Lowe Shop Notes

[Dave W]

Never heard of Daguet before. Very interesting. One would think these would be better known since they claim to be based on the originals, not on Fred Hammon's hotodded version, if the object were to get the tone of the originals. But it's not. Also I wasn't aware that Curtis Novak's version is different. Makes no sense that people go crazy over them except that the whole Darkstar craze has no rational explanation.

Not only were Casady and Lesh's basses increasingly modified, both players abandoned them in favor of other basses and pickups fairly early on. That made no difference. The whole thing became a bandwagon. Once it got rolling, at the predecessor of this forum, just about any old husk on eBay was posted as "Darkstar candidate?" as if Hammon's pickup could magically transform a hunk of junk. It got ridiculous.

Also I never understood why people kept emphasizing that it's a wide range pickup. By itself that means nothing. The only question ought to be whether or not it sounds good to you.

[Alanko]

As I get older I start to fear more the backlash from making strong assertions on the Internet. I'm glad that we are in agreement, Dave W. 

I saw the same thing on Talkbass. A cursory glance on Google reveals Mustang basses, T40s, any number of Jazz and Precision basses, Ibanez Artcores and Jack Casady basses. Surely it cannot be that each and every instrument was unanimously enhanced with the addition of these pickups?

In recent months I have seen a few bassists suggest that they favoured the Guild 'sludgebucker' that replaced the Bisonic...

[Dave W]

I like the later Guild pickups better than the Bisonics, but they're not sludgy at all. Two members here coined the term sludgebucker a few years back and it seems to have caught on. However if you hear those pickups with a decent bridge (i.e. not the flimsy tin bridge with rosewood saddles) then you'll hear clean-sounding humbuckers.

[BTL]

I will admit to being superficial...I just think they look cool.



The Guild DS1 puts them into the realm of reasonable options for a a one-pickup instrument.

[Dave W]

I will admit to being superficial...I just think they look cool.



The Guild DS1 puts them into the realm of reasonable options for a a one-pickup instrument.

Yes. Import or not, it's reasonable and it's supposedly based on the original.

[BTL]

If it's not already obvious, I have a bit of a chrome fetish where pickups are concerned.

I also like them to be easily adjustable in relationship to the strings.

The DS1s fit nicely within that design aesthetic.

I have some thoughts on how to improve on T'Bird pickups in that regard, too.

[Pilgrim]

If it's not already obvious, I have a bit of a chrome fetish where pickups are concerned.

I knew you were a man of good taste.

[Dave W]

How could you make TBird pickups any more adjustable to the strings without changing the design from blades to polepieces?

[BTL]

I knew you were a man of good taste.

How could you make TBird pickups any more adjustable to the strings without changing the design from blades to polepieces?

Point well taken.

I meant the range of adjustment, from a height perspective.

The standard/stock wood screws are a limiting factor in that they are a bit short for a deeper rout.

Also, the teeth are very fine, so they don't offer a lot of "bite" in softer wood or after multiple adjustments.

I think a 4-40 threaded insert along with a longer machine screw will be the ticket for what I am looking to accomplish.

[FrankieTbird]

8)Point well taken.

I meant the range of adjustment, from a height perspective.

The standard/stock wood screws are a limiting factor in that they are a bit short for a deeper rout.

Also, the teeth are very fine, so they don't offer a lot of "bite" in softer wood or after multiple adjustments.

I think a 4-40 threaded insert along with a longer machine screw will be the ticket for what I am looking to accomplish.

At certain times, Gibson did use threaded inserts with a machine screw for mounting their P-90 soapbar pickups.  I have some here in my parts drawer that came directly from Gibson's parts dept.  However, I think they are #3 screws, not #4.

[BTL]

At certain times, Gibson did use threaded inserts with a machine screw for mounting their P-90 soapbar pickups.  I have some here in my parts drawer that came directly from Gibson's parts dept.  However, I think they are #3 screws, not #4.

You are correct in suggesting #3-48 threaded inserts would be ideal, but as near as I have been able to determine, they just don't exist for sale.

#4-40 is not that much larger and offers a wide variety of options.

[BTL]

I just received in a shipment of CHIMERA Series necks.

I will be building out an assortment of LSPs just in time for the holidays.

[BTL]

I've been getting ready for some new necks to arrive, and now they have:



Wiring up some LSP harnesses:





Adding a serial number...C = CHIMERA Series:



Installing threaded inserts for 8-32 stainless machine screws:





Assembling the body:

[BTL]

Hipshot licensed tuners with o-ring shim:





Assembled and ready for final setup:

[BTL]

CHIMERA Series #C03 LSP "P'Nobird" is ready for its closeup:













8.78 pounds...not bad: