Count Bassie

This is looking promising. Nice job so far!

[quote name='Johnston' post='1325407' date='Aug 3 2011, 06:17 AM']Just watch. I was told the back and front layers that give the T-bird the centre "Step" are just glued on Ply fashion and they have a habit of de laminating. If you go deep you might not have enough "Body" wood to hold the pickups securely. But if he makes his template a wedge shape to allow for the angle of dangle won't it keep the front edge angled to suit the neck [/quote] That makes sense, the original neck pocket being a right-angle relationship between the floor/wall of it. It is, right? Anyway good idea to hold on it- why have to go re-routing deeper holes for pickups- increasing your 'margin of screw-up'? Less is better, as most always...

[quote name='neepheid' post='1325093' date='Aug 2 2011, 07:07 PM']Good news - having consulted with my Dad, his router can plunge until the collet/nut is beginning to show below the base plate. Perfect. Not so good news - the existing neck pocket is on a slight slope. Of course this was to make sure that the levitating monstrosity that is the 3 point bridge would be able to get down low enough. I'm pretty sure these saddles will be much lower down. Should I just take it level and shim if necessary, or try to replicate the slope? Maybe it would be prudent to wait until the hardware arrives...[/quote] I would totally make it level, especially with the new saddles. It's becoming a different animal, roll with it.

This is a cool project. Just got an Epi 'Bird, and I might go for a jig like this as well! Funky, different (well, not anymore! ).

I just realized, these pix are not on a setee. Sorry... but you guys are English, right? Will a garden work? Just got this in a trade for my Ibanez BTB405QM. The Ibby proved just out of reach with the 35.5" scale length, and I met up with a struggling young metal-hippie who was hankering for a 5-er. I've always wanted one of these, so when it became very easy I took a shot at it. I didn't come out the Deal-Shark exactly, but I like the bass. And after a few days and a gig, it's proved itself a fit. Here's the new Garden-Variety Thunderbird, Epiphone edition: The custom strap-jig- negates neck-dive and facilitates a work-around for a left arm nerve issue: And a little Family-Tree respect... this one's near a chair, at least... Mods to come will include a steel-wool rub on the back of the neck, new matching clover-style tuners, a thumb rest, probably some less murky p'ups, and a buffing for the finish... I'm something of a carpenter and the noticeable 'warble' in the finish under certain lighting conditions bothers me, somewhere in a recess of my consciousness. Nonetheless, I think this is one of the coolest shapes ever- and despite the heft of that Mahogany coffee-table body, I dig it.

One more... I don't have any straight-on or otherwise decent shots of me playing it, but one of my part-time party bands did a retirement-party gig for an old friend. As the party bloomed into the afternoon, their "Back-in-the-Day band", [b][i]The Bel-Airs[/i][/b], got up and did a spontaneous 50th Anniversary jam. Here's the cruiser in action: Sounded big, full and authoritative through the Trace AH250SMX/Eminence 3015-loaded EAW cab. Alright, I'll let this one go now! Your turn, Bottom E...

I still have my AH250SMX after 2 years- pretty good term for me to still have an amp! I got it as sort of an accident victim and "nursed" it "back to health". It seems to set just right in the mix, and give me what I would generally like to hear. If I want it to 'break up a bit' I just push a little harder. The 2-band compressor is a winner, plumps and tightens up the bass just enough. The graphic is super-sensitive, and although I'd like a little more headroom it seems to be enough, even with a single 8 ohm cab... It's pretty light for cartage, and even without the renown blacklight it looks sharp! Good gigging head.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1285187' date='Jun 28 2011, 07:43 AM']I am a sucker for a story with a happy ending. I love it Count and am really pleased its worked out as a good gigging bass. I really think its cool. Lovely bass. I forgot how beat up it was when you started the project. You got me lusting after another Hamer. My project has changed a bit. I got the solder kit and setup rulers, gagues and stuff for my birthday and then for some reason unknown to me started lusting after a P Bass? Never been my thing before. Anyway i have bought a Precision body off of the ebay - picking up later this week - i bought some PuPs and a neck from a guy on this forum (hopefully). Not sure what i am going to do with it when it all comes together...There is no method to my madness just a lot random impulse purchases [/quote] Thanks man, I'm glad it's worked as well. I kind of knew it would, just to what degree I'd be happy with it, I didn't know. Landed on the up-side! Your project sounds like it's setting itself up for you. Roll with it, and eventually there'll be a time in the process to make a decision- that's when it becomes yours! Have an adventure, see what you end up with. We'll want to see pix, etc., of course! A P-bass is a great mod-er, by the way. I've seen some very cool pimp-jobs on that venerable battle-axe!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1285095' date='Jun 28 2011, 06:23 AM']I wish you could have them both.[/quote] I always say you can have everything, just not at the same time! But honestly, this is more fun to play. Given the chance to do it over, I'd do it again, I'm afraid! Now a Gibson EB-0 L... that would've stayed original, with a no-cutting pickup mod and some new guts.

