Jimryan Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Morning all, A few weeks back I ordered and took delivery of a Harley Benton Deluxe PJ 5 string. It was bought with the intention of upgrading it, despite it turning out to be an amazing bass, straight out the Box. When it arrived, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do (straploks, Hipshot ultralites, Hipshot A type bridge, seymour duncan pickup), I wanted to make it as close to my main bass, but a 5 string version (and without a carbon neck). [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/_20170116_134751_zpsloheidvp.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/_20170116_134751_zpsloheidvp.jpg[/IMG][/URL] After receiving it, I also toyed with the idea of maybe having gold hardware? This is where the sandberg configurator came in handy as it gave me a rough idea of what I was aiming towards... [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/IMG_0152_zpsaivjrgq9.png.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/IMG_0152_zpsaivjrgq9.png[/IMG][/URL] Happy with that, I started ordering parts. Little bits that Mrs jimryan wouldn't notice, first a set of knobs turned up, then the straploks. Then came the issue of matched headstock, knee I wanted one, but couldn't be arsed with painting. Then I remembered a neck I got in a tried a few years ago on here. The original owner wanted a black matched headstock and used self-adhesive vinyl. Cue eBay! It took 3 orders from different companies (only 99P a pop) to find a close enough match (that means I've 3 sheets left if anyone wants a matt plum or gloss red headstock). Old tuners removed, but wait! I can't match gold hardware with a chrome string tree. Best order one quick. Whilst waiting for the string tree to arrive, I spotted the "overstock" section on the Hipshot site. I'd never previously seen this before and what was a real bonus for me, was that gold ultralite tuners were on there...at $10 a pop. I think I'll order those. That took me to the eBay store which has the "make an offer" option. All in all, five tuners plus shipping came to about £35 and flew through customs. String tree received and 45 minutes free before leaving for practice, here we go. Viny one, edges trimmed, more trimming, more trimming, string tree fitted, edges filed, truss nut hole opened and filed aaaaaaaaand done. Off to practice. Now where's those bloody tuners. [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0592_zpsjfms3dlh.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0592_zpsjfms3dlh.jpg[/IMG][/URL] That takes us up to yesterday, when the tuners actually arrived. Out the Box the finish looks great so best get them installed. Popped a hole in the vinyl, tuner through and tightened. Got them all lined up how I wanted them and started screwing them in. Best not put my thumb there are I'll end up doing what my mate did with a screwdriver...F@&#!!! Well it was more MMMPH (had the screws in my lips to have them ready at hand and didn't want to lose them). 3mm precision Screwdriver straight through my thumb, blood everywhere. Best wash that. Plenty of cold water, an entry and exit would and a plaster later, best crack on...after cleaning the blood off of the neck. Screws in, ferrules on the front tightened and that's those done... [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0594_zps49knmkab.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0594_zps49knmkab.jpg[/IMG][/URL] My job for today is to swap all the scratchplate screws over to gold ones and if I get time I'm going to (carefully) install a Babicz bridge I picked up. Another bargain as a local luthier was looking to get rid of it and managed to get myself a gold one for £95 (£100 if you include the postage). Not the Hipshot A type I was after, but I've been curious about them for a while. Only parts left to source would be pickups and a new scratchplate. Pickups, I want a seymour duncan musicman pickup at the bridge like on my bass, so it'll be a ceramic one wired in parallel. It's the neck one that's bothering me. Do I buy the 5 string quarter pound to match my other bass at £130 odd orrrr do I buy a SD musicman pickup, but an Alnico V one at £80. Once I've figured that bit out I'll worry about pots as I'm thinking of having 2 push/pull pots both for series/parallel switching. After that, it'll be the scratchplate. I'm not a fan of the "ribeye steak" one it came with, so I'm thinking either pearl white, mint or parchment. Cheers, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Nice productive morning. All before Mrs Jimryan woke up, new Babicz bridge installed and she hasn't realised it's a new one or grilled me over buying parts. neck and strings back on, intonation and action set as well. Noticing that the pole pieces didn't match, they've also been coloured gold. I'm also very pleased with the colour match on the headstock. [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0595_zpsm8qihhfa.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0595_zpsm8qihhfa.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0596_zpsftil7gsl.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0596_zpsftil7gsl.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Looks good They're pretty darned good, the Harley Bentons, aren't they? What's the weight like on this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 They're brilliant. Great basses for the money and at the price it'd be rude not to upgrade parts. I'll have to check it on some scales later. It's not overly heavy compared to some basses I've owned in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1488111634' post='3245872'] Looks good They're pretty darned good, the Harley Bentons, aren't they? What's the weight like on this one? [/quote] My HBs pretty good and not really heavy at all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Twin strap buttons on the bottom. Some day all basses will be like this (apart from offset ones, obvioulsy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Gold anodised scratchplate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 [quote name='owen' timestamp='1488120286' post='3245991'] Twin strap buttons on the bottom. Some day all basses will be like this (apart from offset ones, obvioulsy). [/quote] In an ideal world yes. After having two on a hohner years ago, I've put two on every bass I've had since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 [quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1488121585' post='3246009'] Gold anodised scratchplate? [/quote] Think that might be a bit much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 [quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1488121966' post='3246013'] Think that might be a bit much. [/quote] I think it would look cool but thats just me....im odd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 [quote name='owen' timestamp='1488120286' post='3245991'] Twin strap buttons on the bottom. Some day all basses will be like this (apart from offset ones, obvioulsy). [/quote] First time I've ever seen twin strap buttons. Is that to prevent forward "lean"? (can't think of a better word for it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 [quote name='Rikki_Sixx' timestamp='1488209486' post='3246804'] First time