petetexas

I get the same problem with the bottom E , using Fender 7250M strings , on my Jazz , Precision and Lakland ( Lakland is active ) . I have used Fender 7250M for years , and always had this problem . But as said above , if you push the mids up a bit , it does help to get rid of the muddy sound .

Hi, I suppose a tapered shim should sit in the neck pocket , but in experience I have never done that , always used a packing piece . You would think you would loose sustain etc , but I have never had a problem . I shim about 1/4 inch wide x whatever thickness for the full width of the pocket ( even rounding the corners so as to fit right back in the pocket ) Pete.

Wow , that looks superb . A quality build , and at the first attempt !

Added to above................. You must remember that not all parts will just sit in the correct place, for example..................the neck has to be aligned centrally to body . Just by putting the neck in the neck pocket , does not always mean that it is central to the body . What I did , was to drill and fix one of the mounting screws through the neck plate , and tightened up ( so there was still a slight ammount of "swing" movement of the neck relative to body ) Then using a 24inch steel ruler , laying down one side of the neck to the other , I aligned each edge of neck to pup cut outs , and got it central, before carefully turning over and drilling the remaining three . I actually scribed the lines next to the neck pup cut out , for any future removal / re assembly ( these lines are hidden under scratchplate ). Another point to remember is that bridge not only being central but in correct position for the 34inch scale to the saddles , allowing for intonation movement - I also had to shim the neck pocket , with a piece of .010 thick ash, to get the angle of strings relative to body for a good action . But as I said before ..............THINK THINGS THROUGH - MEASURE AND ALIGN , MEASURE AND ALIGN , MEASURE AND ALIGN before drilling ! Its really enjoyable to see the bass taking shape . Any questions , just ask me Pete

Hi Guys, Body and neck from Nortwest Guitars , Gotoh bridge , one old Jazz pup at neck , one Tonerider at bridge ( awaiting a matched pair from a 2001 jazz to arrive ) Wilkinson m/c heads . Most parts from ebay , some from bits lying around . Transfer from ebay ( the most difficult bit - had to take a lot of time with this - then 5/6 coats laq - now awaiting small "ASSEMBLED IN COVENTRY " transfer to go on back of headstock ! As long as you "TAKE TIME " to ensure and align parts before drilling , its great fun . And you end up with something that you assembled yourself , to whatever spec you want Pete.

Try [b]guitarbuild.co.uk [/b]they make custom necks and body`s or for a standard neck try Northwest Guitars . I have just had one piece maple Jazz neck ( satin finish ) from them for £99 , and a Jazz Artic White 2 piece Alder body £150 - free delivery , brilliant . ( see Kit Build forum further down ) Pete

Well, Here she is ..........done two gigs with her , and I am VERY pleased with the result . Nice C shape neck profile ( I have large hands , so feels great ) , a little heavy ( just under 12 pounds ) but did not feel it during gigs , sustain is brilliant . Body and neck from Northwest Guitars , scratchplate , bridge etc from bits lying around and some parts purchased on ebay . Had to do some "tweaking " to get neck at correct angle to body to get a decent action ( put a shim in neck pocket ) even decided to put waterslide Fender Logo on headstock , and gave it 5/6 light coats of satin Laq to seal it . Really enjoyed the whole project .........I would say about £450 in all . I know you can get a secondhand Mex Jazz for about that , but its not half as much fun ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11850_zpsym8725xh.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11849_zpscwkgpcfy.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11844_zpsau1sy5bw.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11847_zps4zskhizl.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11841_zpsbfgaep9q.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11840_zps52vzv5or.jpg.html"][/url] Pete

Thanks scrumpymike, As someone has said earlier in the forum, some of the Fenders are made in China , quality aint too bad now . As the project with the Stones Tribute gets nearer the gigging state , I will have to make a decision.......................unless " the boss " gets me one for Christmas ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Looks fab ( excuse the beatles pun ) ! When I worked in the Music shop not far from where I live , we had the Tobacco Sunburst one of these , did not look half as nice as yours . Where is it made , and what does the bottom E sound like ( I have always felt short scale basses lack a little on the bottom E ) ? By the way, keep your eye on the hippo , looks like he might take a bite ! Pete

Hi scrumpymike , what did you get in the end ?

