I am talking with a person about doing a small run of reproduction varitone plates for the Gibby EB-3's and other Gibsons that use the same 4 position plate. Would any of you builders/self motivated players be interested in having one or two?
PM me if you would be interested. Thanks
Might be, but may just dot mark the veneer on the T'bird... count me in for now...
Yes, if prices are not too steep, i'd probably want one or two
Who's going to start making Delrin saddles?
Quote from: EvilLordJuju on January 16, 2010, 12:59:58 PM
Yes, if prices are not too steep, i'd probably want one or two
Seems like I have googled the whole world and came up with one new plate! The price on it was $15.45 so that is my target price. Lets hope I can keep it or lower it! Might take a little while to recoup my investment but that would be okay. Maybe I could peddle a few on the bay? The switches and chicken heads are no problem finding, but finding the switches at a reasonable price is some what of a trick. There is a ton of switches out there, just they cost about 25$ average a pop from jobbers.
This last bunch of six I got reasonably by beating the dusty corner shelves for them.
in the next few weeks i should be getting in the first proofs and finalizing what the finished product will look like. they will NOT say "Mallory U.S.A. 374" on them for legal reasons but otherwise should be just about identical (within a few thounsandths of an inch anyways).
then i have to coordinate with the die maker and decide what die(s) i need. i have a resonable bid on a couple of clamshell dies to 1) do the final cut and 2) make the hole in the middle. so far it looks like they will be .020 or .025" thick and 1.75" in diameter.
i'll keep you all posted.
okay, got the proof in today and i need you Gibby players opinion.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/dialplateproof007.jpg)
let me know what you think, the little "x" marks the center and the outside circle represents the finished size. i need feedback before i have the dies made. the center hole will be 3/8" and the outside diameter will be 1.75".
here is the second proof. it is 2" in diameter and will be reduced to 1.75" with a 3/8" hole in the middle. i don't have an original but you can eyeball it with the entry above with the picture of an original.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/dialplateproof.jpg)
i will be making the finished product myself.
thanks
That looks good to me. Can you take a pic with an oldie sitting next to it, so you can take a quick A/B look? What is the deal - do you have to punch them yourself?
Instead of Mallory in the middle, maybe you could make it say Mallocup.
i'm thinking of adding the "374" part number and "U.S.A." but not Mallory
How about Mallard? You can call them duck plates!
ehhhhhhhh................put washer under the nut and one would never notice the words aren't there.
I think that plate is the same one as used on the early Rippers, so if you get your repros sorted out to your satisfaction, I'll take one!
yeah and i finally got the proof out to the die maker today. yesterday i made a modification to the proof to make it look a bit more "correct" but i have decided to leave the center printing off of it altogether.
i should know something next week for sure and be able to place the order for which type of blanks i am going to use.
i am not going to bid on that Gibson EBO on the bay (man i wanted that BAD!!!) because i want to save the funds for the die maker. :rolleyes: but thats the way it goes sometimes. i did buy a few goodies from GreatDealz to console my grief though.
just a side note, i used to sell a plastic shorting switch that i modified by turning the connectors sideways in order to fit into the Rippers. i did this for a Ripper customer/player in Arizona. i am not sure a 3P4T switch is original to the Rippers though? this is a 30 degree indexed shorting switch but it does not have enough "neck" thread to fit into a 1/4" of wood very well. it fits through a thinner plastic control cover well though. it is rated for 10,000 cycles.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/comparingoriginaltomdified.jpg)
i have not stocked this switch for a few years. i accidently stumbled across it while researching the EB3 original replacement switch (back in my old "Pit" days) i stock. maybe i should stock it again?
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/100_0817crop.jpg)
i used to stock a 1.5 Henry choke coil but it didn't look like the original Gibby choke. i can post a picture of that also if i can find it. i know i have a few of them hidden somewhere?
