The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: PeterB on May 09, 2010, 03:30:03 AM
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After the Lotto and the ChiSonic-Jazz, it's time for a new project: the JagBird.
For a long time I've wanted a bass with the playability of a Fender with a firm Gibson-vibe. I finally decided to create a JagBird. It will get the following specs:
* mahogany body in JaguarBass shape, with raised midsection like a T-bird;
* Allparts Jazz neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearl blocks and binding (my favorite neck);
* Lindy Fralin BassBuckers on the T-bird sweetspots
* Hipshot A style bridge, to achieve a smaller string-spacing.
* String-through
* Hipshot Reverse tuners
This should be the result:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/jagbaspg2.jpg)
Some ideas for the finish:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/jagbaskl-1.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/otm.jpg)
The body in progress:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/PB_Body_Glued_01.jpg)
The BassBuckers:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/LindyFralinBassBucker.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/161120091052.jpg)
This should be a nice addition to my Tractor, Darkstar-P, Lotto and ChiSonic-Jazz!! 8) 8)
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Looks like it could be an interesting project...
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That's going to look great!
Umm...do those Fralin pups come in those spiffy chrome covers?
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That is too smooth to have been overlooked for so long!
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Great idea! I'm going to do something similar later this year with a semi-hollow body and f-hole, or two. Keep us posted.
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That's going to look great!
Umm...do those Fralin pups come in those spiffy chrome covers?
Yes they do! I used a set before and they are nice pups.
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Thank you all. I hope it's gonna work out as I expect: I want that dark T-Bird growl with a Jazzbass-feel. Should it work or not?
I'm doubting a bit, if I'll use two pickguards, or just one:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/jagbaspg-13-1.jpg)
Great idea! I'm going to do something similar later this year with a semi-hollow body and f-hole, or two. Keep us posted.
Thanks. Glad to hear there are more people with enough planned projects in the near future. :mrgreen: But, is that going to be something like this, roughly?
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Gaslist/custom_guitar_payne1.jpg)
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Very cool again, Peter!!! I vote for one pickguard. It is a bit Lakland Decade. And I like that bass.
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Tnx Chris! We should meet soon, still have a cool pickup lying around for you ;)
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Yes they do! I used a set before and they are nice pups.
Reeeeaaaaalllllyyyyyyy now. ;D Hmm, I wonder if they are viable options for use in a certain BaCH NR? They look shorter though
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Very cool Peter!
I'm voting for one pickguard too.
I really hope you'll like the Fralins.
Not everybody has been too enthousiastic about those over here... :-\
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Thanks Rob.
I'll give the Fralins a fair chance. They are really small, so I could upgrade to other pickups in the future (Mike Lull pickups for instance).
They look shorter though
They are. This might be useful:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/P%20Custom%20Ronny/020420101620.jpg)
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Thanks. Glad to hear there are more people with enough planned projects in the near future. :mrgreen: But, is that going to be something like this, roughly?
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Gaslist/custom_guitar_payne1.jpg)
Yes, something similar. I've got tracings of Fender Jag and Bass VI bodies (many thanks to Bass VI for those!), so it will be shaped like one of those. I'll use a jazz style neck and I'm even thinking of making it a 30" scale six string. I'VE been gassing for a Bass VI for years and the thought of a hollow one sounds really cool to me.
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I vote for one pickguard.
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I vote for one pickguard.
Me too, one pickguard.
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Very cool.
I vote for Iverness Green and a single pickguard (B/R/B would look sharp).
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I'VE been gassing for a Bass VI for years and the thought of a hollow one sounds really cool to me.
Now that's a cool idea, a hollow Bass VI! I also have a hollow bass project planned for the future: hollow Jazz of Jaguar body, maple unlined fretless Jazz neck with black binding, a decent set of ChiSonics. :)
About the pickguard: with so many votes for just one pickguard, that choice is really obvious, so I'm convinced. It will get just one.
And now about the colour: I like something red or orange, it may be a solid or metallic color. Some serious candidates are:
Cardinal Red:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/epi-red-firebird-7_01.jpg)
Or....the copper-orange-metallic of TBird58's Mike Lull:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/thunderbirds014.jpg)
Or just big screaming orange:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/orangebass2-small.jpg)
Which color does get your votes? ;)
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Very cool.
I vote for Iverness Green and a single pickguard (B/R/B would look sharp).
Well, actually I like green too, so that could also be a good one. Would look good next to my Teal Green Metallic ChiSonic-Jazz 8)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/fbcolor3.jpg)
Is there a database with all the colorcodes of these Custom Colors, together with the name of the manufacturer? I do know one for Fender colors, but Gibson custom colors is just new territory. :)
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This is the best one I have found:
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibsonc.html
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Thanks, very useful. I use the same site as "The Truth" regarding the Fender Custom Colors. :)
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The JagBird body in progress 8) :
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/PB_Body_Shaped_01.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/PB_Body_Shaped_03.jpg)
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cool.
