Bass Guitar repair and installation topics.
In this build step, the pick guard edge is beveled, and a few options are shown of how to go about doing this. Below: The tools needed here are a half-round file and a razor blade (optional, shown in a moment.) Below: Beginning of the filing process. Instead of placing the pick guard in a … Read more
This is a continuation of part 1. Below: Cutting out the pick guard with a bandsaw, purposely staying 1/16″ away from the cutting line in order to file down later since the bandsaw leaves a rough cut edge; the edge will be smoothed out in a moment. Below: Pick guard has been cut and is … Read more
We’re getting closer to finalizing the pick guard, and in this step we drill some holes, drill some more holes, then perform some shaping. Below: Tools used for this step. 1/8″ and 3/8″ bradpoint bits, countersinking bit, centerpunch, razor blade and a half-round file. Below: Marking the drill hole points with the centerpunch. This is … Read more
This is a continuation from part 1. Below: This is our completed pickup template from a previous step, ready for use. Below: Same as above, showing the back side. Below: The pickup template placed on top of pick guard template, lined up as best as possible. Below: The same as above, but flipped over (remember, … Read more
This is an old-school style of making a pick guard. Many bass builders would simply opt to have no pick guard at all, or alternatively buy a pre-fabricated, pre-shaped plastic guard blank. In the way the guard is done here, we physically take a plan, apply it to a large sheet of pick guard plastic … Read more
This step is a continuation from part 1. From here, the jig saw is put to use, the edges left behind are filed smooth, pickup cover is test fitted, then cover with pickup is test fitted. Below: Jig saw put to use. Material is being cut away with a distance of 1/16″ is kept away … Read more
Note: Each half of this particular P pickup is 56mm long, but to make a template and include the nubs where mounting screws go, the drill points are 54mm center-to-center; this will make more sense as you read through this article. For any questions you have about this, please post a comment below. Additional note: … Read more
This is a continuation from part 1. Below: Neck is inserted in place. Since this particular build has a very snug fit, no clamp is needed. If the fit was not snug, a clamp would be used. Below: Using the same 1/8″ drill bit in the hand drill, the rotation is purposely run backwards to … Read more
In this particular installation, a bolt plate will not be used as would typically be seen on a Fender P or J bass. Instead, the mounting screws will be inside ferrules. Note: This step is split into two parts. This is part 1. Below: Tools needed: Drill, mounting screws, neck ferrules, bar of soap, 15mm … Read more
In this step we “magically” convert a vertical hole to a horizontal route so the ground wire can be snaked from the control cavity to the underside of the bridge (once installed) for a proper connection. Below: The tools needed here are a short list. Drill, a 12-inch long bit with 1/8-inch end for bridge … Read more
