1st ramp build

fishsticks · #1 07-24-2009, 04:47 PM

I have just scored a half inch thick plank of rose wood for $8.00 from the local wood guy. i want to make a series of ramps(3) that go from my bridge to my neck on my jazz bass. other than measuring it and cutting it to fit, what help can you offer me on shaping my ramps? i have very few tools beyond my mind and my hands but have some connections to get what i need. in return i will post my progress here so everyone can have the knowledge of "how to make a ramp"
get set......... go!

J. Crawford · #2 07-24-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishsticks

I have just scored a half inch thick plank of rose wood for $8.00 from the local wood guy. i want to make a series of ramps(3) that go from my bridge to my neck on my jazz bass. other than measuring it and cutting it to fit, what help can you offer me on shaping my ramps? i have very few tools beyond my mind and my hands but have some connections to get what i need. in return i will post my progress here so everyone can have the knowledge of "how to make a ramp"
get set......... go!

Awesome! subbed.. I plan to do this on my next bass..

Stickk · #3 07-24-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Awesome! subbed.. I plan to do this on my next bass..

Why don't you guys just make Tim Commerford-esque thumbrests?

J. Crawford · #4 07-24-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stickk

Why don't you guys just make Tim Commerford-esque thumbrests?

A ramp isnt only a thumbrest. It helps one from digging in too hard into the bass, increasing speed and tone in some peoples opinions.

Bryan R. Tyler is the man when it comes to ramps.

Stickk · #5 07-24-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

A ramp isnt only a thumbrest. It helps one from digging in too hard into the bass, increasing speed and tone in some peoples opinions.

Bryan R. Tyler is the man when it comes to ramps.

Yep:

J. Crawford · #6 07-24-2009, 05:05 PM

I think like every bass he has owned for a long time has had one.. Even his green Musicman back a few years.

J. Crawford · #7 07-24-2009, 07:54 PM

Pics!

When do you plan to start on this? I want to keep close.. I may contract you to do this for me soon.

eekmeg · #8 07-24-2009, 07:58 PM

That Elrick is so insanely seductive.

J. Crawford · #9 07-25-2009, 08:45 AM

Fish, keep us updated! Im very intrigued by this.

And be sure to post pics in a new post each time, as it bumps the thread and tells people, like myself, that it has been updated.

Im just excited, I guess.

fishsticks · #10 07-25-2009, 09:09 AM

for my jazz V i need the 12" radius block

do any Talkbassers have one they would mail me? i promise to mail it back!....

otherwise they are readily available from several websites from $9.00 to $130.00.

J. Crawford · #11 07-25-2009, 09:40 AM

What does a radius block do?

kalle74 · #12 07-25-2009, 10:14 AM

the pic is quite self-explanatory, to me.

Darkstrike · #13 07-25-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

What does a radius block do?

You wrap sandpaper around it, so you can shape a fretboard, ramp etc to a radius.

JehuJava · #14 07-25-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

You wrap sandpaper around it, so you can shape a fretboard, ramp etc to a radius.

Do you need to radius it if you put the ramp between two pickups? I figure you would though if you butted it up to the fretboard, ala Gary Willis' Ibanez.

Dooley

Darkstrike · #15 07-25-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JehuJava

Do you need to radius it if you put the ramp between two pickups? I figure you would though if you butted it up to the fretboard, ala Gary Willis' Ibanez.

Dooley

You can, and should, for it to be a propper ramp, but I have non radiused ones on my Jazz basses, and think they're fantastic.

J. Crawford · #16 07-25-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalle74

the pic is quite self-explanatory, to me.

Thats good for you, but I didnt know. Thanks for the help.

Thanks Dark, that makes sense now.

fishsticks · #17 07-25-2009, 01:25 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Trj...eature=related

i think doing something like this could be a HUGE time saver i will have to see if my buddy has something i can rig into a jig like this for a belt sander.
i think the science here is to put the wood exactly 12 inches (for a 12" radius)from the fulcrum of the pivot. plus then i can adjust the distance of the radius for any size i wish, like 9.5 or whatever for my 4 string PJ. i should have plenty of wood for both basses, but for now i am concentrating on the jazz.

raymondl3 · #18 07-25-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishsticks

for my jazz V i need the 12" radius block

do any Talkbassers have one they would mail me? i promise to mail it back!....

otherwise they are readily available from several websites from $9.00 to $130.00.

the only problem with these blocks is they are not wide enough to radius a ramp, especially for a 5 string or if you want the ramp to extend to the edge of the pickups. I think you are better off doing the radius by hand IMO.

kesslari · #19 07-25-2009, 01:48 PM

That belt sander jig thing is COOL! If you can rig that up you can go into the ramp business

SpamBot · #20 07-25-2009, 01:52 PM

Screw ramps, that plank would make a couple of FINE fretboards!

I kid, I kid. I'm kind of curious about ramps too, my ideal would be one that extends over the pickups too, replacing the pickup covers and attached to the bass by the same screwholes as the pups. Mostly because I don't know if I'll like it or not in the long run.