New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

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laurie
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by laurie » Fri Feb 17, 2023 2:25 am

I'm starting work on the Vantage bass. What i think needs to be done:
  • File the string slots in the nut - the strings are sitting about 2mm above the first fret and they have to be lowered.
  • Set the neck relief.
  • File the fret-sprout and clean and polish the frets.
  • Clean and condition the fretboard.
  • Reinstall the electronics.
  • Set the bridge string height and do the intonation with the new strings.
  • Give the whole instrument a clean and polish.
Will post pics when complete.

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Pepe
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by Pepe » Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:49 am

laurie wrote:
Fri Feb 17, 2023 2:25 am
  • File the string slots in the nut - the strings are sitting about 2mm above the first fret and they have to be lowered.
If the string slots are okay so far (no buzzing strings) I would suggest to take out the saddle and to file underside of it. Filing the string slots is pretty much irreversible and if you make a mistake there you have to take a completely new saddle. And do you have all the files for a 5-string bass? If all the strings have a height that you don't like (that's how I read it), then definitely file the bottom.
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laurie
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by laurie » Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:49 pm

Hi pepe!

Yes - I have a full set of files that cover from the low B on a 5-string bass to the high E on a guitar.

I usually lower the slots because the adjustment for each string is slightly different. For this bass the low B had to come down the most, followed by the E string. I didn't actually adjust the A, D, or G string slots. I'll review the height of those 3 strings once I have the full setup complete - I suspect they may need a small adjustment.

The nut adjustment is complete, plus I have adjusted the truss-rod and am letting the neck settle before proceeding.

I also have one of these for lowering the entire nut, but didn't use it for this instrument:
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Nut_tool.jpg
Nut_tool.jpg (39.29 KiB) Viewed 3653 times

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Pepe
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by Pepe » Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:36 pm

Interesting tool!
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laurie
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by laurie » Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:39 pm

Yep. You clamp the nut in the tool and run the tool back and forwards over a flat sheet of sandpaper until the wheels are all touching. Guarantees the nut is flat and a precise amount of material is removed.

I actually bought it to lower the bridge on my acoustic.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/384953409686

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laurie
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by laurie » Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:25 pm

Most of the work is done. Letting the neck settle with the new strings and tensioned truss-rod.

Electronics now works flawlessly.

It isn't my old Warwick 5-string in anyone's imagination, but it works and sounds OK.

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laurie
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by laurie » Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:46 pm

Finished bass.

As I mentioned above, it would never be mistaken for a Warwick or a Stingray, but it is a quite serviceable "beater" 5-string bass.

The beast is, astonishingly for having come through a thrift store, almost perfect cosmetically. There were a few scuffs that came out with a light buff with scratch removal compound, and there were only a couple of tiny imperfections in the finish - too small to be photographed, and easily hidden with a quick dab of a black marking pen. Plus the only thing missing was the return spring on the B-string bridge saddle - an easy fix with a spring from the parts bin.

It always amazes me how nicely the fretboard grain comes up on these older thrift-store guitars. 30+ years of never being cleaned or maintained. Lots of gunk came of this one, plus the frets were really oxidized.

The active electronics are a bonus. Of the three hidden switches, two of them turn off each of the pickups. The third one has no discernable effect on the sound - perhaps it is a phase reversal switch.

Total cost including new strings CAD$130, USD$96, or 90€.
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Vantage 755B finished.jpg
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Re: New bass day - a Vantage 5-string

Post by Pepe » Sat Feb 18, 2023 8:18 pm

Great, especially at that price! Well done! :D
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