The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: daan on April 27, 2015, 03:02:42 PM
-
I've been working on this bass longer than I'd like to admit, but it's finally in one piece and I can play it.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/9C79E26E-D230-4D0C-B943-B612A9C7DA3C_zps3b0msgdi.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/9C79E26E-D230-4D0C-B943-B612A9C7DA3C_zps3b0msgdi.jpg.html)It's a 70's Hondo II Jazz copy. Rather than the plywood like most of them I've seen, this one's made of ash (or something that looks like ash anyway) I took all the electronics out (they didn't work anyway) and Our Intrepid Leader gave me a bridge to replace the terrible one it came with (Thank you again, Dave!) I found some "Firebird style Mini-Humbuckers" on ebay for less than $20 for the pair. These are something like within 1/4" of the same size as what came out of it, are most likely Artec pickups that sounded good in my other hacked-together bass
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/gone/5-20-10067.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/gone/5-20-10067.jpg.html)
I also found a "pre-wired Jazz bass control panel" for less than $30, probably a used take-out from something because it had really long leads for the pickups.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/2012-11-19214510.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/2012-11-19214510.jpg.html)
I had wired everything up a couple times, and it never really worked. I could wire either of the mini-buckers to the output jack and get noise, but not thru the pots. I futzed and futzed and ended up just re wiring it with new pots and the diagram from SD http://www.buzzardsbass.com/electronics/wiring/diagrams/J-Bass/Jazz.gif
Now it makes noise, but turning the knobs doesn't seem to affect anything, like the sound doesn't change. After seeing the amazing builds you guys put up here I'm kinda embarrased to show my hack-work around here, :-[ but I have a couple questions for you experts:
1. could my lack of tone change be from bad parts (everything was as cheap as I could afford) or more likely me just wiring it up wrong?
2 Would just wiring it vol/tone/3-way make more sense than the v/v/t (or blend knob or whatever) make more sense? (and be less likely for me to screw up)
3. I did notice on playing it for the first time that the "G" string was a lot quieter than the other 3. Also, after measuring it 543264326 times to get the bridge in the right place,
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/5B172446-B7BF-4B51-BBF3-23895DCF380B_zpsqvntpnoz.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/5B172446-B7BF-4B51-BBF3-23895DCF380B_zpsqvntpnoz.jpg.html)
the pup routs are shifted way over to the "E" side, I'm guessing my quiet string is because the pups are not under the strings quite right?
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/3AED667F-0B04-4AFB-B1EF-CC828D54C76A_zpsvhrrmbbz.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/3AED667F-0B04-4AFB-B1EF-CC828D54C76A_zpsvhrrmbbz.jpg.html)
They SEEM to be OK, but who knows... with the old ones, if I centered the pickup under the strings, the top of the pup route could be seen under the pickup ring.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/2012-04-17151001.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/2012-04-17151001.jpg.html)
I centered these pretty evenly, but that one string is still not as loud as the others. ???
4. The action is WAY higher than it used to be- I guess spending 4 years in my basement didn't do it any good...
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/50A8A835-1491-443E-96E9-C64E7D3661AA_zpsz4s3gede.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/50A8A835-1491-443E-96E9-C64E7D3661AA_zpsz4s3gede.jpg.html)
I strung it up and raised the bridge up enough to get it to stop buzzing, and now it's the stereotypical "half-inch high action". I've never actually adjusted a truss rod before, go figure, and don't wanna break this one (it's totally not worth getting a new neck for, not that I could either afford one, or know how to adapt a standard one to this odd ball shaped thing. It does have a headstock adjusted truss rod, and the nut on it appears to adjust with an Allen key,
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/43579402-C108-4E4A-A4D5-AE6E35C60BB9_zpsofpl7ehz.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/43579402-C108-4E4A-A4D5-AE6E35C60BB9_zpsofpl7ehz.jpg.html)
but the one I have that fits the nut doesn't seem to want to move at all, and I don't want to snap anything. Also, I don't actually know which way I should be turning it in the first place, so I thought I should consult the experts before I make stuff worse. Can I even adjust this out, or is the neck now warped too much to have a playable bass? THe action was nowhere near this high when I bought it, or I wouldn't have gotten it in the first place. I should mention that the neck has never come off it since I got it, and it's been in my basement pretty much the whole time, other than when I worked on it outside in the summer a couple times. I figured it was more humid down there in the winter than upstairs in our wood-heated house, but I could be wrong...