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Orange would be cool!
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When it comes to colour choices, I should probably be bound and gagged and left in a locked remote sound-proof room... ;D
What have you presently got and what do you hate - that should eliminate a few for you...
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When it comes to colour choices, I should probably be bound and gagged and left in a locked remote sound-proof room... ;D
What have you presently got and what do you hate - that should eliminate a few for you...
Kenny isn't kidding either!!!! He likes colours so rich you can taste them! ;D
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Yea, Kenny is a color-addict.
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I do like a nice color as well, and that orange of that Exporer looks quite tasty. But actually I was surprised by the beautiful grain and coloring of the mahogany, so a nice translucent may also be a good choice. But I like it to be a bright color, like this, I wonder how this one would taste :mrgreen::
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Gaslist/orangeJOCS-1.jpg)
But, I think it will be a tough job to get the mahogany in this coloring.
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WOW! That is stunning.
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WOW! That is stunning.
x2!
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I have been wanting to experiment with leather die, alcohol and mahogany. I have no idea if you could get anything that stunning but I'd like to know.
That translucent orange sure looks nice.
Oh yeah, great looking body, sure would be nice to save some of that grain.
When I walk into a shop with a wall of guitars I always notice the translucent finishes first... of course, I love the opaque finish too.
Hell, I've never met a guitar I didn't like.
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Hell, I've never met a guitar I didn't like.
... you never met my Grenn EB2... :puke:
WOW! That is stunning.
... make that 4
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He likes colours so rich you can taste them! ;D
Yea, Kenny is a color-addict.
(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Front%20Page/20090314023.jpg)
... in more than one way... ;)
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......... I wonder how this one would taste :mrgreen::
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Gaslist/orangeJOCS-1.jpg)
Rather citrusy I should think. :D
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Thanks all! At this moment I'm gathering as much information I can to investigate if it could be possible to get thát finish on mahogany. It would be a stunning combination I think.
@ Kenny: WOW :o :o I never knew it would be possible to have so many colors on just one bass! :mrgreen: Do you have a better picture of it? Looks very nice!
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try filling grain with joint compound. easier & its white .try a test piece,that axe is more than likely ash so you may not get the same tone of color . Great color , I must admit :mrgreen:
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Burned a few eyes out with this one... search under "Tequilabird" and you will find the details - there is a thread running re the rebuild at the moment...
(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Peter%20Cook%20Custom/feb116.jpg) (http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Peter%20Cook%20Custom/20090425MUD2.jpg)
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Ah! Yes, now I remember seeing that bass before. Saw the thread about that Peter Cook bird also. ;) Now I see the connection, excuse me: life is hard for a "newbie" :mrgreen:
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I've been sworn to decency by certain parties here... :P
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See, I like that Tequilabird... I would rock it for at least a show or two. More than two shows for one bass is a distinction that only my fire-burst SG bass and Dan Armstrong can can claim.
Oh yeah, here is link to a mahogany body colored with leather die and some instructions.
http://www.bc-enterprises.com/guitars/finish.htm
I have never used this method and I have never met the guy who did it but I'm going to give this a shot sometime soon.
Later
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See, I like that Tequilabird... I would rock it for at least a show or two. More than two shows for one bass is a distinction that only my fire-burst SG bass and Dan Armstrong can can claim.
Oh yeah, here is link to a mahogany body colored with leather die and some instructions.
http://www.bc-enterprises.com/guitars/finish.htm
I have never used this method and I have never met the guy who did it but I'm going to give this a shot sometime soon.
Later
Hmm, sounds like like an alcohol based pigment type dye. You can buy all kinds of dyes from woodworking stores or online - Transtint comes to mind. You can also use the dye to tint your own laquer. The leather dye might be cheaper but the color choices could be limited.
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Great idea :mrgreen: I love the concept. The raised midsection coupled with the T-Bird like pickguard looks really nice on the Jag style body.
Whatever the finish, I vote for a matching head. The second pickguard on the bass side I only think it would look good if it was chromed with some switches like the 7ender Jag-bass.
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Update: last week the body has been shipped to Pat Wilkins (finishes for Lakland, Sadowsky) to have the JagBird body finished in Lakland's MARKUS ORANGE
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/PB_Body_Shaped_01.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/orangeJOCS-1.jpg)
8) 8)
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Well done Peter. It's going to turn out great, no doubt!
