New bass in progress.
Specs (may change as I go):
1/4" flame bookmatched drop top on 1 1/2" poplar.
Black dyed top, solid black back polyurethane gloss finish.
Warmoth rosewood on maple, blocked and binded 4 string neck.
Brass nut, Hipshot ultralite tuners.
Nordstrand fatstack pickups.
J-Retro Delux preamp.
Custom made bridge with Graph-Tech saddles sitting on inlayed brass contact plate.
Rottosound flatwound thru body strings.
Black/white/black pick guard.

Post pics as they happen.

Thanks
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/topraw.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/929b5df9.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/5342fc3b.jpg

why poplar?

also, why the name?

looks cool so far, and i like black dyed flame, so it should look even cooler when it's done.

why poplar?


It's easy for me to get, comes dressed 4 sides and ready to glue. Also doing a google for "bass body tone wood" and poplar came up a few times including MTD.
As far as the name-- Just a name.

I have no idea how this bass will sound. If anyone can coment on how they thick it will sound my ears are open.:confused:

Go for it! I think it will sound nicely- not too aggressive. I thought even fodera used the wood as a top. Let me know how it turns out...

If it was my bass, I'd do blueburst on the top and black on the back - the ones I've seen so far were really beautiful :)

Poplar is used quite widely - both by cheaper basses (like Ibanez, Jackson, etc) and by high-end, like MTD, under the name of "tulipwood" (might be a bit different, but its the same spp)

Poplar is used quite widely - both by cheaper basses (like Ibanez, Jackson, etc) and by high-end, like MTD, under the name of "tulipwood" (might be a bit different, but its the same spp)

Common poplar is genus populus. Tulip poplar is genus liriodendron. I don't think it will have a serious impact on how your bass will sound. Just picking nits.

i'm using poplar on my bass right now. i bought it for the same reason: it's easy for me to get. i'm not sure what my Carvin is made of, but it could be poplar (or alder, i believe).

[QUOTE=Frank Martin]If it was my bass, I'd do blueburst on the top and black on the back - the ones I've seen so far were really beautiful :)

Any sample pics you can post, I'm open for suggestions as far as finish.:)

I'm going to post costs for parts etc.
flame maple bookmatch top off E-Bay $32.00
local poplar $29.00

$61.00 isn't bad for a body blank.:)

[QUOTE=Frank Martin]If it was my bass, I'd do blueburst on the top and black on the back - the ones I've seen so far were really beautiful :)

Any sample pics you can post, I'm open for suggestions as far as finish.:)

I'm going to post costs for parts etc.
flame maple bookmatch top off E-Bay $32.00
local poplar $29.00

$61.00 isn't bad for a body blank.:)

I got all the woods for my bass for free, yeah for friends/relitives that had nice trees cut down and turned into boards. Tulipwood would make a beautiful top, it has a nice multi-colour grain to it.

lowsound

Any sample pics you can post, I'm open for suggestions as far as finish.:)
Searching for a picture can be harder than you think...

http://walbasses.homestead.com/March2001.html
this was the closest I could find that has both blue and some black...

After seeing everyone having way to much fun I thought I would kick start an earlier project.
Received my neck yesterday so I will post a few pics.
Changed my neck spec to an ebony on flame maple with stainless 6115 frets, no face dots and flame peghead veneer.
Nordstrand Big Singles instead of fat stacks.
ETS transmission instead of custom bridge.(will build my own in the future but no time at present.
Grey lexan pic guard instead of B/W/B.

More pics later.

Regards

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/frontshaped.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/backshaped.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1834.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1835.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1831.jpg

That’s beautiful! And I like your choice of pickups…nordie big singles, nice!
I dig the grain of the poplar on the back, too…if I’m not mistaken, aren’t MM SUB basses made from poplar?

I dig the grain of the poplar on the back, too…if I’m not mistaken, aren’t MM SUB basses made from poplar?

Not sure about Subs but I think MTD used Poplar at one time.
Thanks

Fine looking J bass!

Poplar is a fine choice for a body ...it's butt ugly, so as long as it's stained, tinted lacquered or painted solid it will be fine.

checked the ernie ball site, both the SUB 'ray and the SUB Sterling are poplar...

just remember that..."U" make poplar popular...(I just made that up)...LOL

[QUOTE=Greenman]After seeing everyone having way to much fun I thought I would kick start an earlier project.
Received my neck yesterday so I will post a few pics.
Changed my neck spec to an ebony on flame maple with stainless 6115 frets, no face dots and flame peghead veneer.
QUOTE]

You've got add, like me!
Poplar is a teriffic sounding wood for the body btw, on top of being cheap and easy to work. Just make sure your bench is nice and clean, cuz even a bit of dried glue will leave marks in it. Take it from a guy who has tennis elbow from sanding!

looks great ! and i personally think there's nothing so bad on poplar, its just soft wood thet needs correct finish but sound-wise has its sweet character, and combo with maple..fine.

and congrats to changing neck specs, this looks much more serious (to me)

all the best,

mike

Oh... Wow. Very nice. I can't wait to see it done.

