i need some help gang - Colby Bass

[sniper]

Fred is alive and well:


"Nice!That's going to sound killer!Remember that 3/16" clearance between pole pieces and strings isideal. You can adjust for individual string balance from there. Fred"

well, answering email anyways!

[drbassman]

that is such a refreshing shot as i was really worried about it being a neck diver with all the wood that i had Bill take out of the body. maybe i was just being paranoid but i thought it really needed to have that hard Ash softened up a bit with some chambering. i am sure the little Mahogany strip repairing where the body was coming apart is going to help a little.

It balances fine.  It might have done some diving if I had taken more out of the body, but it's good!  I agree the chambers will make a world of difference in terms of tone.

[drbassman]

We have a weiner, I mean winner!  Fantastic, Doc...do tell us about the gauge.

Another Stew-Mac idea to get into your wallet!  You just set the dial to zero while on top of the string, press the string down with your fingers on both sides of the first fret, subtract, and you have the correct measurement of string height.  Details are on their site.  It works great.  Recommended string height is .030.

[dadagoboi]

Another Stew-Mac idea to get into your wallet!  You just set the dial to zero while on top of the string, press the string down with your fingers on both sides of the first fret, subtract, and you have the correct measurement of string height.  Details are on their site.  It works great.  Recommended string height is .030.

Figured it was S-M.  Thanks, I'll check it out.

[drbassman]

Figured it was S-M.  Thanks, I'll check it out.

Yeah, it's a fairly simple concept, but it works well and it's fast.  I like doing the final nut filing with the strings on and this is a hell of a lot easier than messing with feeler gauges.

[dadagoboi]

I don't use feeler gauges.  Insert nut in slot, scribe a pencil line on the nut using a piece of  .020 aluminum which conforms to the fretboard  curve and have at it until I'm close, install strings and do the rest by "feel", with strings on.  
 
My approach to nut slot depth is to consider the nut as almost a zero fret, as long as no buzz on a fairly hard plucked open string tuned to pitch it's not too low.  A nut that is too high causes intonation problems by making the first two or three frets high because of the difference in height between the nut slot and top of the fret.  It evens out by the fifth fret but drives some guitar players crazy when open E is in tune and F is sharp.  It's quite a revelation when they finally understand.

...That's why NUT JOBS are so important.

[Highlander]

I don't get it, people keep telling me I'm a nut-job

[Freuds_Cat]

I don't get it, people keep telling me I'm a nut-job

Just highly strung. 

[drbassman]

Ah yes, never underestimate the importance of nuts!  

[Highlander]

Other's have suggested that I should be strung up, highly...

[drbassman]

As long as you have enough rope!

Got a million outdoor chores this weekend, so basses are taking a back seat for a few days.

[drbassman]

Update:  nut is finished and fret job almost done.  I should be able to take one of the bridge shims out now that we have a better idea of fret height.  The pup poles have plenty of room for adjustment in spite of the 3 degree neck angle and no underlying ring.  We should be spraying some finish by early next week.

[sniper]

those TI's look good on there. nice work Bill. email sent, check your regular email inbox. did you use the 148's or 149's? because they look perfect.

[dadagoboi]

That IS looking Fine!

[drbassman]

those TI's look good on there. nice work Bill. email sent, check your regular email inbox. did you use the 148's or 149's? because they look perfect.

Yep, TIs are my favorite string.  I used the 149s and I like them a lot.  I'm gonna add them to my stock.  Nice long tangs that really grip nicely.