1.5 Henry choke coil. it is small enough to work inside a control cavity, the base would have to be grounded but it should work on a Ripper also as well as an EB3 or in a clone circuit.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/choke.jpg)
Quote from: sniper dog on February 02, 2010, 02:52:32 PM
1.5 Henry choke coil. it is small enough to work inside a control cavity, the base would have to be grounded but it should work on a Ripper also as well as an EB3 or in a clone circuit.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/choke.jpg)
This looks like those mini Xicon transformers I used for the varitone in a box I built, I wonder if it has the same dimensions.
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Xicon-TMxxx/
here is a size approximation next to a normal sized CTS pot as the coils are buried in my storage rental and i have no idea where in there to measure them.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/15Hcoiland300kpotcop.jpg)
i can get more.
Looking at those fingernails I have to ask:
"Is there a lefthanded acoustic guitar fingerpicker among us?" ;D
We're being infiltrated by Leo Kottke wannabes ... :mrgreen:
I've been a Leo Kottke wannabe for years. All that's missing is the talent part.
Quote from: uwe on February 03, 2010, 08:55:18 AM
Looking at those fingernails I have to ask:
"Is there a lefthanded acoustic guitar fingerpicker among us?" ;D
We're being infiltrated by Leo Kottke wannabes ... :mrgreen:
I might have reversed the picture or it might have been at the new moon part of the month. Then I have to shave a lot more and the nails and the incisors tend to stick out a lot. No, its not reversed as you can seee my "bass calluses" on my left fingers
8) 8)
good news, the die maker said i should see the die in about 3 weeks and it is coming in under budget for the first one. if i need a second one to punch the hole instead of drilling the hole in the product remains to be seen but if i need both it still will be close to border line or maybe a little under on the budget so basically all is well and good at this point.
i have put in an order for the etched blanks with the engravers and i should be talking with them tomorrow. they are right on budget.
hopefully in a month i should be presenting these.
;) ;)
I saw the pictures of the choke coil that you say may work for the 15 henery coil on the EB3 wiring harness.
We can I get one of these. I am trying to modify my EB0 to make it a short scale EB3 but can't find this choke coil.
I know this one is not the same as the original but if they are the same value they should give me the correct sound.
Also do you know anything about how the EB3 should sound if I set it up with the 4 position switch with the in and out of phase wiring?
Thanks
Larry Crabtree
49crab@bellsouth.net
i have been in touch with CN (the winder) about making chokes for the EB3. basically it is done. it is my understanding i just have to pay for them which is in about 2.5 weeks from this date when my next check arrives.
his move to Calif, the holidays and a few other factors (a grand kid being born) and such has put this on the back burner for awhile. i hope to get back on track very soon and get these available. we finally found the correct bobbins ... which was the big part of the battle ... so i will start making phone calls, making emails and get back to this thread asap.
i will have to defer to others in here that are a lot more knowledgable about the EB varitone positioning than i am on your last question.
Well I am needing one of those coils when you get them. Let me know how much and let's work this out.
Thanks,
Larry Crabtree
49crab@bellsouth.net
I may also want to get two of your dial plates for the 4 position switch if you have those.
Thanks
Larry Crabtree
49crab@bellsouth.net
Is there any more word on the coils and face plates? I am wanting to get started on my modification.
Larry,
I have made a new batch of plates and I am waiting for an invoice from Curt on the chokes. I will get back to you asap.
CW
Quote from: Larry on January 28, 2011, 01:13:50 PM
Is there any more word on the coils and face plates? I am wanting to get started on my modification.
Curt emailed me today and I have co-addressed the reply and his email to you along with a picture of the completed chokes. He has two of those plates (I think) he can sell to you. If not I can send you two. I apologize but I really do not have the cash to buy two chokes from him at the moment and this route of purchase should be faster vs him sending them to me, then I sending them to you. I am having trouble setting up paypal with my new bank account here in Pecos and am closing my account in Baxter Springs.
Here is the picture of my original wiring loom and the original choke along side of the one Curtis makes. I don't think he has them posted on his website yet so you will be the first to have some. My original is the one that appears a little more white in color (the top choke that is connected to the loom).
