Another Bass Build

[Dennis Leahy]

Enjoying this build!

I'm going to have some questions on using the CF tow... after I think of them.

Looking beautiful!

Dennis

[Tedward]

Dennis, I hope I will be able to answer your questions. Pickup time!!!
I got the 42 gauge wire, bobbin flat work, eyelets, covers, and 1/4" A5 slugs.

With the bobbins cut and measurements made I drilled the slug holes, eyelet holes, and center mounting hole to mount to the winder. After eye ball drilling the holes and having everything out of line I made a jig. Now everything is consistent.

Drill the eyelet holes and we're read to press in the magnets and eyelets.


Tedward

[Tedward]

With the flat work cut and measurements made I drilled the slug holes, eyelet holes, and center mounting hole to mount to the winder. After eye ball drilling the holes and having everything out of line I made a jig. Now everything is consistent.

Drill the eyelet holes and we're read to press in the magnets and eyelets.

Slugs and bobbins glued up. The marks on the slugs identify the north poles.

Bobbin mounted and ready for the wire.

Two coils done.

Coils at home in the cover.


Time to call it a day.
LowNote

[Tedward]

It's been a while since I last posted. So, here's what I've gotten done so far. Testing the pickups I found out that the coils where shorting out to the magnets, even with three coats of lacquer and a coat of shellac. Had to cut the wire off all four coils, tape the magnets, and rewind. No shorts now. The next thing I did was sand, sand, sand, and sand.
The logo was next in line.
I draw out the logo on a piece of paper and flip it over and with a pencil I rub the paper with the side of the lead to make it like carbon paper. With that done It is taped in position on the head stock and traced with a scribe and the logo is transferred. I take an exacto knife and cut out the letters and fill with epoxy mixed with black powder. When the epoxy is cured it is sanded smooth and I have an inlayed logo.





The finish I use is Stew Mac's Target brush on waterborne EMC2000. I use a cheap foam brush and get very good results. I tried a good nylon brush and kept getting bubbles in the finish. It dries fast enough to apply four coats in one day with no sanding in between coats. The next day I lightly sand to scuff up the surface and apply four more coats and let it dry and cure for a week before level sanding.


Now we are up to date.

Thanks for looking
Tedward

[Tedward]

I finished this build the other day! My plan for the electronics is to use two preamps, one for each pickup so that treble and bass can be controlled for each pickup. But, I'm having troubles getting the two pre's to play well with each other. I need to experiment some more. So, for now I have installed a Bartolini TCT preamp with treble, mid, and bass cut/ boost.











Thanks for following this build. Now on to the next one.
Tedward

[Andyjr1515]

That is absolutely gorgeous! Fabulous neck carve and finish, too

Andy

[Dennis Leahy]

Looks great, Tedward!

Do you put a finish on Maple fingerboards? If yes, what do you use?

Dennis

[Pat Foster]

Way cool!

Pat