bloke_zero

A little flux pen helps - the solder sticks in the right places. Then it's a matter of positioning the chip with special tweezers. There are some really good videos that demystify the process. But I agree - it's not easy if your hand is unsteady (like mine).

That is certainly what is implied, but maybe he could be mistaken? It's pretty common to run the EMG's at 18V - EMG sell an external power supply which does just that. Phase 3: Guitar and Bass build Jazz neck with rosewood. That is my new years eve party sorted - some fine grit sand paper, gun oil and a brass nut!

Oh dear! Seems like these were more questions than assertions from Woodinblack? So easy to misinterpret tone on line! Having just tried this (going from 9V to 18V) I can report that this is a simple issue of headroom - there is a lot more of it at 18V and the EMG's sound a lot more like the video. There is something pleasing about them at 9V but I'm getting closer to the bell like clarity with them running at 18V. I don't think it's controversial to say that some preamps run cleaner at higher voltages (though of course some aren't designed that way and don't). I recently built a Hudson Broadcast clone that runs at 9V or 27V with a charge pump and the difference is night and day - 9V being thin and rasping 27V being plump and warm.

I like how it sounds right now. But it doesn't feel as clear as the video, but who knows what the signal chain is there? It feels like it records well. I need a month or so to really get into the details!

If you listen to this (9 minutes in) you can clearly hear that 18V sounds better, clearer and more defined (or do I just mean LOUDER 😉 ) Going to try it out later

Protype pickguard. Need to think about running the EMG's at 18V. Worth it?

You mean don't do it with a hand held drill, a cheap forstner bit and chisel on the kitchen table?! I agree! A pillar drill would have been a good start - there is quite a bit of slop in the pickup cavity depth just to pick one! Originally I was just doing it with a cheap body with a view to maybe getting something custom made if it worked. But then a cheap guitar and bass body came up on ebay and it seemed rude not to jump in. Next time I'm going to swallow my impatience and find a maker space or something where I can do it with the proper tools. I don't feel great about having hacked up a great alder body, but it's not too bad, I'm having a lot of fun and getting results.

I've watched that about 10 times! The thing for me was the amazing bell like tone. Also, my chiseling is ugly to the point I don't know if I can ignore it and a scrtach plate will cover a multitude of sins.

Nothing to apologise for! We've all been a 5th out. I was really struggling with the main riff. This is a much clearer version for bass. Thanks!

Forgot to say that the string to string balance is really amazing - much better than on my other P-basses where the DG side feels weak. That was half the point of the excercise!

That makes sense. I think, given the over enthusiastic chiseling I might just get a p-bass style pickguard made that fits the pickups. It'll probably just be a notch out for the bridge pickup, but I think it'll tidy it up a lot visually.

It's not pretty, but I do like it. I need to dig another 2-3mm out of the cavities as the pickups are a bit close to the strings for me. And the neck pickup is way too loud compared to the bridge. The EA half is too 'high' on both PU's I think a bit more hacking and a pickguard will neaten it up. And a custom pickguard - my efforts so far indicate I need professional help there! Sounds good - doesn't have the real growl of a P, but it does have a lot of presence and clarity. I mean a lot of presence - the neck pickup is very rich and in your face. I'll see if I can get it recorded.

We all know that 3 on E gives the best possible start to a bass line! But it's a fair question. Maybe positioning the pickups by ear gives that particular combination of neck and body the feel that you get from a hand made suit? (Not that I have a hand made suit...). In which case it wouldn't be specifically the harmonics, just a sense of the timbre? Me too! I feel like I've really learnt a lot about what I like and why. I like the fact that there are only a few variables, and they all make different contributions (the pickups arguably being the biggest) but they all do make some small difference, and pickup position makes a big difference. You sir are a scholar and a gentleman! Thank you! I was worried about the neck position as that is so far out of the normal jazz range - good to have confirmation!

I’m sure you’re right. Small changes in position make a really big difference. As it’s hard for me to experiment with just the kitchen table for a work bench I’m really interested in getting the measurements that are known working ones!

If you could that would be great! The best would be from the 12th fret to the centre of the EA part of the pick up.

Got Monday off. My chisel might get an outing. Looking like: Bridge: EA 375mm, DG 347mm Neck: EA 250mm, DG 220mm Give or take a few mils! Lee says the pickups are in traditional J position, but the neck PU is much closer to the neck as far as I can tell. I stole this from the other place: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/lee-sklar-type-double-p.665361/page-4#post-16567455 Sort of chimes with some of the figures here, but the neck pickup 20-25mm closer to the neck...

This is great! The only thing now is how do you mute that open D? With the open A after my normal right hand muting strategy isn’t working and left hand muting is hard because of the open string?

Sam Wilkes plays it on 'Like Sugar'. Legend. Brings somethig different to it. https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2019/02/21/chaka-khan-releases-hello-happiness-with-sam-wilkes-on-bass/

Wow, thanks - that suddenly makes total sense and sounds right. I saw about 3 other youtube 'covers' that were resolutely not right!

I know it's only a handful of notes, but I'm struggling to work it out. There are a bunch of youtube versions all of which don't seem right except this guy: But I can't quite see what he's doing. Anyone know a good transcription, or where I can buy the sheet music? Thanks!

Nice. A lot cleaner than the original!

Lovely! Lots of visual recognition value too - easy to remeber which pedal is which on a dark stage!

I've ordered a couple of times. I'd say it takes 2 weeks normally. Is it the post office strikes? 2 weeks is a long time in customs, but I've waited a long time for stuff that has got stuck in the sorting office. Last December I waited over a month for stuff posted within the UK!

I was suprised at how much I like the merenti - very light, very resonant. Makes me think I'd like swamp ash as well.

Yeah, @PaulThePlug is right, that is the standard Fender placement as drilled by Guitar and Bass Build. It's like the Badass bridge - there is a whole lot of bridge going on!