Bridgehouse

To be honest, part of my excitement is the idea of a different tonal platform for a bass I'm familiar with.

We have a lot of basses out there that proscribe to a specific formula:

Split P pickup on P body

2x Jazz Singles on a J body

1xMM Humbucker on a MM body

And so the list goes on. Now, I did a PJ partscaster last year and I have to say, I found the combination of the two to offer some tonal difference, but for me, it wasn't huge. 

I'm interested in the idea of a bass with something out of the ordinary. Ric pickups use ceramic bar magnets and oversize slugs with 44awg wire in a specific wind shape - it does make them different to a Jazz or a 51P single coil. I really like the idea of getting that different formula and sticking it in a 51P body made of swamp ash or the hollow variant I have just done to see what it sounds like.

Will it sound exactly like a Ric? Don't care frankly. For me the experiment is "how different will it sound to a normal 51P single coil?" 

Ultimately, it will sound like me playing that bass - but I hope to do a compare and contrast for the interested amongst you

1 minute ago, Beedster said:

The sound of a Ric is all in the eyes

Well, some of it is. I love Rics, but got one hell of a wake-up call when I realised that the Ric sound in my head could be got by using the same strings, and importantly the same playing style, with a Jazz,, albeit a Jazz with a chunky Precision neck. Heavy flats, pick, both PUPs on, tone rolled back a bit. Didn't feel like a Ric, which part of it for the player, but sounded like one. 

But well done, great idea, and great first post. Love to hear how it works out.

Well, the corresponding debate over on the "guitar forum" *ahem*, came to a similar conclusion - and actually recreating the sound, feel, and everything else is pretty much impossible. 

Which got us onto the characteristic mid-range snarl. The conclusion was EQ'ing and preamp, but a certain pickup winder said he could do some of that with magnet, slug, wire and wind choice. The challenge was on - he's building it - I'll fit it in one of my 51P's and see how it sounds

1 minute ago, Jus Lukin said:

Aha! Now I understand the cloak and dagger!

I'm not in the 'Backer-Bashing club, bloody love mine. That's a great idea, hope he really has pulled it off.

Me too. All he is doing is using the same type of magnet, wire and slug, in a 51P bobbin, so there's no copyright infringement - you can't copyright/patent the design as it's pretty much the same as any other single coil

However, the choice of magnets, wire, slugs, winding and spacing should lead to some 'interesting' tonal variation compared to a standard 51P single coil. 

I'll be non subtle then.

That's a 51 Precision sized pickup with the magnets, dimensions, slugs and winding/wire to exactly replicate a Rickenbacker single coil.

15 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said:

I don't care how it sounds it looks 'king amazing!  Just put one on me and I'll mime.

I was rather thrilled when he checked the measurements on CAD and said it could be done.. it will give a completely different character to a 51P pickup, but I think that's fine..

Interesting development. 

I've posted a thread about it in "Basses" as well as it might be of interest to the general community. 

Oil City Pickups are doing a one-off 51 P single coil style pickup (which he's agreed to sell me  ) using ceramic bar magnets, and the exact dimensions required to be the same architecture as a certain other bass which uses two single coils (no, not Jazz - the other one which rhymes with fakenpicker) 

It's got big slug poles in it, and it should produce quite a bit of that snarly midrange grunt which many like in "that tone". 

I'm going to fit it to this one and put the split coil into my solid body 51P. 

3 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said:

What do you reckon to Teak Oil?  I have a tin of Teak Oil and a tin of Danish Oil and there was little to choose between them when I applied them, one to a neck and the other to a body.  Both have a sheen without the gloss.

I've not used Teak Oil on a guitar body so I don't know. I would imagine they are similar - but I've noticed you can get Danish Oil in a wider range of shades, which may or may not appeal, and I don't know how teak oil would respond to wet sanding (to give that really nice soft smooth finish) but I know Danish Oil responds really well to it. Same for waxing.

Want a sneaky pic? I'm sure he won't mind..

I'm a reasonably "prolific" member over the dark side on a UK Guitar related forum *cough*

There's a bass subforum over there and a topic has been chugging on about creating that certain 60's classic California-made bass tone that uses those there single coils.

