Arizona Bass Company - New custom bass build

Syco_bass · #1 09-25-2012, 05:22 PM

Hey folks, just started a new build for a customer. Mark Sacchetti. Thought you would all appreciate it.

Order - Custom "P5" bass with narrow neck

Wood
Body - light swamp ash with spalted maple top
Neck - Maple with birdseye maple fret board 1.75" neck width, .810 depth at the 1st fret, vintage style frets
Finish
Body - oil/wax
neck - oil/poly
Pickup - Nordstrand NP5 - 18mm
Control circuit - Passive USA CTS with .047uF POI tone cap.
Hardware -
bridge - Hipshot "B" (18mm)
tuners - Hipshot ultralites
Strap locks - Dunlap dual
string retainer - single bar hold down type
Neck bolts - threaded anchor bolt type without neck plate
String nut - hand cut Graphtech TusQ

Here are a couple of picks of the body and neck as I received them from my U.S. supplier/machinist

Here is a pics of my new headstock design

This headstock will be featured on all custom "Curcio" basses from here on out.

Pic of body with 3 coats of proprietary oil blend

I will apply several coats of oil blend before switching to oil/wax blend for final few coats.

pic of neck with 1 coat of oil blend - birdseye maple will look nice.

I will continue to post as I make more progress.

Syco_bass · #2 10-16-2012, 06:12 PM

Hey folks, sorry for the delay in posts. I had to go out of town for a family emergency then followed up with a long planned vacation. So, my apologies.

I have been working diligently to get this bass completed. Here are some recent pic I took yesterday. The body is just about saturated with oil. I am moving to a wax paste once it dries and cures. Minwax makes a nice one that seems to work well. I'll post more pics as I go. for now here are a couple of pics of the body with about 30 +/- coats of oil finish.

So in total I have 4 coats of True oil diluted 50/50 with mineral spirits. Then 2 coats of oil/poly blend (to seal wood and fill some of the grain) then an additional 20+ coats of Sam Maloof's oil/wax blend.

I use a bit of a different approach with the neck. It also has 4 coats of True oil (cut 50% with mineral spirits) The fret board will get 2 coats of oil/poly and the headstock will get 10+ coats of wipeon Poly before the decal/logo goes on. It will get another 10 to 20 coats of Wipe on Poly over the decal/logo. The I'll finish the back with 2 coats of oil/poly blend.

Here are a few pics of the neck. notice the birdseye starting to pop.

I'll try to get some more posts up soon.

TTFN

plankspanker13 · #3 10-16-2012, 08:55 PM

Very nice!

Syco_bass · #4 11-01-2012, 11:58 AM

O.K. so it's been a while since I've added to this thread. The bass is coming along nicely and we are approaching the assembly stage. I have completed the finish on the body and the neck is just a few days behind.

Here is a pick of the body with the final coat of wax. I apply the wax using 0000 steel wool. This helps smooth out any tiny bumps (if any) in the oil finish. It also helps with impregnating the wax into the oil as well as creating a nice dull sheen. I use Carnuba wax. I put it on and let sit for few minutes and wipe it off before it dries. I'll do two coats like this or until I get the feel I want. This photo has 2 coats and I'll leave it at that.

Here is the body with cavities sheilded and ready for installing the pickups and tone circuit.

Here is a pic of the body and neck together so far. More pics to come shortly. I'll be finising the neck (with logo decal) and wiring/assembling the body as well.

Till nex time.

Cheers.

Syco_bass · #5 11-02-2012, 09:08 PM

Here is the body completely assembled waiting for the neck. I should be assembling this bass no later than monday. Keep checking back for updates.

Enjoy.

Syco_bass · #6 12-06-2012, 01:14 PM

O.K. So I guess I should update you all on the progress of this bass. It was shipped to the customer before Thanksgiving. Customer is happy and is satisfied.

Here are a few pics of the finish of the build and the end result. Enjoy.

Here is the installation of the neck bolt anchors

Full frontal shot

Different light brings out different charecter

HaMMerHeD · #7 12-06-2012, 01:19 PM

Spalted maple top is a nice change to Ye Old Precision Basse design. I like it.

What kind of threaded inserts do you use on the neck?

Syco_bass · #8 12-06-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

Spalted maple top is a nice change to Ye Old Precision Basse design. I like it.

What kind of threaded inserts do you use on the neck?

Thanks for the coments.

I get the threaded inserts from DHD (Dick Head Designs) you can find him on e-bay.

Syco_bass · #9 12-06-2012, 01:31 PM

Here is a shot of the back of the headstock. Everyone gets hand numberred and hand signed.

Another pic of the back. Notice that one of the neck bolts is chrome. I replaced it with the correct one before shipping.

Thanks for watching. More customs to come. If anyone has any questions about the materials used or if you'd like to chat about building your dream bass, feel free to drop me a PM or call me at the number listed below.

RobC
Arizona Bass Company
520-591-9926