The Electra Forums

trying my hand at a trans burst finish on this one. black edges green middle... I need to sand and re-do the back. the front looks ... usable....

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

okay, since this isn't exactly a restoration, I have some leeway with the wiring...
stock the x640N had this:

Pots:
Volume
Frequency Select
MidRange Parametric Cut/Boost

Micro-Switches:
Phase/Out of Phase
Series/Parallel
EQ On/Off

and a pickup selector...

The Artec EX3 is just a 3 setting micro-switch.
Mid-Boost (Peak)
Flat Boost (Natural)
Hi, Lo Boost (Expand)

so, I'm thinking this will be the new set-up.
V, T, T with 3 micros. Series/Parallel, EQ On/Off, EQ select.

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

uggghhhh. the bridge pup has a coil dead... hopefully I can fix it....

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

Of course - just when you think you're on top of it, dead coil syndrome strikes. I hope it's just a lead you can see right away and no unwinding required.

there was a loose / broken lead, but I had to unwind 1 "wind" and clean and solder, but to no avail...
I believe this to be the original pickup. I don't believe the neck one is however, so I may change it out for an Electra one, even though it tests out fine.

even though the bass pickup is a single coil by physical appearances (J-bass style), it appears to be double wrapped. the inner coil is fine, so I'm going to go with it as is... but wire it so it's easily replaceable (more than normal).

I'm on hold now again, because my box from guitarelectronics was missing the pots...

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

still waiting on electronics....

not exactly how I wanted the finish, but it's my first burst, and way better than it was before...

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

I would be very happy if my first burst came out that well. I think a darker burst like that works well in green.

Bursts are tough to do and trans bursts are even tougher - yours looks good!

How come there's a route for the truss rod at the body? Shouldn't this era have the truss rod adjustment at the headstock? Are you using an earlier neck?

The grain is a little laid back on this one, and the 'burst looks decent considering what you had to work with, congrats. Can't wait to see it strung up McB, another one saved from the fireplace!

_________________
Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Hmmm. Its the neck that came with it. Though you do point out the one area i forgot to stain.

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

Why would this model of Phoenix have a truss rod adjustment at the headstock? My Spectrum bass has it at the body the same as this one does. More importantly, I like the color!

Edit: Just looked at the catalogues, and all the Phoenix basses without pickguards have the truss adjustment at the body. Is there a Phoenix bass with a headstock adjustment?

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

all done! got the EX3 wired in correctly, so it's actively EQ'd again using an Artec EX3 9V EQ.
went with a V-V-T knob set-up (not what I posted earlier) using vintage MIJ pots, 2 Electra, 1 other.
The switches are (new):
-Series/Parallel
-Hi-Lo Boost (Expand) / Flat Boost (Natural / Mid-Boost (Peak)
-EQ On/Off

pickup selector is Electra also.

It sounds good through headphones. Will have to test it out for real when people are awake

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

How cool is that? I dub thee "Swamp Thang"! Great job on this one McB!

_________________
"If it ain't been in the pawnshop,it can't play the blues" R.L.Burnside

Good job!

_________________
RCSBlues

Looks Nice! And the Active circuit sounds versatile from the description, enjoy!

_________________
Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch