show your custom bass!!!

[cassius987]

Working on the mid pickup rout today I noticed for the first time that when the bass was drilled for its original pickguard (these are still the holes the pickguard uses), it was drilled off-center of the x-axis of the bass so that the pickups "favor" the E string side ever so slightly. The G-string still runs over the "slots" on the Toaster pickups but clearly is closer to the edge than the E string is for any given pickup. You can kind of even see this in the photo without pickups. I didn't previously notice any big volume issues but while I'm working on this project should I go to some length to correct the offset in favor of more evenly-placed pickups? If so, how does one do that--fill the holes, then drill new ones, or is it more complex?

[aceonbass]

Glue some short skinny lengths of wooden dowel rod into the old screw holes. Pre-cut them, then tap them flush into the holes. I use yellow wood glue for this. Let dry over night, then re-align your guard and drill one hole at a time, putting in the new screws as you go to maintain your alignment. As a side note, I think the lines of the guard would flow a little better if you extended that curve at the front above the neck pickup all the way to the rear upper edge by the rear pickup more like a 4002 guard.

[cassius987]

As a side note, I think the lines of the guard would flow a little better if you extended that curve at the front above the neck pickup all the way to the rear upper edge by the rear pickup more like a 4002 guard.

My wife says this too; I haven't taken the time to draw up plans but I agree.

[dricard]

Here is my first attempt at posting a png file.
Not a true Rickenbacker but a FrankenRickenbacker parts bass. Their pickups, FWIW, are TERRIFIC for project basses.

"Frickensploiter" build date 6/2007.
Fender '57 Precision Reissue Neck
Warmoth Explorer body
Two Toaster pups
One High Gain pop
4004 bridge coutresy Jeff Rath
Maxima Gold Strings
Vol-Vol-Vol-Tone

Homage to Entwistle's Peter Cook builds of the 70's

[mikko]

Here are a few photos of the 4004L with Dark Star pickups:

See http://www.hammoneng.com/ for info on the pickups.

I didn't do the work; I bought it this way. Cool bass though!

I would really like to hear a sound clip or two played with this combination.

[MiroN]

... FrankenRickenbacker parts bass....
Homage to Entwistle's Peter Cook builds of the 70's

I like it!!!

[rickaddict]

... FrankenRickenbacker parts bass....
Homage to Entwistle's Peter Cook builds of the 70's

I like it!!!

So do I!

My version would have a Rick neck though...A bolt-on from a 1980's 2000 series. But that's just my kooky taste!

[RicOshea]

Hi, Im new to the forum, this is my first post. Just thought Id share a couple of images of my '09 4003. Treble pup bezzle & TS PG thanks to Tony @ Pickgaurdian....

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[jaymi]

Hi, Im new to the forum, this is my first post. Just thought Id share a couple of images of my '09 4003. Treble pup bezzle & TS PG thanks to Tony @ Pickgaurdian....

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tort gard looks good on MG!!

[johnallg]

tort gard looks good on MG!!

You know, I never thought I'd say that but they do.

[MiroN]

Joshua, is your project finished?

[cassius987]

Yeah! I opted to lose the switch and go VVVT. I'll either replace the pickguard eventually due to the absent switch, I've wanted to reshape it anyways, or I'll find a nice looking way to patch it.



I would have never guessed I'd be saying this but it's now a very serious contender for my favorite bass. The neck, one thing I can't take any credit for, is the best Ric neck I've had the pleasure of playing and maintaining.

[MiroN]

Looks good!!!

[incubus2432]

Yeah! I opted to lose the switch and go VVVT. I'll either replace the pickguard eventually due to the absent switch, I've wanted to reshape it anyways, or I'll find a nice looking way to patch it.

Have you thought about wiring the toggle as a "kill switch"? If/When you settle on a nice pickup blend you can leave it alone and just use the switch to kill the output. My LK, which is also wired VVVT, is setup like this and I wouldn't have it any other way. Just a thought.......

[cassius987]

The main reason I lost the switch is because every now and then I am called on to play chords, and if I really get into it I have a tendency to whack the switch and change pickups/kill the signal/etc.

I am debating getting rid of the switch on most of my other basses too.