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The JagBird body has been finished by Pat Wilkins, and is on it's way to the Netherlands. And WOW, it has turned out to be a spectacular finish! It's more redish than the Markus Orange, but I expected that. I like it!! 8) 8)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/DSCN0345.jpg)
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Did you expect it to be as red as this?
Oh well, could be the picture or the lighting...
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Pat told me the finish is more orange than it looks on the picture, but I like it a lot! 8)
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Well, what ever you call it it looks damn good.
The more I see the body shape the more I like it.
Any ideas for the head stock shape?
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Tnx. Regarding the headstock: this bass will get an Allparts Jazzneck with RW fingerboard and blocks and binding, my favorite neck.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/Fender%20Jazz%20Jack/200220101397.jpg)
I'm still doubting to finish the headstock in black, or leave it as it is.
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Nice, you going to paint the headstock?
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I love it! Came out perfect IMHO!
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I'd love to do a build with that exact body. That bass is going to be beautiful!
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I hope its not too red, regardless that is awesome! I love to show the grain of wood, makes me happy :mrgreen:somehow.Im hopin' Doc does a clear black on Billy.
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Yesterday I've recieved the body, in 4 days from the US to the Netherlands: very fast ánd it slipped through the Customs, so that saved me some extra charges. 8)
The finish is really more than excellent, and the color has a variety of Orange, Copper, Red....very depending on the light / angle. I'm very happy with it. 8)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/140620102043.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/140620102047.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/140620102039.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/140620102045.jpg)
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Shiny!!
That is going to be one beautiful bass :toast:
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Oh yeah, beautiful finish and that raised center looks really good on this bass. Great idea!
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Tnx. It was a little risk, but really turned out nice.
And the other good news: the body is not as heavy as I expected, and more beautiful: the acoustic sound of the wood is very loud and resonant. That's very promising for the sound of the bass. 8)
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That looks amazing. Is it poly or nitro paint?
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Tnx, and it's Poly.
First mock-up, and glad to see that the neck has a very tight fit in the neckpocket. Yesterday I bought a Precision with this almost new Allparts neck, and it has a beautiful dark fingerboard (tuners will be replaced with Hipshot Reverse tuners).
Pics:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/160620102289.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/160620102288.jpg)
Still doubting to give the headstock a shiny black finish. What do you think?
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Wow Peter that is really working well. I think you need the black headstock. It wont look right if you have the maple wood grain head with that lovely mahogany body IMHO.
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Still doubting to give the headstock a shiny black finish. What do you think?
I agree, that maple leaves something to be desired. I think it would look fantastic with a matching headstock or that orangey rootbeer color some of the late 60's early 70's block neck headstocks had...but it's a beautiful bass whatever you do!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/ERGO/DSC00410.jpg)
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Tnx! It sure leaves something to be desired. I think a black headstock would be very nice, but it's also a good option to give the back and headstock a re-spray with a more yellower vintage tint.
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With that red orange black would look best in my opinion. Depends on the pickguard as well. Transparant is not going to match unless you laminate mahogany to the headstock.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/dple3.jpg)
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Transparant is not going to match unless you laminate mahogany to the headstock.
...or custom mix a toner for a color match to the body and spray with airbrush, preval or detail spray gun. I'm not sure Allparts neck finish is compatible with lacquer and agree that black is the simplest best solution for diy w/rattlecan.
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Some thin ebony on the headstock is also a good idea (suggested by someone at the Dutch forum), but a high gloss black refin of the headstock would be the easiest way. ;)
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That looks ridiculously awesome!! I vote black.
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Tnx, and black it will be. Brought the neck to my luthier this morning for a high gloss black headstock. 8)
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Update: body has been routed the Bassbuckers and the headstock has a black finish.
Pics:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/060720102349.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/060720102354.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/060720102355.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/060720102352.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/070720102356.jpg)
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Drooool! Stunning!
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Beautiful, black Headstock works especially well with the block inlays!
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That is looking very nice!! ;D
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Shiney... 8)
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So shiny you want to lick it. Very nice job!
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SHaaawING!!!!!!!
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Wow that is drop dead gorgeous. All it need is a Kahler.
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BOOWOOOWOOOWOOOWING...!
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(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/070720102356.jpg)
I just noticed how tight your string spacing is at the nut. On original Fender bound necks the nut was carefully notched on the underside at each end. This allows a full width nut to fit OVER the binding and maintaining standard Jazz spacing and unbroken binding
This is a block inlay bound maple neck, you can just see the nut overhang on the E side and the black binding if you look very close. Sorry it's the only pic I have, it's my brother's '72. I shot it to cop the decal.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/ERGO/DSC00410.jpg)
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Great work - that looks beautiful!
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Yeah babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! ;D
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Thank you all for the compliments. :) I'm very pleased with it already now, although it still needs a lot of work.
