ped Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Recently I decided that I wanted to install two buttons to control the Roland GK system into my bass. I asked on BC if anyone could help me source some appropriate momentary function push buttons and I had a response from KiOgon who sent me a couple of samples. After we got chatting about the installation process he offered very kindly to do it for me. All I had to do was supply the bits. I installed the GK system myself a couple of years ago but since moving house I don't have the equipment to do a neat job of this further addition. So, when the bits arrived from Roland I emailed KiOgon to say 'when are you available'. 'Any time' he replied... 'Now?' I ventured... and two hours later I was parking up outside his house 104 miles away. Needless to say he was a welcoming and friendly chap who did a superb job of the install whilst I watched on, feeling somewhere between terror and awe as I watched him drill holes in my bass: And here's the finished job (sorry, crap pic): Vigier Passion GK by chiscocks, on Flickr Thinking about it, this bass has been 'adapted' over the years by a few BC members. The pickup surround was made by a BCer from Australia many years ago, before BC was called BC, and the bass itself was bought on BC and filled with Marleaux electronics by Eubassix here on the forum. So, thanks KiOgon, thanks very much for helping me. Cheers ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 V nice job! There's nothing like having a guitar or bass that you've made your own by adding or subtracting over the years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 You're very welcome Chris it was a pleasure meeting you, glad you made the journey & got back safe. Shame you didn't have time to discover the sights & dubious delights of Bexhill, maybe another day. You do so much for all of us that use this marvellous forum, it was great to do a favour in return. Keep up the good work! Love the Vigier BTW & glad the job worked out right for you. It was good to see the C6 too, not many of them about. Cheerz, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Got to love bass chat and some of the splendid peeps inhabiting it Big well done to John for the pro job and Ped for posting this thread. Happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Got to love bass chat and some of the splendid peeps inhabiting it Big well done to John for the pro job and Ped for posting this thread. Happy days. +1 Top Man & a lovely bass to help out with!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 It's great that my bass represents the sense of community on BC. It's reminding me how special this forum is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 It's great that my bass represents the sense of community on BC. It's reminding me how special this forum is. I like, very much. It astounds me how great so many of the regular users of this site are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 Another pic to show the side. I did this with a chisel and hammer I bought from Homebase. I was scared but it paid off. Luckily, being French, the bass surrendered to my attack and let me get on with it! Vigier Passion GK side by chiscocks, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basexperience Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Sweet! Man, I could do with that on the Tobias! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Sweet! Man, I could do with that on the Tobias! I would highly recommend it! I found the install of the GK electronics quite straighforward actually, but the buttons stumped me because I no longer have any decent drills. Most people see it and think 'wow that looks complicated' or 'it must be hard to find the right sound' - 90% of the time I'm bypassing the whole lot, but it's there to use if I like. Why not? 6 knobs, one switch and two buttons. I wonder how some people manage a keyboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Hi ped The bass looks great watched its progress over the years. What make are the rotary control knobs , they look great modern looking but at the same time look similar to the originals . I have a Vigier Passion its a vintage White one the same as the one in Bass-direct, I am planing to swap out the electrics they are getting noisy and are totally illogical in use, Those nobs on yours would look great. Was thinking of using a glockenklang 5 pot or a John East unit but that's for another post ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Hi Bill Thanks for the comments. The knobs came from a US supplier who I think provides them to Pedulla, Sadowsky and the like. You can find them here http://www.variohm.com/variohmdatasheets/index.php?mid=65 (link is blocked at work but it's somewhere on their site) I've also just found this http://www.bestbassgear.com/knobs.htm who may be cheaper. An East sounds like a good plan, I had a U-Retro in my fretless. I never find myself adjusting or using the pre on my bass very often but the basses do benefit hugely from more modern electronics. I think the Benedetti pickups sound fanatastic (I left them in the fretless) but in my fretted bass I prefer humbucking pickups for their output and zero noise. I tried the Glock pre in a series 4 bass and it sounded great, and can probably be sourced from Vigier fairly easily. Will you have to drill some extra holes? Here'a another (clearer) pic! [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/8176210536/][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/8176210536/]Vigier Passion GK[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/chiscocks/]chiscocks[/url], on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Cheers For that Ped I have an East U-retro 4 knob deluxe in my Shuker Bass and if I fitted one of those it would be a direct fit leaving the small toggle switch hole redundant, they sound fantastic don't they! But quite Expensive. Or the Glock which would be a 5 pot version, I would just have to enlarge the small switch hole a little bit, so that would look good.they sound good apparently and about half the price of the east!! but i'm on a buy british trip at the moment http://www.thomann.de/gb/glockenklang_3band_electronic.htm What make are the Humbuckers on your fretted bass. I am looking to do only mods that don't require to much wood Bashing in other words Reversible! Once again Cheers ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 OK, both should look good then. I liked the highs on the glock pre. I can't remember exactly what frequency it boosted but it accentuated the compressed highs from the graphite construction really nicely. My pickups are made by Basstec, I don't know much about them other than the fact that they are dual coil pickups and they sound really full and clean. They were a direct fit, pretty much, but I had the metal surround built to anchor my thumb on and tie in the look of the whole electronics area. The metal surround itself was actually built by a BC member years ago in Australia! I'm pretty sure the Bartolini W4 soapbar pickups are a direct fit though so they may well be worth checking out. Alternatively you could send the Benedetti covers off and have someone build you a pickup into their casing... [url="http://www.bartolini.net/information/bass/new_bass_pu_s4.htm"]http://www.bartolini..._bass_pu_s4.htm[/url] Would love to see some pics of your bass BTW ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Cheers Ped Thanks for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) Hi Ped Some pics as requested this is how it looked when I first got it about three years ago I think. note the the way the strings are on the head-stock, but it is in such good condition with no paint missing [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92446774@N04/8401928255/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92446774@N04/8402996932/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92446774@N04/8402996480/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92446774@N04/8401907679/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92446774@N04/8402995986/"][/url] Edited January 21, 2013 by Bill W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 That's bill that's a stunner. What's the serial number? I think this is the fourth white series 2 I've seen, and definitely the cleanest!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Hi Ped Serial No is 173 yeah is brill i don't no what it is about them ugly yet beautiful! there so light well balanced I love it to bits, you can see why I do not want to do anything to it that's irreversible I think i will just swap thee electrics and leave the pup's alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 [quote name='ped' timestamp='1352403039' post='1862698'] Luckily, being French, the bass surrendered to my attack and let me get on with it! [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hi I agree about the French bit, Jazz Basses! The model 'T' Ford of the bass world, Only problem is, there still made the same! Only Joking Got one had Three over the years real work horse Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanew Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 [quote name='ped' timestamp='1352403039' post='1862698'] Another pic to show the side. I did this with a chisel and hammer I bought from Homebase. I was scared but it paid off. Luckily, being French, the bass surrendered to my attack and let me get on with it! [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/8167511258/"][/url] [/quote] Great job (congrats KiOgon) for a splendid instrument. I love this body ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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