Got a new toy.

[bottom4]

Very cool, Scott!

I need to get a Cii back in my hands!

[cheyenne]

Dane, I'm a setup freak.

Most people who play my basses think they buzz like hell, but they work for me..? The first thing I do is change the strings, straighten out the neck, let it sit for a day, check the neck, make sure its straight and then go to work on the nut. I like to cut the nut pretty low, just before you run into buzzing problems on open strings.

After the this is accomplished, I go to the bridge to set the final playing action and intonate.

This is where the ABM fails for me. I seem to run out of adjustment on the "E" and "G" strings to get the action low enough to where I'm really comfortable.. The ABM can get the bass to play low enough, but I just cant handle the fact that the saddles are usually bottomed completely out on the ABM.

The Hipshot has the same footprint, seems to have more mass and sustain, and gives me more adjustment.

To me, a better design.

[aceonbass]

Looks like our setup procedures are about the same Scott. My E and G saddles are almost bottomed out but not quite. I have the 1" neck pickup spacing so my neck angle is not as severe as some of the 4004's I've seen.

[jps]

I put the Hipshot bridge on my former 4004Cii for the same reason, I could not get the G low enough where the Hipshot has quite a bit more range available in that direction. I too, prefer the design on the Hipshot for string spacing and the string release slots are useful, really.

[incubus2432]

The footprint of the the Hipshot is actually a little shorter than the ABM along the string line. It's not a big deal since it's a direct bolt on but on a solid color bass it could leave some marks visible where finish from under the ABM is exposed with the Hipshot.

[cheyenne]

Agreed. On my CII, I had a slight "dent" in the finish at the upper corner of the E string side. Not a big deal.

Im sure I'll have the same dilema with the Larado.

I ordered a blend pot for this one. So it will be volume / blend / tone. I have this feature on my Carvin ICON, and really like the blend pot. vs. vol/vol/tone.

[cheyenne]

Here's an updated pic.

Wired VVT with a Hipshot style A bridge in black with chrome saddles and screws. The black ties in real well with the chrome and black pickups and the black and silver TRC.

[jps]

Nice, Scott! Having just one master tone control is all that is really needed, anyway. I think CLF got it right with the Jazz Bass (after goofing around for a year and a half with the stack knob version.).

[cheyenne]

Thanks Jeff. I intended on using a blend pot but I couldnt get it to work, so I went with VVT. I like this setup alot.

Here's a sharper picture.

[thx1955]

Looks like a bunch of Nancy boys to me, if there were indeed real Scots it'd be their bums they'd be flashing not their legs !!!

Oh, nice 4004, gorgeous grain, you should consider a Fireglo refinish !!

[Elnjaybass]

What kind of Bass is that??

Are they any good??!

[rickenbrother]

Congrats on the Laredo, Scott. Enjoy it!

I need to pick up a Laredo one of these days. The Midnight Blue and Fireglo Laredo's that were at the NAMM show sure looked sweet.

I haven't found any reason to be dissatisfied with the ABM bridges that are on my Cii basses.

[rickfan60]

I've heard that about it not being adjustable low enough. I wonder if for those with this problem, that the action has been set low enough at the nut, or if the neck has flexed slightly at the body joint on basses with the current pickup spacing, causing a shallower string angle. The Schaller bridge being used now certainly goes low enough.

Careful Dane. People will start to think you are on the RIC payroll.
Actually, I have seen that too. It is sometimes difficult to get the action down low.

[aceonbass]

Careful Dane. People will start to think you are on the RIC payroll.

Not after my comment about the neck flexing with the current pickup placement

[dog]

Thanks Jeff. I intended on using a blend pot but I couldnt get it to work, so I went with VVT. I like this setup alot.

Here's a sharper picture.

Larado IV.jpg

Man is that smooooooth!