Of course - most said it can't be done, and the lack of 'similar' basses adds to this...

Now a certain leading UK master pickup winder chimes in and says he reckons he can make a pickup that will create *that* sound - I say he can't and if he could it would be a perfect 51 Precision style replacement. 

He's only gone and started flippin' making it....

@greenolive - I meant to ask what pickup do you have in yours?

8 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said:

I’m feeling inspired- but going to do a similar finish on a bass cab (for now...)

Danish Oil is great to work with - easy to apply, can be slurry wet sanded, waxed and dries quickly. 

I've used a lot of Tru Oil in the past and I'd say for bodies, if you don't want shiny, then Danish Oil is more satisfying.

Just waiting on a few parts before I can finish this:

- Electrosocket for the jack - I bought metric and needed imperial thread (doh!) new one on it's way

- Pickup - shipped but coming from spain

- String tree - shipped and on it's way

Once they are here I'll finish it off and let you know what I think

I've always thought the Stream was sex on a stick..

Will consider offers on this - and possibly Preamp/DI pedal trades

18 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

I think this came from me at some point, and it’s the swine like perfect 9lbs.

Yep - just about bang on - if not a tiny bit under. Slightly more than my 64 but damn close in feel, balance and neck size etc.

7 minutes ago, dood said:

*Raspberry* 

Meg

Shut up, Meg!

I have had this for a year or so but it's just not being used. 

2009 AVRI 62 Precision in Sunburst. I've priced it keenly as it's got a few dings on it (as seen in the photos) - there are some knocks on the back, and a scrape on the very corner of the slope on the front - they are the only marks on it though.

Comes with original case which has wear on the edges and ends. All case candy included. 

Trades: Yes - I will consider trades. 4 strings only - No P's or J's and nothing pointy. In particular I'm looking for a Gibson (like an EB - vintage or otherwise) which I'd possibly put money to depending on what it is, but preference is a straight swap. I will also consider other wacky and or unusual such as 70's & 80's. I'll consider anything, but please don't be offended if I say I'm not interested.

Collection/Meet up only - no posting/courier at all. It's not perfect and I want you to see it before parting with cash. If it's a trade then I want to see it before swapping. You can come to me (near Peterborough) or I will come to you/meet up within reason - I'm regularly East Midlands, London, Home Counties, Nottingham, Manchester, N Wales, S Yorks so all possible for a meet up. £950 cash - yes, they are usually listed at the £1100+ mark, but this one is keenly priced given it's few scars. 

3 minutes ago, josie said:

That's a good argument for long-scale basses rather than the number of strings. When my keys player goes off too fast (as usual) I can "accidentally" knock him on the head with my headstock from a plausible playing distance with my 35" - it might look deliberate with a 33" 🙂 

I just think you can get a better grip on a 4’er near the headstock for swinging when required. 

Just now, tauzero said:

A four-string P bass can also be used to hammer in tent pegs. There's versatile.

It’s a pretty good weapon if a gig turns lairy too..

Curiosity got the better of me. Weight as is at the mo (minus pickup, plastic cavity plate and jack socket and string tree) is 6lb 8oz so I’m expecting a tiny smidge over 7lb all up weight.. cor.

“What type of screw head do pro bass players mainly use?”

4 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said:

Nice! How does it balance?

Also, could that finish be applied to a neck? I’d love one with a matching neck.

Don’t know about balance yet - I’ll wait till the pickup is on and the cavity plate/jack socket as it all adds up (!) 

The finish could be applied to the neck, yes.. main issue will be the tint will be slightly different as the maple and ash are slightly different base colours. It will be close tho...

Note the early 60’s 1.75” nut width slim depth neck with 7.25” radius and vintage frets.. how I like it, but not to everyone’s taste! My other 51P is a more normal 41mm

Jobs to do (for the observant!):

- Fit jack socket

- Fit string tree

- Fit and wire up pickup (not arrived yet!)

- Cut nut slots and do full set-up

- Fit cavity back plate