4 String Bass Instructions
Congratulations on your purchase! Whether this is your first time building a guitar or you are an
experienced builder, we hope this makes a great new addition to your collection of guitars. And of
course, you can be confident that no one will have a guitar exactly like it.
This instruction booklet covers 4 string JB/PB Style Bass. This guitar feaures 1 JB pickup, 1 PB pickup,
2 volume, and 1 tone controls.
Inventory of Parts
1. Body 10. Strap Knobs, 2 screws 19. Neck Washers
2. Neck 11. Output Jack 20. Bridge
3. Truss Rod Cover and Screws 12. Output Cable 21. Neck Screws
4. Wire (colors will vary) 13. Allen Wrench for Truss Rod 22. Bridge Screws
5. Ground Wire 14. Tuner Ferrules 23. Pickup Mounting Scews and
6. Control Cover Plate 15. Tuners (6) Springs (2 each)
7. Pickups (2) 16. Pots, washers and nuts 24. Strap knob rubber washers
8. Strings 17. Knobs 25. Cover Plate and Jack Plate
9. Tuner Set Screws 18. Tone Capacitor Screws
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4 String Bass Instructions
Before Starting
Start by doing a test fit of all the parts to ensure things fit together as they should. Place the neck and
bridge into position, and use a straight edge to ensure that the neck angle is correct for the bridge
provided.
Note: It is normal for the neck to angle back slightly from the guitar body, especially on models with
floating bridges. This angle compensates for the height of the bridge.
Finish
There are many methods and many techniques to finish your guitar. You can use standard off-the-shelf
materials, or products made specifically for finishing guitars. There are many resources available online
to help you get the finish you are looking for. Take your time, leaving ample time between ample coats
to ensure the best finish possible.
Pro Tip: Be sure any finish materials are warm, never cold. This will improve the flow
of the material and reduce splattering from spray tips. Floating the can for a few
mintues in warm water will ensure the best finish possible.
Begin by shaping the headstock if desired. Use a band saw or coping saw to give it your shape, then file
or sand to finish. Be sure to test fit the tuners before cutting to enusre you will still have enough material
to secure them later.
NOTE: Only a light sanding by hand should be necessary. Many of the veneers used on guitars can be
quite thin, and can be sanded all the way through if proper caution is not taken. Power sanders of any
type should not be used.
thefretwire.com/support [email protected] Revised 11-28-17 4STB
4 String Bass Instructions
Assembly
Start by attaching the tuning pegs to the headstock. Insert the back of the tuning key and set in place
using the small set screws. Insert the ferrule inserts and tighten to a light pressure. Only use hand tools,
as tuners can be delicate.
Attach the strap knobs using the pre-drilled pilot holes, using the rubber washer between the knob and
the body of the guitar.
Attach the neck using the 4 long bolts and thick
washers/inserts. No extra glue is needed. To ensure
the neck is aligned straight, secure the neck using a
C-Clamp prior to inserting the screws. This will ensure
the neck doesn’t shift during installation. Use a rag
between the clamp and the guitar to prevent marring
the guitar or frets.
Before attaching the bridge, run a small length of wire
from the control cavity to the hole under the bridge.
Strip back a 1/2” of the insulation to expose the wire.
When securing the bridge, ensure this wire makes con-
tact with the bridge. This will complete your ground
circuit as shown in the wiring diagram on the following page.
Begin the wiring process by securing the pots inside the
cavity. Each pot has a small tab on the surface. This can
either be removed, or you can create a small indentation in
the wood to help keep the pot from spinning later.
Pots come in two varieties: A500k and B500k. B500k pots
have a linear adjustment, where A500k pots are logarith-
mic in their adjustment. Each player has their preference,
but generally A pots are used for volume control and B
pots are used for tone control.
Run the wires for each pickup through the body into the
control cavity. Secure the pickups using the included
springs and screws.
thefretwire.com/support [email protected] Revised 11-28-17 4STB
4 String Bass Instructions
Wiring
This model features 2 pickups, 1 tone pot, 2 volume pots, and an output jack that will need to be sol-
dered. There are many options for wiring your guitar depending on the tone and performance you are
looking for, and the internet is loaded with options and mods. Here is a simple wiring configuration.
Show it off!
Congratulations on your new guitar. We would love to see it! Visit thefretwire.com/gallery or
facebook.com/thefretwire to post your build.
thefretwire.com/support [email protected] Revised 11-28-17 4STB