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/Curtis%20Novak/EB-Choke.jpg)
I am not pricing the chokes as Curtis will make and sell them. Please contact him via his website if you want some:
http://curtisnovak.com/index.shtml
Curtis will be sending you an email Larry.
Just a heads up, I should be getting a small stock of used EB3 switches in soon that I will discount because they are used and I have 6 plates left.
i think i will need one. EB 2- project on the horizon...
I just go my plates last night. They look great. I got the circuit diagram from the net. I got the caps and pots listed on the diagram from Antique Electronic Supply. I got the resistors from a local supply house. I got the 4 position switch from all parts along with all the knobs from Allparts.
Your plates are great!
i have 5 plates left out of an initial order of 100, with one promised to a friend, makes 4 available.
thanks Larry.
the used varitone switches have come in and they look fair. the shafts are filed with a flat spot but they look very usable and seem to work okay. i'll ask 7.50 a pop for those with shipping an extra 5 via USPS in a priority flat rate box. I have 2 available with one already promised to a fellow post member. i'm not even going to list them on the Bay just pocket two for myself and sell two.
i got the Novak choke in and it looks great. i hope someone will contact Curtis and become a tester and obtain the last one he has. if there is no interest in them he will not make them any more as it requires an investment on his part for the bobbins. if he can sell four of them it would probably insure an availability for us in the future of Gibby EB2/3 and Ripper late style chokes.
Quote from: Larry on February 09, 2011, 11:55:45 AM
I just go my plates last night. They look great. I got the circuit diagram from the net. I got the caps and pots listed on the diagram from Antique Electronic Supply. I got the resistors from a local supply house. I got the 4 position switch from all parts along with all the knobs from Allparts.
Your plates are great!
the plates turn any bass they are attached to into a bass cyborg. at the prearranged time they will all migrate home to me
I have paid Curtis for my coils but have not received them yet. I will get them soon so I can get started.
i recieved mine the early part of this week. the way this weather has been acting i am not suprised though. i am still waiting on a Gibby cover coming from Butte, Montana. i used to drive truck up through there and it can get real nasty very quickly.
I have my coil. I am getting ready to do the mod. I was talking to one pickup builder and he mentioned something that caught my interest. I was talking about the problem of getting the Mini Humbucker pickup for the bridge. By the way anyone who does not know (like me) the NYT Mini Humbucker that is talked about so much, well NYT is just another name for part of Gibson and you cannot buy directly from them the pickups as they do not sell them to anyone. This other pickup builder mentioned that I could use the Mini Humbucker from a firebird. He stated that because they use a bar magnet instead if the posts so it does not matter if it sees 6 or 4 strings. Anyone ever tried using a firebird bridge pickup on an EB3 style?
you could call seymour and ask about this one:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/antiquity/specialized-2/1101409_10_anti/
i don't know anything about it blade or screw or ? but they could probably tell you. they make what looks like a mini for a Rick you could ask about also. again i don't know anything about the Rick one either.
Epiphone Viola Bass pickups look similiar but as to the sound = dunno.
http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUINE-EPIPHONE-VIOLA-BASS-MINI-HUMBUCKER-PICK-UP-BDG-/230570140824?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item35af0d2498
The Mod on my EB0 is completed. What I can say is in position 1 the sound is that low growely sound. There is one thing I did not expect that until I reach 7 or 8 position on the volume it is real quiet but then it booms. In position 2 the volume drops greatly as the choke is engaged but the tone is still very low but crystal clear much like my Jazz base. In the third position due to the switch I had they had to wire the both pickups out of phase on this position. The only way I can describe this position is like having a super pickup instead of two because the volume does not drop but if you dial back the volume on either neck or bridge control it is like you are moving the pickup back and forth and the tone changes like it. This was a great suprise. I truly believe if I set the switch to position 3 I could dial almost any tone I like. Finally in setting 4 which is the bridge pickup alone as I moved the tone control from 0 to 10 the tone goes from a low funky tone great for certian songs to on 10 a light sound that several people have said shounds a lot like an acoustic upright bass.