THank you guys, especially for having me in the coolest bass hang-out on the net.
-
1. By "makes noise" do you mean you're getting tone from the pickups but the controls aren't working? Or is it just hum? Could be bad parts or a cold solder joint.
2. No. Nothing wrong with vol/tone/3-way but not any less likely to be a problem.
3. That could be it. Hard to know without checking. If you can't remove the cover, you can always lay some iron filings on a piece of paper over the pickup to see the pole pattern. Just be sure to avoid getting the filings in the pickup.
4. Righty tighty -- clockwise when looking at it from the headstock end -- to decrease relief. You don't have to loosen the strings but if you can't make it move as is, better loosen 'em. You could always try loosening first to see if it moves at all. Whatever you do, don't ever crank it more than 1/4 turn at a time.
I doubt it was any more humid in your basement. the relative humidity is higher but at a lower temperature.
-
I'd really give that nut some attention, that's for sure. You can check how much clearance there is between string and first fret by pressing down string at 3.rd fret. You don't need much clearance, just enough not to buzz. Seeing nut, bridge and neck (straightness) as a whole is quite useful sometimes. I say this first, because I find it more easy troubleshooting electronics/pickups without being annoyed by everything else on the instrument. :) And, if the neck is very bowed, remember to put some pressure on when straightening it - the rod should only keep it straight, not straighten it.
-
Thanks for jumping in here guys. I'm a little distracted right now!
-
I can't tell from the pictures if the neck is bowed. It looks like you can drop your saddles more..................as long as the bridge pickup can be dropped down as well. A neck shim would help the situation I think. As stated by others go slowly when adjusting the truss rod. turning it clock wise will tighten it making the neck flatter, loosening it (counterclockwise) will introduce more relief or bow. Hope that helps. PS it looks like your E string is sitting a little high in the nut, is the channel wide enough for the gauge strings you are using?
-
Hey thanks guys, I'm >< THIS close to having a finished bass and I'm excited to get there!
As far as "noise", I mean, it sounds like a bass, it isn't humming. The "tone" of it just doesn't sound any different if I turn the knobs. The volume changes somewhat, but all the way down it's silent, and moving it at all it's as loud as it goes.
And yeah, the nut isn't filed right but I haven't addressed that yet (don't wanna file it too much and then need a new one!)
-
Nuts are cheap go for it! That's a good bass to hone your skills on.
-
My suggestion on the electronics is to find a diagram for wiring a J-bass in the sequence you want, and then follow it. Chances are that there's a short or a misplaced connection that is causing the problems.
There are a lot of J-bass wiring diagrams on the Interwebs. Here's one at Stew-Mac that's pretty conventional: http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Pickups_and_Electronics/Wiring_for_Jazz_Bass.html
-
And yeah, the nut isn't filed right but I haven't addressed that yet (don't wanna file it too much and then need a new one!)
Buy a couple of bone blanks and download a Dan Erlewine nut guide or something, I promise you that´s rewarding.
You don´t need all the files he talks about, a small hacksaw and an inexpensive ratfile set will do. And different grades of sandpaper and something to polish with (3M pads up to 12000 grit or something) an you´re away. I think nut filing is described thoroughly here on lbo too. I was amazed how easy it was to set up any bass as I replaced iffy nuts with good ones. You just need that one evening concentrating on that blank, and you´re hooked - it´s great!
