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Awie's MM3 - Electronics and Shielding Upgrade
Quite frankly, there wasn't anything seriously wrong with this OLP MM3 five-string bass when I received it. However, Awie, the owner had some cash to spare and decided that he wanted an electronics and shielding upgrade. Now, who was I to refuse him?
The electronics, as received, were not stock; as the second volume pot had obviously been replaced. One interesting aspect of this MM3's wiring scheme was that the neck and bridge-side coils of the single humbucker had separate leads, and each was wired to its own volume pot. This scheme, coupled with a single master tone pot, was basically similar to that of a typical Jazz Bass.
Shielding consisted of aluminium foil that was badly crumpled and torn in several places. After the foil and glue had been scraped off, I noticed an ultra-thin layer of carbon paint coating the control cavity walls.
Upon removing the humbucker, I noticed that the high-density foam glued to its bottom had lost its springiness and was totally useless for height adjustment. I gently pried it loose, cleaned up the residue, and replaced it with three generic pickup springs. I believe that in the long run, these will hold up better than foam.
Electronics-wise, everything was trashed except for the humbucker and its leads. In went three new Alpha A500K pots, a poly cap, and Neutrik/Rean NYS229 jack. Awie had also heard about the "vintage tone" of Gavitt wire, so that was used for rewiring.
The underside of the pickguard was re-shielded with aluminium foil, while three layers of carbon paint took care of the control cavity. Copper foil grounding tabs were added to ensure good contact between the pickguard and control cavity. An additional ground wire/lug was also run from the second volume pot to the control cavity shielding.
The electronics, as received, were not stock; as the second volume pot had obviously been replaced. One interesting aspect of this MM3's wiring scheme was that the neck and bridge-side coils of the single humbucker had separate leads, and each was wired to its own volume pot. This scheme, coupled with a single master tone pot, was basically similar to that of a typical Jazz Bass.
Shielding consisted of aluminium foil that was badly crumpled and torn in several places. After the foil and glue had been scraped off, I noticed an ultra-thin layer of carbon paint coating the control cavity walls.
Upon removing the humbucker, I noticed that the high-density foam glued to its bottom had lost its springiness and was totally useless for height adjustment. I gently pried it loose, cleaned up the residue, and replaced it with three generic pickup springs. I believe that in the long run, these will hold up better than foam.
Electronics-wise, everything was trashed except for the humbucker and its leads. In went three new Alpha A500K pots, a poly cap, and Neutrik/Rean NYS229 jack. Awie had also heard about the "vintage tone" of Gavitt wire, so that was used for rewiring.
The underside of the pickguard was re-shielded with aluminium foil, while three layers of carbon paint took care of the control cavity. Copper foil grounding tabs were added to ensure good contact between the pickguard and control cavity. An additional ground wire/lug was also run from the second volume pot to the control cavity shielding.
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