hiram.k.hackenbacker

When I said ‘chuck’, I was referring to the ‘collet’. They take pretty small bits, it just wouldn’t quite grip the one that was needed for the control plate. I’m happy with drill work in general having spent several years ‘on the tools’ as an apprentice, then installation engineer, drilling anything from small holes in safe doors up to big holes through safe walls. My nervousness was more around the fact that the holes I was making were very small and very close (almost on top off) the site where the old holes had been filled. As you probably know, when drilling half off an old hole, the drill tip likes to find the easiest route downwards. Fortunately all had been filled soundly and the new holes went exactly where they needed to be. No dodgy looking screw head angles for me 👍.

I haven’t had much time to spare today, but the Fralin’s are now in, bridge is on, knobs are mounted onto control plate (they arrived separately) and scratch plate now has shielding tape on the back. When I tried to screw the scratch plate on, none of the screws wanted to go in at all. I put it down to a bit of paint getting in the holes, but then compared the new Fender scratch plate screws I’d bought with the old ones and found that the new ones were slightly bigger. They’re definitely right for this guard tho, so I’m not sure what the screws were that came with it. Dremel to the rescue once again - all holes widened 👍. The holes on the Ki0gon control plate are different to the ones in the VVT that had been on the body, so I asked David to fill the three holes when he painted it. Next job was re-drilling for the Ki0gon. I was just about to let rip with the Dremel when I noticed that the screws for the control plate were smaller than even the original scratch plate screws. Crisis averted. I sourced the correct drill bit from the garage, but it was too small for the chuck in the Dremel 🙄. Had to break out the big mains powered drill to do three three tiny holes. More than a bit nervous holding about that thing over the newly finished body; not for adding more scars to it, just worried about getting the holes in exactly the right position. All turned out fine though. Next job is connecting the pick-up’s and getting the neck on which is looking increasingly unlikely for tomorrow ☹️. All in good time I suppose.

No, it was in ‘Site Issues’ and was moved to ‘General Discussion’ for wider visibility, but has sunk down the list somewhat.

Found it.

I’ll have a look for you when I get home.

Yes, new measures introduced to prevent mahoosive photos being used in signatures. There is also a limit on lines and links. I can’t remember what the maximum is, but that’s probably what is causing the issue you have. There is a thread somewhere that says what the limits are.

Ha ha, very kind of you thanks. I did think about changing the title the other day, but didn’t want to tempt fate as it’s still not an operational instrument yet - oh, and I’m still just winging it really. You Tube has been very helpful 😎. Regarding the scratch plate, it’s going to be as close as I can get it to the Custom Shop Precision this build is based on - so Vintage White was what I ordered. The main differences between the two basses will be no block inlays, no neck binding and mine will work out at a fraction of the £7,749.00 price tag of it’s twin. The stacked knobs arrived just the other day 👍.

I’ve had an entertaining afternoon shielding the pick-up and control cavities. I’ve never done it before and it’s quite satisfying, even if the shielding tape seems to have a mind of it’s own as soon as the backing has been removed. Loves sticking to itself 😬. Still have the wires to go in, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Pound to a pinch of doggy doo it’s the capacitors. Great amps, still got mine, but the caps are cheapo crap. Mine was in for repair for weeks waiting for some new (better) ones to arrive from the USA. Hope you get it sorted.

@Eldon Tyrell - this is all the Motown you need. Stick a bit of foam under the strings if you must, but they will all do the job admirably. All built from top drawer components and finished by David Wilson. I would argue that the components are a clear step up from what the Fender production line are using, the paint is definitely better, more choice of colours (any colour you like in fact) and they're cheaper. No brainer AFAIC.

I may have drunk too much Jim Beam, but in respect of the OP, if you're looking for a 'Motown bass', why are you looking forwards instead of back? If you want 'that Motown sound' either spend some coin on vintage, or spec up something similar through our very own @walshy. All this 'American Professional II' stuff is smoke and mirrors I promise you. I seriously lost the plot with the Fender production range after the American Deluxe.

The next instalment will be.... Episode 8: The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.I.N.G.

Body received from David Wilson and it's exactly what I hoped for. The man is a freaking genius. Unfortunately, it's very hard to capture the subtleties of what David has done with this body, but I love it.

Yeah, that one went back. Fully refunded tho. I have sourced a replacement. If I ever build another one, I'll give you a shout 👍.

I decided I was going to list a bass today and this thread is really not helping me choose which one 🥴. I think the only one I've let go that I wish I had kept was a white 4001. It had a 'few issues' that at that time I didn't really know how to resolve. It's a mistake I have not repeated thus far.

Agreed @fleabag. If someone can name courier with 100% reliability and 100% clean up rate after something goes wrong, then I'll use them 100% of the time. Between now and then, you're just dodging bullets.

It’s a bit meh as far as I’m concerned. I could also do without the instruction of what to fight to be honest. IMHO of course.

Paintwork by David Wilson is now complete. Due to be shipped backed to me on Monday. Here is a sneak peak of what it looks like after the shake & bake. The crackling has worked a treat.