Should I shoot my new bass? (Modding the Harley Benton MV-4MSB)

[Whying_Dutchman]

@terb

the “swimming pool” one with only one big hole to fit any pickup configuration :

I find this a very interesting discussion, thanks!

Let’s compare this:

with this:

Or - if we want the autopsy version:

The cavity would be the size of two humbuckers and I would say about 30%-40% larger than the existing precision pickup cavities.

It’s a whirlpool, not a swimming pool

The advantage is that I have flexibility in positioning the neck/middle pickup. Which is quite important (is it?) as I have no idea, where it will sound best. Or if it will sound really bad in any of those position. Could it be a catastrophe? Don’t know!

I just don’t have a clue, where to put the neck/middle position to get the best tone possible - that’s why testing different positions might be very important.

On the other hand I have very firm foam her to fill the cavities. I could also get some wood and glue it in when I fixed the position of the pickup.

These are all just thoughts, I am happy for ANY input!

[terb]

@Whying_Dutchman

I could also get some wood and glue it in when I fixed the position of the pickup.

Seems like a better solution, yes. It’s very easy to do, as it’s hidden under the pickguard anyway so it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just fill the unused part of the hole.

Also you don’t necessarily need to feel every gap, just avoid big empty holes under the plastic guard.

[Whying_Dutchman]

@terb

Just fill the unused part of the hole.

Cool! So - you really have a good feeling about this?

I was a little unsettled, cause it really makes sense what you said. But now I might have the best of both worlds: getting to an optimal position by trial & error … and avoiding the “bad” resonance!

This is truly an example why I love modding so much! Finding issues, think about solutions … and then jump into the cold water!

[terb]

@Whying_Dutchman

you really have a good feeling about this?

Yeah, should be quite simple actually.

@Whying_Dutchman

avoiding the “bad” resonance!

Filling the empty part of the hole with a glued wood block will work, don’t worry !

[Whying_Dutchman]

Cool - you pointed me to an issue … and helped me solve it. This is what BassBuzz is about.

Thanx again!!!

[g13dip]

yes @terb is the right person to talk to, with your idea for moving pickup position I’m surprised nobody mentioned the grabber bass especially since terb has fixed up a lawsuit version of one

Project Basses

not sure if it’s a “project bass” as I’m just doing a big cleaning and setup on my beloved 70’s japanese “lawsuit” Grabber (exact copy of a Gibson Grabber). This bass used to belong to a professionnal studio, and I’m quite sure that it has never been opened, so I have to remove 50 years of dried sweat and dust. But the bass is in pretty good shape actually. I wanted to show you the particular routing under the big pickguard, to make the pickup slide : [20240305_141200(0)] and for those who do…

[Whying_Dutchman]

On zze ZZerman forum, somebody is building a bass with this solution:

I was thinking about putting two rails into my bass to move the Humbucker freely.

But I’d rather find one position and stick to it. I hate to have more than a volume knob on my bass, so I don’t want any more complications…

[Whying_Dutchman]

Ok, I might have found a simple solution for cutting the pickguard and make a good edge in the process - using my favourite tool: the Dremel (-clone)!

Cutting the pickguard:

Making an edge (tool in the center of the top row):

Any opinions?

[Al1885]

It’s not as easy as it looks. I have a drawer full of dremel and attachments as well as the routing table attachment. Lots of trials and errors.

[Whying_Dutchman]

@Al1885

Lots of trials and errors.

Up to now I was quite lucky … I hope it stays that way!

[Al1885]

@Whying_Dutchman

@Al1885

Lots of trials and errors.

Up to now I was quite lucky … I hope it stays that way!

Luck is preparation waiting for opportunity.
Russ Brawn

[Whying_Dutchman]

Opportunity is luck you have waited for! I’m going full circle

[Wombat-metal]

@Whying_Dutchman

Up to now I was quite lucky … I hope it stays that way!

“There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe.” Robert Heinlein

[Whying_Dutchman]

@Wombat-metal

cope with a statistical universe

I’ll take my chances

[howard]

@g13dip

yes @terb is the right person to talk to

Laurent is who I would go to here for advice on this too.

[Whying_Dutchman]

He gave great advice!

[qenden]

@Whying_Dutchman

And if I put some firm foam under it, that’s really tight between body and pickguard??! No resonance!

[Whying_Dutchman]

I think that would not be dense enough.

I would go for the foam pads that were used for the packaging of my mountain and gravel bikes.
They are very firm, dense and light. Perfect for this.

Patent pending

But: my punky funky luthier said it ain’t no swimming pool, @terb. So I should not worry!
He was laughing his ass off, mostly about all my ideas, but also about some of the feedback

[Whying_Dutchman]

While waiting for Ronin, I will be making new pickguards as well as Humbucker frames for all three basses.
Black for Roning, white pearl (@Al1885 's fault, as always!) for Minty-minty-mint … and brushed aluminium for Pink’s Hot:

Template (brush direction will be diagonal):

Raw pickguards are here, also I have all tools:

I will use the tools as described before. Pretty exciting, considering I have never done anything like this before, so it can totally go absolutely wrong, yay!

I’m not worried about the cutting itself, but making a rounded edge will be fun!? Too much edge shaved off = pickguard destroyed…

[Whying_Dutchman]

Ok, the routed bass is back and it’s looking good!

(The lower left side was dremeled by me, cause the pots were too large).

I put the humbuckers in, too see if it fits. Great!

Need to drill some holes, put the (unnecessary) copper foil in, and then I’m ready to go.

Pretty exciting!