The Last Bass Outpost

Very nice!

You know, your projects over a Reranch were among my earliest inspirations.

This thread is like a cryptic history lesson.

I'm going to need to read it more than once to pick up on all of the details.

It is interesting that they Guild mentions both Fred Hammond and Curtis Novak by name in their ad copy:

The Guild BS-1 BiSonic pickup was originally found in many of the solid and hollow body Guild basses in the 1960s and 70s. The BS-1 has developed a cult following resulting in several reissue versions and designs, including the famous Darkstar by Fred Hammon and BS-DS by Curtis Novak. Wound to 6.4K Ohms, similar in specification to a Hammon Darkstar, the Guild BS-1 provides a refined modern tone in a classic package.

One of my all-time favorites based on looks alone.

It was the inspiration for the two-tone paint schemes I use.

Apparently Lollar offers a true chromed cover as well as traditional nickel.

I just finished up building a bass inspired by Pino's Fiesta Red P...I call it the P'Nobird.

Clever, huh?

Once drilled, I tap the hole for a ¼-20 thread, then use a sacrificial insert to center a deeper hole into the maple for the bolts on my contour-heel necks.

Also, I clean the pink thread-lock off the insert and instead flood the hole in the neck with thin CA before inserting the sleeve:

Ridler #1 getting wired up with Fralin Big Singles in a P90 cover with no holes.

I solder brass nuts on the dog-ear base plate, so now it’s height adjustable.

To my knowledge, these pickups are unique to my builds:

 

I lay the wires out within the cavity so friction keeps them in place.

On the LSP with Thunderbirds (P’Nobird?) I use a bit of electrical tape to hold the connection secure because the pickup gets moved around:





Ridler #2 getting wired up:

Flip it over, line everything up, and drill the pickguard screws.

I leave the plastic in place except for where the controls are mounted.

I hate it when the plastic is left under the controls because it is impossible to remove: