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Aluminium Scratchplate


Roland Rock
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So, I had a piece of aluminium plate hanging about after I had bought it and then realised I didn't need it, so thought why not make a scratchplate for my Ergon 5?

1: Use original plate to draw the shape onto the aluminum (with protective film)
It just about fits!
[Img]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_103725_zpsm8aefk1o.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

2: Drill the screwholes. Spot the genuine WW1 machine gun!

[Img]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_104435_zpsoq6dxrgz.jpg" class="ipsImage" />


3: Use double sided tape to stick it to a square of ply to help reduce vibrations when cutting
[Img]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_105746_zps9uq4406o.jpg[/IMG]

4: What's the best bandsaw blade for metal? Whatever it is, I dont have one, so have to use the jigsaw. Rough round the edges but I can tidy it up with a file:
[IMG]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_113318_zps2zgzinzj.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

5: Tidy it up with flat and round files:
[IMG]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_113333_zpsvlrhizxc.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

6: Then make it cleaner still with sandpaper (150 then 240 grit fone for the mat finish I'm after)
[Img]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_122229_zpsfz98lzzg.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

7: The peel and reveal:
[Img]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150721_125108_zpsrxk9s9rv.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

8: And it fits! One of the sides of the lower pickup aperture is a bit squiffy after some overzealous filing, but it's not bad:

[IMG]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150722_143439_zpsy1w0zcvk.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

Of course, now that it's on, I'm not sure I like it! Maybe it will take a while to acclimatise.

Edited by Roland Rock
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[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1437498487' post='2826601']
Looks great, I agree about the knobs though.

That Plexi P you have next to it is just awesome! How much does it weigh??
[/quote]

Yeah, good call re knobs. Might try some.

Haha. It's the lightest late 70s P in history!

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OK, I've managed to find some chrome P style knobs with dot markers, so they're on the way.

The other thing that is getting in the way of a retro/industrial look is the fancy wood pup covers. I'm going to cover them with mat black vinyl sticker stuff and see what that looks like.

It's all easily reversable if I want to go back to the original look.

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[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1437493100' post='2826514']

[IMG]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150722_143439_zpsy1w0zcvk.jpg" class="ipsImage" />
[/quote]Always nice to see another John Irving fan.

Have you thought about having that p/g engraved, like a Zematis? Something curly and organic to match the overall feel.

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[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1437903989' post='2829798']
Always nice to see another John Irving fan.

Have you thought about having that p/g engraved, like a Zematis? Something curly and organic to match the overall feel.
[/quote]

Yeah, love John Irving; his last book 'In One Person' was one of his best yet.

I can see how the engraving could work well, but it's just not 'me' - I don't really do fancy and ornate.

Edited by Roland Rock
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I've made theee changes to the bass since putting the new scratchplate on, and feel it has come together nicely.
Can anyone spot what the three changes are?

[IMG]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-08/20150803_080321_zpsrelpasd0.jpg[/IMG]

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  • 2 weeks later...

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1438585946' post='2835518']
I've made theee changes to the bass since putting the new scratchplate on, and feel it has come together nicely.
Can anyone spot what the three changes are?

[IMG]http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg580/christopher_brown14/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-08/20150803_080321_zpsrelpasd0.jpg[/IMG]
[/quote]

Awesome job!

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