The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: drbassman on May 28, 2015, 09:20:41 AM
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I'm using a Gibson style pup ring on my basses and one side a bit taller than the other. So, does the low side or the high side go towards the bridge? You'd think I could figure that out! ???
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The high side goes toward the bridge. Keep in mind that these are made for instruments with a neck angle, where the pickup sits higher off the body on the bridge side to stay at the same distance from the strings. If you have zero neck angle like a Fender, you would need a pickup ring with the same height on both sides.
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Time for some judicious filing, methinks...
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I reduced the height of the chrome cover for the mudbucker on my EB-0 by mounting the finished side to a wood block, installing the sanding disc on my Shopsmith and holding the open side against the sanding disc. Simply test fitted at intervals until the height was even and correct.
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You guys are correct. Gonna put it on the bench sander and level her out. The TV pup won't work with other rings, it has to be this one. More work, yeah! :-\
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You guys are correct. Gonna put it on the bench sander and level her out. The TV pup won't work with other rings, it has to be this one. More work, yeah! :-\
Are you sure? If it's the TV Jones humbucker mount version, it ought to work with any standard humbucker ring with Gibson dimensions. You can find them flat, slanted or slanted and curved.
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Are you sure? If it's the TV Jones humbucker mount version, it ought to work with any standard humbucker ring with Gibson dimensions. You can find them flat, slanted or slanted and curved.
Positive. I have some Gibson hum bucker rings. The TV pup is pretty much the same width, but it's noticeably narrower and looks goofy in the Gibson ring. Just a little too small for the hole. Of course TV doesn't make a flat ring for their pups.
It's not a problem to sand the bottom off, just wastes a few minutes. At least it fits nicely once done. I'll do one today.
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Well, it took about 5 minutes. Used double-sided tape to attach to block. The sander worked well. It actually heated up the plastic a bit and the melted burrs snapped right off. I cleaned the edges with a scraper. No other detail work needed. It looks great and does the job. Thanks for the suggestions guys!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN1139_zpsjk78gmeo.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN1139_zpsjk78gmeo.jpg.html)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN1144_zpsyxcn13lr.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN1144_zpsyxcn13lr.jpg.html)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN1145_zps2nxi4cj3.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/DOC%20BASS%20Pics/DSCN1145_zps2nxi4cj3.jpg.html)
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Another manly and appropriate use of power tools!
8)
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Looks really good together...
A QC question... the inner edges of the cut-aways...? what's the plan for those...?
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Looks really good together...
A QC question... the inner edges of the cut-aways...? what's the plan for those...?
If you mean the funky f-holes, I was gonna leave them as is. They have a light coat of paint on them.
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Positive. I have some Gibson hum bucker rings. The TV pup is pretty much the same width, but it's noticeably narrower and looks goofy in the Gibson ring. Just a little too small for the hole. Of course TV doesn't make a flat ring for their pups.
It's not a problem to sand the bottom off, just wastes a few minutes. At least it fits nicely once done. I'll do one today.
I understand now. The pickup will fit in a Gibson humbucker rout but needs TV's own ring.
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Thrown open point, but I'd blacken the inner edges, to highlight the slots rather than leave them "fading" in...?
Have you thought about pricing range yet...?
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I understand now. The pickup will fit in a Gibson humbucker rout but needs TV's own ring.
Yes. TV pups are drop in replacements on guitars but you need his rings which have the correct ring mounting holes for Gibson guitars.
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Thrown open point, but I'd blacken the inner edges, to highlight the slots rather than leave them "fading" in...?
Have you thought about pricing range yet...?
Good point guys. Since the top is .25" thick, the edges are more obvious. On the thinner tops you don't even notice it. So, flat or shiny?
As for pricing, I'll add up all of my costs and start from there. Off the top of my head I probably have at least $700 to 800 into it. I'm going to follow the Carlo model and keep my prices lower as I want to establish my brand and move up from there. It's costing more than I imagined but it's to be expected with small volume building. I'm certainly not going for the over the top pricing of a Lull or similar. I'd take a production Fender over one of those! At least mine is not just another clone of easily obtainable basses. I think something unique is important in a crowded market. It just can't be too weird!
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Flat would give the impression of razor thin top... shiny black would catch the eye... both would work, imho...
Any other views...?
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Flat would give the impression of razor thin top... shiny black would catch the eye... both would work, imho...
Any other views...?
I agree, flat would be better at toning down the inside edges.
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... At least mine is not just another clone of easily obtainable basses. I think something unique is important in a crowded market. It just can't be too weird!
That's very important. There's plenty of demand for low and high end Fender or Gibson clones but the market is overcrowded at both ends. Your designs set you apart yet they're familiar enough in inspiration to appeal to someone wanting a traditional look. Not everyone will want one, but with a modest intro price I think you can build up a following.
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+1
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Lull has been around a long time, so has Sadowsky, Fodera, etc. They have long track records with many satisfied customers. They also have bricks and mortar operations and employees, with all the headaches and overhead that entails. They're entitled to make the money they do. Their products also have established resale value.
IMO paying for your materials plus a very small amount is about all you can expect initially. I'm doing OK now but I have almost zero overhead and only farm out the metal work/pickups that ThunderBucker is willing to do.
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That's very important. There's plenty of demand for low and high end Fender or Gibson clones but the market is overcrowded at both ends. Your designs set you apart yet they're familiar enough in inspiration to appeal to someone wanting a traditional look. Not everyone will want one, but with a modest intro price I think you can build up a following.
I agree Dave. I'm building because I enjoy it and want to make a few bucks to support my efforts. Im not interested in expansion, bricks-n-mortar or accumulating overhead. I've played a Lull and wasn't impressed that the price was justified, but that's one man's opinion. I've seen many of the boutique basses out there and they are often over styled, unappealing designs made from very expensive materials and offered at confiscatory prices. It defies my logic but someone does buy them, so I say good for the builder! I'm 100% in favor of whatever a free market can support.
We'll see how it goes for me. I have no delusions or lofty expectations.