Members ManWithThePlan Posted March 2, 2010 Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 Hey guys- So I'm a guitarist by trade (I know, I know ), but have been looking to pick up a bass for quite a while. The other day, one of my friends gave me his old bass: It's a Lotus P-bass copy, whiteish...as far as I can see, the neck looks reasonably straight and in good shape...wasn't strung up, so i don't really know what the action is like. The bridge is missing a saddle. No pickguard either, and all the wiring is all hanging out. Looks like the stock pickups, but only one cover. So basically, its on me to restore this baby to working order. Anyone know anything about Lotus basses? Doesn't seem to be much info out there on them, but from the reviews i've read they don't seem to be half bad... So how exactly do I go about doing this? I saw Stewart-Macdonald has P-Bass wiring kits for 15 bucks so I was thinking about picking up one of those. Any thoughts on the bridge? Where to get parts? Also, I've never soldered anything before, so any advice on rewiring or stuff like that would be much appreciated. Here's some pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ManWithThePlan Posted March 2, 2010 Author Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 here's another look at the electronics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 2, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 2, 2010 First the bridge: If you are looking to upgrade, check these dimensions against the bridge. If it lines up, use this bridge: http://www.allparts.com/Chrome-Bass-Bridge-p/bb-0356-010.htm But you might want to buy it here: http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-201-4-String-Bass-Bridge-Chrome-P138C718.aspx If you aren't looking to upgrade, you should be able to find a replacement saddle and screw at Allparts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 2, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 2, 2010 I put this information together for soldering: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2228220 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 2, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 2, 2010 Use this as your wiring diagram: http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=std_pbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 2, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 2, 2010 You'll want to get a pickup cover for the half you're missing or replace the whole thing. Again, I assume Allparts would be an easy place to get this.http://www.allparts.com/Precision-Bass-White-Pickup-Covers-p/pc-0951-025.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bluescout Posted March 2, 2010 Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 Yep, for the money I'd do the gotoh bridge and it looks like all the parts are there for soldering. The one with a capacitor on it is the tone. All you need is a pickguard that fits. I'd try a standard P pickguard and see how it lines up. You can get a cheapo black or white on ebay for cheap. Good luck, we're all counting on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 2, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 2, 2010 Good luck, we're all counting on you. In fact, the very future of the forum depends on your success. Don't let us down. By the way, happy new bass day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ManWithThePlan Posted March 2, 2010 Author Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 Wow awesome, thanks a lot. I was actually reading about Gotoh 201, sounds like the perfect upgrade but from what I hear it's going to raise the action significantly more than stock enough that the neck might have to be shimmed, something about the saddles being bigger...any experience with that at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 2, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 2, 2010 Wow awesome, thanks a lot. I was actually reading about Gotoh 201, sounds like the perfect upgrade but from what I hear it's going to raise the action significantly more than stock enough that the neck might have to be shimmed, something about the saddles being bigger...any experience with that at all? That matches my experience. No issue. If you need help learning to shim a neck, let me know. Before we get there, start here and see if you can get her setup how you like it first: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2067718 If you end up bottoming out the saddles and the action is too high, come back and I'll show you how to shim the neck. (or ask any of the many other people that know ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garytees Posted March 2, 2010 Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 I picked up a similar Lotus bass for $150 and the only thing I had to do was put on strings and set up the intonation. I really liked the sound of the bass, so much, that I bought another, coming soon from eBay. The pickups aren't as hot but they're ok. Don't invest too much yet. If you can find a bridge saddle and pots somewhere, start with that. The biggest problem is finding a pickguard as a regular Fender type won't fit. The pickups on the Lotus sit back closer to the bridge. You might find one on the 'bay. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ToeJamFootball Posted March 2, 2010 Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 Kindness you're a champion. Gotta go tortoiseshell or cream for the guard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted March 2, 2010 Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 Kindness you're a champion. Gotta go tortoiseshell or cream for the guard Since there's a turkey on the headstock I'd go with cream 'cause it's the color of mashed taters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SunofNothing Posted March 2, 2010 Members Share Posted March 2, 2010 I was going to say it wasn't worth it but then i saw the turkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ManWithThePlan Posted March 3, 2010 Author Members Share Posted March 3, 2010 Wow, you guys are awesome, I half expected this thread to just drop like a rock without anyone noticing haha. Kindness, you are the MAN, this is all awesome info. Garytees, sucks about the pickguard...not sure what i'm gonna do about that. Oh yeah, re: the turkey sticker: dude who gave it to me said it used to be covered in turkey stickers and they used to call it the 'turkey basster' Thanks a ton guys, you guys are the absolute best. As soon as I can assemble all the parts I'll post some pics of the finished product for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 3, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 3, 2010 We look forward to updates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sonic1 Posted March 3, 2010 Members Share Posted March 3, 2010 You the man, Kindness. Does this mean you'll be all out of "Kind" for awhile? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 3, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 3, 2010 You the man, Kindness. Does this mean you'll be all out of "Kind" for awhile? I'm never out of Kindness. I always have more to give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sonic1 Posted March 3, 2010 Members Share Posted March 3, 2010 I'm never out of Kindness. I always have more to give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garytees Posted March 5, 2010 Members Share Posted March 5, 2010 I picked up a similar Lotus bass for $150 and the only thing I had to do was put on strings and set up the intonation. I really liked the sound of the bass, so much, that I bought another, coming soon from eBay. The pickups aren't as hot but they're ok. Don't invest too much yet. If you can find a bridge saddle and pots somewhere, start with that. The biggest problem is finding a pickguard as a regular Fender type won't fit. The pickups on the Lotus sit back closer to the bridge. You might find one on the 'bay. Good luck. Here's a pic of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Christmas Ape Posted March 5, 2010 Members Share Posted March 5, 2010 Use this as your wiring diagram: Can I ask a dumb question? Do you only have to solder two spots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 5, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 5, 2010 Can I ask a dumb question? Do you only have to solder two spots? Not a dumb question, and even if it was ask away! The pickups solder into the circuit at two spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ManWithThePlan Posted March 7, 2010 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2010 quick question guys: since I have everything all open and am about to rewire all the electronics, should I lay down some copper shielding on the inside of the electronics cavity/underside of the pickguard? something like this: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Conductive_Copper_Tape.html or: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Self-adhesive_Shielding_Kit.html or: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Conductive_Shielding_Paint.html I don't know a thing about shielding or anything like that, but I figure since I have it all open already I might as well, if its something that's really going to make a difference. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted March 7, 2010 Moderators Share Posted March 7, 2010 Yes. I've used both the tape and the paint. The tape is easier, but watch for papercuts. That copper slices! Do you know where to put the shielding and how to tie it in to the ground plane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ManWithThePlan Posted March 7, 2010 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2010 Hah no clue...i was under the impression that you just kind of coat the cavity and the underside of the pickguard with the tape/paint. Is there more to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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