Before I talk about work done on this stunning 5-string bass, let's take a look at some stock specs, courtesy of Guitar Center.
Construction: Bolt-on
Body: Basswood/flamed maple top
Neck: Maple/'thin U' profile
Fretboard: Rosewood/34" scale/dot inlays/24 extra-jumbo frets
Hardware: Black Nickel/ESP tuners/ESP DB-5 Bridge (string-thru-body)
Pickups: ESP SB-4 (Neck/Bridge)
Preamp: ESP ABQ-3 3-Band Active EQ
Shielding: Conductive paint/Aluminium foil
I was quite impressed with the looks and sturdiness of this bass when I first laid eyes upon it, I must say. However, the electronics were another story. The owner, a soft-spoken Kemaman chap, was totally frustrated because his pride and joy was emitting all kinds of weird noises whenever he tried to play it. This had happened onstage many a time, much to his embarrassment.
After a thorough checkup, I realized that the preamp was toast and had to be replaced. But as that would cost a bomb, we decided to go with a cheaper alternative: dump the active electronics and rewire the bass as a passive instrument.
And so the bass was rewired with a 3-way toggle switch, master volume; and master tone. I was able to reuse the stock master volume pot, but needed to add an Alpha 500K pot; and replace the flimsy stock plastic-bodied stereo jack with a Neutrik/Rean NYS229.
All well and good, except that we now had two unsightly holes where the mid and bass EQ pots used to be. I offered to plug the holes with wooden dowels and stain them to match the finish as best I could, but the owner did not go for it. Instead, he suggested a 'dummy' pot/control knob setup matching the stock control configuration.Fair enough, I thought; and so two of the stock EQ pots were wired in with all six tabs wired to ground (ie shorted out).
It was a rainy evening when I tested this 'deactivated' bass and called it good. And guess what? Out of the blue, I got a call from the owner asking me if his pride and joy was ready; as he had a gig at 8pm. It was still drizzling when he came to pick up his bass, grinning from ear to ear. Somehow, I knew he'd be having a real hot gig that night.
Construction: Bolt-on
Body: Basswood/flamed maple top
Neck: Maple/'thin U' profile
Fretboard: Rosewood/34" scale/dot inlays/24 extra-jumbo frets
Hardware: Black Nickel/ESP tuners/ESP DB-5 Bridge (string-thru-body)
Pickups: ESP SB-4 (Neck/Bridge)
Preamp: ESP ABQ-3 3-Band Active EQ
Shielding: Conductive paint/Aluminium foil
I was quite impressed with the looks and sturdiness of this bass when I first laid eyes upon it, I must say. However, the electronics were another story. The owner, a soft-spoken Kemaman chap, was totally frustrated because his pride and joy was emitting all kinds of weird noises whenever he tried to play it. This had happened onstage many a time, much to his embarrassment.
After a thorough checkup, I realized that the preamp was toast and had to be replaced. But as that would cost a bomb, we decided to go with a cheaper alternative: dump the active electronics and rewire the bass as a passive instrument.
And so the bass was rewired with a 3-way toggle switch, master volume; and master tone. I was able to reuse the stock master volume pot, but needed to add an Alpha 500K pot; and replace the flimsy stock plastic-bodied stereo jack with a Neutrik/Rean NYS229.
All well and good, except that we now had two unsightly holes where the mid and bass EQ pots used to be. I offered to plug the holes with wooden dowels and stain them to match the finish as best I could, but the owner did not go for it. Instead, he suggested a 'dummy' pot/control knob setup matching the stock control configuration.Fair enough, I thought; and so two of the stock EQ pots were wired in with all six tabs wired to ground (ie shorted out).
It was a rainy evening when I tested this 'deactivated' bass and called it good. And guess what? Out of the blue, I got a call from the owner asking me if his pride and joy was ready; as he had a gig at 8pm. It was still drizzling when he came to pick up his bass, grinning from ear to ear. Somehow, I knew he'd be having a real hot gig that night.
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