Chopthebass Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 I have been pretty happy with my Fender Elite 5 Jazz, but decided to create my own version to incorporate some custom touches. I am still deciding on electronics. Possible EMG or Nordy pickups. Specs are Aboyna burl over alder, with black veneer accent. Flame maple neck, burl headstock, 35:" scale, Ebony fingerboard, MOP dots. Compound radius. Assymetric neck rear profile. Bridge and tuners are Hipshot, 17.5mm spacing. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 In a good way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 Ha ha! Thanks Owen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 WOW, that's a fabulous looking neck! It looks like the burl is a veneer, is that right? What are those two things that look like string ferrules on the rear cover, are they 'easy access' trim pots for the electronics? Beautiful looking bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 3 hours ago, rubis said: WOW, that's a fabulous looking neck! It looks like the burl is a veneer, is that right? What are those two things that look like string ferrules on the rear cover, are they 'easy access' trim pots for the electronics? Beautiful looking bass. Thanks! Yes they are veneers front and back on the headstock. On the cavity cover there is Aux in and headphone out. Rehearse anywhere! Plug your phone in and play. ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 Here is a close up of the custom headphone amp. The regular jack on the side of the body will just turn on the preamp as normal, but if you just want to use headphones, plug them in to the mini jack and it turns on the preamp and the headphone amp. So you still hear any preamp EQ adjustments. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Oh my days. That neck looks amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 5 minutes ago, EBS_freak said: Oh my days. That neck looks amazing. Thanks! It is hell waiting for a delivery of neck screws before I can assemble it! Its killing me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 2 minutes ago, Chopthebass said: Thanks! It is hell waiting for a delivery of neck screws before I can assemble it! Its killing me! Don't do screws! Do threaded inserts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, EBS_freak said: Don't do screws! Do threaded inserts. I did think about that. And I may still do. I had bad success in the past as the inserts I tried were too coarse a thread. I have some fine ones now. However I did try one in a scrap piece of maple, using the correct pilot drill size and it was getting too tight to screw all the way in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 3 hours ago, Chopthebass said: Here is a close up of the custom headphone amp. The regular jack on the side of the body will just turn on the preamp as normal, but if you just want to use headphones, plug them in to the mini jack and it turns on the preamp and the headphone amp. So you still hear any preamp EQ adjustments. Why is this not a more common feature?! Makes complete sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 27 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said: Why is this not a more common feature?! Makes complete sense! I think it has been done in the past. And Mayones does it on their Mini bass, the Cali 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Ugh. Where do I get that headphone doobrie? No. Really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 34 minutes ago, owen said: Ugh. Where do I get that headphone doobrie? No. Really! You can get one from me! Remember if you fit to a passive bass you'll need to add a battery, and change the jack to a stereo one for turning on the power. PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Here it comes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 17 hours ago, Chopthebass said: I did think about that. And I may still do. I had bad success in the past as the inserts I tried were too coarse a thread. I have some fine ones now. However I did try one in a scrap piece of maple, using the correct pilot drill size and it was getting too tight to screw all the way in. At the bottom of page4 of my thread of scrumpymike's rascal conversion, there is detail how I go about it if it is of any help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Thanks Andy. You don’t mention if you use a jig to screw the inserts in. I see guys use a bolt and locknut so you don’t have to stress the hex in the brass. ive decided to give it a go. Obviously on some more scrap maple first! cheers for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) If you have a drill press you can mount a bit of hexagon bar the correct size for the hex in the insert in the chuck and screw it in by hand whilst keeping pressure on the insert by the spindle feed. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, the motor is most definitely off when doing this! Edited January 4, 2020 by Si600 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) I made a little jig that kept the threaded insert perfectly perpendicular to the body. Worked great! Edited January 6, 2020 by Chopthebass wrong image format Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 Finished and set up now. The EMG JAX are fantastic. Combine those with the BQS and there's tons of tone on tap. I am so please with the result. Apart from the satin finish, it feels as nice as my Fender Elite. And sounds better. On to the next build now! 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Wow! Fantastic work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Perfect! A jazz bass where the neck doesn’t move. Glad you did the inserts. Plus the back looks a lot more pro as opposed to screws. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, EBS_freak said: Perfect! A jazz bass where the neck doesn’t move. Glad you did the inserts. Plus the back looks a lot more pro as opposed to screws. I’m pleased I did it. Took a bit of time to ensure everything lined up with pilot holes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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