I've ever seen twin strap buttons. Is that to prevent forward "lean"? (can't think of a better word for it!) [/quote] I think the idea originated with headless basses to keep the tuners off the ground,I've got them on a Washburn Status, but it makes any bass that much more stable when left leaning against something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scojack Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Loving that bridge... sneakin' stuff past the missus is a way of life for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 [quote name='Rikki_Sixx' timestamp='1488209486' post='3246804'] First time I've ever seen twin strap buttons. Is that to prevent forward "lean"? (can't think of a better word for it!) [/quote] I've always used them to adjust my basses height depending on what I'm playing. Rock stuff has a lower bass, whilst jazz and mark king style slap requires a much higher bass. Two strap buttons, strap locks and two strap locks on the actual strap means I can adults comfort and bass height in seconds. There's also the added stability when propping it up against things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 [quote name='scojack' timestamp='1488229934' post='3247105'] Loving that bridge... sneakin' stuff past the missus is a way of life for me [/quote] I'm very impressed with it. A wonderful piece of engineering, produces a fantastic bright tone, nice and light and it looks great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 Evening all, Little update. During the week, I managed to win an eBay auction for a Seymour Duncan ceramic musicman humbucker...for £23! That arrived the other day and it's pretty much brand new (minus screws). Upon its arrival, I discovered that my neighbour is a bespoke kitchen fitter/carpenter. So, bass stripped of all parts, I plodded round his to ask a favour. He's keen to rout it and is doing that tomorrow. Not anticipating the bass moving this quickly, this morning I ordered a wiring loom from kiogon and that was followed by ordering a Seymour Duncan quarter pound pickup when I got home from work. So, order of works is as follows... Receive bass tomorrow (hopefully), Receive pickup on friday, Saturday I'll shield all the cavities and install pickups, Next week I'll receive the loom and fit that, Then everything will be done bar scratchplate and possible custom decal... And now that I've remembered I need to source a brass neck plate and get it stamped/engraved. Can't wait. Cheers, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Sounds like it's all slotting into place, James Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Morning all, Following on from leaving the bass with the neighbour... On Thursday, said neighbour returned my bass. Nicely routed and ready for shielding and pickup installation. [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/IMG_0159_zpsidr5m706.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/IMG_0159_zpsidr5m706.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Very pleased. Lovely guy (must get him some beers), really helped me out and saved me money on getting it routed (he said he didn't want paying). Anyway, Thursday nights are always rehearsal nights and I had an hour spare before getting picked up so I thought I'd start shielding it. A while back I bought a pack of A4 sheets of self-adhesive copper shielding tape. When I made the order, I ordered three sheets. Opens pack to start job...counts sheets...five sheets. Bonus. Unfortunately I got picked up much sooner than expected and only managed to get the bridge pickup cavity done. However, it does hide that it's freshly routed and thus more convincing to the missus that it was always like that. [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/IMG_0160_zpsaeh88col.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/IMG_0160_zpsaeh88col.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Today she's planning on going to the gym for an hour or so, so I'm hoping to get all the shielding done then. Along with getting the pickups back in. Including this that arrived yesterday... [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/_20170318_074108_zpssbspdslz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/_20170318_074108_zpssbspdslz.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Once they're all in and shielded, she'll never know. Bonus. Also, little tip for anyone that wants the Quarter Pound pickup. Thomann are the cheapest, but if you don't want the wait, GAK will offer it for £130 delivered next day. Which, by the exchange rate the other day, undercut Thomann by £1 and it arrived the following day. I'll post some more once it's shielded. Cheers, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 And should anyone be curious as to the wiring (I say wiring but as it's a kiogon loom, I'll merely be soldering tips and screwing into terminals), I'll be following this drawing to match my other bass... [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/IMG_0161_zps3ps5elfm.png.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/IMG_0161_zps3ps5elfm.png[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Afternoon all, So, this afternoon Mrs Jimryan went to the gym which left me ample time to get some work done... [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0606_zpsu7nvf2nn.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0606_zpsu7nvf2nn.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0607_zpsmcbuymlf.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0607_zpsmcbuymlf.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0608_zps9zoju32q.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0608_zps9zoju32q.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/DSC_0609_zpsu3ubdyl8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/DSC_0609_zpsu3ubdyl8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/_20170318_145630_zpspdnygcde.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/_20170318_145630_zpspdnygcde.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/_20170318_145642_zpsn9kggywg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/_20170318_145642_zpsn9kggywg.jpg[/IMG][/URL] All works fine, and all I've got left to do is adjust pickup height, colour the pole pieces gold (yes I'm serious) and play it. I'd love a status neck for it, but doubt I will. It'll need a new scratchplate, but that can wait. What's even better is mrs Jimryan doesn't even realise I've modded it and thinks it's exactly how I bought it. Cheers, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Looking good James let us know how it sounds Cheerz, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 All sounds perfect John. Your looms are brilliant. It's a shame they're not on show as your workmanship is amazing. Only criticism is that the second volume (mm pickup) pot is really stiff, but works fine. Just need to balance the pickup height and it's all set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saved Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Wow!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 [quote name='Saved' timestamp='1489861941' post='3260428'] Wow!! [/quote] Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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