The Last Bass Outpost

Not the greatest photos, but it's great to get this project across the finish line. I'm really enjoying building in the new space.

A little teaser: Here's the 4+4 headstock design. The plan is to offer a 32" scale 8-string conversion neck and BRIDGE that will convert an American-spec bass from 34" scale 4-string to 32" scale 8-string. Added bonus: the bridge will retrofit a standard 5-hole bent-plate bridge with no modification.

Is this something you never knew you wanted but now absolutely must have? Let's hope so!

I'm guessing that 'prototype' uses a ring because the pickup is so shallow. The ring keeps it from wobbling, especially if the bottom edge clears the pickguard. I usually mount the ring after the pickup is in place and close to the correct height.

For Lollar Thunderbird and Senn Model 1 pickups, I use the identical process detailed in the following link, but with EZ-LOK 329-004 inserts:

Guitar and Bass Neck Threaded Inserts

The main difference is that I drill the hole about 3/8" deep and use a screw and washer when installing to ensure that the insert sits just at the body's surface. Then I use surgical tubing instead of a spring with a washer at both ends. This enables the pickup's back plate and the insert itself to take all of the pressure and there are no forces at work to pull the insert out of the body.

If you're tapping a softer wood for the insert, just flood the hole with thin CA and hit it with accelerator prior to tapping and you'll be good to go. It's an extremely solid mounting system that provides a very wide range of height adjustment, especially for Thunderbird pickups. These shots should help to give a better visual:

I love the 4003S, especially in a custom color. Nice score!

I just received the CAD of the 3+2 headstock...I'm pretty psyched.

My new work space is set up and I'm back to building. My necks are drilled with US-spec machine holes but I tend to prefer the Hipshot import machines because they are offered in shiny chrome vs. shiny nickel for the USA models. To address the slight difference in spec, I use a #7 O-ring on the ferrule to center the import bushing and these work well on both 3/8" and 1/2" machines. 

I'm transitioning to roasted maple with chrome logos, glossy faces, and Hipshot string retainers as the standard offering on my conversion necks. I'll still build a few here and there with black logos, satin headstock face, and vintage string trees for those who prefer a more traditional look. These tend to sell before they're even advertised, so I'm currently working to accumulate inventory. I'm down to two again, and I think one may already be spoken for.  

I fell in love with the look of neck-through basses in the mid-80s when brands like Alembic, Aria, Kawai, Rickenbacker, and Vantage showed up on my radar. By contrast, Thunderbirds have only captured my attention in the last 15 years or so.

Imagine my surprise when a couple of local builders with decades-long pedigrees from big-name brands and their own custom builds poo-pooed any of the touted benefits of neck-through construction. These are guys who have had literally thousands of basses pass through their hands and both are really down on the neck-through format. They still build them, but only for high profile players.

Their disdain really caught me off guard.

Looking good!