Evil Undead Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 (edited) Hello everyone I think my issues with my hands has been quite well documented by now, and I've really struggled to find the bass that's the most comfortable for me, and sounds great too. Well - I finally found it about three years ago when I wandered into a guitar shop and found this little Squier jaguar short scale bass for less than £200 - grabbed it straightaway and have been playing it ever since. I replaced the pickups within a few weeks to Dimarzio model P & J's but have never been 100% happy with it for a couple of reasons: It didn't come factory shielded (!) so it hummed like mad It was very neck heavy The bridge had a bit of a rattle that I've never been able to solve The tuning wasn't very stable, partly due to the tuners but also something else, see below The E string was always very slightly deader than the rest of the strings The frets weren't terribly level from the factory And finally, and most importantly, I couldn't go a week without adjusting the truss rod as the neck was always on the move, and the rod was getting stiff and creaky. Following suggestions and advice from a couple of fellow basschatters, Jon Shuker has made me a replacement neck and done a few mods at the same time. I've been familiar with (dr00ling over) his work for a few years, and finally the need and opportunity came up, along with being told that he does this kind of thing as well as full custom builds, which I didn't know about before! So here's the spec. Keeping 30" ish scale Matching the nut and heel width and neck profile 9.5" radius 20 stainless steel frets Carbon graphite support rods Maple neck 20.5mm deep at first fret, 22.5mm at 12th Satin laquer Rosewood board 6mm face dots 2mm side dots Dual action truss rod Brass nut Schallers BM Lite tuners Gotoh 201 bridge Proper shielding and wiring job (I can't solder, so um, the wires were held together with electrical tape) Keeping the dimarzio pickups in there I have a couple of in progress photos, and I got the bass back today so will post my thoughts and some photos as well Edited December 30, 2015 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/c8e736eca1865ed9e43fd69401b6910b_zpsgdnqhrak.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/9aac2a4b9ecec0af0868cf2c93169c2c_zpsbsfgzkic.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/846fa907de3d20ebb995d116b7853291_zps15euecbe.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/e1132ff6684f821593db69e8efa8c0e0_zpsxuyv19jn.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/b35de8440f2648454b991d42ccbdb4d2_zpshseaa6si.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 So, as I mentioned, it arrived back home today and it does not disappoint! Obviously it looks terrific. The attention to detail is incredible. And the feel of the neck is perfect, exactly what I was hoping for. Smooth satin finish, great playability, fretwork is flawless, the action is the lowest of any bass I ever had, just over 1mm at 12th fret with very little buzz unless I really dig in, which I don't very often. If I do, the E is quite buzzy - but with that string height and such light gauge rounds, that's totally to be expected. I may raise the E up very very slightly to compensate - which Jon said I probably would want to do. Tuners are lovely, but a bit weird after the stock ones, it's amazing how different tuners can feel - I'll get used to them. They are very nice, smooth tuning, seem to hold tuning well at the moment. It's hard to tell after such a short time. Nice meaty bridge, I like that a lot. And I'm loving the brass nut too. The only thing which is not 100% perfect - but in all fairness I didn't expect it to be completely solved, but one can dream - is the neck dive. It's not as bad as it was, but it's still quite noticeable. Oddly more when sitting down, has always been like that. I have to rest my arm on the body when playing. No biggy. Standing with a good leather strap it's not noticeable at all. It was so bad before that I honestly didn't expect it to be resolved completely. So, I'm absolutely thrilled. I played it for a solid couple of hours when I got home from work, couldn't put it down because I was enjoying it so much, it plays terrific and sounds even better - but my usual warning signal of sharp pains in my palm forced me to stop for now. Here are some pics I took. Terrible camera, lighting and non-existent photography skills, but you get the idea. I've also done an extremely short and basic sound clip, but I'm too embarrassed to post it - my hands aren't too good today, and a bit spasmy, so I've missed notes and off the beat and all sorts. [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/87830fa434176f1fd43cdfc2f67f4e58_zpssp7hnzvi.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/b2286f3ce14faaea87aaf7c3200ec316_zpsgd6pnssl.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/baafc23eafcfa081274bbae9af05bf93_zpsnuil8g5z.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/105b38c1e6a86a2c9247c5d1a5290a80_zpst8mepoab.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/5f2702d13d53f871b38b0fb19d5cd323_zpsirzhhmes.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/9933566d9b0f913a546c5a2ca61dbf44_zpsgyvxnzp4.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/e268a00cfc4b5edbf90981d761976d6d_zpslfrncjho.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/f5ef64561f76ec700be57ebf8260cf13_zps7fcx7cbu.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/91a334192fc44a689f25ee94754c6501_zpshjfnx3a4.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/39cf170bf746cf244103ef6e309f59bb_zpskqe9zlfn.