Waz's MMB-4

[robin]

Got my vote too Wazza, I really like it.

[wazkelly]

Thanks Robin

[robin]

No probs Waz.

Just a bit off topic, I was not happy with the original pickup in mine and didn't want to spend a fortune on boutique ones so bought a couple of replacements from Guitar Fetish. I suspect that the kit one MAY be ceramic. Never been keen on ceramics as then tend to be a bit harsh for my (old school) liking.

I am running the new Alnico ones passive but I am now thinking I should have gone down your route and bought an active setup for the existing pup. As Simon said that running them in series tends to make them a bit woofily and woolly. Having flat wound strings isn't helping much either. Also I wasn't happy with the Vol/Blend/Tone wiring. As I have played my old Fender Jazz for twenty years or so I rewired it to something I was more comfortable with. Vol/Vol/Tone.

I won't know for sure until I try them out tomorrow through my bass amp that now has taken up permanent residence at my church. I have a guitar pre-amp in my bass rig so should be able to brighten them up a tad. But my suspicion is that I will not be terribly impressed. Not a criticism of Guitar Fetish pups, just a bad combination of humbuckers/fretless/roundwound strings.

[wazkelly]

Hi Rob, It will be interesting to hear the stock PUP when this build is at the wired up stage. Not expecting too much as the HB's in my EX-5 were average at best and could have done with a pre-amp to boost the signal. The Belcat rig cost $20 so it can only help add a bit more gain and maybe some tonal shaping. If it sounds crap I will then need to look at a MM style PUP upgrade from somewhere.

With yours, no doubt those combinations would sound a bit dark and muddy. On my fretless conversion it was done on a P Bass configuration with D'addario Chrome Flat Wounds and it sounds quite good. Maybe the single coil keeps things a bit brighter perhaps?

[wazkelly]

Did a bit more on this build after dinner tonight.

Time to check whether replacement tuners line up OK. Here are some shots of the stock unit on the left compared to USA built Real Parts one on the right. If you look closely you will see the differences.....


If doing a Bass with F style tuners this upgrade is the best $48 you will ever spend.

[wazkelly]

Proceeded to install tuners and neck to check everything was how it should be. E peg hole is a couple of mm closer to the nut whilst all others seem to be evenly spaced and properly lined up.



Top right shot shows just how lucky I was with the headstock shaping as there is not much meat left there at all. Phew, that was a fluke and a bit too close for comfort. Suggest doing this mock build from behind next time to ensure all fits within headstock design shape.

[wazkelly]

Doing a battery box hole without a router....


Measured depth of box and it was 25mm so marked a drill bit with masking tape to just reveal 25mm to do the cutting and then used a chisel to remove the more solid bits.

[Simon Barden]

Nice work, Waz.

[wazkelly]

Thanks Simon. Good to finally make a start on it.

[elcodyloco]

I haven't ever seen a battery box cavity made using a drill before, that's an interesting way to do it. I kind of want to try that now. I really like the headstock, as well- very MM-ish.