I will shortly be working with a Rolling Stones Tribute band , and thought that this Bass would do the job ( semi , short scale , green burst etc etc ) . I know mr Wyman used a lot of Framus Semi basses ( including one he took the frets out of ) but at the price they are going for , and the baseball bat neck on them , makes me think I should be looking for an alternative . I recon when the project gets going , I`ll get one of these Chowny Basses . Pete

Plate not turned up yet ...............BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! Pete

Still awaiting delivery ( should be this morning ) of the correct control plate ( I ordered the wrong 3 hole instead of 4 hole ) , but wired it up for last nights rehearsal ........................................what a sound and feel ...................be it that the bass weighs in at just under 12 pounds , did not notice the weight at all ! Loads of comments about it from the band ( even the drummer ! ) I have even put a F%"%ER logo on the hedstock , and laq over it . It looks the part. Will get new pics up when the correct plate is installed . Have REALLY enjoyed the "assembly" , and gettting all the parts together . Pete

Thanks for that ........a good read

Hi, Has anyone had any experience of these Basses . I believe they are designed in UK , and made in China . Bass Direct sell them , and have very good demos on their web site . Make a nice companion for my Lakland and Jazz ! Pete

They look good , I decided to go for a colour ( Artic White my fav ) because I have a Lakland Spalted Maple top ( to which I have fitted Nordstrand pups and Glockenklang pre amp ) for a while , but missed the Jazz sound ! Anyhow , here is a pic of the Jazzer next to the Lakland . Jazzer has had the neck aligned / fitted ( had to shim it to get a good action ) and the bridge ( Gotoh ) , with the nut cut and pups added using an old set of strings . Just waiting for the control plate to arrive - have got the CTS pots . Switchcraft Socket and Sprague capacitor already . [URL=http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/SDC11836_zpsaajz2ifz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag59/petetexas/SDC11836_zpsaajz2ifz.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The strings / bridge look out of line to the pups , but they are not - its just a slight angle of the picture . Pete

Hi Mykesbass, I always use a bradle to firstly mark the center where the hole is to be , then use a hand drill ( about 40 years old - given to me by my late dad ) and take it VERY VERY slow . I always go back after drilling and slightly countersink the top of the hole . Will get the bridge lined up and fitted in position tomorrow - if the screws turn up ! Pete

Hi Guys , I have decided to "build " my own bass , I say " build " as really its an assembly , with a few vey critial holes , alignments etc . Nothwest Guitars manufacture excellent finished bodies ( gloss polyester £150 ) and necks ( satin polyester £110 ) both maple and rosewood fingerboard ALL MADE IN HOUSE . I have just purchased an Artic white Jazz Body ( gloss polyester ) and a vintage ( satin polyester ) one piece Maple Neck . By the time you purchase [u]all[/u] the hardware , pickups etc , it does come out at about £450 ! Expensive , but , something you make to your own requirements . Beware though , aligning neck to body , and drilling for mounting plate etc HAS TO BE DONE WITH CARE . Even drilling holes and mountng m/c heads has to be done with care , as a hole drilled through the headstock or fingerboard can be VERY expensive ! Assembly so far ...................( sorry about the quality of pics , dodgy phone camera ! ) [url="http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/petetexas/media/20151106_172426_zps3fxpbtdi.jpg.html"][/url]

Thanks guys . Quite happy with 250K and .047 for now ( have put a Dimarzio in her ) , when I roll the volume slightly back , it thins the sound out a little ....perfect ! Pete

Thanks ikay, Very interesting..................... Just upgrading to CTS and Sprag at moment , but will try sometime . Pete

Hi , Has anyone tried changing the 250K Vol and Tone pots in a Precision Bass to 500K and increasing the cap to 0.1mf ? I saw this somewhere , it said that it increased the treble , hence the larger cap . Pete

Just bought Mex Precision from Chris . Because he was not able to be around for courier pickup , due to work commitments , he delivered to Coventry from London ! Now thats a Great Guy . Thanks Chris