OctoberBass RCA-4 First Build

[OctoberBassRCA-4]

Once again Waz is King!
I'll try that! Thank you.

[OctoberBassRCA-4]

Waz,
I took your advise and white wire and red together on the bridge volume pot for the MM humbucker. Taping the poles produces sound from each coil.
Considerable drop off of volume in the middle switch of the 3-way, but neck switch up, loud, bridge switch down, MusicMan tone, not as loud as the single coil.
Volume knobs are strange to me, 3-way switch in middle, neck volume full ON, good, bridge volume, got to 8 to get full ON, 10 there's a drop off.
Neck volume off, bridge volume doesn't make sound.
And somehow, overall sounds... cheap.
Can pots, bad soldering make it sound so?
A small Ibanez EQ pedal helps boost everything to somewhat acceptable, but where to start to gain more "woody" tone, not overdriven like I hear it.
Neck frets need crowning, nut needs to be filed correctly.
Any thoughts on this?
Would series wiring be something to consider?
Thanks!

[OctoberBassRCA-4]

So my FIRST bass ever was a 76 Ricky, that I sadly sold in Houston, TX in the late 80's for a Peavey Bass Amp and some cash, they didn't bring then what they do now.
And I've always kicked myself for that SNAFU! I always loved that Jet Black Ricky.

30 years later I seen PBG had a Rick build. With some company profit share, I pulled the trigger to build one, one that would be mine, as I wanted it, given I could complete it. I asked if I could have a reverse headstock, they said sure! Wish I'd added a few more additions, but it's all good.

So I had an idea. I seen Rickenbacker presented John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) a prototype 4001S as a gift, which he decided against. It now hangs in Rickenbacker HOF. and that, and the 4005 Hollow Body Bass formed my idea.

[OctoberBassRCA-4]

So it took 4 months to receive my build, problems in China factory, Typhoons off Singapore, arrival in AU, flight to NY Customs and finally mailed to Nashville, TN to me.
During that time, the build I ordered disappeared on the website. I was assured by Adam it was delivered.
I was relieved when the wife saying it arrived.

As I said, I had an idea, so I followed through with it.
I did what probably everyone does when it arrives, lay everything out. Mock build.
I wanted a MM bridge pup. Cost prohibitive lent me to have someone else route the pickup.

Jon Scott/ Bluesman Vintage Guitars in Spring Hill, TN, USA did the route, I came in with a Bass in a Box, and talked with him what I wanted. We talked about finishing and he gave me great advise.
I could not find a guy to HVLP my color coat, so I used Preval Spray units to apply my color coats.
I found a formula of Mixol Pigments to achieve a Seafoam Green Translucent, though I really don't think I got there!
Many SNAFU's in that regard, but, I got a color coat I liked.
I used Mohawk Spray Cans for the lacquer finish.
I ordered a GFS MM Bridge Pickup.
A KSM Full Contact Foundation Bridge.
I cut my own Pickguards from Plexiglass, as I work for a Glass Company, and borrowed the boss's many tools in effort to achieve my idea.
I found Mark, G-Zan Guitars, in Columbia, TN, USA to express my finishing problems, and he helped exponentially!
I ordered three Pickguard screws and O-rings from Pick of the Ricks cause I could not find any other options.
I bought a copper roll from Hobby Lobby, a craft store, and soldered the sides to the bottoms to make proper shields for the cavities, and the back of the pickguard cover.

I will have Rick Wilson, of Moonshine Guitars, in White Bluff, TN, USA dress my frets properly and file the nut to the right amount, cause I'm not comfortable or have the correct tools to do it.

After all this, I do want to order new CTS pots, 250K for the neck pup, .022uF cap, Orange Drop, and 500K .044uF for the bridge pup. I'm having issues from my novice soldering attempts.
All in all, I'm close to my final idea! So I'm good.

I should include some outside photos, but the weather is not so good.

Are there any photos I should add?

[wazkelly]

Looks perfect.

Did you sort out the sound issue? Bit beyond my skill or knowledge but I do encounter similiar on the J Bass when one Vol is wound down to zero they both are off. My work around is to never turn one all the way down unless I want to mute the whole Bass.

[OctoberBassRCA-4]

Thanks Waz.
Haven't resolved the wiring issue yet, so I get to continue on my build for awhile anyway.
I'll get it resolved soon.
Seems it's wired Out of Phase too.
So I'll continue.

[wazkelly]

Yeah, that was my initial thoughts too.

[OctoberBassRCA-4]

Waz, I hope my wiring issue is resolved. It sounds pretty good to me. I had my bridge to output solder joint very weak, I did disconnect the white wire from the HBer, and I raised the pup way up from where it was. The HB is now equal in volume to the neck pup. Neck SC pup is still very bright, but I still plan on correct, new pots. I hope 250k pots on the SC will drop the high end.
Thanks for the help!

[wazkelly]

Cheers buddy.

Hope it sounds more normal now you have got that all sorted out.