I'm quite loving the black ETS, and I think you've inspired me to use black hardware on my next build. Those Nordies are quite attractive as well. You must post a sound clip when she's done.

Great work so far, cant wait to see this one finished!

Enjoy,

Robbie.

Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted.

I was reading an interview w/ Carl Thompson and he was saying that he felt that Poplar gives the best tone for his basses.

I can't believe its been this long since I worked on this bass. From Aug. till now I've managed to route and shape the body. Tonight I dyed the top and will dye the back tommorrow. http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/PICT0004.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/PICT0003.jpg

Badass, dude. It's looking very nice. I love the threaded inserts.

J shape it is not my favorite but this one is getting better and better!!!

hawt.

Looks really pro!

Looking great Greenman. Are you going to use threaded inserts for the neck bolts too?

Looking great Greenman. Are you going to use threaded inserts for the neck bolts too?

Hi Ray.
Ahttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/inserts.jpgllready done. 10-24 stainless steel. Should have some paint pics soon.

Awesome. They use threaded inserts on every bolt on here at school, it's really the way to go!

It's looking really good, can't wait to see some more!

I was able to get a few coats on in the last couple of days. We got a s**t load of snow so I've been busy. Next time I hope to have the finish finished. :smug:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/front.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/back2.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/Front2.jpg

Ya I know, crappy camera. :hmm:

i gotta say brother, this is an amazing bass!
:bassist:

lookin good; what are you spraying it with?

Wow. I'm totally copying that for my 22 fret jazz project. That is incredible. Good work.

how did you make the back contour?

looking good green!

I wish you'd done your own neck, though :( ...maybe next one?

I can't wait to see the PG on that black dye. That thing is going to look mean!

If you ask me it has a "boring" body shape but the pick guart is pretty nice :D And a nice finish!

Linas lookin good; what are you spraying it with?

Black Varathane for the back colour, a couple coats of black tinted Defthane polyurethane on the front over black dye sanded back three times and I will finish with clear gloss Defthane.

TreeChild how did you make the back contour?

Mostly a wood rasp but pretty well every abrasive tool I own. To keep a nice sharp line along the cut is the trick.

wilser looking good green!

I wish you'd done your own neck, though ...maybe next one?

I have one more planned with a store bought neck, then I'll take the plunge.

You have just inspired me to build my own "tone bastard". I will be making me own swamp ash body, and probly just an all parts neck with blocks and binding. What did you use to figure out the shape of the body and pocket etc.?

What did you use to figure out the shape of the body and pocket etc.?

Sorry Linas I missed your post. I bought a set of drawings off MIMF and used the neck pocket spec from them. I changed the pickup spacing by moving the back pup backward to 3 7/8", more of a 70's possition sort of. The body is not exactly the same (off 1/8" or so here and there. Placed the bridge to scale. Enlarged the control cavity to give me lots of room for th J-Retro Deluxe and thats about it.

Nice clean woodwork GM, and a very nice finish as well. Almost a shame to cover that with a pickguard...but that's the Jazz vibe. It'll still look killer.

Just a couple quick pics of how its going to look. I'll let it dry a while before buffing, then I can tell if it needs more coats.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1856.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1861.jpg

Finished polishing the other day and will start assembly tommorrow. This crappy camera dosn't do it any justice but I'm happy with the results so far. New camera before any more pics.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1878.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1881.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1883.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1889.jpg

It's looking GREAT Greenman! I absolutely love that color.

It's looking GREAT Greenman! I absolutely love that color.

Pictures suck Ray. I keep looking at it to see if its the same bass in the pictures. Going shopping for a camera tommorrow.
Thanks

Well then, I'm sure it looks even better than those pics, and I can't wait to see that! I'm in the market for a good camera too.

Got all the shielding done and mounted the pups and bridge. I ordered a new pickguard blank because I didn't like the way it turned out. Should be banging on this puppy next weekend.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1897.jpg

Absolutely drooling, thats the type of jazz I would play, sophisticated smoothness with the perfect amount of vintage mojo, I love it!
Digging that dotless board too!
Cheers Rayle XoX

WOW! seriously, WOW!
This is what I miss here in the luthier corner!
In my humble opinion, this is looking (and probably sounding) so much better than al these 32 piece laminate basses that are so popular these days..

