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Post by Larry Madsen on Feb 27, 2023 10:55:09 GMT -5
I have a 5 string Warmoth G5 Bass and have thought for a while I should build a 4 sting "more common" bass. While finishing up my cheapo First Act guitar project I will need to repaint the body. I am coupling that with my notion of a 4 string bass. Here is the plan to make it just a bit whacky. I buy a Warmoth "plank" body pre-cut to P-Bass specs. This:  IMG_4763 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr From there I would cut the body to be a companion to the current cheapo First Act guitar shape. I think the styling is pretty off beat and cool. I would paint both bodies the same yellow at the same time. Then make a neck later. First question is determining the desired P Bass configuration regarding PUPs and electronics and keeping it as simple as possible. I see some P bass bodies with just the split neck PUP and no bridge PUP. What are thoughts on this? Also, me not being a Bass player, how critical is a tone control? One PUP and one knob would make it a truer companion to the current project, but I'd hate to build something with a serious useability flaw. Any thoughts |
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Post by Riff Twang on Feb 27, 2023 12:29:29 GMT -5
Fender Precision basses have only that split pickup. You could use a stack-knob double pot to do volume on one shaft and tone on the other I would think. That would give the appearance of just one control.
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Post by Leftee on Feb 27, 2023 13:22:06 GMT -5
I like the concept!
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Post by Larry Madsen on Feb 27, 2023 13:57:35 GMT -5
You could use a stack-knob double pot to do volume on one shaft and tone on the other Good point there. I guess the ones I am seeing with 2 PUPs are maybe a combo P/J configuration? How important is that tone control for Bass? Being more of a person with guitar experience and having plenty of guitar specimens ... I don't bat an eye at the current project being minus a tone control. I didn't have quite enough fun cutting the first head stock.  |
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Wrnchbndr
Wholenote
Posts: 353
Formerly Known As: WRNCHBNDR
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Post by Wrnchbndr on Mar 28, 2023 12:20:13 GMT -5
I’ve been faking it on bass for many years. You want a tone control.
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Post by Larry Madsen on Mar 28, 2023 18:53:09 GMT -5
Wrnchbndr, thanks for the very direct response. 👍🏻
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mroulier
Wholenote
Chemo'd and Radiated!
Posts: 155
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Post by mroulier on Apr 19, 2023 13:41:42 GMT -5
I've got a project bass with no tone control and two volumes. I don't miss it. The only one I like to use is a TBX tone pot, which is standard on all of my Fender Mid-80's MIJ basses. Gets a little more growly on the P-bass pickups. My fave sounds are very P-bass influenced. I have some P-J's and I dial back the J pup. If you like a little more 'plinky' or treble-y sound along with the thump, adding a J pickup won't hurt. But you might want to add a 3-way switch.
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Post by Larry Madsen on May 1, 2023 13:25:10 GMT -5
Putting a little thought into this project and I'm realizing the tuning machines will be a critical aspect. I'll need three right and one left, to fit the head stock. Probably need to buy a "five set" to make it easier. Like this: www.ebay.com/itm/293520124340Looks like I would do well to order a set and get the head stock figured out first thing. I might need to scale-up the overall size a bit. Can't really know until I get some tuners in hand. I have the template I created when I cut the head stock on the pawn shop project. The head stock I'll be duplicating is more in line with a typical left-hand guitar up top.  IMG_4750 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr |
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Post by Larry Madsen on May 15, 2023 20:39:04 GMT -5
Tuners arrived. They are the same GOTOH tuners I put on my G5 Warmoth bass.  GOTOH tuners by Larry Madsen, on Flickr Had a short burst of motivation just now. I sketched out a first rendition of the head stock for the Bass project. Trying to duplicate the headstock from the Pawn Shop *First Act* cheapo guitar project with the Warmoth neck.  Bass headstock first rendition by Larry Madsen, on Flickr I knew I would need to enlarge (mainly widen) the head a bit to accommodate the larger tuners. I'll need to do a little more critical thinking about it, but this should be pretty close. |
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Post by Larry Madsen on May 16, 2023 18:58:16 GMT -5
Got my template cut on a piece of 3/16 plywood. I'll secure these tuners in the template and run some string to see how the positioning is looking.  IMG_5129 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr I ran some rubber bands just to see where I am on spacing.  IMG_5130 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr The spacing on the left two strings is wider. My "over" thinking is the extra thickness of those two strings will compensate for this visual situation. Obviously, I am using very skinny and equal size bands for this evaluation. Do any of you with experience on this sort of thing have an opinion on this? |
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on May 17, 2023 10:04:35 GMT -5
The spacing on the left two strings is wider. My "over" thinking is the extra thickness of those two strings will compensate for this visual situation. Obviously, I am using very skinny and equal size bands for this evaluation. Do any of you with experience on this sort of thing have an opinion on this? Specific examples aren't coming to mind right now, but there are a lot of instruments (especially basses) out there that look like they have perfect straight string pull through the nut, but are off by a hair. "Close enough" is fine for tuning, and if the instrument is aesthetically pleasing, it won't really matter too much. Even on a Fender, if you're making a nut by hand you're going to set the outside strings where it feels most natural, not how it is pulling straight. If you stare at it long enough, you'll see none of those strings are going through completely straight. If the A, D and G seeming to pull slightly down while the E pulls slightly up bugs you then you can fiddle with it, but personally, I'd be very happy with how that looks. |
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Post by Larry Madsen on May 17, 2023 14:39:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the input.
Since this is just the template for the outer shape I will have easy ability to adjust a bit.
With this trial run I wanted to just make sure there are no “catastrophic” problems with the fit.
It does appear the overall fit is good.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on May 20, 2023 12:15:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I'd be happy with that. I think the only way to change it would be if you wanted a larger peghead. As I think about it now, there is a strange mix of basses on the market where some have larger pegheads than guitars and others have about the same size. Some people might be able to sketch something out easily that looks/feels the same as the smaller one, but it is something I'd struggle with personally.
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Post by Larry Madsen on May 20, 2023 12:23:18 GMT -5
I’m a ways away from moving forward, but my plan at the moment is move the peg on the left upward (following the edge slope) which will also move it inward toward center. Then move the two on the right (nearest the nut) downward toward the nut just a tiny bit to widen those spacings.
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Post by Larry Madsen on May 24, 2023 20:48:34 GMT -5
I decided to take a second run at the head stock. It seemed to me when comparing the guitar head stock to what I produced for the bass I had a ratio problem. the (what I'll call) "tassel" at the top of the head was too short on the new bass head design. I know that is primarily on account of me widening the head a bit for larger Gotoh bass tuners. All I am doing it adding about 3/16" to that tassel up top. When done I'm sure I'll like this better. Not completely at finish shape, but getting close.  bass head second edition by Larry Madsen, on Flickr |
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