My 1st Build - ESB-4SC

[TonyW51]

I ordered my kit yesterday and now waiting for Mr Postman.

One quick question is. How do I shield my electronics in a hollow body bass? It seems there is no lining in the cavities for the foil to attach to.

Cheers,

TonyW51

[DarkMark]

Hi TonyW51. As no one else has responded I’ll give my two cents worth.
I asked the same question in my ES-5V diary. The answer was there was no practical way to shield the electronics in the hollow body. Mine is not shielded and I’ve had no issues. If anyone has more detailed knowledge about your kit/shielding I’m sure they will jump in and correct me.

[TonyW51]

Thanks DarkMark. It's a little way ahead yet so plenty of time to think about it.

[Simon Barden]

Yes. You can't shield the interior of a hollow body. The best you can do is use shielded cable throughout to minimise noise pickup (not the standard kit thin unshielded single core wire).

[TonyW51]

Hi Simon,
Thanks for your response and build references. I am pawing through them at the moment and picking up a number of hints.

I have received an ETA on delivery for next Tuesday so I have been busying myself preparing the work space in the man cave.

Cheers
Tony

[TonyW51]

Hi, I am building this Bass for my son who would like me to use Dingotone Bondi Blue front and back with a dark - ebony? - for the sides and a light highlight for the bindings. Does anyone have a site recommendation for finishing in this way?

Cheers
Tony W

[TonyW51]

Well it has arrived on time and undamaged. I was most impressed with the quality of the kit (given the price) and the way it was packed. All but a very small amount of plastic was totally recyclable cardboard or paper and I am able to re-use the box to protect the body and neck during the build. Well done Pit Bull.
Attachment 30440

I have checked the fitting of the neck and it is tight but good. There may be a little sanding there to do to give me a little wriggle room if needed. Tuners, bridge and trapeze all fine along with hardware. One small matter has arisen with regards the electronics and that is the kit supplied had 2 X A500K’s and 2 X B500K’s. This is at odds with the published wiring diagram and the pre-drilling of the body. I discussed this with my son and Brenda and Adam at Pit Bull. The upshot was that I shall build as per the original wiring diagram with 1 Bridge volume pot, 1 Neck volume pot, 1 Master volume pot and 1 Master tone pot. Another volume pot is in the mail along with the finishing kit. I must say that the customer service given by Brendan and Adam is great.

The sanding has been done down to 1200, which is considerably finer than the recommended 400 by Dingo Tone owing to the potential polishing effect of such a fine finish causing an uneven take up of the stain. I shall be breaking this “polish” with a very light rub down with 400. I have used this method before on wood turning and furniture finishing to good effect as you know for sure there are no scratches or uneven surfaces on the piece.

I have commenced the wiring and soldering using a cardboard mock-up of the body sound board with all mounting holes and pick-ups cut and fitted with their respective components (currently missing the Master Volume Pot).



So now I am waiting on Mr Postman to deliver on Friday

[wazkelly]

Hi Tony, welcome to the forum.
Bondi Blue looks rather pale and washed out on most of the builds posted on this forum and feel that even with roughing up using 400 grit will not open up the timber enough to show much stain or colour.
I would suggest 120 & 180 are required, maybe 240 but no finer.
Cheers, Waz

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[TonyW51]

G'day Waz,
Thanks for your post. It is my intention to do a sunburst on the back of the body, so I will have an opportunity to experiment with the depth and take-up of the Bondi Blue around the edges that will eventually be covered by Black Stump. I will keep the results posted.

Today I de-soldered my previous work as I found single core shielded cable at JayCar that is so much more appropriate than the 2 and 4 core I had previously used. I have now completed the wiring as much as is possible without my last A500K pot, which is in the post.

The finishing kits and vol pot are due on Friday, so it is model aircraft building in the mean time.

Cheers,

TonyW51

[TonyW51]

Post arrived on Thursday and soldering completed yesterday afternoon. My son is to drop off an amp/speaker for testing tonight.

I cut the body back to a 240 finish and I am disappointed with the finish. I think Wazkelly is correct about this so I shall cut back to 180 for my next coat.