Jazz Bass Control Plates, blank preferably

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Before asking I always checks the interwebs.

Anyone know where to find a blank Jazz Bass control plate?  Most have 4 holes and I need only 3.  The '62 has 3 holes but the holes are spaced at uneven intervals and are too far apart for what I'm needing.  I currently have a side jack option, so the jack isn't located on the plate.  I'd been using V,V,3-way, T but want to go to V-V-T which leaves the 4th hole unused.  I'd thought about filling the hole with a bolt or pop rivet, but that looks to ghetto.  I'd also thought about wiring a 2nd jack in parallel so either would work.

 

[JimBeed]

Put a knob on there that you can unscrew and store money in it? interesting way to fund any emergency drinks  :laughing7:
I haven't seen any blank control plates anywhere, Ill keep an eye out as im looking for black colour ones instead of silver for my halfmoth

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Thanks.  I've seen the black control plates at quite a few places.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I'm having no luck finding a blank plate.  I've got a few ideas for what to do with the 4th control location.  But these are compromises, as I really don't want anything there.  But, here they are and all include a mini-switch:

1.)  A DPDT for series/parallel function of the double battery box so it could do 9v or 18v with the EMGs.  I had this mod previously on another build that was push/pull on the tone knob.  Didn't use it, so for simplicity and Murphy's Law, I un-modded it.  A 2nd bass as a backup somewhat compensates for Murphy's Law, so thinking of doing it again.
2.)  An SPST switch with 2 different cap values so I could switch between the 2.  Also superfluous, I wouldn't begin to know what value to use for the 2nd cap, and I don't toy with the tone knob much anyway.  It's either at "10", which negates most of the function or just backed off a hair.
3.)  An SPST switch that disconnects the (-) terminal of the battery.  This would preserve battery life a little bit more and could leave the bass plugged in during setbreaks, which would normally be draining the batteries ever so slightly.

Thoughts?

Also, rather than start another thread.  Is there a way to test the value of an uninstalled pot?  I ordered some new 25K pots and they are not marked.  They look bigger than the usual EMG supplied pots, so I just have a funny feeling about them.

 

[stubhead]

Well my brain went "Zoink!" and I trotted off to guitarfetish.com, where they do indeed have blank Telecaster GUITAR plates... mamma always said I'd come to no good. They DO have two hole Telecaster-bass plates, which also isn't what you want. I see three choices - one, contact a machinist-type dude, since DangerousR6 can do neckplates till the cows come home to Capistrano, he surely could hook you up.

Two, make one out of pickguard material, it's really easy to work with, I even prefer hand tools on it start to finish because it's too soft (hence risky) around boogie measured in horsepower & torque. A plastic one would get you playing while the quest goe on, i.e. three - some of the semi-custom Fender clonish builders like Sadowsky, Hahn, Anderson... they can't all be doing their own metal work, you'd just try to piggyback on one of their parts run.

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=2754.0

Can 130 pages of neckplates ever be wrong?

 

[JaySwear]

Mark Rutters might be willing to make you one. I was talking to him about making me a blank Jaguar control plate a while ago. He wanted me to send him a Jaguar plate so that he could measure it and make his own. He might have a Jazz bass plate already. I'd definitely say worth emailing! It won't be as cheap as it could be non-custom made, but for a Warmoth if it's not exactly what you want then it's not right

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The standard ones usually run from $18-22.  If that's what the mass produced ones go for, having one made couldn't touch that.  Good tip for the other bass people though.  Thought about pickguard material, but I want to stay classic and somewhat factory looking.  I've even seen the aftermarket J-Bass pickguards that extend the pickguard to the control plate.  All one piece like a Strat.

I went to a mom and pop electronics store today.  Spent a half hour walking around.  I walked out with 2 mini switches, 5 film caps, and 2' of sheilding tape for $5.  I hope they eat tonight.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Also, rather than start another thread.  Is there a way to test the value of an uninstalled pot?  I ordered some new 25K pots and they are not marked.  They look bigger than the usual EMG supplied pots, so I just have a funny feeling about them.

Looked a little harder, actually just took them out of the plastic, and they are clearly marked 25K.  So, good to go.