Pablos RC-4

[pablopepper]

It's here and looking way better than I had imagined. Really happy with the quality of the kit. As with all of my builds, this will probably be a long process as I have a few mods that I need to get my head around. Let's take a look, shall we?

Nice.

First thing I noticed, I don't think that fretboard is rosewood. It is quite a bit darker than any other rosewood I have. I'm sure someone will have a better opinion than mine, but is that ebony?

Top is the neck from my IB-1 for comparison.

Have to point out the quality of the cut going on here. Not even a hint of tearout anywhere on the body. I might have just been lucky and got the first or second body cut with a brand new router bit or the factory is getting better. Either way, I'm pretty happy.


Mod number 1. I've had this Fender humbucker sitting around since half way through last year and I think this is probably the best use for it. So, there is some routing to be done. Shouldn't be too difficult.


All in all, this is a fantastic new kit. Pitbull has come through with the goods once again. Got some research to do on staining ash and a few little surprises up my sleeve to nut out, but happy to be working on a new project.

[gavinturner]

Looks amazing Pablo! Will be following your build with keen interest. This kit is definitely at the top of my to-do list!

cheers,
Gav.

[wokkaboy]

wow Pablo looks awesome, nice kit mate, sometimes the factory manufactures a faultless kit so you scored big time. Look forward to seeing the mods and plans for the future !

[jarrod]

or man that is sexy as . I can't wait to see the progress Pab

[Timsan]

Looking good, mate! Can't wait to see how this one comes up.

[pablopepper]

Warning: Hardware porn

This week has seen the arrival of my hardware orders. So happy.

The choice of bridge took way longer than I'd have imagined. Originally, I planned on using a ridgy didge Rickenbacker bridge, but as I discovered the string spacing is wrong. Rick basses have a 2" spacing where as this one is 2.5". Doh. After that, to say I looked at every other bridge on the market wouldn't be far from the truth. Badass, Hipshot, Babitz and the KSM foundation were all in the running, but I finally ended up with a Kahler 7440.


Solid steel, each saddle has an unbelievable range of movement (side to side, back to front and up and down), all moving parts lock down for stability, vibration transfer and no rattly springs. In short, the ultimate bass bridge. :P

For the neck pickup, I had my eye on a TV Jones Thunder’Mag but at almost $200 after shipping couldn't justify it. Decided on a Gretsch Filtertron (still made by TV Jones but half the price).

Oddly enough, these have six pole pieces like a guitar pickup but I have been assured that this is normal.

I also picked up a couple of bone nut blanks.

One for this and the other for my TL-1. I might be a little over my head with this idea, but what the hell, fortune favours the bold or something.

[bargeloobs]

That Gretch! Goddam, talk about bits n pieces porn alright. That bridge is hella sexy too. This is shaping up to be a one sick hotrod.

[wokkaboy]

nice hardware Pabs, thanks for the porn warning !
should sound very nice when its finished.

[ihasmario]

I reckon the fingerboard is 'ebonized' (fancy word for stained dark) rosewood, could be wrong though. Usually ebony has a very tight grain, and I think the grain is very similar to the rosewood here. I've only seen/touched high grade ebony that is 'finished' though, so it could be that...

Sweet looking kit.

[gavinturner]

Love the hardware mods Pablo! She's going to sound amazing when you are done!

Cheers,
Gav.