Truss rod plate modifications

[Mlazarus]

So, this may not be common, but for those of you (like me) who want MORE space between the neck pickup and 24th fret on the series 1 for popping, this may be something to consider:

 A bass player/owner of store once told me that if you get a Luthier or better yet Alembic to CUT off the fretboard area that has the serial number (I would say 3/4s of that area, that way you won't have to worry about the stability of the 24th metal fret), you will instantly have a wider gap between the neck pickup and bottom of fretboard. Then all you need to do is
stamp the serial and USA on the 23rd fret. Make a wider metal truss rod plate and recess it into the body. This can really make a difference. I already improved my popping technique by lowering the neck pickup all the way down to sit level with the bottom of the pickup compartment. I just removed the 2 bottom screws. Sounds better to me as well.

[edwardofhuncote]

Problem solved. Cut through the fret slot and save the piece.

[rv_bass]

I would suggest rather than altering the bass that you sell it and look for one with the pickup spacing that you are more comfortable with.

[jazzyvee]

Well it's an interesting mod and not something I considered of for my bass. However if that's what you need to do to make the bass more useable for you, that's all that matters. I just hope it works as you are expecting.

[Mlazarus]

I'll clarify.  This topic was a general conversation i had with a guitar store owner about finger clearance. It was his idea. I never imagined any type of mod done. It probably would work, but the actual solution was just lowering the neck pickup to the lowest position for finger cleaance. Its interesting to find out responses from others on this forum.

[edwardofhuncote]

I'll clarify too.


I personally, would not do it. I would find a bass that suited me better before I would cut up a vintage Series I. But it's your bass, and you know what you need better than us. And provided you save the piece, it's a reversible mod for someone skillful. I could take that last fret off, and put it back on, and you'd have to be looking for it to know.


(as opposed to another doofus with a gleam in their eye and a router in their hands...)


Think about this real good... what if you do it, and it isn't 100% what you thought? That's what I tell people in my shop all the time; it's a lot easier to take wood off than it is to put it back on.

[Mlazarus]

I agree. Once the cut or hole is made, there is NO going back. But I like your good suggestion to keep the piece of wood to put it back on again however, I won't do what the guitar store owner said.

As for a fair number of series 1 owners who moved the pickup selector switch from the horn position to the controls area for clearance, that's a common procedure Alembic has done. It doesn't seem to affect the value. I will have my selector moved when oi get the chance.