Lowe Shop Notes

[drbassman]

I've always loved that Thunder-J, and a two pickup P is something I have daydreamed about.

I haven't had a chance to play the DS1 model yet, but my holiday vacation from the 9 to 5 starts tomorrow.

On electronics, my standard harnesses are 250K, but I bought a bulk pack of 500Ks, so I'll probably wire up a few and trey them out.

One of the things I'm really proud of about my builds is the fact that all of the parts can be swapped out in a matter of minutes.

Sounds good.  I just remembered I have a Guild M-85 RI, I'm going to take a look at the pots Guild used on that same pup.  Duh.  I'll check it out.

IIRC changing pots has tendency to bleed off lows and some mids, right?  Like going from 250 to 500k will reduce some of the lows?  Or is it the other way around?  Not sure I'm remembering that correctly.  The new single Thunderbucker I just bought came with recommendations for 250k pots, not 500k.  I assumed it was to accentuate the lows in a single pup format.

[dadagoboi]

Brad , apologies for the temporary thread derail.

Carlo, what's the difference in location of the Thunderbird neck pickup sweet spot and the Jazz Bass neck pickup location?

They have the same centerline.

The new single Thunderbucker I just bought came with recommendations for 250k pots, not 500k.  I assumed it was to accentuate the lows in a single pup format.

Steve and I recommend 500k Vol and 250k Tone, same as the original 60s pickups...that should be on the instruction sheet, Doc.

Gibson used a .022 tone cap for single pup and .047 for 2 pup.  I use .047 either way.  .047 gives larger cut when it's engaged, no difference when tone is on 10, especially with a 'no load' tone pot.

[drbassman]

They have the same centerline.


Steve and I recommend 500k Vol and 250k Tone, same as the original 60s pickups...that should be on the instruction sheet, Doc.

Gibson used a .022 tone cap for single pup and .047 for 2 pup.  I use .047 either way.  .047 gives larger cut when it's engaged, no difference when tone is on 10, especially with a 'no load' tone pot.

Oops, you're right Carlo.  My memory is going.

[dadagoboi]

Oops, you're right Carlo.  My memory is going.

Mine's already there, no problem!

[BTL]

Personally, Jazz basses are not my favorite.

That said, if I build one it will likely follow that format, but with my universal pickup rings that allow a Lollar'Bird, Fralin HCP90, or TV Jones Thunder'Blade to be swapped out at will:

[drbassman]

I have to say, I like the universal ring idea for mass production purposes.

[drbassman]

Oops, you're right Carlo.  My memory is going.

Theres so much in my head to forget or misplace, it isn't even funny anymore!  Opps, it's nap time........

[Dave W]

Thanks, Carlo.

And Brad, if I haven't already said so, I do like the universal mounting rings. Surprising that none of the big manufacturers ahve offered that, since they know how many people do modify their guitars and basses. Probably because it wouldn't be vintage-correct.

[BTL]

Thanks!

As you can tell, vintage-correctness is not my thing, but a vintage-inspired design aesthetic certainly is.

I thought about making the ring Darkstar and Mudbucker friendly, but I feared it would take up more real-estate than most people would find aesthetically appealing, especially on a TVJ pickup.

For new designs, I'll be focusing more on offset six-stringers and art finishes in 2016.

One of the options that I'd like to tinker with is the Lollar Wide Range pickup, and the ring/rout is ideally suited for adaptation to that:



Add a Mastery'Bird with WRPs to the list of things Doug Kauer beat me to...

http://www.kauerguitars.com/ready-to-ship/banshee-215-alpine-blue-with-mastery

[BTL]

My ring is a little bit wider than a standard TB ring, so the Wide Range looks like a perfect fit:

[BTL]

Back to the details...

I've never been thrilled with the #3 wood screws used to mount Thunderbird pickups.

I have been thinking about a better way, and here is what I've come up with.

Using a 4-40 machine screw and an EZ Lok steel insert stability, adjustability, and longevity are all improved.

The insert is set into the wood using a screw and washer so it sits flush at the surface.

During installation, I use a washer at each end of the spring, so none of the compression force is pushing the insert's threads out of the wood.

All of the pressure is applied to the internal steel threads and the back of the pickup.

Surgical tubing allows the "spring" to be custom-sized for the application.

[BTL]

Buttoning down the last two LSPs for 2015...

Ground pins attached pickguard holes drilled, chamfered, and primed with beeswax:











The latest gallery shot:

[BTL]

So, I swapped out the Thunder'Blade for the DS1 on the Seafoam Green LSP, just because:







Then I finished up the Cherryburst LSP body with the Thunder'Blade:

[BTL]

So, the last build for 2015 is the Fiesta Red LSP with a Guild DS1 pickup.

[Dave W]

Love that seafoam green with the black guard.