Project Basses

Looks nice and used right now mate, nothing wrong with a few dings.
You could sand it and restain, but that is a bit of work to remove the character it has already.

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Hmm, maybe not quite a project then. I guess I’ll have to see how it plays

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Around 12 years ago my Matt Freeman was a project albeit a somewhat minor one.

The pickup was replaced by a Bill&Becky Lawrence/Wilde P46 (best I’ve ever played) and a Babicz FCH Bridge. At some point I also upgraded the electronics out of need. Best PBass I’ve ever owned.


Stock bridge


Babicz FCH Bridge

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About 15 months ago I did a similar upgrade on an FSR Squier Jazz Bass again using Bill&Becky Lawrence J45 pickups and a Babicz FCH Bridge and upgraded electronics. Had to level a few frets on this one but it’s an incredibly good bass now. Reminds me of my '66 Jazz but better.

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Yes I have looked at way too many wiring diagrams. Never had any problems with using a diagram. With switching the values of the pots and capacitors. I love to prove folks wrong. Especially when they that you have to use this value for humbuckers and this value for single coils. I don’t use and probably would never use 500K pots! I really don’t like what I hear. Especially in bass. The basses of today are basically overgrown guitars. To get the feeling of true bass. You either need to get a 5 string or use the lowest strings off a piano. I am great full for the warning of the Caps I have. I will be investing in different types of Caps. But, with these high values. I would use the capacitor from an ac unit or from a professional installed car audio. If they would fit inside my instruments.

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Calm down, man. No one is trolling you. We’re pointing out very valid and real drawbacks to some of the components you’re using, and some other potential gotchas (like using drastically different values for the pots). No one is criticizing you for trying new ideas.

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Pretty interesting escalation there champ.
You have had nothing but helpful advice so far

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Today’s upgrade for my Ibanez short scale project bass.

GHS Brite flats
DiMarzio DP126 pickups

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And that carpet? Oh yeah.

I’m interested in what you think of these. I like the GHS Precision flats a lot (same ones you normally play, methinks).

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Yes @MC-Canadastan I’ve had the GHS flats for a few years now and love them.

Thought I’d give these a go. Still flats but supposedly brighter. We shall see.

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Good times so far this morning. The DiMarzio J pickup is the standard size but the cheap Ibanez one is oh so slightly smaller and so was the cavity.

Lee Valley chisels to the rescue.


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Also FYI the DiMarzio pickup is deeper so you have to drastically cut the foam underneath to make it work.

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Excellent choice! My favorite P pickup. Love the punchy ceramics.

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A nice touch is that the pole pieces can be adjusted individually by an allen key if that’s your cup of tea.

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They are great. I liked them quite a bit more than the more “vintage” choices I was comparing them to. Really strong, punchy mids. Sounds fantastic.

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So apart from the faff of having to break out a 1/4” chisel to enlarge the Jazz pickup cavity all was pretty straightforward.

This cheap project bass has been a good learning curve.

Just adjusting pickup heights but sounds pretty good with new pickups and GHS Brite flats.


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I love what you have done to the Talman!

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Thanks @howard my beginner bass has come a long way.

tmb

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I have chisel envy. Woodworking is a hobby not a money maker for me though so I can’t justify them, especially when it’s hobby number three or four.

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It’s my job, so it’s a tax write off :wink:

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