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a407/ImaginaryEvil/0fb068e0ee3e13e740cdc013e48e1015_zpszd9itadg.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Very cool. I really like the truss rod cover. As you said, it's the little details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Looks great, a very tidy job and the photos aren't bad at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 That looks really nice. I like the Goto bridge too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 (edited) One thing about the neck dive when sitting down, do you play with the bass lower when you stand? The best bit of advice I ever heard was in a Billy Sheehan video from the 80's where he said that he set the strap length so that the bass was at the same height whether he sat or stood. I've done that ever since and leave the strap on whether I'm sitting or standing so you get the benefit of the strap stopping neck dive even while you're sitting. Edited December 30, 2015 by Doctor J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1451515459' post='2941230'] Very cool. I really like the truss rod cover. As you said, it's the little details. [/quote] I like that too! Never seen that with a heel end truss rod adjustment - clever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Gorgeous! Personally I'd have kept the matching headstock, but that looks amazing (as I said personally). I imagine getting an already good bass modified to that degree and having an improved version of it back must if anything be better than getting an actual new bass. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 That's a Black Beauty! I've a set of Dimarzio PJ's on one of my basses too and I really like the black pole-pieces! I think this one looks great and knowing Jon Shuker's work, It is guaranteed to be a super player! Really pleased for you! Congratulations!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Looks lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 It looks great, Mel I have been very tempted by the short scale Squier Jaguars....it's now full blown GAS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 oooo - that's lovely, that is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 Thanks everyone! [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1451515459' post='2941230'] Very cool. I really like the truss rod cover. As you said, it's the little details. [/quote] I got a surprise when I took the cover off as well (just being nosy, no adjustment needed yet!), there's a really cool little brass plate over the truss rod with a perfectly sized hole for the Allen key. I'll try and get a photo. [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1451516840' post='2941247'] One thing about the neck dive when sitting down, do you play with the bass lower when you stand? The best bit of advice I ever heard was in a Billy Sheehan video from the 80's where he said that he set the strap length so that the bass was at the same height whether he sat or stood. I've done that ever since and leave the strap on whether I'm sitting or standing so you get the benefit of the strap stopping neck dive even while you're sitting. [/quote] I do have the strap set to about the same height when sitting, but I don't tend to use the strap when sitting. It's a good idea though, I'll try that. Thank you [quote name='cocco' timestamp='1451517852' post='2941269'] Gorgeous! Personally I'd have kept the matching headstock, but that looks amazing (as I said personally). I imagine getting an already good bass modified to that degree and having an improved version of it back must if anything be better than getting an actual new bass. Congrats! [/quote] It is! Because I already knew I loved the bass, and now it's even better! I know what you mean about the matching headstock, initially I thought I'd like to keep it black. But I'm glad it's left natural now, I'm finding that I really prefer that. Makes it that much different looking from the Squier neck. Plus, I really wanted Jon's logo on it as well which was only possible if left natural. [quote name='dood' timestamp='1451563559' post='2941534'] That's a Black Beauty! I've a set of Dimarzio PJ's on one of my basses too and I really like the black pole-pieces! I think this one looks great and knowing Jon Shuker's work, It is guaranteed to be a super player! Really pleased for you! Congratulations!!! [/quote] Thanks Dan! And thanks also for chatting about it along the way, I really enjoyed that. [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1451579601' post='2941665'] It looks great, Mel I have been very tempted by the short scale Squier Jaguars....it's now full blown GAS!!! [/quote] Ah sorry Andy ;-) you have to try one, they're wonderful. They've made playing much less painful for me now, even though I still get a lot, it's not as bad as it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Looks fantastic, Ms. Undead - headstock is the biz - don't ever sell it, it's 'your' bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Oo this is yours! I saw it in the workshop a couple of times while I was out there to see Jon, looks the biz Mel, an excellent result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 That's fabulous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 cograts a great looking bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 How exciting! This sort of imaginative project really appeals to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Good work there - looks amazing! Really pleased for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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