity.jpg] Var 1 .................................................................Var 2 [attachment=152514:BBN5 Set1 - 1.JPG] [attachment=152515:BBN5 Set2.JPG] Steff Edited January 31, 2014 by Steff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyf Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 TBH, I'd just get the cavity routed so it's a bit larger. From a practical point of view, it'll be massively crowded in there and a total nightmare to get in to work. The bigger cavity will allow you to space the controls on the top a little more logically / sensibly. I've got a Yamaha Nathan East signature with the same number of controls (vol/pan/bass/mid/treble + mid select micro-switch from the upgraded Bartolini preamp). If you're after a template for the cavity, I could always copy this for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 I was trying to avoid expanding the cavity but it might come to that eventually... Yes please mate, I'd love a couple of front and cavity photos if you can... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Actually I think I could get that with minimal routing [attachment=152517:BBN5 Set3.JPG] Still not sure about the knobs order though... Logically I'd wanna have Vol - Hi - Mid - Low and the one at the far right would be balance. (As on the photo) However the mid pot is a stacked one so it'll probably drive my OCD to extremes sitting in a row with all the single ones. might do Vol - Hi - Low - Bal and leave the stacked mids for the far right... Edited January 16, 2014 by Steff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyf Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 [quote name='Steff' timestamp='1389868260' post='2338768'] I was trying to avoid expanding the cavity but it might come to that eventually... Yes please mate, I'd love a couple of front and cavity photos if you can... [/quote] Be a pleasure. I'll do it later when I'm home from work. In the meantime, there was a "for sale" thread many moons ago of exactly the same model as mine with front and back pics. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-11266-1279311892.png"]http://basschat.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-11266-1279311892.png[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-11266-1279311946.png"]http://basschat.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-11266-1279311946.png[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 Thanks for those mate, it gives an idea. I think I'll be able to actually achieve similar results without routing, cos the audere pots are very compact and I guess I could drill the new holes just at the edge... Once I get the bass this Sunday it'll all be more clear . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) Here it is, all done Sounds good, just need to find her a couple of nice pickups That's how it all started: Saw this for sale for 50 quid... [attachment=153754:original.jpg] First thing to do - put a new bridge: [attachment=153755:Bridge.jpg] Second... The neck was the dirtiest I've ever seen. It was time for some cleaning. Who said alcohol doesn't do no good...? [attachment=153757:neck cleaning.jpg] Some shielding [attachment=153759:pups shielding.jpg] [attachment=153760:cavity shielding.jpg] Battery digging... that took a while [attachment=153761:batt cavity.jpg] Preamp was a tight fit... [attachment=153762:ready to close.jpg] And... all done! [attachment=153763:back done.jpg] [attachment=153764:front.jpg] My apologies to all the luthiers, this is my first attempt in modifying and I've got no experience in digging holes in wood/electronics Edited January 31, 2014 by Steff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ipg Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 NIce,Steff..Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Bet it sounds and plays far better than some basses 10x the value. I have a BBN5 and it's shockingly good for a £1000 bass let alone one that only cost me £90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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