Hey here's an updated, "more fair" before/after hit: [b] Before...[/b] [b]After...[/b] EDIT: I thought Id write a short blurb concerning how I feel about the state of it... Pros. I like the beveling. I also like the SG/Westone vibe it's taken on. Functionally it's a good deal friendlier- it's now much more the player for me. Cons. I miss the trad shape, and the fact it had pedigree. That is gone now, no matter what I do to try and 'bring it back'. This was a no turning back deal, I knew that. Summary. It's not that I'm sorry I did it, I really like playing it! It is my favorite in maybe 10 years , and it still sounds great even with the wood gone missing. I've actually gotten some nice compliments not only on the bass, but on my playing it (). That will be because I find it very comfortable, to the point where inspiration is "easy to reach" through the instrument- if you get me. Might have to do a new color at some point though. It's beginning to look 'unfinished' now...

[quote name='BottomE' post='1284413' date='Jun 27 2011, 12:54 PM']Hiya Count, Hope things are ok. Hows the Hamer? Have you had a chance to gig it yet? B[/quote] Hey Grasshopper! All is well, I'm back at work full-time just as we speak, starting a nice little cash job on Wednseday, and some fairly ambitious stuff coming up to last into winter. So I'm looking up! Yes, I've played the bass out a few times now, did a nice show with the "dead electric cowboy" band weekend before last, and it went very well. The bass is getting very good reviews, as is the old EAW cab I recently loaded with an Eminence Kappalite 3015. I'm hoping to get hold of a DVD of the show I just mentioned (we're actually called "The Millrats", we do a lot of country. Grateful Dead, 60s-70s hippy-rock), and I'll post a clip. Thanks for asking. You started that project you mentioned yet?

I bought a Kappalite 3015, and with the WinISD Alpha version I got the ports to 5 1/4". My info wasn't 100% complete as far as the physical specs of the driver, so I approximated on the remaining cab volume with the inwardly protruding basket, bracing, and ports. Couldn't do every single calculation... but it sounds pretty dern good! Played out twice over the weekend, and I'm getting to know it. It's got a nice low-end punch, moves a good deal of air, and feels like it'll handle what I've got for amplification without a problem. It's new to me, and I'm still learning about what it does. I may need to add a third port if I get a stronger amp, to avoid "chuffing". But so far, so good. I sold my heavy Trace Elliot cabs, and boy is this thing light! I'd like to clone it, get another 3015, then I'll be in Piggy Heaven. Meanwhile I've got a GK 800RB and am getting an old Celestion 12 re-coned. I'll build an open-back cab for it, and will use it for a top-end to bi-amp the 800RB into... I guess I'll cross it over at around 1KHz or so. Here's the cab with the longer, pvc ports: Fun with noise!

I have plugged some t/S parameters in that I got from US Speaker and another site. It's a WinISD Alpha file. If you want a copy of what I have pm me your emails and I'll send an attachment. There are a few missing values, but much of it gets filled in automatically on the Alpha version.

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1256082' date='Jun 3 2011, 06:47 PM']AFAIK it's not the US's fault, I believe there's some materials used that don't follow EU legislation, I've always presumed it's something to do with lead, but I don't really have any idea.[/quote] Well we ate lead for breakfast over here until 1970, so it's probably just "The American Way". [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1256082' date='Jun 3 2011, 06:47 PM']Theoretically the RB series of heads are designed to sound like the 800RB, there's a section in the manual about it (to do with the contour knob), I've never used an 800RB though so I don't know how accurate they are.[/quote] Didn't know that! Pretty cool.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1256058' date='Jun 3 2011, 06:09 PM']you lucky Americans and your still in production 800RBs The closest we have is the 700RB II which is what I have but I'd love to have another 800RB[/quote] This one's an old road-dog actually, and missing one end of the steel chassis- so it's like a box that's open at one end! I have to write GK, maybe they have a spare part lying around. They tend to be pretty friendly that way. It pays to bottom-feed craigslist... I played the 1001RB, and that's a sweet amp. I'd sooner have the 700RB, but both are no slouch. As far as amps are concerned, I have discovered over time that the older it is, the better (read: "the more I like it"!). Some features on the newer generations might be quieter, more efficient in ways, but gimme a 70s SVT, Acoustic 370, older Trace, or an old GK over a new anything, any day. I only have 2 amps, both old buggers. And a new Hartke A-100 combo- for rehearsals... it sounds pretty good, but that one's all about convenience!

Yeah I know I might be opening a can of worms here, but I had to ask! I'm going to run it by a local tech when the amp arrives (I just bought it from a dude in the next state- craigslist!), and if it's weird-but-do-able, I'm going to go for it. If not, hey. I'll still biamp it, and someone on TB suggested using a guitar cab for the highs. Said it would likely be a better way to go than a 210, and I'm thinking I agree. We'll see, and I'll get back on it... especially if it turns out to be a good idea! Thanks for the replies!

