Sonics 4th Build - YB-4 - The Steampunker Bass

[Grubsta]

Very nice mate.

[Sonic Mountain]

Big day of progress today.

Went around to my mates and used his press to drill the string through ferrule holes.

Very happy with how they came out - I will be doing the same mod to the Sonicaster in the near future.





So this opened up a lot of assembly.

Neck and tuners on.





Quick level, dress and polish on the frets to get the poly off.



Bridge, tentacles and pickups fitted.



Strap buttons on.




So here we are. I have a bit more stuff coming this week to finish it. Some bridge saddles etc. I bought some black knurled knobs and a switch as well. i'm thinking of just having the single volume and tone and being able to switch between them.







Still not sure about how to use the clock work, but I will see once the other bits rock up which I prefer. At the moment it loosk a lot more subtle and classy I think. It's also probably more practical as well. It's not significantly heavier than my other bass so that's good news as well.

[VonScott]

This is looking outstanding Sonic, I’m in awe of your skills!

[JohnH]

This looks so great, you've gotta be proud of this one (and all your others, of course...)

[DarkMark]

Exsquidsite! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself). But seriously exsquisite. What odds will people give me for guitar of the year on this one? This is about the most memorable guitar I’ve seen here...or anywhere!

[Sonic Mountain]

Thanks for the kind words guys, this has certainly been a test of my resolve to persevere with. Not sure about GOTY, its fun and odd, sure, but there have been a lot of innovative approaches and amazing finishes already this year. Glad people are enjoying being along for the ride though .

[Sonic Mountain]

My new saddles, knobs and a switch rocked up today. The switch I relented and chose gold, it is pretty different to the brass, hopefully it will dull down a bit with use. I did end up having to do some clearanceing on those tentacles to get it to fit, but it works OK.









So I put the kit strings on it and did a rough setup. Plays pretty well, but it needs a really good going over to be nice. All the bridge bits fit up nicely and the string through mod worked perfectly. I do have the same issue as some of the guys with the MMB kits. The strings aren't quite long enough for the 'thick' bit to go over the nut. It doesn't seem to affect the tuning.]

Jury is still out on the knobs vs cogs.. but I'm leaning towards this. I need to get some pots and work out my wiring now.

Should I be using 250k or 500k with these pickups?

[Adam Barnes]

Nice work sonic

[Dedman]

fantastic job. Now you need to start on the matching amp

[wazkelly]

If they are stock kit PUP's probably 250k pots as should be single coils.

Looks quite good and also explains why you don't see many string through Basses as strings pull up just a bit too short on the thicker ones where outer wraps taper down.