As for the electronics, if the volume is not shorting the signal, maybe the pot is not working? You bought cheap ones, right? Sometimes they just do not work. Before completely switching to CTS on my amp builds a couple of years ago, I sometimes threw away 1 out of 10 chinese pots each batch I ordered. Good parts = less troubleshooting.
As a footnote, I´ve had 2 of those cheapo mini humbuckers you describe. They were so silent (output wise) that I ended up using only the covers, baseplate and pickup rings. But in their favour, they had an even magnetic field, no ´g string trouble´on mine.
Best of luck, builds are always fun!
-
i have always enjoyed yours and other 'inexpensive' instruments. a lot of things can be done cheap or free and not worrying about wrecking a 2500 bass is quite liberating. carry on, sir. :)
-
You don´t need all the files he talks about, a small hacksaw and an inexpensive ratfile set will do. And different grades of sandpaper and something to polish with (3M pads up to 12000 grit or something) an you´re away.
First one I ever made:
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/guild/DSCF0009.jpg)
I used exactly that- inexpensive needle file set, sand papers, etc.. all stuff I had around. Bought a big package of bone blanks off Ebay for a few bucks. Give it a shot, Daan. It's not that hard if I can pull it off!
I had an old Ibanez jazz bass similar to yours that I had bought for next to nothing, and it sounded so good the times I took it out. Your's actually looks of nicer quality. The one I had was 'burst with laminate top/back, and what looked like pieces of mystery-mahogany in the middle (you could see all the joins projecting thru the laminate). Of all the basses I've sold, that's the only one I still sometimes think about.
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/studio/the-wall3.jpg)
-
your tone pot is wired wrong. The hot wire from the bridge pot goes to the center lug of the tone pot then to the hot lug of the jack. The lug that you grounded needs to have the capacitor going from it to the ground on the pot, it shouldn't be grounded directly...go back and look at the diagram again. You're going to have a cool bass when you get done!
-
Man, I don't know why I keep hacking away at this thing... I tried to get the E string to sit in the nut better, I lightly sanded it with some 400-grit, and now the string pops out of the slot every time I hit it. >:( I went slowly and lightly, I didn't go nuts on it, but obviously I overdid it. Now I gotta buy a nut and some files...
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/0E52ABA2-EAB6-4D4A-88FB-D36E20A2F0C1_zpshpvxwtuh.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/0E52ABA2-EAB6-4D4A-88FB-D36E20A2F0C1_zpshpvxwtuh.jpg.html)
So now it doesn't play thru the amp right, and also the string pops out. Grr. So I called my Dad to come over with his chain saw and we cut down some of the half-dead, overgrown bushes from next to the house.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/E1FFB2CD-0390-4B63-88F8-347610F62128_zpsfngbfura.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/E1FFB2CD-0390-4B63-88F8-347610F62128_zpsfngbfura.jpg.html)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/F373A59C-72C9-4DD8-9E07-737CDBA20FB1_zpskmqwqkt5.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/F373A59C-72C9-4DD8-9E07-737CDBA20FB1_zpskmqwqkt5.jpg.html)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/0476777E-A258-4500-B88B-257FCBC1C001_zpsfkxfpp8e.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/0476777E-A258-4500-B88B-257FCBC1C001_zpsfkxfpp8e.jpg.html)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/0C0B23EF-5EC1-41E2-BE9C-5F5EE3D6F206_zpso6nae4mv.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/0C0B23EF-5EC1-41E2-BE9C-5F5EE3D6F206_zpso6nae4mv.jpg.html)
I seriously considered taking the chain saw to the bass, since I'm so frustrated with it right now.
-
I had an old Ibanez jazz bass similar to yours that I had bought for next to nothing, and it sounded so good the times I took it out. Your's actually looks of nicer quality. The one I had was 'burst with laminate top/back, and what looked like pieces of mystery-mahogany in the middle (you could see all the joins projecting thru the laminate). Of all the basses I've sold, that's the only one I still sometimes think about.
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/studio/the-wall3.jpg)
I've actually had a couple like that now, and I started a kind of "bass archeaology project" where I collected every pic of a Jazz copy with different names on them, I think I was up to 20 or so before I got distracted by ...well, everything else going on. I'm pretty sure between these basses and fake LP's, that was 75% of the import guitar output of the 70's.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/gone/DSC_7531.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/gone/DSC_7531.jpg.html)
The "Carlo Robelli" I had, this one was a very close copy (a "real" Jazz guard fit right on, and it had fairly nice J shaped pups) I liked the neck on the ash Hondo better. THis one was pancacked like an LP, but it was "real" wood. I also had this
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/Random/KGrHqQOKjoE3uwecdNtBNNTvUWQ_3.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/Random/KGrHqQOKjoE3uwecdNtBNNTvUWQ_3.jpg.html)
a plywood "no-name" with the mini humbucker size pups. THis one was really beat, the neck was warped and the pups (pr the pots, I guess) didn't work. I only paid $30 for it though so I wasn't expecting much.
-
your tone pot is wired wrong. The hot wire from the bridge pot goes to the center lug of the tone pot then to the hot lug of the jack. The lug that you grounded needs to have the capacitor going from it to the ground on the pot, it shouldn't be grounded directly...go back and look at the diagram again. You're going to have a cool bass when you get done!
I'm printing this out now, I will rewire it the next chance I get. Stupid question: WHich one is the "tone" pot? My guess is the one next to the output, but I thought I should ask before I start soldering the wrong things (again) :-[
-
Daan, you don't have to abandon that nut. Put masking tape on each side of the slot, put some baking soda in the slot and drip one or two drops of super glue on it. The combination will form a very strong bone-like material that is bonded to the nut. Then take a needle file and try a more accurate nut slot. If you don't have needle files, use a drill bit with emery cloth wrapped around it (totaling the correct diameter, and you can be pretty precise) as your file.
-
I'm printing this out now, I will rewire it the next chance I get. Stupid question: WHich one is the "tone" pot? My guess is the one next to the output, but I thought I should ask before I start soldering the wrong things (again) :-[
Yes, it's the one closest to the jack.
-
Well I got tired of messing with the circuit on this. I flipped the pickups over, and the "E" became the quiet string. I took those pups out, and found some other ones to use (they haven't arrived yet) I gutted all the rest of the wiring and ordered all new, I got CTS pots and a Switchcraft pup selector I don't know why the "Vol/Vol/Tone" wiring bugged me so much, but it did, so I'm going V/T/3-way. I've downloaded a bunch of wiring diagrams, so hopefully I'll get this one right the first time (or is it 9th by now :rolleyes: ) I did figure out the holes in the control panel aren't big enough for the pot shafts to pass thru, but I have a reamer I can open them up with. Or, a friend of my Dad is a retired metal worker, with a garage full of tools, maybe I can bring him a box '0' donuts and listen to them tell Army stories while getting my plate fixed...
I did the superglue/baking soda thing to the nut, and then filed it too deep again right away. Maybe I'll find somebody who can cut a new one for me locally (not many guitar places in rural WI though)
I learned my lesson, just do it right instead of cheaping out and having to re-do it multiple times!
-
Dan, I can check with a friend who teaches guitar in the Glenwood City area, he may know a qualified repairman.
-
Sounds like many of my projects.....rework....redo....start over......ugh. It takes a lot of patience! The learning curve is steep.
-
Yes, tone is next to the jack.
-
Sounds like many of my projects.....rework....redo....start over......ugh. It takes a lot of patience! The learning curve is steep.
