i need some help gang - Colby Bass

drbassman · August 23, 2011, 01:38:59 PM

Glued the nut on and drilled the thumbrest. Gotta work tonight, but will be home tomorrow night. Onward and upward, as they say!

Dave W · August 23, 2011, 06:27:05 PM

Bill, you have to stop letting your work get in the way of bassmaking.

drbassman · August 23, 2011, 07:04:15 PM

Quote from: Dave W on August 23, 2011, 06:27:05 PM
Bill, you have to stop letting your work get in the way of bassmaking.

Damn, you are so right Dave! I have class or information sessions 3 nights this week. I usually get home between 10 and 11 PM and I'm too bushed to go into my shop and work. I need to be rested and have my wits about me when I'm around power tools!!!

I hope to retire in a year or two. The work is fun and the money's great, so it's hard to call it quits. It's really my call when I'm ready. I think after I get all of the machinery I want for my shop, I'll get more serious!!

I did treat myself to this non-bass item last week..................

300 hp, 5 sp GT. Yum!

Dave W · August 23, 2011, 11:09:51 PM

Nice treat!

Highlander · August 24, 2011, 04:28:02 PM

... and this is called settling into the idea of retirement... (epic-fail

)

Try for another shot with a blue sky and get the flag reflection... just... so...

Pilgrim · August 24, 2011, 05:21:46 PM

NIIIIICCCCE.

I've been thinking a lot about that kind of treat too, Bill!

My sights are more set on one of the recent year Bullitt Mustangs, which I have always liked.

But I just got room in the garage for my 280ZX...so probably not.

drbassman · August 24, 2011, 06:17:49 PM

Heck, I figured if I was gonna put in another year or two, I should have some toys (rewards) for doing so! I agree Al, that Bullit is nice too, not to mention the new Boss reissue. None available around here at the moment.

I thought the flag was a nice touch, glad you noticed it!!

drbassman · August 24, 2011, 06:27:12 PM

Now, back to the matter at hand.

The bass is essentially finished, but I need to set it up, intonate it and do some final adjusting. I plugged her into my Mesa and man, 1/4 turn of the volume knob about blew the speaker! The best part is it's not nearly as muddy as an EB-0. In fact, it has a nice thump with plenty of mid and high clarity to my ears. No hums or buzzes, that old harness is working perfectly. Frankly, I was surprized. Maybe Gibson does make some things that last after all!!!

Anyway, another day or so and we'll kiss this baby goodbye. I have to a=say, if it were mine, I'd keep her. She really does sound good and the neck plays really comfortably. The low tension TIs means the trus rod only has a slight partial turn on it, nothing heavy at all.

Here's a couple sexy shots by incandescent lighting. No freaking curly-cues in my house!!!

sniper · August 24, 2011, 07:22:56 PM

wow, i am blown away about the looks. if it feels good to you (or not) then feel free to move the bridge. if you feel that it would be okay to move it a little and not expose the ground wire, then so be it. also feel free to use the Rosewood like we talked about to make another riser if you have to. it is your choice Bill.

i can't believe it is coming to an end. this has been a journey. no neck dive and what is the final tally weight wise? if that bridge in the top shot is at intonation then it looks fine to me.

drbassman · August 24, 2011, 08:09:00 PM

Thanks CW. I'm probably gonna make a new riser out of ebony, I've got a bunch laying around the shop and it looks good with the bridge. A 3/8" adjustment makes sense to me. The bridge shot above was pre-intonation. The damn ground hole is right at the edge of the bridge, so it's gonna be a problem.

The other simple solution might be to shorten the springs at the back of the saddles as they are restricting saddle travel because they are too long and bunching up. I think I might try that before adding a new riser. I've got extra springs to play with.

drbassman · August 24, 2011, 08:52:23 PM

Quote from: BUFF on August 24, 2011, 04:28:02 PM
... and this is called settling into the idea of retirement... (epic-fail )

Try for another shot with a blue sky and get the flag reflection... just... so...

I simply ran the numbers and toys beat out sitting around in my bathrobe clipping coupons! For now.............

sniper · August 24, 2011, 09:25:46 PM

i had to cut silk on the Rotosounds i have on my Epi. it worked.

Quote from: drbassman on August 24, 2011, 08:09:00 PM
The other simple solution might be to shorten the springs at the back of the saddles as they are restricting saddle travel because they are too long and bunching up. I think I might try that before adding a new riser. I've got extra springs to play with.

springs!!! duh i understand now. i'm just so excited it went over my head.

drbassman · August 25, 2011, 05:54:22 AM

Boinggggggggggg!

drbassman · August 26, 2011, 03:47:32 PM

I fixed the bridge intonation issue today. I disassembled the bridge and found some of the screws and springs were too long, so I shortened the D and G screws and springs and just had to put shorter springs on the E and A saddle screws. I'll try intonation later tonight. If it's still a little off, all I have to do is shorten the screws an 1/8" or so. No need to mess with the bridge placement. It can stay put. Yippee!

Highlander · August 26, 2011, 05:12:47 PM

Lookin' mighty fine...