Here's one for the amp tech-savvy folk: I'm waiting on the arrival of an old GK 800RB, and want to know if it can be modded to split the signal at the effects send/return so I can control where the return goes to. Know what I mean? I want to distribute the effected, returned signal between hi and lo (it bi-amps). Can this be done? I want to send the effected signal to the hi side of the crossover only, to an open-back guitar cab, sending no effects to the lows. I want to get the effects return split [i]after[/i] the EQ, and [i]before[/i] the Boost. I'm concerned that if my signal goes [u]through the Boost on the way to/from the effects loop[/u] it might end up being [u]too 'hot'[/u] for the effects, especially on the 'hi' side. Thoughts?

[quote name='Balcro' post='1254450' date='Jun 2 2011, 02:18 PM']Have fun with that. I find both brilliant and maddening! Check out the "Help" menu on how to enter data and in what order. The minimal entry of data seems to work best. Try the Eminence 15" Kappa LFA. Balcro.[/quote] It's hell in a graphic user interface until you get a clue! I think I've found a driver that rools off near 45Hz- might have been that Kappa you mentioned, or the 3015 (not LF). Anyway, I think I'm getting near a purchase. And some PVC for new porting. Thanks!

[quote name='Balcro' post='1253878' date='Jun 2 2011, 08:03 AM']Did a quick check based on your measurements. Cab seems to be 105 litres. Will come back to you later today. Balcro.[/quote] I just downloaded WinISD. Maybe I can make heads or tails of it.

[quote name='Balcro' post='1253750' date='Jun 2 2011, 06:33 AM']As it stands, from my onscreen diagnosis, that looks like an 85litre cabinet (approx 5300 cu.inches) (net of driver, ports and handle recesses). Just so happens that........ [url="http://www.eminence.com/pdf/DeltaliteII_2512.pdf"]http://www.eminence.com/pdf/DeltaliteII_2512.pdf[/url] ....and what's the largest recommended size for a vented cabinet????? You'll need to check the dimensions, the pattern and diameter of the baffle securing holes for yourself, but that looks workable. Balcro.[/quote] The cab, on the outside, is about 24" x 18" x 19". It's full of insulation, and due to life here being less than friendly to industrial-oriented projects in the home, I haven't pulled the insulation from the cab to measure it inside... but it's 3/4" ply. It's got 4 1/2" x 2" ports in it, but I can adjust those once I find some pipe that's of that size. I'm also thinking the 3015 will do, but I have to look again (I'd rather go cheaper!). Thanks for looking at the specs for the recommended volume! Tell you what, I'm pretty distracted for a guy trying to focus on this kind of thing. I tend to be very slow about all this...! Thanks for the reply.

Any of you guys ever seen one of these? I'm wondering what the best inexpensive speaker might be for it. I'm thinking along the lines of an Eminence Deltalite-II 2515, that kind of thing. Ideas? Thanks!

[quote name='BottomE' post='1242455' date='May 23 2011, 06:24 PM']Superb. You look like a match made in heaven. Does the strap position work for you? And do you play with the headstock pointing in a northerly direction? Can i ask if it is down to a back problem that you have re-poistioned the strap buttons and removed the top cutaway on the bass body? Funny but it is really difficult to remember what it looked like before the project. Could you post a before and after when you get a mo? btw - It's my birthday tomorrow and the kids have secretly informed me about the soldering gear i,ll be getting and the other bass related stuff meaning i'll be starting the Ibanez rebuild soon.[/quote] Thanks! I need to play it out a bit before I'm truly sure of it, but so far I like it quite a lot. The strap position works very well, and I find myself doing more of the Bill Wyman thing with it as time goes by here. I have an Ibanez BTB 5 string also, and that one spends more time vertical than this one does... but it's not a back issue, it's a nerve thing in my left arm. Arm extended, palm-up is trouble almost right away. The underside of my arm from the elbow down to my palm gets cold and somewhat numb. Not just playing, but I was using a palm sander on the interior walls of a house the other day and the same thing happened, only quicker. I'll get Before/After pix up tonight if I can. And happy birthday dude! Do post your project. McDaddy, I've gotten some ambivalent responses to the whole idea, and especially while posting progress shots... but there have been a few 'converts'! I can't say I don't miss the old shape either, but it was all about function changing the form. For my part it worked out well. Glad you can dig it, thanks for the good word.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1241107' date='May 22 2011, 10:44 PM']Don't mind if I do Chicken and eggs are my favourite[/quote] Which did you like first?

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1241098' date='May 22 2011, 09:42 PM']Yeah, c'mon pictures. I'm standing here with my Thunderbird and a circular saw waiting for something to happen so I can copy you [/quote] Chicken...

Disclaimer: These are cell phone pix, and I hate being photographed- so my aspect is one reflecting discomfort at the thing. Oh well, it's only me. Here's the deal with the bass, so far... Because of the strap button positions, it tends to be very well balanced and stay where you position it... Still sounds hugely phat and slammingly excellent.