Yeah but your projects turn out beautifully! That's why I'm so hesitant to post anything here, "I got nuthin'"
-
Yeah but your projects turn out beautifully! That's why I'm so hesitant to post anything here, "I got nuthin'"
Well, I never posted the two or three bodies I struggled with so much they ended up in the fire pit and we made s'mores over! I learned a lot from the mistakes and now I make fewer errors and have to do less rework. I still make mistakes but they tend to be smaller now!
-
Dan, my buddy uses Speed of Sound in Eau Claire, that's the only one he knows in the area. Might be as far for you as the Cities but at least there will be less traffic.
-
Mistakes, trials, and tribulations... all part of the learning curve... We've all had a few train-wrecks...
-
Dan, my buddy uses Speed of Sound in Eau Claire, that's the only one he knows in the area. Might be as far for you as the Cities but at least there will be less traffic.
Thank you! I will check them out. There's a music store in Hudson (WI) but they don't do work there, they send stuff out somewhere to have it done. And they wouldn't really tell me where when I asked... ???
-
So I got my Dad to take me over to his buddy's house (retired metal worker with a shed fulla power tools-now THAT"S a man-cave!) ANyway I measured my electrical components, he dug out some drill bits and in about 5 minutes I had a control plate that my parts fit in.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/623A02F3-F175-4984-8C12-377CD94E96A0_zpsl4iuwghc.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/623A02F3-F175-4984-8C12-377CD94E96A0_zpsl4iuwghc.jpg.html)
He also beveled the holes, so they weren't razor sharp
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/DC20992C-0B63-4EF5-B7B2-CAEFC7BD48F2_zpsp66ydj6z.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/DC20992C-0B63-4EF5-B7B2-CAEFC7BD48F2_zpsp66ydj6z.jpg.html)
I have all the components on the plate
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/E7FC0877-0E05-4BBC-BC96-BA3077790A76_zpstdfhzddj.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/E7FC0877-0E05-4BBC-BC96-BA3077790A76_zpstdfhzddj.jpg.html)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/E663506F-F9AE-480C-9A4A-114ABDA63936_zpsfmhoy9az.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/E663506F-F9AE-480C-9A4A-114ABDA63936_zpsfmhoy9az.jpg.html)
and everything fits in the control rout on the body (I was worried the switch would be too long, I'd have to deepen the rout but it's fine.)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/3E1A1780-FBB2-4FEC-A799-9D4407A8B621_zpstqkyq3kn.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/3E1A1780-FBB2-4FEC-A799-9D4407A8B621_zpstqkyq3kn.jpg.html)
So assuming I get a little time this weekend, (and the wiring diagram I have is correct) I may actually have a working bass by Monday.
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/93FCC368-7BD1-49C0-BE81-DE1CAB4A3BAD_zps1ovqjnfu.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/93FCC368-7BD1-49C0-BE81-DE1CAB4A3BAD_zps1ovqjnfu.jpg.html)
And I GOTTA stop using my phone, and start taking pics with my "real" camera. They look fine on the phone's screen, but as soon as I see them on a monitor they look terrible. Well, you know the joke- "I'm an American, give me convenience or give me death" ;D
-
Plenty good enough images for here... anyway, laziness is not an "American" thing... it's a malaise that has taken root in Western culture...
So, lets see what the weekend brings...!
:popcorn:
-
He did a nice job for you. Pics look fine too, it's not like you're entering a photo exhibition.
-
Of course I haven't even opened the case on this since I posted last... Maybe once school is back on I'll have more time to fool with this again.
-
That's looking good!
-
Welp, I got it wired up (again, let's hope I did it right this time) I followed a diagram from Seymour Duncan, the other guitar I wired up (that actually worked the first time :rolleyes: was off a diagram from those guys.) I had followed a "generic" diagram I found online the last time I messed with this guitar, and it didn't work. So...