Great work!

WOW is right... That bass looks like its got some serious authority, and im sure the tone will be even more intense. Are those fat stacks or big singles?

Well I know I'm slow but I had it plugged in at 2 am. sounds great but needs a good setup. Soldering took a long time for a beginner. Lots of little details to address yet. Final pics will be with a good camera and sound clips hopefully.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1906.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1904.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1905.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1907.jpg

well done... this bass looks really good

omg...

I definitely like this bass!!!!!

Greenman is DA MAN! :smug:

heck! it's his last name!

Wow. Awesome work. I really like the color scheme.

Almost a shame to cover that with a pickguard.

This is one scenario where a clear pickguard would
be nice...

This is one scenario where a clear pickguard would
be nice...
This one is just a temporary guard. I have gloss black, matte black and clear blanks to try before I decide which one to use. I also have to finish fitting the Fender knobs to the East preamp.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1909.jpg

Wow, I am REALLY lovin this bass. The ebony fingerboard is just perfect.

That is one heck of a bass you have put together! Love the pickups, love the bridge, love the East preamp, love the ebony board, love the finish, etc. :D

Man, you are just hitting on all cylinders! Nice! :cool:

Tom.

That is one heck of a bass you have put together! Love the pickups, love the bridge, love the East preamp, love the ebony board, love the finish, etc. :D

Man, you are just hitting on all cylinders! Nice! :cool:

Tom.

I'm dying to post sound clips. This thing sounds any way I want it to. Could someone direct me to a link on how to do so
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1912.jpg

I'm dying to post sound clips. This thing sounds any way I want it to. Could someone direct me to a link on how to do so
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/Greenman44ca/100_1912.jpg


Just send the bass to me, and I'll take care of it... :ninja:

Good to see you got it all put together. Looking sweet.

Good to see you got it all put together. Looking sweet.

I just ordered a Line 6 Toneport so when it comes in I will post some sound clips.

that is one of the sexiest basses I have ever seen...


black is definitely the correct colour for the pg...but it really needs to be a 4-ply B/W/B/W to make it stand out properly...

the ebony board is sweet...

I have ebony on my Carvin and now really wish it didn't have dots...

I'm taking it, you plan on putting black chrome knobs on it.

Greenman, I'm interested to know how much knowledge you have of woodwork and bass guitar parts before assembling this? I am myself interested in doing something like this.

Cost? Practicality? Is it hard to make a great bass or is it a matter of measurements?

I'm taking it, you plan on putting black chrome knobs on it.

I actually have fender knobs for it but I've been to busy practicing/lazy to install them.:bassist:

Greenman, I'm interested to know how much knowledge you have of woodwork and bass guitar parts before assembling this? I am myself interested in doing something like this.

Cost? Practicality? Is it hard to make a great bass or is it a matter of measurements?

Its easy to copy an existing design and I bought the neck. Give credit to the guys on this board who design and completely build their own necks and bodies. The finish was the hardest part of this build. As far as money? I could have bought a really expenive bass for the cost of this one.

Its easy to copy an existing design and I bought the neck. Give credit to the guys on this board who design and completely build their own necks and bodies. The finish was the hardest part of this build. As far as money? I could have bought a really expenive bass for the cost of this one.

Really expensive being? ;) I'd hate to have to ask you to admit it, but I just need a ballpark estimate here.

I'm thinking of making a standard shaped body like yours. I suppose buying the neck would make sense, since it's very sensitive, and if you get it wrong, yowza.

That is very nice, my only turn off would be pick guards. man do i hate pick guards, not only do they cover a nice bass (Specifically if they have nice wood grain showing) but they get in the way of my slapping, i guess i have large hands tho.

That bass looks amazing. I agree that it's almost a shame to have to cover ANY of that finish.

Really expensive being? ;) I'd hate to have to ask you to admit it, but I just need a ballpark

Well I live in Canada so I get hit with extra taxes etc. and if I would have ordered everything at once I might have saved a bit on shippin but I would put $1,700 to $2,000 in the ballpark.

Edit: I might add thats US dollars.

Well I live in Canada so I get hit with extra taxes etc. and if I would have ordered everything at once I might have saved a bit on shippin but I would put $1,700 to $2,000 in the ballpark.

that's pretty good, actually...all things considered...

Have any idea what you'd pay if you had it done 3rd party?

my guess is easily twice that...