4001 pickguard question?

[A string bounce]

Hi guys' I'm in the process of renewing my neck pup, electrics and pickguard on my 75' 4001........ As stated in my earlier post '( which cap? ) the former owner had fitted a Dimarzio model one pickup, so obviously had to enlarge the hole in the p'guard to take it. My question is, when in 75' did they change the 1/2" spacing between pup and neck to the larger spacing?? I have googled loads of pics of 4001's from this year, and there are both types?

[badeggs]

The spacing changed around May/June of '75.

[A string bounce]

The spacing changed around May/June of '75.

Cheers Jeff, thanks for the info! according to my serial number, OC ++++ she was made in March 75, so that'll be the 1/2" spacing then.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

the pickguard changed but the cavity should accept both spacings. i know my '75 will. the perimeter mounting holes are different between those two pickguards , so if you want a different spacing , you might want to send the original guard to pickguardian and have one made to your specs or wait to find one for your specific month timeline.

[A string bounce]

the pickguard changed but the cavity should accept both spacings. i know my '75 will. the perimeter mounting holes are different between those two pickguards , so if you want a different spacing , you might want to send the original guard to pickguardian and have one made to your specs or wait to find one for your specific month timeline.

Thanks' I actually have a sheet of 3mm Acrylic 'perspex' as used by ric' and have downloaded the correct template from them ( pickguardian )already . Im lucky enough to have access to a CNC mill, so hopefully I'll be able to get that sorted now?

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

you kids and technology!!! i used a coping saw and a milling bit in a drill press to make my pickguards !!! same milling bit i used to re-shape my v63 surround and modify my aluminum tailpieces to accept the post '73 bridge !!! kids !!!

[A string bounce]

you kids and technology!!! i used a coping saw and a milling bit in a drill press to make my pickguards !!! same milling bit i used to re-shape my v63 surround and modify my aluminum tailpieces to accept the post '73 bridge !!! kids !!!

If only mate! just over half hundred now, and feel every year of it!

[johnhall]

Just about any kind of saw- jig, band, coping, saber- and some sandpaper will give you a pick guard in less time than it takes to program the CNC.

I will share one trick, however, for drilling the holes. Grind the bit to a very sharp, pointy angle first and you'll have much better results drilling in acrylic. Brad points can work too but often stress fractures around the holes don't show up for some time, even years later.

[A string bounce]

Just about any kind of saw- jig, band, coping, saber- and some sandpaper will give you a pick guard in less time than it takes to program the CNC.

I will share one trick, however, for drilling the holes. Grind the bit to a very sharp, pointy angle first and you'll have much better results drilling in acrylic. Brad points can work too but often stress fractures around the holes don't show up for some time, even years later.

You know, your right, I may just band saw, and finish on the bobbin sander at work? I don't do hand tools nowadays!!!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

typical mr. hall...chiming in after we ruin everything !!! i used my dad's milling countersink bit that has about 10 cutting vanes. my dumpster dive plexi was very old and the backing paper adhesive dried to a honey crust. probably why it was in the dumpster, eh ? took it off with rubbing alcohol.

[GeoffWinston]

The spacing changed around May/June of '75.

Cheers Jeff, thanks for the info! according to my serial number, OC ++++ she was made in March 75, so that'll be the 1/2" spacing then.

As further confirmation, my March 1975, OC**** serial number Ric also has a neck pickup with a 1/2" spacing.

[iiipopes]

1/2 inch spacing: deeper, more "hollow" sound, especially with a toaster.
1 inch spacing: tad more complex sound, a little less contrast to the treble pickup, edgier with a high gain.

[FretlessOnly]

A note about acrylic: I've ordered several guards from Tony at Pickguardian and loved them all but one - it was acrylic and I kept getting static ticking noises through my rig. Checked the ground, everything fine. I emailed Tony and he informed me that he has heard this from several buyers of acrylic guards. Some people just don't seem to do well with them in this regard.

BTW, same bass with a non-acrylic guard and no ticking noises now.

[iiipopes]

A note about acrylic: I've ordered several guards from Tony at Pickguardian and loved them all but one - it was acrylic and I kept getting static ticking noises through my rig. Checked the ground, everything fine. I emailed Tony and he informed me that he has heard this from several buyers of acrylic guards. Some people just don't seem to do well with them in this regard. BTW, same bass with a non-acrylic guard and no ticking noises now.

Static electricity. In looking at several sources, human hands tend to be positive in charge, and acrylic neutral to slightly negative in charge. Since they are in proximity to each other, but don't have constant contact to ground, static electricity charges build up. So every time they touch, there is a very slight static electricity discharge, which causes the popping sound through the amplifier:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/sho ... p?t=581894
http://science.howstuffworks.com/transp ... t/vdg1.htm

[A string bounce]

Cool info guys, much appreciated!!