In short this mod has enlarged the sound production of my short scale bass greatly and I will probably become my main bass from this point on. Thanks to everyone who helped me through parts and advice. I will try to attach pictures if anyone would like to see the instrument.
Larry, I am glad you got your mods done and are happy. Post a few pics if you can. Rule here is no pics ain't happening. I would especially like to see my varitone plate on a bass.
I have given up on a Gibby bridge pup and have decided to use a Dimarzio Model G instead. Thinking the DiM would work with a 60's mudbucker and thinking the DiM would work better planted a bit North of the usual bridge position witrh the bucker slammed against the fretboard.
I have also been putting off my double cut build for so long it seems like its never going to get done; and now, I am excited about designing an LP build so back on the shelf the double cut goes for another year or so at least.
Basses are cool, girl friends can be kinda iffy and I have so much psycho bitch crap going on now I'm bugging out for Missouri soon so stay in touch and post some pics dude.
I got a call from John at All Parts last night to tell me they had got in a shipment of Mini Hummers and their black rings for mounting. You Might try getting ahold of him for one. I have a firebird pup that fits for the Mini Hummer if you would like to try that one instead. I will get some pics this weekend and post.
I made the choice to give up on the minibucker and go for the DiM G. I sold a PAF bass minibucker a few weeks ago.
I took some pics of my mod and put them in my facebook albums. I will try to paste the link here.
http://www.facebook.com/ajax/photos/album/edit/dialog/dialog.php?album_id=2067469492944
See if you can get to the pictures from this.
doesn't work for me. i opened a photobucket account and upload to there. then i copy the image info and past it onto my replies in here and it works.
Got a different address. Lets see if this can work.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=1431007968&aid=2130908
If not you can go to my facebook Larry Crabtree and see the pictures in my album.
nice job. i never realized the difference between an Epi and a Gibby EBO's pick guards. the Epi definately has a bigger guard.
here is a pic of one of my first customers mods to a Gibby EBO:
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/rods%20projects%20and%20sold/davesEBOmod.jpg)
this guy lives in Spain.
Guard was one thing we had to work through. I am not sure if the body is not smaller on an epi.
But I thought mine turned out very nice.
i have an extra Epi body and it fit in the case i sold Hornise very nicely. i was using it to store the Epi body and other pieces so i am of the impression they are very close in shape/size.
You have an EPI Body? Is it for an EB3 or EB0? If it is an EB0 Do you have a short scale neck for it? If it is an EB3 I must have a set neck. Is it a short scale neck. I you haven't figured it out yet I am looking to build another EB3 short scale that I am going to put Firebird pickups into and try to see how that sounds.
Let me know what you have and if we could work out a deal for the material.
Contact me at 49crab@bellsouth.net
email sent
this is the one i have = it can be converted to a set neck and it has the large control cover but it is still a ply construction Epi body.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/rods%20projects%20and%20sold/EpiEBObody002.jpg)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/rods%20projects%20and%20sold/EpiEBObody003.jpg)
if it were me doing it, i would convert it to an almost through or through raised center Mahogany neck and give those music vibes something to rattle through. just use this for wings so to speak. that way you could have virgin rout outs for the pups, the bridge and good tone wood.
I'd use a bolt on neck (maybe with glue) and a Novak MudBucker. Be a done deal IMO.
its actually a nicer body than my present baby ... not a recent pic though as i added a T-Bird tailpiece since this picture was taken.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/d7b3_1.jpg)
i should rip this one apart, reset it with the black body, Grover tuners and put the real mudbucker back in it with some decent wiring and pots. i returned it to orig Epi specs, Malhke hand rest and tailpiece excluded in the return to original, and now i wish i had left it as it was. i was thinking of selling it though and did not want to lose the Gibby Mudbucker the tailpiece or the Grovers.