Regarding the nut: you're absolutely right about that. I've bought the neck this way, but I'm planning to replace the nut. The spacing is too tight ánd the cut for the A string is too deep (uneven compared to the other cuts), bad job from the luthier who installed the neck for the previous owner. And it should fit over the binding.
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Totally right way to go.
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That's so sexy, all you need is a bucket of KFC and a pole!
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Great work Peet!
Orange and black... I've seen that combination a lot lately ;)
Better get it ready before the final on Sunday
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Thanks Rob,.....you're right: I'd better hurry, this one will rock harder than a Vuvuzela :mrgreen:
Orange 'n Black, always a good choice...
(http://www.tendolle.eu/pages/weblog/files/vuvuzela.jpg)
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The project is almost done......now I'm thinking what to do with the controls before I drill the holes. Even thought just soldering the pickups direct to the jack.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/130720102411.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/130720102412.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/130720102413.jpg)
I've set the string-spacing to a narrow 16 mm. Very fast playing.
With the string-through and the sum of all the quality parts, this bass already sounds véry loud acousticly. 8)
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What can I say............... I love it!
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Very nice!
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I think you should give it three chrome knobs, v/v/t, laid out in a line on a sloped angle like a Jazz Bass. If you go with the classic T-Bird layout, give them more room. I've always thought TBird knobs look cramped. If you want more tonal options, you could wire it with four knobs, v/t/v/t, but having that option on my Les Paul bass, I can say it doesn't really make much difference using Fralins and I could easily get by with three.
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Or you could go v/v/t/varitone. Very nice bass indeed!
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Wow! That is one stunning looking bass.
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I'd say: VVT with black reflector cap knobs in a straight line spaced just like a NR Tbird.
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I'd choose amber controls, to look as unobtrusive as you could...
That is a piece of art... 8)
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Thanks!
Rob's suggestion is exactly my original plan for this bass: just V/V/T in T-Bird layout with that knobs.
What also crossed my mind is:
* no controls, just solder them straigt to the jack (I mostly play with both pups full open);
* two controls, but on the backside in the backplate, and then 2 "rollerknobs" for V and T, build in just as on a Jaguar bass, and one toggleswitch on the front:
(http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/images/large/005-4455-000.jpg)
Decisions, decisions, decisions........
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They will get knocked on the back...
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How about vol/tone/blend? Classic 3 knob setup w/ a little extra.. ;)
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The JagBird is ready!! 8)
The sound: deep, dark midrange with a nice growl. Huge sustain, big powerfull tone. And the playability is perfect, I've set the string-spacing to a narrow 16 mm, which allows very fast playing. Balance of the bass is better that I expected: with a normal strap no neckdive, just perfect.
Pics:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/190720102439.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/190720102452.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/190720102431.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/190720102438.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird/190720102440.jpg)
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Stunning! Nice job!
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Just awesome. Really classy :)
Any intension to get a pickguard?
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Any pics of the back Peter?
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Very cool Pete!
Can't wait to see/hear/feel it in real life.
By the way: In these pics it looks more brown than orange
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Tnx! I'll experiment with a pickguard later, but I like this look also. Make it classy without.
And no, forgot the pics of the back. I'll take some later today.
@ Rob: you'll see him over a few hours, I'm taking it with me. ;)
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Stunning bass, turned out great.
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Looks great man. Nice aesthetics and craftsmanship.
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Flawless!! Congrats!
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Very nice work, to say the least... 8)
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That sure came out nice. :toast:
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Killer!
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To paraphrase Pogo, "We have met the envious and he is us!"
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The JagBird is such a killer-bass, it's the best project I've done ever. So I have already made plans for a second JagBird. 8)
This time:
* same bodyshape and mahogany
* Allparts maple Jazzneck black blocks and binding
* ChiSonic CS4 Humbuckers
* Finish: British Racing Green 8)
Inspired by:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/Jazzboer/JagBird%20CS/blockn.jpg)
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Beautiful!! That's the finish I was TRYING to get on my proto#1. Ended up looking like some kinda pumpkin. eeesh :P
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That might be my favorite bass of all times - just based on looks.
Beyond words how beautiful that is.
Pictures copied and saved for future reference..and ogling.
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First time I've checked this thread in a while and all I can say is that your new bass is a masterpiece! I almost would forgo the pickguard entirely BUT, if you went with one I'd say it would have to be smallish and definitely black.
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no friggin pickguard on this. simple, beautiful bass.
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I may be alone in this, but I thought the two-pickguard drawing looked really cool. Either way, this bass is just lovely.
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Sorry to be so late to the party.
That bass turned out fantastic and I look forward to seeing the BRG model too!
Cheers!