HB PB50 MODS

[Basscabman]

Gonna mod the new PB 50 I got last week. Will post progress.

Here It Is new.

[Basscabman]

Headstock reshaped. 

Amber tint and some kind of decal next.

[SpondonBassed]

Cool.

Have you any other mods short-listed?

[Basscabman]

New Tuners, Spray scratchplate aged cream, Ashtray for bridge and still debating the relic look! 

[mickhardup]

that's nice, I wanted one of them but she who must be obeyed said NO.

[Basscabman]

Only £96 Unbelievable for the price IMO.

[mickhardup]

2 minutes ago, Basscabman said:

Only £96 Unbelievable for the price IMO.

I know I have been watching it for months now, and then the red one came in stock GAS.

[BrunoBass]

20 hours ago, Basscabman said:

Headstock reshaped. 

Amber tint and some kind of decal next.

Nicely done.

[Jimothey]

17 hours ago, Basscabman said:

Only £96 Unbelievable for the price IMO.

I keep on looking at the sunburst version they are ridiculously cheap 😀

[Bridgehouse]

I'd do a pickup swap too. You can get some really really good replacements for these for small beans. 

[Basscabman]

Which pickups mate? Don't wanna throw a fortune at It but may replace It. 

[Bridgehouse]

Just now, Basscabman said:

Which pickups mate? Don't wanna throw a fortune at It but may replace It. 

Even something like a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder can make a big difference - what sort of sound do you like? Vintage, modern, high gain, punchy?

[Basscabman]

Vintage Jamerson sound. 

[Bridgehouse]

The bare knuckle hand wound flat poles are very very good - but you might find them a bit pricey.. 

The Jess Loureiro one is also good - and the split coil is hum cancelling:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183311274438

 

 

[BrunoBass]

Are your electrics ok? Mine were rubbish! 

[Basscabman]

All good Paul. 

[BrunoBass]

Pleased to hear it. Mine just didn’t work, the tone control did nothing, the volume pot was either on 100% or 0%. Honestly can’t complain though considering the cost, and I’m very happy with the modifications I made. 

Look forward to seeing how yours turns out! 

Edited July 20, 2018 by BrunoBass

[BrunoBass]

By the way, if you’re going for Jameson thud a set of flatwounds will help; although I’m sure you’re already on the case with that! 

My PB-50 wears Fender flatwounds permanently now; just fitting them improved the tone massively. I’d never used flats before and therefore didn’t want to shell out on La Bellas etc in case I didn’t get on with them; the Fenders were about £20 and feel/sound fantastic.

[Bridgehouse]

Just now, BrunoBass said:

By the way, if you’re going for Jameson thud a set of flatwounds will help; although I’m sure you’re already on the case with that! 

My PB-50 wears Fender flatwounds permanently now; just fitting them improved the tone massively. I’d never used flats before and therefore didn’t want to shell out on La Bellas etc in case I didn’t get on with them; the Fenders were about £20 and feel/sound fantastic.

I’ve just tried a set of fender flats for the first time - I have basses with la Bellas, Thomastiks, and quite a few Chromes on (my preference) - the Fenders are pretty much as good as the others - I have a preference for the feel of the Chromes - but otherwise they are just as good

[Basscabman]

Flats went on it on day one, Just some old cheap ones I had laying around. Gonna get a set of decent ones soon! 

[kodiakblair]

14 hours ago, Basscabman said:

Flats went on it on day one, Just some old cheap ones I had laying around. Gonna get a set of decent ones soon! 

My first PB-50 got Status Hotwire tapes. 2nd one got TI's,4 year down the line I still think it was a great decision 😎

Went back to tapes for number 4,keeping options open for number 5 😉

 

Number 3 was a present for a pal's 40th

 

Edited July 21, 2018 by kodiakblair
update info

[Basscabman]

Anyone else with the roswell pickup noticed that the E and A strings are not sitting over the pickup magnet poles? Don't look like a bridge problem, More like the pickup seems a tad small.

[kodiakblair]

They rarely line up perfectly. It's rare to see a jazz or PJ line up either,no matter the brand.

My last one had the bigger bridge and the centre of E string was 8mm from the centre of the E pickup pole. That was way too much,playing with fingers pulled the string out of the magnetic field.

Neither the Herrick nor the Bloodstone line up perfectly on their PB-50s,it's just a trade off between bridge,pickup placement and nut width.

 

You could get a plain cover for the pickup, out of sight / out of mind 👍

[Basscabman]

Gonna spray the neck this week with amber nitro, Just wondering If I'll need clear coat on top? If not how long will just the amber tint last? Will I need to do any sanding? Never done any spraying before so any help would be great. Got no Idea about sanding or buffing (If using a clear coat) 

 

Cheers all

 

Geoff

[BrunoBass]

7 hours ago, Basscabman said:

Gonna spray the neck this week with amber nitro, Just wondering If I'll need clear coat on top? If not how long will just the amber tint last? Will I need to do any sanding? Never done any spraying before so any help would be great. Got no Idea about sanding or buffing (If using a clear coat) 

 

Cheers all

 

Geoff

It depends what kind of look you’re after. I originally planned to clear coat and polish mine but in the end I just applied the amber nitro and left it to age and wear naturally. I lightly sanded with very fine paper, 2000 grit I think, to smooth it. I’m happy with it.