ES3-B4 Kit (First Kit)

[morstmad]

This Christmas I got an ES3-B4 hollow-body bass guitar. I'm very excited to start, although this is my very first guitar kit. I am a freshman and I'm very passionate about the bass, so I decided to make this my school project! Because I have just gotten this, and because I am so young, I figured I'd ask a few questions.

1. Should I attach the tail piece and/or strings to the guitar during the mock build?
2. Is there a certain amount of time that should be spent on sanding?
3. Where does the bridge/saddle go? (I.e. In between the two pickups, right after the tail piece)
(I have seen many different images as to where the bridge/saddle goes on other models, biut was unsure as to where it goes on this particular model.)
4. Is there anything very important I should know about how to begin an electric bass guitar?

[gavinturner]

Looks like a great kit! Is it a floating bridge? It will nonetheless be positioned just behind the bridge pickup. If it's a fixed bridge you'll need to calculate the position of the bridge posts. If it is floating, you can calculate and position of the bridge ends and tweak it while intonating. Personally I would attach the tailpiece during the mock build to make sure the neck is straight, strings line up correctly etc. Use a clamp to keep the neck in place and run the two outside strings. Then position the tailpiece and bridge to give you strings parallel to the sides of the neck.

cheers,
Gav.

[Gavin1393]

You will need to check out the tutorial on inserting the pots (volume and tone controls) output Jack and switches. Not to put you off, but this is a fairly difficult kit to wire up. But if you follow the tut you will be saved a fortune in counselling fees after!

[morstmad]

I have a few people who have done this previously helping me out. I'll keep updates coming. Thank you so much for your help!!

[morstmad]

Just applied the first coat of Wudtone in Surfer Girl. So far, I love the guitar!

[gavinturner]

Nice! That surfer girl really is an awesome colour. Looking great.

cheers,
Gav.

[Fretworn]

That looks like one of the most even finishes I've seen with Surfer Girl, especially after only one coat.