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/3DB410E5-598D-43F7-8FAE-5D466B1C4C6A_zpslsuzusi2.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/3DB410E5-598D-43F7-8FAE-5D466B1C4C6A_zpslsuzusi2.jpg.html)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/932AACAD-F14A-4F9B-AA02-A807322C8E44_zps83guz99w.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/932AACAD-F14A-4F9B-AA02-A807322C8E44_zps83guz99w.jpg.html)
ALready I had to change it a little, the 3-way didn't fit in the cavity in the orientation I had it, so I had to lengthen a wire to be able to rotate it. I'm also waiting to get the nut fixed, but I probably should string it up to make sure it works...
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/287DD55F-04DA-4EA4-8C60-D453BBDF4491_zpsz1fjyxdu.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/287DD55F-04DA-4EA4-8C60-D453BBDF4491_zpsz1fjyxdu.jpg.html)
I do have a question. I bought a set of strings for it when I bought it (about 3 years ago) I strung it up earlier this year, when I started this thread and then tore it down again. How often can you re-use strings, anyway? Guitar strings that cost $4 a pack I don't mind chucking, but I'd rather keep these (flatwounds, Diaddario or other "name brand" ones from the store I bought it at. Something like $35 for the set so I don't want to toss them, cause I'm cheap.)
-
Flatwounds are forever. As long as they will string without breaking, you can play them. My oldest set has been on the bass since 1972.
-
....
I do have a question. I bought a set of strings for it when I bought it (about 3 years ago) I strung it up earlier this year, when I started this thread and then tore it down again. How often can you re-use strings, anyway? Guitar strings that cost $4 a pack I don't mind chucking, but I'd rather keep these (flatwounds, Diaddario or other "name brand" ones from the store I bought it at. Something like $35 for the set so I don't want to toss them, cause I'm cheap.)
You can reuse flats or rounds as often as you like so long as the core and windings don't separate and make it impossible to tune up, and as long as the portion wound around the tuners doesn't break off.
Flatwounds are forever. As long as they will string without breaking, you can play them. My oldest set has been on the bass since 1972.
Including the 30 years you didn't play it. :P :-X ;D
-
Only 23. (Including a year or so when my younger brother used it but didn't change the strings.)
And it's still sounding good. ;D
-
OK so I found a music store reasonably close to me (Hudson WI, 20-30 min. from home) I dropped this thing off in September, with the list of what had gone wrong with it. I just got a call Friday that it was done, so I picked it up today. I hadn't seen it for months (or played it for ...uh, a lot longer than that)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/1B97356F-C739-47CA-BB63-45B0E4AA31D9_zpsfnqg8jhf.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/1B97356F-C739-47CA-BB63-45B0E4AA31D9_zpsfnqg8jhf.jpg.html)
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/9795E329-97EA-4EDA-8F44-32730084845D_zpsqij8n6ma.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/9795E329-97EA-4EDA-8F44-32730084845D_zpsqij8n6ma.jpg.html)
It sounds good, not as "snarly" as I remember the original pup (of the two it came with in, uh, 2012 :rolleyes: one worked, and the other one basically fell apart when I took it out, I had it rewound, but when they did it, there was one single strand of thin wire inside the insulation... not enough to wire it back in. And the other one stopped working in the mean time) Anyway the electronics work fine now, it doesn't have "quiet strings" (output is even across all 4) The action is higher than when I got it, but way less than the last time I had it together. THe store guy told me they took out the shims in the neck pocket, but the truss rod is frozen. THey were gonna make a new nut for it, since I ruined the one it came with (and 2 or 3 of the blank ones I bought). Hee hee it now looks like THIS
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/C0A47B46-4DEE-4758-BBAB-DC82EAA242B5_zpsqks5ee4l.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/C0A47B46-4DEE-4758-BBAB-DC82EAA242B5_zpsqks5ee4l.jpg.html)
There was one string guide already, and they made another one out of a dime! IT's attatched in the hole from the truss rod cover, so they didn't drill any new holes (not that it matters to me) and they told me they were only charging me 10c for the parts... :mrgreen:
So I have another finished bass. Maybe I can take all of them and trade 'em for something...
