Pick up on this

Gerry

Gerry

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My NT5 is one of the most beautiful basses in the world. I got my hands on some really old bubinga (furniture grade) and I'm thinking about making pick up covers and knobs but I don't want to make it too boutique looking and loose it's hardcore edge. Has anyone seen this much discussed modification? Advise like how thick the wood should be and such is appreciated. I'm a good carpenter and the project is just for fun....unless it comes out really good. Opinions?
 
If you want to keep the though looks but still want wooden pup-covers, isn't ebony a better option then?
 
gerrywarwick said:
My NT5 is one of the most beautiful basses in the world. I got my hands on some really old bubinga (furniture grade) and I'm thinking about making pick up covers and knobs but I don't want to make it too boutique looking and loose it's hardcore edge. Has anyone seen this much discussed modification? Advise like how thick the wood should be and such is appreciated. I'm a good carpenter and the project is just for fun....unless it comes out really good. Opinions?
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Go for it Gerry.I've seen it done a few times with spectacular results.The knobs should be easy to turn but the pickup covers need to be quite thin as to fit in the routing & below the strings.Best of luck with it mate. :wink:
 
Turtleboy84 said:
If you want to keep the though looks but still want wooden pup-covers, isn't ebony a better option then?
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Wow. :shock:

Exactly my thought................. 8)
 
I think a bubinga that matches the grain of your bass would look quite nice... Personally for mine I would like to get wenge knobs and pickups covers :)
 
I'll see if they have it! That's an excellent suggestion Turtleboy84. Thanks Thumperton that's just what I wanted to know! I'm going to try with bubinga first and see how it looks. I know Warwick is going to have this option and will probably be available by the time I finish as I will be working by hand so I'll snap some pics as I go and we'll see starting tomorrow.
 
That might work for my Jazzman (which I would never do) but I have no wenge on my Thumb. The tuning pegs and fretboard will be the only black left. hmmm.... Anyone have Warwick pics like this?
 
This is something I've wanted to do for a long time! But I'd recommend ebony as well for the p'ups.
 
thumbin said:
I think a bubinga that matches the grain of your bass would look quite nice... Personally for mine I would like to get wenge knobs and pickups covers :)
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+1 :-)
 
Just my opinion, but... from the visual point of view, I reckon you should go for a) a close match, or b) a contrast. But that seems to fit in with the above suggestions anyway. If you are able to try both and pick the best (or even alternate), you can't go wrong... especially if you post the pics for the rest of us to see!
 
It's hard for me to visualize the bubinga on bubinga look but it should be interesting. The ebony will make it look the same as it is now but I'll know it's ebony :wink: . Ok, off to the store.
 
Ebony is not real easy to work with though. It tends to tear out bad as it is cut. I am not a pro, so perhaps I did something wrong with it.
 
King David said:
Ebony is not real easy to work with though. It tends to tear out bad as it is cut. I am not a pro, so perhaps I did something wrong with it.
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a) Use sharper tools
b) less pressure, more patience ;)


Check out this site: www.haeussel.com/
Not only are these great pups, but also most of them are standard in Ebony and other woods, or just an alternate top, as option!

I first happened upon them when a local bassbuilder (Jan Knooren, maker of Brian Brombergs signature electric =D) started using custom Haeussel pups:
Jazz/MM-buckers - one strip of double-pole jazz-pup and one strip of large-pole MM-pup =D
 
Well, found some ebony! 40 years old and those of you who don't know, this thing is heavy as hell! I can see how a fretboard made from this can significantly add to the weight. It's going to be difficult to work with even with my great tool sets. Would have been nice if they told me I had paint on my face....but it's all about the ebony...wood. :)
 
gerrywarwick said:
Well, found some ebony!
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Well, found some ebony!

With those arms you would not have a problem to use that whole slab as neck! String her up!

Good luck with the PU tops! Looking forward to see the result!
 
Ever thought about doing a wooden rear electronics cover?? That could look sweet
 
Naetog, that's a great idea. I also thought of an ebony nut....why is that funny? Anyway I guess I'll test my carpenter skill. I'll probably go through that whole piece of ebony before I get it right but I have time. Thanks for the idea.
 
I've seen ebony nuts and bridge saddles on acoustic guitars but not on basses so far.. give it a try - can't hurt anything :wink: ~M~
 
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