RD-4 build. An ode to doom metal.

[Matt Pike's Shirt]

So I decided to sand back the dye using 500 grit to smooth it off. Aaaaaaand now it’s relic’d:




I should rename this build diary “Lemony Snicket’s a series of happy accidents”. I LOVE how the neck looks with the wood exposed on the edges. The body I did second and I held back a bit on the sanding based on how the neck went because I know it’ll go through it’s own natural relicing (read: getting the shit beat out of) process as I play it. The aforementioned dark spots faded a little as they dried up and needed minimal sanding to even out.

I like how the body and neck look as is so...one layer and done, word. On to finishing!

So...I love Tung Oil. I know it’s controversial in guitar finishing but A. I like it and B. I had some already lying around. It’s my build and I’ll Tung if I want to!

Cat tax. Josie doesn’t care.



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[Matt Pike's Shirt]

2 coats of tung oil applied and the body and neck have a nice smooth finish. I might buff the neck to make it glassy smooth but it’s still got an awesome feel to it.

Time to start slapping parts on!

Cavity shielded up and the tuner ferrules(or whatever they’re called) pressed in. I didn’t take pics because it was 3AM and I was dog tired. I marked holes for the tuners and backplate. I ordered a set of DiMarzio Model J pickups off Reverb for $50(!) so I’m just waiting for those. I’m excited to start wiring but also not looking forward to it because it’s such a pain in the dick. For wiring I’m going double volume w/series/parallel switch and onboard OD. I want to reroute the jack to the side because front mounts are UGLY and I don’t have a 90degree cable.


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[Airwick]

Getting some Krist Novoselic vibes from this build.

[Matt Pike's Shirt]

Getting some Krist Novoselic vibes from this build.

Same. I’m not a big Nirvana fan but his signature bass is a huge inspiration.


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[Matt Pike's Shirt]

Sorry for the lack of pics but I work stupid hours and this was all done at like 4AM: wired the electronics up for the cavity, banged in the bridge ferrules, relocated the front input to the side, installed the tuners and neck.

I had to wait for the neck to be put in so I can properly align the pickups buuuuuut....

So the Model J pickups are the same size and spacing as the pickups that came in the kit but they’re all too damn wide. Ugh.

Anyways, I knit what you’re here for. here’s a hunk of the Black Pearl that broke off in the shape of an RD Bass:



Oh, the pickguard.....bedliner. It destroys my fingertips and picks but it looks super cool.

Cat tax, yes it’s a unicycle:



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[Matt Pike's Shirt]

Also, yes. My apartment is a goddamn mess.


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[blinddrew]

All the best ones are - sign of a creative mind (or something like that)

[wazkelly]

Those J Bass pickup routs are not cut for upgrades and quite often need a bit of reshaping to fit the better PUP's.

To add to the confusion sometimes the Bridge PUP can be wider than the Neck one. Quick check with a multi meter usually sorts them out with the higher number destined for Bridge position.

[Matt Pike's Shirt]

Those J Bass pickup routs are not cut for upgrades and quite often need a bit of reshaping to fit the better PUP's.

To add to the confusion sometimes the Bridge PUP can be wider than the Neck one. Quick check with a multi meter usually sorts them out with the higher number destined for Bridge position.

The thing is the Model Js are the same exact size and spacing as the kit pickups.


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[wazkelly]

That is weird.
On my J bass i dropped in Entwistle pups and the lugs were slightly more outbound than kit ones. Overall width was the same.

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