-
That's a nice looking J-bass!!
-
Too bad about the truss rod.
-
Too bad about the truss rod.
Seems common with Hondos. Both of mine have bad ones.
-
If you wind your strings DOWN the tuner shaft instead of up, you won't need that dime, and you won't have any problem with the E-string popping out of the slot.
-
The good news is that the neck should be replaceable if it ever goes wonky.
-
Look out for a Squier neck... enough folks upgrade them (including me when I went fretless on my Jazz)
-
So would the neck pocket be similar to this one? My fab skills are kinda limited (if you hadn't guessed by this thread :mrgreen: ) would it be a bolt-on deal, or would I be filling and re-cutting the neck pocket to use a "standard" shaped neck? THis thing isn't shaped like a "real" Jazz-I had to modify the tuners to fit on the headstock, and make my own guard because "standard" parts didn't come close to fitting.
Speaking of which, are J and P necks the same/grossly similar, or is one bigger than the other? I don't like skinny/narrow necks.
-
If you wind your strings DOWN the tuner shaft instead of up, you won't need that dime, and you won't have any problem with the E-string popping out of the slot.
Can you explain this? DO you mean turn them the opposite way that they are going now? ??? I guess I don't quite understand. I've had a few guitars, but this one is basically the only one with the tuners you poke the string down the hole, the rest of them have the "hole thru the shaft" type. So I guess I could have strung it up wrong...
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/C0A47B46-4DEE-4758-BBAB-DC82EAA242B5_zpsw8rgbljc.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/C0A47B46-4DEE-4758-BBAB-DC82EAA242B5_zpsw8rgbljc.jpg.html)
-
Can you explain this? DO you mean turn them the opposite way that they are going now? ??? I guess I don't quite understand. I've had a few guitars, but this one is basically the only one with the tuners you poke the string down the hole, the rest of them have the "hole thru the shaft" type. So I guess I could have strung it up wrong...
(http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/H2%20jazz/C0A47B46-4DEE-4758-BBAB-DC82EAA242B5_zpsw8rgbljc.jpg) (http://s427.photobucket.com/user/dannew2008/media/h2/H2%20jazz/C0A47B46-4DEE-4758-BBAB-DC82EAA242B5_zpsw8rgbljc.jpg.html)
Strings exit from the BOTTOM of the shaft, not the top.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/0050/headstocklogo_zpsf5682f10.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/0050/headstocklogo_zpsf5682f10.jpg.html)
-
Yup. I cut strings about four finger widths past the tuner, bend the last 1/2 inch of the string 90 degrees, insert that into the post, and wind DOWN from the top of the post. The closer to the bottom of the post the string is when it departs, the greater the break angle over the nut - which is a good thing. Having a few wraps around the post isn't a bad thing either.
Remember the sage advice of my dad when cutting strings: "No matter how many times you cut it off, it's still too short."
Start with the strings cut a bit on the long side, as you can always make 'em shorter.
-
Yup. I cut strings about four finger widths past the tuner, bend the last 1/2 inch of the string 90 degrees, insert that into the post, and wind DOWN from the top of the post. The closer to the bottom of the post the string is when it departs, the greater the break angle over the nut - which is a good thing. Having a few wraps around the post isn't a bad thing either.
Remember the sage advice of my dad when cutting strings: "No matter how many times you cut it off, it's still too short."
Start with the strings cut a bit on the long side, as you can always make 'em shorter.
I use mostly D'Addario EXL on customer basses. I cut about 2.5 inches off the E and leave rest uncut. Works great for maximum break.
-
Neck pocket size Carlo may be able to advise on as he has/had... Jazz necks are quite "skinny" (flat) and there are some variations on P neck profiles...
A link for Fender neck profiles explained... (https://www.fender.com/articles/tech-talk/c-u-v-which-neck-shape-is-for-you)
-
Fender necks do not fit Hondos, at least not without modification. The Hondo neck pocket is a little wider.
