Thigg's ib5 build

Hi all. Just got an email confirming my ib5 kit is on its way so i thought what better time to start my build diary. This will be build two after completing a tla-1r this time last year. It was really a warm up with the ib5 being the main goal. So the kit was custom ordered with only change of ebony fret board with no fret markers.

The plan is finish wise is a greyish black stain in a satin, undecided to have matching headstock or not. I have a active preamp and swaping out the nut for a warwick pending size matching.

Kit has arrived! At a quick glance everything appears to be there will have a better look when little hands aren't awake. Looking at the body where to fit the battery box and there isnt a lot of options. I had initially planned to put it between the pickups as ibanez often do but the box i have only leaves 5mm either side and the will not take a screw. Im currently thinking in the upper body above the bridge/ pickup but i Will need to run wiring through the bridge pickup route. Will this cause any interference? Where have other people mounted theirs? Any ideas greatly appreciated

From memory, the IB-5 has a pretty thin body which may make a battery box problematic. You may be better off trying to work the battery into the main control cavity. Also, check that the barrel jack will fit properly as sometimes their cut/hole isn't quite right to get the internal nut mounted and/or can foul with a pot.

Thanks weird bits that would work well i may have to enlarge slightly to fit battery and preamp but thats no problem. The jack is slighty to large in diameter to fit so i will enlarge to fit the check. Cheers for the heads up

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WeirdBits

From memory, the IB-5 has a pretty thin body which may make a battery box problematic. You may be better off trying to work the battery into the main control cavity. Also, check that the barrel jack will fit properly as sometimes their cut/hole isn't quite right to get the internal nut mounted and/or can foul with a pot.

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+1 for the jack. I had to do some major surgery on an iB1 kit to get the internal attachment right, and also some gentle dremel sanding barrel work on the access from the front to get the rubber mounting washer into the aperture.

Finally got a bit of time have a look and jack fits nicely now not fouling on any pots. After much mind changing an measuring i have decided to route a battery compartment and make a cover similar to picture. I will have spare material after cutting new control cover (the one supplied was bevel edged and i think would look of recessed) so hopefully will work out well

Attachment 24028
Round two with the picture

Finally a bit of progress. Bit the bullet and crossed fingers and toes. Now i have battery compartmentAttachment 25276

Attachment 25277 getting close to sanding time now

Attachment 25641
Stained up getting ready to. Hard to get a good photo inside to show the colour.

Looks like ebony timber mate waiting to be sanded back?

I really like that grey colour with the grain! Very nice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wazkelly

Looks like ebony timber mate waiting to be sanded back?

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Attachment 25655
Surprisingly enough no lol thats my stain after timber mate. This is before

Attachment 25656
This is in different light. Hard to get a good pic

Looks more like 'smeared with cadbury dairy milk chocolate' colour? Perfect for this time of year.

First post in a while and im pretty well finished. All wired up and strung just have to complete setup. Attachment 27009Attachment 27010Attachment 27011Attachment 27012Attachment 27013

Hi Thigg,
that looks killer, great work, how does it play/sound. never seen those blue strings? , where can i get them?

cheers
Guvna

Thanks Gunva. Sounds great very happy with how it sounds. The strings are dr neons. Strings for less sell them online in a few different colours. I have to say i bought them purely for looks as im a bit shy with colour and the guitar was just a bit monotone. Bit of colour no commitment but they feel great

That has turned out great. What sort of pre amp did you use and how does it sound?

Cheers waz. Belcat 2 channel. Sounds good suprisingly i was a bit spooked by the price being so cheap but so far so good.

Thanks Thigg.

I have a Belcat type one bought on ebay which has master volume, Bass, treble and blend control and wondering if that is the same setup on yours?

Hope to be installing it in the MMB4 within next couple of weeks.

Yep thats the one. The boost and treble boost/cut is geat. Nice and clean. And i know its only a small thing but the distinct half way feel in the bass, treble, and blend realy helps

Thanks mate, I will keep that in mind.