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Westone Quantum Updates:

So I broke down and bought the ABM headless Bridge/tuning system in black. Retails at AllParts.com for $415!!! Glad I didn't pay retail from the place I got it from. I wonder if it was a cheaper lot because they shipped 2 different screws for the tuner block, and one didn't fit... I just used a matched silver since it matches the pickups/rings. You can see the original holes for the bridge... I could have covered one set, but I wanted to have the maximum range of adjustment for the saddles in accordance with how the original bridge was set-up... I thought about covering them with black vinyl, but decided to leave as is... in retrospect, I should have filled those holes... but at that time I was not planning on a double "resto"...



and the last piece I needed was the string clamp at the top of the neck...
left side is the original, and the right one is the new one I made. cut from 3/16" steel bar (identical thickness to stock) and some MEtric Cap Screws from my local hardware store...



Just need to paint the clamp, and start re-assembly so these can move onto new homes...

and For the X-610, I'm still waiting for my tiny heat shring tubing to come in the mail... no local places had the 1/16" stuff... (starting size).

Been working with the neck and the truss rod to see if I can get the bow out... the new truss rod seems a bit too long. this last adjustment has it sticking out of the cavity a bit, so this will be an interesting TRC fabrication...

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Once again... nice work.

FOUR BILLS... Yikes!! Glad you got a discount on it. So will both of the headless Basses be operational now? I have to admit that the Orange one looks pretty slick, good job man.

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yes, both headless basses will be fully functioning!

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I haven't gotten around to painting the string clamp yet for the orange Quantum, but I did modify the floating bridge more on my EB2 bass. a slight neck shim, some new proper length strings, and a good setup, and it's wonderful!

I also completed the rewire of the x610 project, and it's all put back together...
unfortunately, the neck bow isn't coming out... I fear that when the refret was done, too thin of a wire was used, and it looks like my next option would be to get a refret with some thicker wire to help push it back....

the other thing I was wondering about, was to use a wedge shaped spacer on the truss rod. to try to get it to pull back more....

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I have too many projects!

A spacer to give you more range on the truss rod could be a good idea. I don't think having a wedge shaped one would be a good idea though. Truss rods work on the idea that when you tighten a curved rod they try and straighten. A wedge isn't going to change to range of motion for the rod and may cause the threads to strip.

Thank you for this post - you've just given me a great idea....toothpics! I've only refinished one guitar (Westone Pantera X390) which was not an easy one to start with, but what a great idea to avoid filling the small holes with paint of clear.....toothpics....duh - why didn't I think of that. Brilliant eh - I will use that idea from now on . Thanks!

The proper way to fix holes that have stripped out is to drill & dowel them. Pick a dowel diameter slightly larger than the existing hole.

For instance you might use a 1/8" bit to drill out a stripped strap button hole. Drill only as deep as the original hole, so you're just removing the remains of the old threads, making a solid surface for the glue to adhere to. Then coat a 1/8" dowel with wood glue and insert into the hole with a twisting motion. Carefully trim the dowel flush with the top surface of the guitar with a razor blade. When the glue dries you can then re-drill the hole to the proper diameter.

I've been severely chastised by luthiers for using the toothpick method! And the proper drill & dowel technique is easy enough if you're careful.

most of the ones I did, I chopped off the points, effectively making it a 1/8" dowel, but they definitley are not the best quality wood...

Also, after watching live and recorded EF11 videos, I was inspired to get back to work on my pojects... finally finished putting together the black Quantum and got it strung and set-up properly... prev owner had a couple of saddle screws in the wrong position, making the proper intonation un-achievable... fixed now (as close as I usually get...)

And I completed the Westone decals on the Orange one....

will probably put the Orange one up for sale first... need to decide which one to put the case with... maybe make the case a BIN bonus

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

so I'm trying to get the orange Quantum buttoned up, and what I didn't look at was bridge height... I can't adjust it up high enough, so I have to add a spacer between the bridge and body...
I cut a piece of 1/4" thick steel, but it's too tall... looks like I need something 1/8" thick... and I'm glad too that the steel was too tall, because it would have added some significant weight to it...

though I wonder if I could add the steel to the EB2 copy...
the body is so light that if I'm using a non-leather strap, it just slides and headstock points to the ground...

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My Electra Pages
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It's neck heavy? Really? My Rail basses don't do that....

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Who needs a Fender Jazz when you can get a perfectly good Spectrum bass for $50?

The EB2 copy is neck heavy, not the Quantum. Those are balanced nicely...

I put a wide leather Westone stap at the longest setting on the EB2 copy, and its better. still could use a longer strap, or I could lose some weight

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My Electra Pages
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Oh, derp, I was too focused on the Quantum part of that post to notice you had switched gears.

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Who needs a Fender Jazz when you can get a perfectly good Spectrum bass for $50?

here's my Westone Strap


and the group shot of those currently residing at my house...

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

Now thats a sweat view from any angle.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!