Fender spec necks are for Fenders. They don't even fit G&L, much less metric spec imports.
-
Fender necks do not fit Hondos, at least not without modification. The Hondo neck pocket is a little wider.
Fender spec necks are for Fenders. They don't even fit G&L, much less metric spec imports.
It may depend on the era. I replaced the neck on this Hondo 830 series 'Fame' without modification. I still have the original maple neck, heel is 2 7/16", same as AllParts and within tolerances for Fender. No slop in the pocket.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/ME/FAME_zpspe4wefw4.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/ME/FAME_zpspe4wefw4.jpg.html)
With AP P neck installed and everything else switched out.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/ME/RED-ASH-FRONT_zpsdh9sceug.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/ME/RED-ASH-FRONT_zpsdh9sceug.jpg.html)
Sold it to a friend after I installed a Fender Japan Jazz neck and a DiMarzio. It developed the typical edge to tuner hole crack so I switched THAT out for an AP Jazz. Body is a beaut but heavy. Back in the day we called it Sen, Japanese ash.
Here's my other Hondo, same neck, same problem. 870 series.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/ME/9B_12_S_zpss3r2ooyt.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/ME/9B_12_S_zpss3r2ooyt.jpg.html)
After recently seeing a Dan Erlewine vid on straightening necks I was able to get the Red Head neck quite a bit straighter by clamping backbow into it and adding shim washers to the trussrod. Previous to that I hadn't used any washers and maxed out the rod. Luckily I didn't snap it. I dig the headstock!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/ME/P1100636_zpst5pzzqjc.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/ME/P1100636_zpst5pzzqjc.jpg.html)
-
Strings exit from the BOTTOM of the shaft, not the top.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/0050/headstocklogo_zpsf5682f10.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/0050/headstocklogo_zpsf5682f10.jpg.html)
THat makes total sense now. Thank you! I will try to re-wrap these when I'm home next.
-
That red Hondo looks nice! The "Fame" ones are newer than what I have (from my semi-educated guess), or at least their "nicer" series of stuff, the one I have is the same as the hundreds of "off brand/no name/Ibanez/whatever basses, I've seen tons of different branded, but identical looking ones online. Maybe I could find a neck from one of those, if this one gets more out of whack...
-
That red Hondo looks nice! The "Fame" ones are newer than what I have (from my semi-educated guess), or at least their "nicer" series of stuff, the one I have is the same as the hundreds of "off brand/no name/Ibanez/whatever basses, I've seen tons of different branded, but identical looking ones online. Maybe I could find a neck from one of those, if this one gets more out of whack...
Between the two of us we've owned three...and they all have bad necks. What are the chances of finding a good one? I'd measure the neck pocket and find something else to fit it.
Good luck with the string re wrap!
-
THat makes total sense now. Thank you! I will try to re-wrap these when I'm home next.
That tort makes your logo explode Carlo
-
I stand corrected. I've never seen the Fame series before. That should be called the Sam Eagle headstock.
-
That tort makes your logo explode Carlo
Thanks, it's another cheap trick. I needed to match the pickguard on a bass. There's no thin tort I know of so I shot a pic of the blank, photoshopped the logo on it and had the local copy shop laserprint it on white vinyl label stock.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/0050/HeadstockPlatecopy_zps50804694.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/0050/HeadstockPlatecopy_zps50804694.jpg.html)
Then applied it to some thin styrene.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/0050/TortPlate_zpsbbcb2194.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/0050/TortPlate_zpsbbcb2194.jpg.html)
I stand corrected. I've never seen the Fame series before. That should be called the Sam Eagle headstock.
I haven't seen any other Fames, Dave, I don't know how rare they are. It's more the logo I like than the headstock shape.
Sorry to hijack your thread, Daan.
-
Blame that on me as it was my suggestion... :mrgreen:
Info is always valued though, especial when useful and factual... ;)